Starting a new Reefer XL425 build....Dream Tank (system) is here!!!

para306

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 4, 2021
Messages
23
Reaction score
40
Location
Manchester
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I thought I would start a conversation about my new build. Fish Room is almost done and tank set up and equipment purchasing starts now! it will be an in-wall display tank. It will be a patient evolution to a mixed reef. Here is the details:

Have already:

Reefer XL425 with V3 sump with white stand (DP and Sump volume 112gal)
Thats it..

Buying (unless recommendations can sway me)

(3) Varios 2 pumps (double sump pumps trying to target a 5x turnover)(one in the refugium)
(2) MP40s (2) (to maintain a variably turbulent 30x flow rate)
BRS 300w titanium heaters (2)
(2) Kessil AP9x Fixtures
100lbs Reef Keeper dry lock (DIY Negative Space aquascape...excited about this although I know everyone will say this rock comes with many challenges...patience is a virtue in the face of sterility)
Reef Octopus 200SSS protein skimmer
APEX controller with ORP, Temp, PH, and Salinity (eventually a Trident System, AFS, MDK, etc.)
Tunze Omolator 3155 ATO
BRS 6 Stage RO/DI Plus with water saver (will be a mixing station...discuss later)

Refugium:

Will be fed via manifold of the second varioS 2 sump pump
Aqueon 55gal tank (will DIY a pump chamber)
3" live sand bed
2 Brightwell bricks
Sterile Chaeto starter
Kessil H160 Tuna Flora Grow light for second 1/2 of the tank
return will be plumbed through a 40w Pentair UV sterilizer to the DP tank via a varioS 2 (flow set to protect from fish disease)

So what do we think? I understand that all of these things are not needed in the beginning nor will be instituted upon setup. Questions, concerns or criticisms? The system will eventually contain several tanks attached to the same sump and refugium instead of having one single display tank. I will upload pictures of the completed fish room soon. Any input is great, rip it apart, knowledge is power!

~ Lou
 

ks2509

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 10, 2018
Messages
343
Reaction score
367
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Sounds interesting. Why 3 varios 2s and not a single 6? If your building a manifold anyway.
 
OP
OP
para306

para306

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 4, 2021
Messages
23
Reaction score
40
Location
Manchester
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
In my research I have learned the importance of redundancies in case of failure. Two will be in the sump and one will be in the refugium. I also place. My plan for power outage is to have 1 of the pumps and 1 of the mp40s with 1 of the heaters attached to a 24v power supply backup such as an icecap or DIY setup, i habent decided which yet.
 
OP
OP
para306

para306

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 4, 2021
Messages
23
Reaction score
40
Location
Manchester
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Here are some pictures of the nearly finished room. Tank should be on its stand by the weekend.
 

Attachments

  • 8F11DC37-F1DA-44A6-92CD-21369531CA43.jpeg
    8F11DC37-F1DA-44A6-92CD-21369531CA43.jpeg
    105.7 KB · Views: 60
  • 2AE5506E-FC21-432F-A944-BB36D78F875C.jpeg
    2AE5506E-FC21-432F-A944-BB36D78F875C.jpeg
    108.7 KB · Views: 60
  • 9611BEFB-35C7-4669-9D16-2C4525E15BDD.jpeg
    9611BEFB-35C7-4669-9D16-2C4525E15BDD.jpeg
    128.2 KB · Views: 59
  • C97242C2-4407-46E3-BECB-667A0849E031.jpeg
    C97242C2-4407-46E3-BECB-667A0849E031.jpeg
    111.7 KB · Views: 59
  • 9587FCBC-1474-4EAD-B7F8-B045B5267CC9.jpeg
    9587FCBC-1474-4EAD-B7F8-B045B5267CC9.jpeg
    128.2 KB · Views: 57
  • B9C2136B-BE7F-4296-AFF8-D57CD4C73DCB.jpeg
    B9C2136B-BE7F-4296-AFF8-D57CD4C73DCB.jpeg
    104.7 KB · Views: 61
  • BC749365-EE45-4539-ACB3-590CF8BFE1B2.jpeg
    BC749365-EE45-4539-ACB3-590CF8BFE1B2.jpeg
    165.7 KB · Views: 57
  • DE1D7F86-369C-4CE8-A29D-362B96B76AE6.jpeg
    DE1D7F86-369C-4CE8-A29D-362B96B76AE6.jpeg
    177.4 KB · Views: 57
  • C611DABC-FD8B-4398-968D-A4101CF5AC67.jpeg
    C611DABC-FD8B-4398-968D-A4101CF5AC67.jpeg
    103.7 KB · Views: 55
  • E9272FC4-5D50-4FFD-8EA7-9629124A3B99.jpeg
    E9272FC4-5D50-4FFD-8EA7-9629124A3B99.jpeg
    149.4 KB · Views: 58
  • 6F0B1685-3DF7-42E1-BE13-2AE0064EDFB4.jpeg
    6F0B1685-3DF7-42E1-BE13-2AE0064EDFB4.jpeg
    203.8 KB · Views: 60

Juniorh2r

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 11, 2018
Messages
1,149
Reaction score
923
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Love the fish room and setup very nice ! I currently own a 425xl wish I had a fish room though lol
 

Sandersonville

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 30, 2020
Messages
37
Reaction score
40
Location
California
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Question... The way your stand is oriented it looks like you’re having the back of the aquarium facing the living space? I’ve seen some people pull the black film off the back glass however that still leaves the overflow box in the center.

Curious what your plans are orienting the aquarium?
 
OP
OP
para306

para306

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 4, 2021
Messages
23
Reaction score
40
Location
Manchester
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have put the tank on the stand backwards. Cut a new hole for the overflow in the top of the stand. I will be removing the film on the back of the tank and moding three black panels into a groove against the tank making viewing from the wall side easier and the ability to see the tank from inside the fish room at will. It’s a work in progress and I am basically punting as I go. Some ideas have worked awesome and some have failed.

This build has been fun so far and I like the challenge of adapting what I have for ideas. It’s hard to be patient, but I fear If I don’t take my time and prioritize my steps than going backwards will be devastating and more time consuming.

Plumbing is my next challenge and I am excited to get it started. Simultaneously I will be creating my aquascape. Photos to follow....
 

Sandersonville

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 30, 2020
Messages
37
Reaction score
40
Location
California
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Punting = learning! Being impatient in my experience also equals learning; just the hard way.

I like your idea about turning the tank around on the stand. I thought about doing that with a 350 creating a sort of faux peninsula behind my couch but ultimately ended up putting it against the wall.

Looking forward to following along and seeing what you come up with!
 
OP
OP
para306

para306

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 4, 2021
Messages
23
Reaction score
40
Location
Manchester
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Update...

I have changed the MP40s to OctoPulse 4s...

I have also changed the three Varios 2s to two Varios 4s at the recommendation of community members.

Tank is on the stand and ready for plumbing...

Now I have to decide, Sand in the DT where eventually maintenance will be difficult or in the refugium where maintenance will always be accessible and easy.
 
Back
Top