New tank build Red Sea 425 deluxe

Jblunkall

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This will be my first tank build that is all new and starting from scratch. All of my other tanks were purchased already set up and just moved and reset up. I have a 180 set up now so I will be downsizing, but it’s an upgrade in my opinion. I’m pretty excited to see the difference it makes if any.

It is the Red Sea 425 deluxe. I will be using Marco shelf dry rock and dry sand. Still trying to figure out which sand we want to use. This tank is going in my office and a buddy of mine that works with me is helping with the build. So it is both of ours tank and I think it will be easier on maintenance with both of us taking care of it. Here are some pictures so far. We did a mock set up with the rock and trying to decide which aquascape we want to go with. They both look good to me so it’s a hard decision. What do you guys think?
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Denisk

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If you’re going to want more sps, I say go with the aquascape that has the bridge. If you plan on wanting things to fill out really big, go with the second one. But in my opinion, both options are great!!

I downgraded/upgraded from a 150 to a reefer 350. It seems to be happening to a lot of us haha

Good luck with the build!!
 

Pongo

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Yep, my preference would be negative space too.

But both are nice and really it depends on your vision of what you want the tank to look like 3 years from now with corals growing up, out and into each other.
 
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Jblunkall

Jblunkall

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Haven’t done much to the tank. I have been focused on moving my corals that I’m keeping to a quarantine/frag tank to get rid of any pests I see and/or any I don’t see. Will be getting rid of any aptasia I can see and dipping corals for any other pests I don’t see. Trying to be more cautious with this build to minimize as much as I can.
 
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Jblunkall

Jblunkall

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Update
Finally bonded the rocks together and got them in the tank. I went with the 2 separate islands but made little adjustments to them to give me more surface space for corals. Sand is ordered and will be here next week. We went with 120#s of Fiji pink dry sand. Going about 2” in the display and may put the rest in the sump. Haven’t decided yet.
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Jblunkall

Jblunkall

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Cycle has been under way for a few days. I went with Dr Tim’s one and only and ammonia. I also decided to try what BRStv suggested and left the display lights off and just have a light in my sump for the refugium with chaeto. I have very little algae growing in the display just from my office lights but it looks like a diatom bloom happening in the sump. Works for me. I would rather the algae stay in the sump and out of the display. Hopefully it will stay there!? I’m taking my time and letting the cycle run its course. Ammonia is at 2 ppm and nitrite is about .50ppm so it’s cruising along.
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Jblunkall

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Diatoms are pretty much gone. Most of the bloom happened in the sump. Some came up in the display when I started up my lights. Added some crabs and will be adding my first fish and coral soon. Still trying to take it slow. Updated pics of the display and my frag/holding tank. Last thing I need to do is take care of a little aptasia and I’m going to dip again before transferring what corals I’m keeping. Will probably have stuff for sale after the transfer.
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Jblunkall

Jblunkall

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Well not a good day for me in the reefing world. I hooked my apex to my new tank build and didn’t have a controller on my frag/holding tank since it was “temporary”. Came in this morning and my heater apparently was stuck on. Tank was at 97 degrees. I Quickly put bags with ice in and once the temp came back down I have done a water change. I will do another this afternoon. Trying to save some of my corals but a ton are already dead. Here’s a pic but can’t tell much until I get the ammonia and death out and the tank clear up.
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A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

  • I currently have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 63 36.6%
  • Not currently, but I have had feather dusters in my tank in the past.

    Votes: 59 34.3%
  • I have not had feather dusters, but I hope to in the future.

    Votes: 24 14.0%
  • I have no plans to have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 26 15.1%
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