Richard’s18 month old Cade S2 1500 Reef

[@insanity4224]

I have been totally over SPS tanks lately because they generally all look the same, but this tank is just so well done and has been allowed to grow out naturally it’s absolutely stunning. Great video Sam 👍

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks mate, hope it reignited your interest into SPS!

[@brantlitwiler8612]

Love it.There is nothing like a grown out digitata.Thanks, for showing off that tank.

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks for watching!

[@aaronfoss8956]

Richard - slow clap from new york. Awesome tank!

[@ParkersReef]

haha yes, slow clap all round as it is mighty impressive! Thanks for watching Aaron!

[@richp8693]

Hey thanks Aaron :)

[@OurBengals]

One of the best I've seen. Beautiful!

[@ParkersReef]

Agreed and achieved in such a short time frame!

[@danielfox6709]

The way he has packed so much different coral in there abs have them live in (sorta) harmony is crazy. Awesome tank!

[@ParkersReef]

Harmony is a great choice of words. It is perfectly harmonious

[@moereefer]

I swear that reef is unbelievable I can’t believe how much corals and overgrown it is wtF. Wow. That’s a OG

[@ParkersReef]

It’s bloody amazing hey!

[@Reefahholic]

Sweet system! Great video and appreciated the US gallon conversions. 👍🏼💯🙂

[@ParkersReef]

Glad you liked it!

[@hezzjazz]

Congratulations Richard! What a beautiful and diverse coral ecosystem you’ve created!!

[@ParkersReef]

It’s a beaut!!

[@adambahe9309]

It really is impressive. I'm jealous. I've had a lot of hiccups with automation so his automation angle is what I'm aiming for. I think I have all the kinks worked out though so here's hoping my tank will look like his in 18 months.

[@andrewstrutt6048]

Beautiful tank Richard, thanks for the walk around

[@richp8693]

Thank you Andrew; it has been my slice of sanity over long COVID lockdowns in Melbourne

[@ParkersReef]

Agreed Andrew :)

[@pn7836]

What a set up and glad to see the reef tank tours back, so informative!

[@ParkersReef]

I’m glad to be able to bring them back!!

[@sarkprusa3102]

Nice setup.

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks!

[@FranklinDattein]

Stunning tank and the aquascaping is on point.

[@ParkersReef]

It’s perfect hey!

[@matsteel2292]

Wow puts my Cade S2 1500 to shame I’m jealous as ! Awesome tank love it!

[@ParkersReef]

Hopefully just inspiration!!

[@bobbyknox9258]

Phenomenal reef! Can't wait till my 1200 grows out. But don't imagine it'll look like this.

[@ParkersReef]

It certainly sets the standard

[@MarrrbleRace]

Awesome setup, love the look of all the grown styx there

[@ParkersReef]

They have grown in so well

[@jamesmcfarlandiv3867]

This is such an amazing setup. Absolutely gorgeous! Placement is spot on. I dose phyto daily also this being the first tank I've seen someone else dosing it on I'm definitely gonna keep it up.

[@ParkersReef]

if you ever needed an excuse to continue dosing phyto, Richards tank is it!

[@mingwu3443]

Wow. This is definitely one of the best reefs you have featured so far!

[@ParkersReef]

its a lovely tank!!!

[@tookmyhandle2]

What a beautiful tank.

[@ParkersReef]

Agreed! It’s a beaut

[@MichaelCantwell]

Beautiful tank, congrats

[@ParkersReef]

It absolutely is!

[@Mr.GC1984]

this is a beautiful tank sam. i love how he keeps things so simple and pretty much let the tank take care of its self and its great he using an apex too

[@ParkersReef]

Yeah a lot of thought and work has gone into it to allow a hands off approach, but yes, it has been implemented beautifully!

[@eliasdagher481]

Nice set-up, was good meeting Richard yesterday too

[@ParkersReef]

Nice one :)

[@alexmassey4810]

Awesome tank, awesome video.

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it!

[@markmckinnell2204]

Incredible - all that in only 18 months 😍

[@ParkersReef]

Hard to believe hey!

[@markmckinnell2204]

@@ParkersReef it’s amazing Sam😜

[@sunnygoold9449]

18months! Yeah I'm jealous of that for sure ;)

[@ParkersReef]

Amazing accomplishment in such a short time frame

[@captainkite1]

Thanks Sam - great tour of Richards tank. I met you a couple of weeks ago at lifestyle aquarium in Watsonia when I was grabbing some stuff. Your such a down to earth guy and so passionate about your reefing. Thanks for keeping me so inspired. Paul

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks Paul! Was good meeting you there. Lifestyle tour is coming soon :)

[@cadeaquariums]

Wow amazing job Richard. I’d love to come see this for myself. Cheers, Adam.

