DIY Red Sea 525XL

[Holdbar7]

I've always loved Red Sea tanks, my very first was a used RSM130D. I've since upgraded to a Oceanic 72 bowfront but had the urge to upgrade.. again. Didn't really consider the Reefer series, couldn't take the price for not being exactly what i wanted. I've had great success with a high flow/ fuge system and the Reefer return is very limiting.

But..

I found a 525XL glass only semi-local, and for a great price! I figured for the savings in glass, I could DIY this into a high flow system. With a rough drawing, I (over) built the stand out of steel.

Not the first steel aquarium stand I've built, but definitely the biggest. Used 1 1/2 square tube steel with lots of bracing. Next came the wood siding.

Plumbing was my main concern from the start.

Option: The easy route, do over the back returns. But i felt it took away from the sleekness of this tank.

Option 2: Drilling the tank for returns. I've drilled glass before, but nerves got the best of me. Was considering paying to have it done, but figured it really negates the good price and if i wanted full custom i could sell it and buy custom.

Option 3: Run a herbie overflow and return though the supplied holes as designed, only issue was the tiny return and proprietary metric Red Sea plumbing.

Final decision was to modify the stock bulkheads quite heavily..

With a hack saw, step drill, and heat gun I was able to manipulate the PVC into what I wanted. everything fit tight and with the primer/ glue used I'm very confident in the joints.

No more metric or flow issues, just 3 1" bulkheads that interface with the bulkhead plate on the Red sea Reefer. I sized the overflow and emergency to 1 1/4" and left the return at 1".

Waiting on poly/paint to dry, and a some return parts from SCA.

...Will update soon.

 

[Devaji]

nice I am just thinking about plumbing my 750XXL to "standard" I also what to do 1" return in to a manifold been on my mind latly and a big stall in the build.
man that stand is way over built...great job.

 

[Holdbar7]

nice I am just thinking about plumbing my 750XXL to "standard" I also what to do 1" return in to a manifold been on my mind latly and a big stall in the build.
man that stand is way over built...great job.

Yea, not sure why red sea necked down the return with the tiny elbow, especially on the larger aquariums. But with this setup I should be able to hit my ~1000 GPH figure easily.

Thanks! I'm pretty sure i could park my pickup on the stand, hah

 

[wutang]

Wow, looking pretty cool! Tagging along.

 

[Holdbar7]

Update. Mostly together, just working on plumbing and misc. Have material for sump baffles on its it's way. Not happy with how the finish on the exterior of the wood came out, but that will be fixed later after it's running.

Used 1/2" ply and 1/2" rubber horse stall mat between glass and metal after emails with red sea saying they reccomend full support under their tanks as well as padding.

 

[Holdbar7]

More overflow plumbing detail.

1 1/4" drain and emergency, necked down to 1" through bulkhead and back to 1 1/4" into the sump.

1" return from manifold ->VCA 1" "modular hose" adapter -> dual 3/4 locline -> dual VCA random flow generators.

Modified the Red Sea return part on the overflow to still clip in like stock.

 

[Holdbar7]

Final overflow plumbing is installed, working on manifold. Just waiting on one way valve and cepex valves from BRS.

Light mounts installed. Currently have hydra 52's with DIY metal conduit brackets that will interface with these.

And sump design, about to start cutting my black acrylic.

 

[Holdbar7]

Sump is mostly done, manifold just needs valves!

 

[LBCobra]

NICE work, you work fast too. LOL

 

[Holdbar7]

NICE work, you work fast too. LOL

Thanks! I'm off work for a little bit so I'm trying to get this thing done before I go back. Haha

Old tank should be completely swapped over by mid next week

 

[Holdbar7]

Valves came!

ATO reservoir almost done

 

[Holdbar7]

Finished skimmer stand and ATO.

 

[Holdbar7]

140lbs of sand went in. Used live sand, but rinsed with fresh salt water to get rid of some silt. Water completely cleared within 2 hours.

 

[Holdbar7]

Filled with water... slowly.. checking to make sure everything stayed level. Filling a new 100+gallon tank, that you bought second hand, on a stand you home made has to be one of the most stressful feelings Haha

Only have lights, skimmer, and jebao 10000 return pump running at 85% currently. Coupled with the 1in return and 2x VCA random flow generators there is some serious flow though.

Finally! Everything got transfered over from my 72. Needs rockscaping, controller install, and wire management but it's finally in the homestretch!

 

[Holdbar7]

Still need to cut a vent in the side panel so the chiller can move air easier and paint, but the electronics cabinet is nearly done.

 

[Holdbar7]

Slowly making progress. Installed my old jecod (jebao) cp40 gyre pumps and had one seize up in the motor. A little research and "modification" inside the motor and its fully functional again.

I was originally after Vortech pumps, like I have on my other reef tank, but I tried them on a budget inspired whim and this has been the only issue in approx 2 years. Hard to complain!

Kessil over the sump, ato, reefkeeper/ probes, aux pump (for future UVC and chiller use) all installed.

Still need cable management, vents in both sides with exhaust fans, new heater(s), chiller plumbing with UVC install, and rockscaping, then transfering all my coral back from my other set up.

And once that's all done, I'm building a small frag tank out of acrylic to go here.

More to come soon!