Red Sea Reefer XL - 300 G2
- Aquarium
- 65 gallons - 36"L x 22.6"W x 22"H with 1/2" glass
- Sump
- 15 gallons - 18.7"L x 18.5"W x 13.5"H
- Filtration
- Red Sea ReefMat 500
- Return Pump
- EcoTech Marine Vectra S2
- Powerheads
- EcoTech Marine MP40mQD x2
- Lighting
- Ecotech Marine Radion XR15 G6 x2
- Skimmer
- Red Sea RSK 300
- UV
- Aqua Ultraviolet Classic - 57 Watt
- ATO
- Tunze Osmolator 3155
- Controller
- ApexEL w/ Leak Detection and AFS
- Organization
- Red Sea 60cm Slide-Out Control Panel
- RODI
- BRS 7 Stage w/ 200 GPD water saver
- Rock
- Marco Rock w/ two base pieces
Table of Contents
- June 18, 2022 - Introduction Post
- June 19, 2022 - Equipment Selection and UV Sterilizer
- June 21, 2022 - Equipment Selection and Protein Skimmer
- June 25, 2022 - Aquascaping
- July 03, 2022 - Red Sea Slide Out Control Board
Introduction
I’ve finally begun a new build after tearing down my previous tank due to issues in my personal life. I’ve made the decision to go with a simple all-in-one set up instead of the custom route and I’m excited to enjoy a plug and play lifestyle again. I have owned three Red Sea tanks during my time in the hobby – including a C-250 Max, a Red Sea Max Nano, and a Red Sea Reefer 525XL that I never got around to setting up.
I had been contemplating setting up a new system for sometime and when my eye was caught by an announcement for the G2 Reefer tanks I decided to go ahead and place an order. I was torn between the 300 XL and a 425 XL and I went back and forth between the two options for a few days. Ultimately I decided it would be a more manageable system and purchase if I went with the 300 XL.
For me personally – I didn’t see a lot of value in the price increase from the 36” to 48” footprint. 800$ for 12” of length was excessive in my mind. Coupled with the need for additional lighting and flow I just didn’t feel the desire to go that route. However, I will concede that the additional length would have been very nice as far as the sump and additional filtration and space beneath the stand.
My previous build was a custom tank, a custom stand, my own equipment choices as far as sump, plumbing, overflow, etc. I really enjoyed the process and the sense of accomplishment with setting up that tank but it really was a nightmare as far as trying to get everything to come together while also achieving a quality that I was happy with. I remember the headaches of confirming the drilling template for the overflow, the back and forth over the tank design, bracing options, shipping delays, etc. I especially remember the time spent trying to design, order and build a custom aluminum stand.
With these frustrations in my memory, I was very pleased and excited to be able to order a kit and just build it and be prepared to add water. In total it took me a little over two hours to unpack the boxes, build the stand, lift the tank by myself, and get the plumbing and sump installed. It was so seamless and easy in comparison to a custom or bespoke route. I don’t know if I’ll ever willingly go back to a custom tank builder!
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