Decided it was time to upgrade the XL 200 we currently have. Was tough deciding between the XL 425 and 525. Ultimately decided on the XL 525 since the cubby that the tank will partially sit inside of is 60 inches wide. It just made more sense to fill the entire space.... at least that is the excuse I am using for a larger tank .
Plan is to setup the tank with 2/3rds of a rock structure and get it running then transfer the contents of the XL 200 into the 525. That will be a stressful day ;Nailbiting.
As of right now the stand is built, plumbing is all set-up and just waiting on the 2 Reef Trees to come in. We will have 2 reef trees + 30 lbs of Caribsea life rock to create 2/3rds of the structure and then leave space to bring over the 1 reef tree + 15 lbs of rock that is currently in the XL 200. I think that will be enough rock.
Equipment and Livestock
Tank : Red Sea XL 525
Lights : 3 x Ecotech XR15 G5 Blues. 1 is on the XL 200 right now, so grabbed 2 new to finish the setup.
Return Pump : Ecotech M2
Wave makers : 2 x Nero 5's up high and hoping to also include the 2 x Nero 3's from the XL 200. I have not tested it yet but maybe using magnets from the Nero 5 on the Nero 3's would hold?? We will see. I'd like to place them low and in the back to keep detritus from settling.
Skimmer : Bubble Magus Z-7 + Co2 Scrubber
UV : Coralife Turbo Twist 3x
Algae Scrubber : Santa Monica Hog2
Controler and Testing : Neptune Apex + Trident + Hanna Checkers for Phos/Nitrate
Dosing : RedSea Reefdose 4 - RedSea Calc and Alk - Red Sea AB+ - Daily Aminos Aqua Forest
Sand : Caribsea Special Grade Reef - Shallow Bed about 2 inches.
Rock : 3 Caribsea Life Rock Reef Trees + 40ish lbs of Caribsea Life Rock (Any Extra Rock will go in sump.)
Fish : none yet (will transfer from XL 200)
Coral : none yet (will transfer from XL 200)
Looking to upgrade the ATO reservoir but have not decided or researched that yet. If anyone has any recommendations, that would be great - have a good amount of space behind the stand that is perfect for a new larger Reservoir.
If anyone has thoughts or experience with the XL 525, i'd love to hear it.
Some photos of the empty 525 and full XL 200 that will transfer into the 525.
Plan is to setup the tank with 2/3rds of a rock structure and get it running then transfer the contents of the XL 200 into the 525. That will be a stressful day ;Nailbiting.
As of right now the stand is built, plumbing is all set-up and just waiting on the 2 Reef Trees to come in. We will have 2 reef trees + 30 lbs of Caribsea life rock to create 2/3rds of the structure and then leave space to bring over the 1 reef tree + 15 lbs of rock that is currently in the XL 200. I think that will be enough rock.
Equipment and Livestock
Tank : Red Sea XL 525
Lights : 3 x Ecotech XR15 G5 Blues. 1 is on the XL 200 right now, so grabbed 2 new to finish the setup.
Return Pump : Ecotech M2
Wave makers : 2 x Nero 5's up high and hoping to also include the 2 x Nero 3's from the XL 200. I have not tested it yet but maybe using magnets from the Nero 5 on the Nero 3's would hold?? We will see. I'd like to place them low and in the back to keep detritus from settling.
Skimmer : Bubble Magus Z-7 + Co2 Scrubber
UV : Coralife Turbo Twist 3x
Algae Scrubber : Santa Monica Hog2
Controler and Testing : Neptune Apex + Trident + Hanna Checkers for Phos/Nitrate
Dosing : RedSea Reefdose 4 - RedSea Calc and Alk - Red Sea AB+ - Daily Aminos Aqua Forest
Sand : Caribsea Special Grade Reef - Shallow Bed about 2 inches.
Rock : 3 Caribsea Life Rock Reef Trees + 40ish lbs of Caribsea Life Rock (Any Extra Rock will go in sump.)
Fish : none yet (will transfer from XL 200)
Coral : none yet (will transfer from XL 200)
Looking to upgrade the ATO reservoir but have not decided or researched that yet. If anyone has any recommendations, that would be great - have a good amount of space behind the stand that is perfect for a new larger Reservoir.
If anyone has thoughts or experience with the XL 525, i'd love to hear it.
Some photos of the empty 525 and full XL 200 that will transfer into the 525.