Red Sea XL 525 - New Acans!

wazupjames

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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 :p.

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.
20220128_132435.jpg

20220128_132940.jpg

20220128_133052.jpg 20220128_133140.jpg
 
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wazupjames

wazupjames

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Started playing with structure options. It's currently a bit too tall, will make some adjustments for that but overall I am liking where it's going. Trying to find a balance of open space for flow and swimming, but still plenty of surface area for coral. Lot's of arches and caves going on. What do you guys think? Right side is empty because that it where the XL200 rock and livestock will go.

20220130_094701.jpg 20220130_094638.jpg
 

Nigel35

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I would honestly be inclined to say that the height looks good! You are off to a good start my friend. Looks like you have made some good shelves and arches for coral placement and swimming room.
 
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wazupjames

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I would honestly be inclined to say that the height looks good! You are off to a good start my friend. Looks like you have made some good shelves and arches for coral placement and swimming room.
Thanks! I think I agree with you. The height has grown on me, been liking the look all day - going to leave it. I'll just need to keep up with fragging at the top .
 
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wazupjames

wazupjames

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Everything has been transferred over from the XL200 as of last week. Finally finished gluing coral yesterday. Here are some photos (I need to get better at taking photos :p )

FTS 3-4
Final.jpg

Acan Garden
Final-2.jpg Final-12.jpg

Green Slimer
Final-3.jpg
Awesome Torch (Started as 1 head)
Final-4.jpg
Misc Zoa Rock and Sport the Yellow Coris
Final-5.jpg
Some SPS
Final-6.jpg
Right Side Hammer
Final-7.jpg
Left Side Hammer
Final-8.jpg
Longfin Blacker Ice Clowns
Final-9.jpg Final-10.jpg
Pintail
Final-11.jpg
 
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wazupjames

wazupjames

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Forgot to mention - the Nero 3 magnets do still work on the XL 525. If you bump them, they will fall though but since I'm using them on the back of the tank down low it works out perfect. So, there are 2 Nero 5's and 2 Nero 3's for flow.
 

Lavey29

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Awesome upgrade, everything transferred over beautifully. May I ask what schedule intensity you have your radions set at for you corals?
 
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wazupjames

wazupjames

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Awesome upgrade, everything transferred over beautifully. May I ask what schedule intensity you have your radions set at for you corals?
Thank you! The transfer was a bit stressful but very happy all the coral and fish have had no ill effects.

I currently run the AB+ but slightly modified. I attached a photo of the intensities for each LED Color. Pulled the lime and Red out and dropped the cool white a bit. Lights are full go at 12:30 ramp up begins at 11:45. At 6pm they start a very slow ramp down, Drops to just blues at 9pm and moonlights only at 10pm.

I just tested the PAR today with a new Apogee 520 Meter. Par is 140-170 at the sand bed. 250 at the top of the structure left and right side. Center top of structure hits 300 Par. This is slightly lower than I would like, once the Nutrients Stabilize and quit bottoming out I will either increase the photoperiod by an additional hour or see if I can increase the Par by about 10-15%.
Screenshot_20220304-202741_Mobius.jpg
Screenshot_20220304-202732_Mobius.jpg
 

Lavey29

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Thanks for sharing. I have the XL300 with 2 XR15 lights but no par meter close by to rent. So seeing what others are doing with their set ups. How deep is the 525? You seem to have pretty high par for the sandbed so I would have expected 350 to 400 on top. It's strange I find such variation in par with radion lights. I'm at 73% AB plus schedule but may bump it up some more.
 

Nigel35

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Everything has been transferred over from the XL200 as of last week. Finally finished gluing coral yesterday. Here are some photos (I need to get better at taking photos :p )

FTS 3-4
Final.jpg

Acan Garden
Final-2.jpg Final-12.jpg

Green Slimer
Final-3.jpg
Awesome Torch (Started as 1 head)
Final-4.jpg
Misc Zoa Rock and Sport the Yellow Coris
Final-5.jpg
Some SPS
Final-6.jpg
Right Side Hammer
Final-7.jpg
Left Side Hammer
Final-8.jpg
Longfin Blacker Ice Clowns
Final-9.jpg Final-10.jpg
Pintail
Final-11.jpg
INCREDIBLE... looking spectacular
 
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wazupjames

wazupjames

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Thanks for sharing. I have the XL300 with 2 XR15 lights but no par meter close by to rent. So seeing what others are doing with their set ups. How deep is the 525? You seem to have pretty high par for the sandbed so I would have expected 350 to 400 on top. It's strange I find such variation in par with radion lights. I'm at 73% AB plus schedule but may bump it up some more.
The 525 is the same as the 300 just longer. I was a little surprised by the readings as well. Going on a short Vacation but when I return I will map out the Par readings with a photo and post them on here.
 

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