Somewhat Beginner Red Sea Reefer 300XL Build

chris96m · Feb 16, 2020

First build thread so let’s see how this goes.
I have owned numerous freshwater tanks over the years and haven been researching saltwater along the way. Never had the time to invest due to....life lol. My fiancé and I have had a small saltwater BioCube 32 running for around 2 years now. Livestock includes a yellow Dwarf Angel and small Snowflake Eel (recent purchase will be transferred to the 300 once cycled), 2 rock flower anemones, snails and emerald and hermit crabs. Basic corals pulsing Xenia, some green stars and zoas.

It is finally time to upgrade to the next level! Decided to go with the Red Sea 300XL over the 250for a few reason such a as a very minimal price difference, increased water volume, wider dimensions, stand is made of plywood vs MDF, and leveling feet.

What follows is the list of supplies either ordered/received so far for the build, please let me know if any suggestions you may have.

• Red Sea Reefer 300XL
• 2x ReefLED 90 with Red Sea Mounting Arms
• Red Sea RSK 300 Protein Skimmer
• 50lbs Dry Reef Saver Rock
• 40lbs CaribSea Special Grade Sand
• 175 gallon Red Sea Blue Bucket Salt
• Finnex HMX Heater w/ Controller 200 watt
• Sicce Syncra 3.5 pump for the return
• Red Sea Mature Pro Kit
• Red Sea Marine Care Test Kit
• Refractometer

Mixing Station:
• 2x 44 gallon Brute cans
• Panworld 30PX external pump
• BRS 4 Stage Value PlusRODI 150 gpd w/ water saver upgrade
• Adjustable Float Valve
• Uniseals
• 3/4” PVC
• PVC couplings, unions, ball valves, elbows, etc.

To Be Ordered:
• 2x MP40wQD (will be ordered one at time to determine if second is needed)
• Heater for saltwater mixing tank
• Tubing to run from mixing station to tank for water changes
• Putty/glue for rock work

Wishlist for the Future:
• Apex system
• Dosing system
• Refugium lighting
• A hundred things that will pop up along the way I’m sure

Majority of everything arrives this week, will post pictures on arrival. Look forward to sharing the progress with everyone!

Devaji · Feb 16, 2020

sounds like you have a great build planed.
not 100% sure you need the heater for the mixing station tho.

I am curious how about the 300Xl stand is. let us know plZ

chris96m · Feb 22, 2020

Just got back from picking everything up. Going to be a fun weekend ahead! Only change so far had to upgrade to a 300 watt heater.

chris96m · Feb 23, 2020

Got the mixing station assembled and dry fitted today. Also partially have tubing ran for the RODI unit.

Need to find some brackets/clamps to support the piping before filling for test run and leak testing

PapaShrimp · Mar 1, 2020

chris96m said:
Got the mixing station assembled and dry fitted today. Also partially have tubing ran for the RODI unit.

Need to find some brackets/clamps to support the piping before filling for test run and leak testing

Now I need to get myself a set up like this for my RS350. My current mixing set up is in much need of an upgrade. Look forward to following your build thread.

chris96m · Mar 4, 2020

Progress Update:

Mixing station is up and running. Only found two leaks during leak testing both corrected and first round of RODI already filled.

Tank, stand, plumbing and now aquascaping all complete. Tomorrow will be fill and mix day and then begins the cycle fun.

Looking to do roughly a 4 month cycle, no lights first two months, dosing bacteria and phyto along the way. Will add two clowns at the two month mark once the lights come on. 3 month mark will consider adding a juvenile Mimic Tang for algae control. If all goes well after that, at the 4 month mark will transfer over the snowflake eel who seems to be growing rather quickly.

MattL87 · Mar 8, 2020

chris96m said:
Progress Update:

Mixing station is up and running. Only found two leaks during leak testing both corrected and first round of RODI already filled.

Tank, stand, plumbing and now aquascaping all complete. Tomorrow will be fill and mix day and then begins the cycle fun.

Looking to do roughly a 4 month cycle, no lights first two months, dosing bacteria and phyto along the way. Will add two clowns at the two month mark once the lights come on. 3 month mark will consider adding a juvenile Mimic Tang for algae control. If all goes well after that, at the 4 month mark will transfer over the snowflake eel who seems to be growing rather quickly.

Looking good so far! I have just got the same tank so I'll be following along

chris96m · Apr 5, 2020

Progress Update:

Lots to explore since last post. My fiancé and I went to Reef Dreams this past month and had a blast!! Picked up quite a few frags for the BioCube but that’s another story. For the 300XL we were very lucky in the raffles and won a new Vectra M2 pump. We won quite a few other raffles but those products will mainly be used on the cube. Also managed to pick up a deal at the convention on 2 Red Sea ReefWave 25s and a new Neptune Apex System and Neptune MPR (probe rack) courtesy for Fishy Business. Big thanks to the sponsors and vendors for the raffle winnings and to the fiancé who decided to make the move on the ReefWaves and the Apex and split the cost with me!!!

