Red Sea Reefer XL 425 New Build

[Julbra]

The issue I had with the aquascape is the overflow box sticks out quite a ways and creates 2 huge "corners". You will see when you put the rocks in. Looks good though.

Ah! Very good point indeed. I'm going to draw the outline of the overflow box on my cardboard and recheck. Could you please confirm if the overflow box dimensions are about:
10 1/2" by 3 3/4" (270mm by 95mm)

 

[tritonpower]

Ah! Very good point indeed. I'm going to draw the outline of the overflow box on my cardboard and recheck. Could you please confirm if the overflow box dimensions are about:
10 1/2" by 3 3/4" (270mm by 95mm)

yes. those are the dimensions

 

[OceanDiver]

I have a 525 and following yours. I love looking at similar setups

 

[Julbra]

When they said "nothing good happens quickly in a reef tank" they were not kidding... I am still waiting to receive the tank. It's been 8 weeks today so anytime now, even by their worst case timeline.

 

[OceanDiver]

When they said "nothing good happens quickly in a reef tank" they were not kidding... I am still waiting to receive the tank. It's been 8 weeks today so anytime now, even by their worst case timeline.

That unfortunately sucks. Mine took roughly two weeks to come in after I made the initial order but that was 2 years ago. You could start making salt water - LOL

 

[Julbra]

Finally, tank is here ;Jawdrop

I picked up the cabinet boxes today, will assemble by Friday when LFS will bring the glass and help me set up.

Boxes:

In the meantime I'm filling up my 2 bins with RODI ready for mixing. I can only make 37 gallons at a time so that's going to take 3 iterations to fill up.

 

[Rooki3]

Setup looking good, did you mark the inside of the brute containers as well or is it transparent enough you can see the lines? I had to mark the inside of my grey bins by marring first then filling it in with a paint marker.

 

[Julbra]

Setup looking good, did you mark the inside of the brute containers as well or is it transparent enough you can see the lines? I had to mark the inside of my grey bins by marring first then filling it in with a paint marker.

Yep I can see the water line through when I shine a light in the bin.

 

[Julbra]

Cabinet ready to receive the tank for final alignment tomorrow. Need to wait for that before putting bottom shelves and doors in. That was a b*@t&£ to put together but feels really high end and sturdy.

 

[tritonpower]

Cabinet ready to receive the tank for final alignment tomorrow. Need to wait for that before putting bottom shelves and doors in. That was a b*@t&£ to put together but feels really high end and sturdy.

Nice job. Interested to see those "flower lights" on your tank.

 

[Julbra]

Tank arrived. Almost broke my back but what a beauty. Levelled, doors installed and aligned. Tomorrow sump and plumbing! Now the fun begins.



And the obligatory child photo:

 

[tritonpower]

Tank arrived. Almost broke my back but what a beauty. Levelled, doors installed and aligned. Tomorrow sump and plumbing! Now the fun begins.


and the obligatory child photo:

looks great. wear knee pads tomorrow. when I was done with mine I couldn't walk for a few days due to knee pain.

 

[zukihara]

I would tell that beautiful child she will be learning water changes before moving on to items such as fragging and skimmer cup dumping. She may need a "reef apron".

 

[Julbra]

Sump in using bespoke cushion slide:

Integrated plumbing was a breeze (10 minutes for all 3 pipes).

Now waiting for correct size (1" internal diameter) return hose, the one LFS gave me is too small for my return pump.

Also bought some of these Herbie Clip plastic hose clamps, they won't rust:

While waiting for the return hose I will install the aquascape.

 

[Julbra]

Aquascape installed and secured. Waiting for some purple epoxy to finish stabilizing.

 

[Julbra]

Installed sump lights

 

[Julbra]

After rinsing sand for 48 hours and making saltwater the whole weekend she’s finally full. Lights installed and skimmer breaking in. Will adjust salinity tomorrow.

 

[tritonpower]

After rinsing sand for 48 hours and making saltwater the whole weekend she’s finally full. Lights installed and skimmer breaking in. Will adjust salinity tomorrow.

Exciting isn't it? Getting closer to livestock. Out of curiosity, is the rock on the right side quite low or is it the angle? Planning on some really tall corals?

 

[Julbra]

Exciting isn't it? Getting closer to livestock. Out of curiosity, is the rock on the right side quite low or is it the angle? Planning on some really tall corals?

Very exciting times !
I’m starting the cycling in the next day or two.

Yep it’s low. Here is another angle on the scape.

I’ll try and put an anemone in the hole there and keep that very low. That’s the angle we see when we get into the room so wanted to keep a clearer view.

 

[PeterC99]

Big fan of 425 XL. Here’s some pics of mine.