4th times a charm- Red Sea XXL625 build

[currentking]

Now is the time after almost 6 years away from the hobby I have decided to jump in with both feet and hopefully have more success than in the past. It’s amazing how much you forget and then realize this has all got so complicated And crazy expensive! I contemplated doing a build thread but decided to do so in hopes someone may learn something from my mistakes as I have learned from many other build threads.

before I get started with this 4th build, I wanted to share my last 3. i miss them all but I think my first was my favorite.



I orderd a Red Sea Reefer XL525 white and am expecting delivery sometime next week. There are many variables and things can change quickly as I continue down this path but below is a basic equipment list which I am confident will grow and change as I go.

Red Sea XL525 white
Bashsea or GEO sump
Bashsea Twisted Skimmer
GEO calcium reactor
3 Radion XR15’s blue
2 Ecotech MP40’s(not sure if this will be enough flow?)
2 Ecotech battery backups
Vectra M2 return pump
Apex
Trident
marco rock

 

[fishguy242]

wow ,first 3 looked great,ridin'along for #4

 

[currentking]

Got thrown a small curveball today as where I thought I would be putting my tank isn’t going to happen as the wife put her foot down! I wanted to move her hutch and place it here:

so now I am putting it here:

I was a little concerned placing in near windows but there is zero direct sunlight that comes through. Worst case scenario, I will black out the windows...

 

[MERKEY]

Very exciting!!

Following to watch you make it beautiful like the 1st 3!

 

[currentking]

Tank is still not here but I decided to try my luck at Bulk Reef Supply and order some things I needed. Specifically Marco Rock. we shall see if I got anything extra in my order... since they were having their customer appreciation week.

 

[currentking]

Ok, so no freebies from BRS but I did get some nice Marco Rock. 160lbs!

 

[currentking]

The tank has been delayed for about another week as Red Sea apparently is having issues shipping but it will be here soon enough.
I did however get my regulator today made by Alan Le. Great quality build!

 

[currentking]

It’s been a long week to say the least! The Red Sea is delayed and I am being told it will be another 10 days before it arrives!

unfortunately today I had to put down my Weim as she has a brain tumor. Kai will be missed! This was her today!!!

This is when we got her when she was 6 weeks old

and here she is when she had her favorite toy(Other than a bird or a squirrel.

I also separated my rocks which are going to drive me crazy figuring out the aquascaping. Far left is base and far right are shelves. I don’t think I have enough reef saver rock but we soon shall see.

 

[currentking]

Tank still not here but everything else is coming in. I’m really digging the sump and skimmer!

 

[Zagreus]

Welcome back, i am just coming back too. Sorry about your dog. I just moved to Parkland Ranches and just restarted my tank too. Good luck and keep posting.

 

[currentking]

Welcome back, i am just coming back too. Sorry about your dog. I just moved to Parkland Ranches and just restarted my tank too. Good luck and keep posting.

Thank you! What size tank are you starting and will you do a build thread?

 

[Zagreus]

Looking forward to following you. My last post to you was my first in like 2 years lol. I am spinning up my last tank and will post something. Lets meet for a socially distant coffee sometime.

 

[currentking]

Looking forward to following you. My last post to you was my first in like 2 years lol. I am spinning up my last tank and will post something. Lets meet for a socially distant coffee sometime.

Glad to have you back! Get to spinning up that tank and I’ll see you for some caffeine in the future

 

[currentking]

The sump is going to be very tight. I was hoping to fit the skimmer on the left side but it’s a no go...

 

[DC Reefer]

Nice looking set-up!!

 

[currentking]

Nice looking set-up!!

Thank you! I must admit this is going to be way more work than anticipated. Way more $$ as well but in the end it will be worth it.

 

[currentking]

Just about to work on the rock scape.

tank is still not in so I decided to upgrade to the Red Sea XXL625 so I had to purchase another 70lbs of rock

 

[currentking]

The hardest part is the rock work. It’s very difficult! No matter how you place it, it seems to look like a pile of rock! My first attempt at a small piece.

 

[fishguy242]

hi,getting there,would be cool ,kinda hole in middle

 

[currentking]

Tank is delayed again. Looks like the end of December. Been working on rockscape a little more. This is very time consuming. The top shelf is not permanent, just trying different options.