AstroReefer's 425XL build

[CDavmd]

Progress: Light Fixture up and all sump cables done. Set up ATK and routed lines to basement.....started fooling around with some rock too.

 

[Azil]

Your rocks are gorgeous. Any particular rocks you're using?

 

[CDavmd]

Your rocks are gorgeous. Any particular rocks you're using?

Thanks! I'm using Marco Rocks- some of his prime cuts and cherry. I like the prime cuts; they are flat on the bottom and allow for a very natural look blended look.

 

[CDavmd]

More progress:

Finished my water mixing station- the RODI has two optical level sensors. When the bottom one opens it will open a solenoid which will flush any TDS creep water. 2 minutes later it closes and then open another solenoid which fills the reservoir. When the top sensor becomes closed it will close the solenoid and shut down water production. During production it will cycle every hour for a 2 minute backflush of the membrane.

ADDENDUM: AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF RUNNING I ALSO ADDED OPTICAL SENSORS TO THE SALT CONTAINER. I T'D THE RO LINE AND ADDED ANOTHER SOLENOID. WHEN THE SALT IS LOW IT WILL STOP ANY AWC AND START FILLING THE SALT CONTAINER WITH RODI WATER. IT WILL ALSO SEND ME AN ALERT. I WILL ADD THE SALT WHEN IT IS FILLED AND TURN ON THE PUMP TO MIX IT UP.

I also set up my ATK and DOS for automatic water changes.

Next I’ll set up my Quarantine tank and finish the apex display.

 

[CDavmd]

...played with the rocks again. After a couple weeks I’ve arrived at the scape.

 

[Hulley]

...played with the rocks again. After a couple weeks I’ve arrived at the scape.

Love the rock scape! I'm so happy to see this as I'm in the process of setting up a 350 and looking for ideas. I'm not wanting a ton of rock, just enough for some bio-filtration and lots of room for corals. Excellent job! BTW, I love the water mixing station and automation, I'm planning something similar for mine as I have a basement and plenty of room.

 

[CDavmd]

Love the rock scape! I'm so happy to see this as I'm in the process of setting up a 350 and looking for ideas. I'm not wanting a ton of rock, just enough for some bio-filtration and lots of room for corals. Excellent job! BTW, I love the water mixing station and automation, I'm planning something similar for mine as I have a basement and plenty of room.

Thanks! I'm finally heading into the home stretch. This has been a long time coming and I have been very methodical and careful about each step. Trying to keep this as low maintenance as possible and the apex really helps. Far cry from my tanks over a decade ago! Good luck with yours!

 

[CDavmd]

Lights up and programmed, Scape glued solid, Par readings completed (will redo when filled and running).....inching closer. I used the Jurassic glue from BRS and the instaset spray to glue the scape together. I very much like this as it sets clear and is invisible. Everything is "rock" solid pun intended.

 

[scuzy]

Lights up and programed, Scape glued solid, Par readings completed.....inching closer.

That par reading might be off a lot since you don't have water in it.

 

[CDavmd]

Yup they’ll be off a little but it’s a baseline.

 

[CDavmd]

While I’m waiting for my display panels I started going through some old gear and left overs. I’ve put a couple things up for sale...more to follow.

I decided to set up a frag/QT/grow out tank in my basement. It’s a 24x24x8 acrylic tank. I drilled it this weekend and installed a shadow overflow by synergy reef @mixer911 and return bulkhead. Set up my old Radion XR15 over it. Still thinking of flow. I have an old MP10 but I’m not sure it will stay on as the acrylic is 1/2 inch. I also have an MP40 but I think it will be overkill.

Might just throw an old power head in there ...still deciding. Anyway pretty happy with the setup thus far.

 

[aros]

Sweet build! Where in MA are you? I’m planning on getting a reefer 350 eventually and I’d love to come take a look at your tank and build materials.

 

[CDavmd]

Thanks! I'm out in the metro west areas beyond 128

 

[CDavmd]

Life got in the way again.....things have been slow. Found some time to finish my Frag/grow out system. Picked up a nice synergy reef @mixer911 TS-26 sump and plumbed it with the Frag tank and their shadow overflow. UPS destroyed the first one they sent me but they were awesome and had a replacement out to me very quickly. After finishing a leak test, plumbing and setup....Its filled, seeded, and cycling.

 

[mixer911]

Nice setup Carlos! I will be following along!

 

[CDavmd]

Nice setup Carlos! I will be following along!

Thanks Rick! Sump and overflow are up and running with no issues. Thanks again.

 

[mixer911]

Thanks Rick! Sump and overflow are up and running with no issues. Thanks again.

Awesome! Glad to hear. I love seeing a Shadow overflow on smaller frag tanks. A lot of people think they can only be used on large tanks, but we have customer using them on tanks as small as 10 gallons.

 

[hockeyhead019]

Looking forward to watching this one. I'll admit I'm jealous of your setup, especially that water changing station.

Have you started thinking about the stocking plan yet? I know Dori will be included but what else? The scaping is interesting, love the minimalist look and I think it could lead to some real fun placement opportunities for upward growers

 

[m0jjen]

Lights up and programed, Scape glued solid, Par readings completed.....inching closer.

Whats the radion schedule like with that par?

 

[CDavmd]

Looking forward to watching this one. I'll admit I'm jealous of your setup, especially that water changing station.

Have you started thinking about the stocking plan yet? I know Dori will be included but what else? The scaping is interesting, love the minimalist look and I think it could lead to some real fun placement opportunities for upward growers

Thanks! @hockeyhead019

My overall plans are SPS/LPS. The LPS are mainly my current system corals that will move into the new system.

With the SPS I’m hoping to have tall growers on the facing edges of the two rock structures so as to achieve a canyon effect over time.

Fish wise- my current clowns, basslet, tomini tang, and diamond goby will come over.

I’d like to add a Fox face rabbit, some Anthias, and perhaps a wrasse. Still have not made any definitive choices.

Thanks for looking!

Cheers