[@ParkersReef]

Have to wait for Richard to respond, but I'm sure it could be arranged!

[@richp8693]

Absolutely Adam, more than welcome. It has certainly helped us all get thru the long Melbourne lockdown

[@cadeaquariums]

@@richp8693 good to hear it broke the lockdown monotony :)

[@fuffoon]

Nice tank.

[@ParkersReef]

I think so too!

[@IMGbaugher]

What a beauty of a tank.

[@ParkersReef]

It’s a beaut!

[@ttspeedster8930]

Beautiful tank…you just gave me some more ideas on my custom built 194 gallon tank….Keep it simple…..thanks 😎💯👍🏾🔥

[@ParkersReef]

Glad it was of use to you, thanks for watching :)

[@josephmasci7249]

Far out… awesome tank!!!

[@ParkersReef]

It’s a ripper!

[@AbbasReef]

Great to see other peoples tanks, got some ideas to take a few things outdoors in the future :)

[@ParkersReef]

Ah excellent!! That’s always the aim with these videos, to share some good ideas with the world - so I’m glad you were able to get some inspiration :)

[@SharbucklesReef]

Watching from Canada it’s so bizarre to me to see all that equipment outside!

[@ParkersReef]

Hahaha yeah not that cold here 😅

[@petesreef1891]

Great tank Sam , congrats to Richard on a visual treat. The corals and fish look fantastic love the tabling acros and full look. He runs a system very similar to my own. I like the idea of the litremeter but being in the Uk we don’t have that. The Kalk is a good idea been thinking about that to keep ph up was thinking of using Neptune apex with solenoid to turn it off and on when hitting desired level. My ph drops of a night even with fuge on reverse cycle and reduction of calcium reactor effluent with light sensor.

[@ParkersReef]

We don’t have the litermeter here either, but we bring them in from the states :)

[@inventoryking]

Amazing aquarium! He is shutting the tank down? Why?

[@ParkersReef]

house renovations :)

[@Heavens-Humanaterian-Army]

Absolutley beautiful 😍

[@ParkersReef]

Glad you are enjoying some of the older content on the channel!

[@jamesrecon14]

So beautiful

[@ParkersReef]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mariagalanis6476]

Absolutely beautiful, we’ll done, Richard. You should film it over several hours, loop it and make an app - I could watch those gorgeous fish swimming around for hours 👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️🐟🐠🐙🦀

[@richp8693]

Thank you for the kind comment Maria - they are certainly very peaceful :)

[@ParkersReef]

Lovely tank indeed 👌🏻

[@andrewsdrmike]

Great tour Sam! It’s cool that he can keep equipment outside. I’m not so lucky due to our winters.

[@ParkersReef]

Yeah good old australia has some benefits!

[@one-armed-reefer5184]

Wow stunning tank well done same ages as mine I feel a little inadequate now lol 🤣😂

[@ParkersReef]

Hahaha don’t be like that :p

[@one-armed-reefer5184]

@@ParkersReef I just wish I could keep sps like that tbh sam I’m just a little jealous 😂🤣😂

[@paulkennedy636]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen an automated phyto reactor that feeds daily. That would be a really great informative video.

[@ParkersReef]

I’ll have to see if Richard gets it up and running again and then I can do a focus on it :)

[@richp8693]

It will be back up and running shortly - I’ll let you know Sam. Paul it’s basically a chemostat, with a bit of trial and error

[@ParkersReef]

@@richp8693 sounds great!

[@Anthony-rl4ok]

Is there anywhere else where we can follow the progress of this tank?

[@ParkersReef]

afraid not. Richard is currently in the midst of renovations of his house :)

[@simmo56able]

An awesome tank Richard and amazing growth in just 18 months. Some great tips about just leaving the tank do its thing and not chasing numbers. I also love that outdoor space but was wondering if the weather was a concern with all that gear? Thanks for showing us the tank Sam and im sure you loved all that automation

[@ParkersReef]

Loved everything about the tank!

[@richp8693]

Hey simmo. The litremeter is protected in a waterproof enclosure, and the CaRx has a cover for UV protection. It is sitting on a ventilated box that houses and protects the chiller. Else everting out there is not affected by the elements. Certainly no issues so far :)

[@Santahere-q9s]

@@richp8693Hi Richard wondering if you could share the exact setup for the RO automation at all? Cheers Trent.

