Bato367's Red Sea Reefer XL 425 - Mixed Reef

Bato367

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We got lucky and seized an opportunity and found a like-new used, fully stocked Red Sea Reefer XL 425. My wife and I are stoked, and will post some photos of our breakdown, cleanup, build and updates of our reefer here.

The caveat to scoring this great deal was we had to drive 250 miles to break it down, and safely transport all equipment and life 250 miles back home, all in a day. In the winter. Over snowy passes. But we did it! Our reward is the following setup for less than the price of a new Reefer XL 425 with without any equipment.

The used package came with the Reefer system, white canopy, RS LED 90's, Nyos Quantum skimmer, titanium heater with controller, Vectra M2 pump, 2 Ecotech MP40 powerheads, refugium light, reef rock, sand, many corals (will list livestock later), Flipper glass cleaner, cleanup crew, many tools, accessories, testing equipment, 2 platinum clowns, 1 ocellaris, 1 royal gramma, 1 six-line wrasse etc. The tank did have a yellow tang, but it wasn't included, and the owner transferred him to his home tank. Sadly, we lost the royal gramma and six-line in the expedition, but all other life seems to be ok. Two of my favorite fish. Overall, though, I'd think that's a win considering the distance and winter temperatures.

Right now, we are prepping the room where it will be placed. Cut carpet to set on concrete, painting the walls and floor and trimming out the small nook. And we're on the home stretch of cleaning all of the equipment.

Assembly will take place likely tomorrow as I am waiting on new o-ring seals for the plumbing.

Attached is the photo of what we bought. Granted, it wasn't quite this vibrant when we got there because it was in a corporate office and just wasn't getting the TLC it needed lately. But this is the setup and the life that's in it.

Other photos are tank breakdown and transport.

More to come...

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Bato367

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Site prep photos:

It has taken the entire week because we removed the old mirrors and shelfs that used to be here and a section of carpet to expose the concrete floor. Then we painted the wall behind, installed a GFCI outlet, trim, and primed the floor with Killz. We then used a 2-part concrete floor paint to coat the floor. The last thing we will do at some point is install the carpet to concrete transition.

But my priority is getting the critters back into their home.
 

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Equipment cleanup and preparation photos:

Of course, doing a project like this, the house becomes a disaster zone. Don't mind the mess. We soaked equipment in a mild solution of vinegar and water overnight to clean it. It was due for a deep clean anyways.
 

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Bato367

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We started the assembly of the tank last night after completing the room prep and equipment cleaning. The 2-part flooring paint took about 24 hours for foot traffic and takes about a week to fully cure. But it was perfectly fine to start setting up.
 

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Today is wiring and wet test day. Not much to do other than tidy up the wires after mounting them to the inside walls of cabinet. Still takes a bit to do it right and label things.
 

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Congrats on the new tank!!
 
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Bato367

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Today we had intentions of getting all the critters back into their home. But a busy day later and my wife and I filled the tank with sand and saltwater.

Made all of the usual checks and adjustments, making water, and waiting for the mini amo spike to subside.

The sand has been in a tub since this Monday, not a heated or circulated anything. I did rinse it well before putting into the tank and not was it dirty!

I dosed some Brightwell Aquatics MicroBacter, installed some new floss filter socks. It is clearing up well now. This Nyos skimmer is awesome at pulling out the junk!

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We spent all day getting all of the life back into their home. I broke down my Evo 13.5 gal. Reef and placed the small aqua scape into the Reefer.

We’re happy how the scape turned out despite having to bond wet rock and work with the pieces that came with the tank.

Everything appears to be doing fine.

I have an iPhone; I need to read up on how to photograph the tank…
 

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Bato367

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Doing some water testing and fine tuning on the Nyos skimmer. Micro bubble party going on. I think most of it is the Seachem Coralcrete epoxy…
 

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Townsaquaria

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Wow what a long trip for this tank! I couldn't do it. Y'all must be very strong and full of energy and endurance because these tanks are HEAVY! I couldn't move our XXL 750. It took 4 movers + me to simply put it on the stand. So well done. Too bad for lost fish but good luck in your journey!
 

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Looks like a beautiful tank start, congrats. Depending on your coral choices it looks like you may need a third light for optimal coverage
 
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Wow what a long trip for this tank! I couldn't do it. Y'all must be very strong and full of energy and endurance because these tanks are HEAVY! I couldn't move our XXL 750. It took 4 movers + me to simply put it on the stand. So well done. Too bad for lost fish but good luck in your journey!
Thanks! It was an expedition for sure. But, we're enjoying it!
 
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Looks like a beautiful tank start, congrats. Depending on your coral choices it looks like you may need a third light for optimal coverage
Thanks! Mixed reef so maybe 40% LPS 40% softies, 20% sps. Hopefully not, but this is the biggest, nicest reef I've owned so I am not familiar on the details of what it may need.
 

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What a job to get a new system and have to start out by doing a teardown and move. I did not see the hours to complete the move but I am guessing 20-30 hours straight. Having done jobs like this professionally and personally its stressful. I am happy to hear the move went well with minimal losses. The tank is looking great.
 
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What a job to get a new system and have to start out by doing a teardown and move. I did not see the hours to complete the move but I am guessing 20-30 hours straight. Having done jobs like this professionally and personally its stressful. I am happy to hear the move went well with minimal losses. The tank is looking great.

Thanks! And you didn't have to check out my little ol' Reefer, but I appreciate it. I was being sarcastic in your monster build thread...That is unbelievable what you are building! I am following along for sure.

I forgot to mention, that we agreed on the price and time to meet but it was the very next day! The seller had to have the tank gone the next day or he was going to have to pay corporate office rent again...So that night I scrambled to make a plan, reserve the U-Haul, gather tools etc. When we arrived 250 miles later, I had to go to Home Depot and get all the supplies.

Had I had more time for prep, I think I would have had more success with the fish...Although I have heard six lines, while tough in the tank, aren't super tough when it comes to moving.

The clowns sure are hardy though.
 

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Thanks! And you didn't have to check out my little ol' Reefer, but I appreciate it. I was being sarcastic in your monster build thread...That is unbelievable what you are building! I am following along for sure.

I forgot to mention, that we agreed on the price and time to meet but it was the very next day! The seller had to have the tank gone the next day or he was going to have to pay corporate office rent again...So that night I scrambled to make a plan, reserve the U-Haul, gather tools etc. When we arrived 250 miles later, I had to go to Home Depot and get all the supplies.

Had I had more time for prep, I think I would have had more success with the fish...Although I have heard six lines, while tough in the tank, aren't super tough when it comes to moving.

The clowns sure are hardy though.

I hope you got a good deal since they were in a bind to get the tank out that quick.
 
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