Bender's Red Sea 625 XXL Build

[Bender]

Hello everyone !

So I did this thing, that I probably shouldn't have, and ordered a Red Sea 625 XXL with the v3 sump. The excitement is high and figured I'd start a tank build thread so I can log my progress, but also so I can lower the excitement a little to a manageable level!

I am piecing some stuff together from old builds along with some new items:

Tank - Red Sea Reefer Deluxe XXL 625
Lights - X3 Red Sea 90's with stock mounts
Controller - Old reefkeeper lite off my old tank. Although cannot find replacement probes for this anymore
Return - Current USA DC eflux loop 1950gph
Wave - x2 Current USA DC eflux 2100gph and an old Jabeo wp40 if needed
Skimmer- and old PM150 until much heavier stocked
ATO - integrated red sea ato

My goal is to keep polyps and LPS.

The tank should be coming in next week and am currently planning on how to reinforce the floor joists for the extra weight.

Also am working aquascaping with some older rock from previous tanks. I don't understand how people make these awesome scapes. Mine look like big balls of rock.

 

[MERKEY]

Sounds like the start to a great build! Cant wait to see this bad boy filled up!!

 

[Bender]

The spot where the tank is going. Its its almost exactly 6' wall to window trim, so the 5' tank will fit almost perfect with a gap on each side.

 

[Bender]

For the bracing of the floor the tank is going to be over the main beam by about 2'. So I am thinking another joist the length of the tank where the feet will be and then a jack post under the main beam under the new joist as well as another beam on the other side of the tank with a cross support so the beam is supporting all three joists that the tank is going to sit on.

 

[Bender]

When my rock dries my makeshift for aquascaping. Man this tank is going to be big. The dimensions never really hit homenuntill you can see it !

 

[Bender]

Just keeping busy on my day off doing what I can for the tank without the equipment being here. Upgraded my 4g quarantine with a 40B. Much different in size! I'll need the bigger qt for the bigger fish since I'm upgrading from a 24g tank.

 

[Bender]

Last post for the night - Ready for aquascaping next time I get some time. The boards are up and the rock is ready. My RODI system in the basement is in the way and will have to be moved to the side for the extra floor bracing, so I haven't started making water yet - As i know that is a couple day process by itself.

And my pup wondering when it's time to go back upstairs.

 

[Bender]

So i believe i have my choice of aquascape, still making minor adjustments:

I have also been receiving some of my order in. No tank yet but did get a call yesturday about shipping so hopefully its coming soon! Some heaters, return pump, powerheads, some extra test kits etc... arrived!

 

[Bender]

Hey guys. Another update - supplies are still making their way in! Today was a good day. I'm used to reefbreedees LEDs and never seen these little guys before. First impressions are looking good!

I also made a cutout of my future controller board dimensions and have been organising as I open equipment. Exciting stuff! I've never made a clean board before it's always been spaghetti.

On a seperate note for anyone that's been following along. My old IM skimmer isnt making microbubbles and just a PIA. What are some skimmer recommendations for 165g water volume ?

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Build is looking good. You were right though you shouldn’t have. I think they make a bigger tank

Water station is awesome. I like the Current stuff. I will have to mention that as an animal lover there are puppy labor laws about working too late.

Keep up the pics.

 

[Peace River]

There's a lot here to like! Keep the pictures coming and keep up the good work!!!

 

[dbl]

Wow...signing up to follow along. I like the aquascape layout, for what that's worth.

 

[Bender]

Build is looking good. You were right though you shouldn’t have. I think they make a bigger tank

Water station is awesome. I like the Current stuff. I will have to mention that as an animal lover there are puppy labor laws about working too late.

Keep up the pics.

Haha I looked at the 750 pretty hard. The 900 was way out of line. The 750 would actually fit, tight (wall to window with no play) but couldn't bring myself to pay the extra $$, especially since it would require a fourth light. The current pump and powerheads look really nice so far. The two wavemakers require two separate power cords to the same controller, and it only came with one. I contacted the dealer about getting the second cord in, must have been a mistake.

Chloe, my pup, does not work very hard! As you can see her bumming out just watching from a distance. Sometimes she interrupts for a quick game of fetch

There's a lot here to like! Keep the pictures coming and keep up the good work!!!

Thank you! The anticipation on the tank arrival is killing me! I did finally get the tracking number and it looks like a delivery of 12/10/19. The tank is delivering to my work where i have a loading dock, and also I can't afford to take a day off for delivery after buying all this!

Wow...signing up to follow along. I like the aquascape layout, for what that's worth.

Welcome I appreciate that. I am pretty set where it is at now, which is just a tiny modification from the above pictures. I think it will give me a good layout for future coral growth.

 

[Bender]

Little update from this weekend! The tank will be here Tuesday, per UPS tracking. It is actually sitting at the local terminal, but with the call ahead that counts as a "day" Tuesday sounds like the date.

I have a Midas Blenny, x2 Firefish & a Royal Gramma in quarantine as of yesterday. They will be there for 6 weeks if all is good and the first introduction to the 625.

I have the new beam support up and working on shaping the additional floor joist. It is like 1/16th too big so i have to shave some off the edge. Annoying little bugger, but i don't want to use shims if I can avoid it!

 

[Bender]

And the second half of the floor support installation. Using my trusty hammer and some muscle, I got the floor joist in, man it was a tight fit. It may have to move forward or backward a could inches depending on final location of the tank - I want it directly under the leveling feet so the weight transfers straight through.

 

[Bender]

The tank came in today at the shop! I am unable to open it here but am a little worried. It looks like UPS stabbed it with a fork. It is not completely through the wood, hoping there is a space big enough between the shell and the glass that the wood was able to push into without cracking the glass.

I did mark it on the BOL as possible hidden damage due to the hole, we shall see!

 

[dbl]

I sure hope it was just a flesh wound and didn't get to the tank.

 

[Bender]

I sure hope it was just a flesh wound and didn't get to the tank.

I am hoping its only a flesh wound! On good news though, I decided to upgrade the skimmer and settled on a Reef Octopus Regal 200INT. It is suppose to arrive at my residence today - Hoping to see what that bad boy looks like to when I get home. Tonight is firehall drill, so I won't be able to do much besides open up this box to make sure theres no damage and do a little admiring

 

[Bender]

This is going to be a long post so i apologize in advanced. I got the aquarium home and unwrapped. Luckily, I don't believe there to be any damage to the glass from what i can see. There was also a piece of the stand in between the sidewall and glass in that area that had no visible damage.

Once unwrapped, I moved the boxes and stand into the house and started to build. It is definitely an IKEA type build, but the cam's and locks feel much sturdier than your average IKEA build. Overall I am fairly impressed with quality.

Also, I know about the recent 750 XXL failures that have been happening. I found it interesting that Red Sea must not be taking any chances and they included the retrofit kit with my 625. I won't complain, once installed if it helps me sleep better at night I'm all for it.

I have a "work party" set up on Sunday to move the tank into place. The stand is at a standstill until the tank is placed, but there is lots of other tasks to do while i wait.

 

[Bender]

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