[@ParkersReef]

@tcfxr6 it’s a fairly basic latch I g relay design or you can buy an off the shelf unit from autoaqua that will do it for you :)

[@Santahere-q9s]

Cheers Sam, any idea where I could get the design from and or which exact unit I am looking at online?

[@michelleconabere7063]

Beautiful

[@ParkersReef]

Agreed!

[@dilshanudayasiri231]

Hi Richard. Not sure if you still monitor this video but I just purchased this tank. I had a few questions about your plumbing. Did you remove the filter sock section to make space for your roller. Looking at your sump it looks like you might have placed it in the sump section. If so, were you worried about the lack of flow through the filter sock area? A follow-on question. your reactors (GFO/carbon) are sitting in your skimmer area as well. Are their outputs going to the return pump section or back into the skimmer section? Sorry if this question seems basic.

[@ParkersReef]

Hopefully Richard will check this out sometime soon, but he certainly has a lot happening in his sump that is for sure!

[@richp8693]

Hey mate - yes still lurking in the background. Confirming that the filter roller sits in front of the filter sock area - I did not bother removing it. In have two heaters under the filter sock retaining plate. There is a return from the outside UV that runs into the filter sock area (just a convenient place for the plumbing - no socks) and provides flow over the heaters. Even without this I would not worry about dead spots, there is som much water movement thru the sump.

[@richp8693]

Outputs from the GFO/carbon just go back to the sump. Ppl get all bent up about single pass flow, having to return to the display tank etc. honestly, don’t worry. Flow thru these will be about 1/20 of your return flow thru the sump. Good luck with the tank - it’s a great choice :).

[@dilshanudayasiri231]

@richp8693 Thanks Richard. I will put the stanley knife away 😀. Knowing that I do not have to return the output from reactors to the return pump chamber is good to know. Will make plumbing a lot easier. Best of luck with your new tank. Hope all your plans get past management 😉.

[@burtminshew4812]

He started with alot of colonies but everything looks amazing and I love that naoki wrasse.

[@ParkersReef]

there is no denying that they have all grown in though....

[@burtminshew4812]

@@ParkersReef ....they have grown in perfect. Love that tank!

[@melmorrison2978]

Would love to see a pic of his scape from the start before all the amazing growth of the corals. I’m setting up the same size Cade but struggling getting the rock scape right. Would love some advice as this looks amazing!

[@richp8693]

If you let me know how to get some pics to you, happy to wing some your way

[@ParkersReef]

Richard might reply, but I do have some pictures of his tank that came out a treat!

[@Hakanozdemiruk]

Very nice external setup. Do you get colt weather that would freeze ro I'm guessing not

[@ParkersReef]

Na not down here :)

[@Hakanozdemiruk]

@@ParkersReef yeah I live in the UK so that's probably out of the question putting it outside hey. If the tank don't freeze the pipes will

[@ParkersReef]

Haha yeah fair call too mate!

[@KrijnsReef]

Great looking tank! How do you get the water level in the Cade that high? Mine site much lower..

[@ParkersReef]

It’s pretty set out of the factory. Perhaps Richard’s has risen with some coraline algae growing on the overflow combs?

[@ParkersReef]

yeah that is a good question!

[@ppsthlm]

Gorgeous!!

[@ParkersReef]

Agreed, it is stunning!

[@johnoneill5661]

Very nice tank. Can't keep stuff outside here with our -10 or more winters ☹

[@ParkersReef]

Yeah tend to freeze a little!

[@gregoryrunningelk865]

Hey Parkers reef! Listen I need some names to some great stick corals to start a 60 gallon tank, can you do a show for placement of them and why? How far apart should we put them, lighting ,dosing and care.

[@ParkersReef]

Mix up colours and growth patterns. Let nature take care of the rest for you

[@festgnob]

amazing setup, i find it funny how some people have all this equipment and automation that would make my head explode. But they find it so easy :) this is not a basic setup, this is advanced AF :). Jealous As, Id like to know what his Power outage backup plan is i dont think u touched on that thx.

[@ParkersReef]

It’s a wicked setup! I’m not sure what Richard’s power backup is, but I can share mine: kzbin.info/www/bejne/moarqH6ZfdyjoLM

[@allytrudie864]

Did he start with all colonies or tiny 1cm frags though?

[@ParkersReef]

some where, some weren't. Here in Australia the wild colonies are usually cheaper than the 1cm frags :)

[@masonmclean7597]

I have a great tank for you to visit here in the states! 🤪 hope all is well Sam!

[@ParkersReef]

Mate you have no idea how much I’d love to get over there for a tank crawl! Hopefully one day!!