Went to Lowe’s and picked up a kitchen cabinet to be converted to a controller cabinet, again fiancé stepped in and painted for me, props to her for her support in the build!

Finally have the water level where I want it for the skimmer and Sicce pump ( haven’t switched to the new Vectra M2 pump just yet ). Installed the Tunze 3155 Oslmator ATO, for now just running a standard 5 gallon bucket as a reservoir until I decide to pull the trigger on a cleaner looking setup.

Still learning the ins and out of the Apex system, first time using one and really excited to build and add to it. Looking into a Trident and DOS from Neptune once the cycle finishes.

One month of lights out down one more to go, I have turned them on for brief occasions just to get an idea of the output. Completed the Red Sea Starter program and now dosing different brands of bacteria just to provide a variety for the cycle.

The rest of this month will be planning and choosing the clown pair that will be the first tank inhabitants at the 2 month mark and swapping in the Vectra M2 pump.

Any suggestions of tips along the way are much appreciated

Robertellis30 · Apr 19, 2020

How much water movement your getting with the 2 reef waves?

Robertellis30 · Apr 25, 2020

Also curious what the measurements of the free space under the cabinet where you have your top off bucket.

chris96m · Apr 26, 2020

Robertellis30 said:
How much water movement your getting with the 2 reef waves?

I am running both at 70% on a random flow pattern and have great flow so far, no dead spots. No coral in tank just yet so will update opinion on flow once able to better gauge

chris96m · Apr 26, 2020

Robertellis30 said:
Also curious what the measurements of the free space under the cabinet where you have your top off bucket.

I actually removed the 5 gallon bucket and purchased a Bashea 5 gallon reservoir, there just wasn’t enough space with the bucket down there.
The empty space between sump and stand wall is around 13” wide

chris96m · Apr 26, 2020

Current update:
Swapped out the Sicce 3.5 and installed the Vectra M2. So far loving the M2 pump, great flow and run.

Also decided to go ahead and start a refugium. Installed a Kessil H80 fuge light and added the chaeto ultimate refugium starter pack from AlgaeBarn. Running the fuge light opposite display lighting schedule for 10 hours.

Didn’t like the lack of space in the sump area due to the 5 gallon bucket taking up soo much space so decided to ditch it and ordered a proper reservoir. Installed a Bashea 5 gallon reservoir. Have to say I am very impressed with the reservoir so far, all sides are blacked out so no algae growth concerns, very clear markings to indicate water level, and easy to refill so far.

Slightly ahead of schedule by a week, but ended up picking up 2 clownfish yesterday at a LFS for a deal.

Neptune LDK leak kit ordered and will be next install project.

Also currently in the process of building the Red Sea DIY mesh top, updates to come on that once I have it complete.

Any tips of refugiums appreciated, this will be first time running a fuge.

Robertellis30 · Apr 26, 2020

chris96m said:
I actually removed the 5 gallon bucket and purchased a Bashea 5 gallon reservoir, there just wasn’t enough space with the bucket down there.
The empty space between sump and stand wall is around 13” wide

Awesome thank you!! Playing the waiting game for mine to show. Going to try and get as much as I can done with out the tank. So with those measurements I can fabric my control panel.

How tall is the inside?

Robertellis30 · Apr 26, 2020

chris96m said:
Current update:
Swapped out the Sicce 3.5 and installed the Vectra M2. So far loving the M2 pump, great flow and run.

Also decided to go ahead and start a refugium. Installed a Kessil H80 fuge light and added the chaeto ultimate refugium starter pack from AlgaeBarn. Running the fuge light opposite display lighting schedule for 10 hours.

Didn’t like the lack of space in the sump area due to the 5 gallon bucket taking up soo much space so decided to ditch it and ordered a proper reservoir. Installed a Bashea 5 gallon reservoir. Have to say I am very impressed with the reservoir so far, all sides are blacked out so no algae growth concerns, very clear markings to indicate water level, and easy to refill so far.

Slightly ahead of schedule by a week, but ended up picking up 2 clownfish yesterday at a LFS for a deal.

Neptune LDK leak kit ordered and will be next install project.

Also currently in the process of building the Red Sea DIY mesh top, updates to come on that once I have it complete.

Any tips of refugiums appreciated, this will be first time running a fuge.

My plan is to convert the stock ato into a refugium. With 1in in and out line with a small 100gph pump. Already ordered the bulk heads and diamon bit from BRS. Will have mud, chaeto and small live rock.