I'm super excited about this build. The Red Sea Reefer XXL 625. Tried to track all the progress as best as I could.
Day 1:
Modifying the filter
It's an AquaMaxx AF-1 Automatic Filter Roller. First thing is the 4 rods that hold it together are extremely brittle. There are some thicker rods they sent me after the first ones broke. I found the filter leaks between the seams. To counteract this I siliconed all the pieces together. After that I replaced the inlet fitting with a 1in bulkhead fitting. I took an inlet screen and super glued a piece of plastic to the end. I found just having it open as it comes from the factory, it blows the paper on the bottom up and then unfiltered water goes around the paper. I had to cut the ends of the nut on the bulkhead fitting so the paper guides could be removed and reinstalled. I found there was water flowing around the sides of the paper on the vertical ends to counteract this I used silicone tape to decrease the contact points between the paper and the walls. This is the same filter I use on my freshwater tank.
Modifying the sump
I had to split the pump chamber in half to get the filter roller installed. There was not enough space where the factory plumbing went to. I drilled a 50mm hole between the filter roller chamber and the factory water inlet chamber. Next I cut and siliconed an extension over the refugium chambed for my fuge lights. The glass was too thick and the lights would not fit.
Leveling the tank
I removed the floors of the cabinet and started the process of getting everything level. After adjusting and readjusting I finally got all the angles level.
Day 2:
Installing the plumbing.
I purchased the return fittings for the smaller reefer tanks part number 42221. Bought some metric to 1in adapters. I can't remember exactly the metric size it was. All the bulkheads have the same size fittings. So the red sea return fittings fit both of the drains as well. Next I plumbed the filter roller with 2 unions and a gate valve to regulate the flow. After that i plumbed the emergency drain. So I had to compromise in this situation. To get the plumbing out of the way I actually created sort of a p-trap. Not really what I had intended but sacrifice is part of life. Besides if all goes well there won't be water in there but when something does fail ( and it will) its easy enough to pull out the pipe and drain it after the problem is fixed. Next i plumbed the return. I used an aquastation dc12000 pump with wave maker controller. I have used these pumps on my last tank and I'm using one without the wave maker turned off on my freshwater tank to drive the waterfalls. They are quiet and have served me well. Knock on wood. I used the georg fischer check valve and added a hose bib. Now I'm stuck on the uv sterilizer. I can't get a straight answer on if the aqua Ultraviolet 35 watt will fit. I'm planning on putting on the left side stand wall. There is 24 inches of space to mount something there. The body of the sterilizer is 20 inches. Nobody can tell me what the overall length is with the electrical connector installed. So no more plumbing until the problem is resolved.
The weekend is coming up and more work to do.
Day 1:
Modifying the filter
It's an AquaMaxx AF-1 Automatic Filter Roller. First thing is the 4 rods that hold it together are extremely brittle. There are some thicker rods they sent me after the first ones broke. I found the filter leaks between the seams. To counteract this I siliconed all the pieces together. After that I replaced the inlet fitting with a 1in bulkhead fitting. I took an inlet screen and super glued a piece of plastic to the end. I found just having it open as it comes from the factory, it blows the paper on the bottom up and then unfiltered water goes around the paper. I had to cut the ends of the nut on the bulkhead fitting so the paper guides could be removed and reinstalled. I found there was water flowing around the sides of the paper on the vertical ends to counteract this I used silicone tape to decrease the contact points between the paper and the walls. This is the same filter I use on my freshwater tank.
Modifying the sump
I had to split the pump chamber in half to get the filter roller installed. There was not enough space where the factory plumbing went to. I drilled a 50mm hole between the filter roller chamber and the factory water inlet chamber. Next I cut and siliconed an extension over the refugium chambed for my fuge lights. The glass was too thick and the lights would not fit.
Leveling the tank
I removed the floors of the cabinet and started the process of getting everything level. After adjusting and readjusting I finally got all the angles level.
Day 2:
Installing the plumbing.
I purchased the return fittings for the smaller reefer tanks part number 42221. Bought some metric to 1in adapters. I can't remember exactly the metric size it was. All the bulkheads have the same size fittings. So the red sea return fittings fit both of the drains as well. Next I plumbed the filter roller with 2 unions and a gate valve to regulate the flow. After that i plumbed the emergency drain. So I had to compromise in this situation. To get the plumbing out of the way I actually created sort of a p-trap. Not really what I had intended but sacrifice is part of life. Besides if all goes well there won't be water in there but when something does fail ( and it will) its easy enough to pull out the pipe and drain it after the problem is fixed. Next i plumbed the return. I used an aquastation dc12000 pump with wave maker controller. I have used these pumps on my last tank and I'm using one without the wave maker turned off on my freshwater tank to drive the waterfalls. They are quiet and have served me well. Knock on wood. I used the georg fischer check valve and added a hose bib. Now I'm stuck on the uv sterilizer. I can't get a straight answer on if the aqua Ultraviolet 35 watt will fit. I'm planning on putting on the left side stand wall. There is 24 inches of space to mount something there. The body of the sterilizer is 20 inches. Nobody can tell me what the overall length is with the electrical connector installed. So no more plumbing until the problem is resolved.
The weekend is coming up and more work to do.