[@patrickpoulin8554]

What roller mats have you found to be the most reliable? Thinking about switching from filter socks (don’t like switching them out all the time either haha) Cheers!

[@ParkersReef]

There are a few options out there at the moment, none of them are bullet proof (as is the same with any automation). Personally, I'd go for what your LFS carries and recommends. That way you're going to get support, part availability and access to on going consumables.

[@patrickpoulin8554]

Thanks!

[@stewartdevisser3818]

"Just don't ask what the water parameters are cause I just don't know" I think I died a little inside lol

[@ParkersReef]

hahahaha I know right. Such an experienced reefer, knows how things are doing just by looking at the tank!

[@stewartdevisser3818]

@@ParkersReef I have not long finished dealing with cyanobacteria lol so for a period of time all I did is test water and try not to lie to myself about the numbers lol

[@ParkersReef]

It's all good mate, we've all been there don't worry!!!

[@alvinjackson7413]

What is he using for substrate?

[@ParkersReef]

I cannot remember the exact sand, but it was nothing unusual - standard reef sand

[@pn7836]

How long does he run his T5 lights?

[@ParkersReef]

Yeah great question, have to see if Richard can reply to that one :)

[@richp8693]

T5 run 5 hours per day 12:30 to 17:30. Vitamini also run at this time. This corresponds to the peak period for the AI’s, which run a modified David Saxby schedule

[@ParkersReef]

Nice

[@pn7836]

@@richp8693 wow, i have a hybrid with leds but turn down my leds when running t5s. May have to reconsider that strategy!

[@richp8693]

It seems like a lot of light, but still much less PAR that midday sun over a shallow reef. If you adjust your schedule, just remember to acclimatise over time :)

[@mikeydee7815]

Wow just wow 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@ParkersReef]

Amazing stuff!!!

[@richardportelli1983]

Amazing setup! What pump is he using for the kalk?

[@ParkersReef]

I think it is a Kamoer

[@ParkersReef]

Or could be a dos?

[@richp8693]

Yeah it’s a Kamoer STP running at 3.3 ml/min 24/7. Bullet proof pumps

[@richardportelli1983]

@@richp8693 is that almost equivalent to your maximum evaporation rate?

[@richp8693]

@@richardportelli1983 yeah it is a little under. The ATO takes care of the difference.

[@TwoScottishReefers]

How do you avoid Acropora eating flat worms with so many wild Acro's?

[@ParkersReef]

If they’re not introduced, they won’t exist in the system :p But also, Richard has a lot of wrasse which could eliminate any flatworm that did make it through QT

[@TwoScottishReefers]

@@ParkersReef very difficult to keep them out. We don't get access to so much wild Acro colonies as you guys do and they still managed to sneak in on frags even with strict dipping schedule. Nightmare.

[@miguelm4845]

Hi, can you share the brand of aminos and the fish food you use?

[@ParkersReef]

Coral Essentials for the aminos :)

[@richp8693]

Coral essentials black label for the vitamins, two little fishies Acropower for the aminos (30 ml/day). Frozen food is Ocean Nutrition, generally marine mix and mysis together, and dry at midday is AF Marine Mix. I don’t broadcast feed any other coral foods, there are enough particles in the frozen foods along with the organics and aminos.

[@briankavanagh7191]

Wow that tank looks just like mine 👍 mind you mine is a screen saver 😂

[@ParkersReef]

Hahahaha much cheaper that way

[@rodolfoprinzi5591]

nice!

[@ParkersReef]

It’s a gorgeous tank!!

[@ttown918]

Must be amazing to live where the average daytime high, year-round, is somewhere between like 60-78F.

[@ParkersReef]

Cannot complain too much!

[@adambahe9309]

Don't the drop bears chew on all those lines outside though?

[@ParkersReef]

Haha na we scare them off with anti drop bear scents 😅

[@-Wreckanize-]

I would be so paranoid having all that equipment outside.

[@ParkersReef]

Paranoid about what? They’re well protected where they are :)

[@-Wreckanize-]

@@ParkersReef Can't say that Stateside

[@EIY_Kumar]

you have checked out many tanks and you're very well experienced in this how about you start a series where people send you videos of their tank with a short description and you make videos about them, what you like, what you don't like and what can be done to have a better tank, a constructive criticism of some sort

[@ParkersReef]

I'd be open to that! Do you volunteer as first tank?

[@EIY_Kumar]

​@@ParkersReef would Love to do so ❤❤❤

[@AustinCFitness]

Those are the largest ricordeas I’ve ever seen.

[@ParkersReef]

Gorgeous pieces!

[@hoanglong6645]

Size tank, lightning bro?

[@ParkersReef]

Cade 1500. Has AI’s, t5 and vitamini

[@ztaquatics]

Secret Sauce=Money! (Mr. Krabs voice)

[@ParkersReef]

hahahahahaha

[@petesreef1891]

Wow 👍

[@ParkersReef]

Not long till the premier!

[@petesreef1891]

@@ParkersReef shit thought it was tonight not tomorrow, something to look forward too 😁

[@aana992]

The way he is doesn’t know much about his parameters or equipment apart from the fact that it’s automated. I’m pretty confident that someone else is managing it & e.g a local fish store or someone else in the house & he is just the financial wallet behind it all…. If he had did the full setup, and initial tuning of the parameters he would definitely would know what his levels are without even looking at the apex unit…. Someone else hard work & his taking credit. Example if we reference SAM’s other house visits to view personal tanks they have all information on it all the way from equipment, down the coral species they have. While this guy only knows, ‘’Apex runs a bunch of stuff’’.

[@ParkersReef]

I can assure you Richard absolutely built the system and maintains it. This was late in this systems life cycle, the tank was fairly well on autopilot and Richard was already thinking of the new system. Don't be tricked by our Aussie laid back culture :)

[@richp8693]

Wtf - I assume you’re trolling but I’ll take the bait … I have been in and around reefkeeping since 1990. With a chemical engineering and chemistry background, I definitely know my way around both control technology and water chemistry. The point I was making is two fold - automation minimises user imposed variables to the system which is good, and once you are attuned to the system you can pick up its health just by looking at it. You don’t need to analyse the crap out of it - and for many this just leads to fiddling around which can compound the instability you are trying to solve for. But hey, if you know better knock yourself out …

[@seancolinclark]

👍👍

[@ParkersReef]

Nice setup hey!!

[@vadius55]

😳 Оборудование весит на фасаде дома, это что-то с чем-то 😁, а аквариум зачётный.

[@ParkersReef]

Несомненно, что в нижней части дома это идеальное место для некоторых крупных предметов, необходимых для поддержки аквариума.

[@rayzorhead]

He is very cute

[@ParkersReef]

Hahaha I’m sure Richard will appreciate that!!

[@SovsBorg]

Thor???

[@ParkersReef]

Breed them tough in Australia!

[@akvasvet]

👍👍👍 👍👍👍

[@ParkersReef]

Thank you :)

[@invaderjoshua6280]

Sooo his secret is spend a crap ton more money on the tech then the fish, tank, or coral. I really like the control that apex offers in theory, but unless I’m pulling in over 60k alone something like that is off limits to me. As it should be to anyone not earning more then 60k a year. That’s insanely overpriced for a few sensors attached to out dated overly large hardware, and semi outdated software. We really need competition to Neptune in this control freak zone to drive down the price.

[@ParkersReef]

No one suggested it was the cheapest option, but it’s within Richard’s means and has worked a treat for him. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fairly big critic of Neptune gear, but I also know first hand that money alone does not equal a nice reef

[@calipsosreefs4843]

Come take a look at mine

[@ParkersReef]

I’d love to, where are you based?

[@26Tackle.reviews]

mmm" got all that gear and dont know what his water parameters are! log onto your apex bud!

[@ParkersReef]

Apex will only tell him ph, temp and salinity. No trident for alk cal and mag and nothing for phosphate or nitrate

[@richp8693]

Hmmm - ok I’ll respond to this comment. Apex has alarms, including a daily self test, and is checked on waking. The point is I monitor my critical control points. These are the tank critical parameters that are being actively controlled. For me that is Kh (via KH Guardian), temp and calcium reactor pH (this one more for extremes, wracked probe, no gas, gas stuck on - all bad for KH). ICP every three months, and phosphate probably every few months. The only time I’ll monitor a specific element (ie Sr, K etc) is when I’m making a tweak to the trace dosing or something looks (or smells) not quite right. Otherwise it what it is …

[@26Tackle.reviews]

@@richp8693 yes iv got apex and the alarm can be a pain in the ass giving you notice 24/7 but im like yourself and love modern Tech but i also love my hanna hand checkers that really dont take that long! nyos for no3 is very good! but im with my tank everyday and all day so iv probably got more time to test than yourself

[@calipsosreefs4843]

Lol

[@ParkersReef]

What are we laughing out loud about?

[@calipsosreefs4843]

I’m in the USA

[@ParkersReef]

never say never mate, I'd love to come visit one day!!!