SuncrestReef's Red Sea Reefer XL 425 build

[Goneaway562]

Wow your build is what I strive for! I do have a question on how you mounted the apex and DOS in your cabinet. did you just use the screws that came with it? Or did you use tape? I'm hesitant to drill into the stand as I have a 425XL as well.

 

[SuncrestReef]

Wow your build is what I strive for! I do have a question on how you mounted the apex and DOS in your cabinet. did you just use the screws that came with it? Or did you use tape? I'm hesitant to drill into the stand as I have a 425XL as well.

I used 1/2” stainless steel screws and carefully drilled pilot holes into the cabinet using a drill bit marked with tape to gauge the depth. I’m not concerned about structural integrity since the holes do not go all the way through and the space is filled with the screw. The holes used to hold the cabinet wall cam screws are much larger in comparison.

 

[jamesrb]

I got mine from a variety of sources because I couldn't find everything I needed from a single supplier at the time:

Pipe: https://www.aquariumspecialty.com/b...e-grade-colored-5-pvc-pipe-1-schedule-40.html

Elbows: https://www.aquariumspecialty.com/biotek-marine-furniture-grade-colored-1-pvc-elbow.html

3-way elbow: https://formufit.com/collections/3-way-pvc-corner-elbow/available-colors_orange+size_1-in

Valves and other fittings:
http://pvcfittingsonline.com

Btw,
Did you use any pipe tape on the threaded pieces?

thanks,
James

 

[SuncrestReef]

I came home from dinner tonight and found this:



I started getting muscle cramps from squeezing the turkey baster for 10 minutes to clean it up.



Click here to see an interactive before & after view: https://cdn.knightlab.com/libs/juxt...html?uid=b2d9c2ce-ec9b-11e9-b9b8-0edaf8f81e27

 

[SuncrestReef]

Btw,
Did you use any pipe tape on the threaded pieces?

thanks,
James

Yes, any threaded adapters have a few wraps of teflon tape.

 

[yegokego]

Awesome build thread and beautifully done. If I may ask a question about your ATO to refugium build, where did you buy the 21 and 25mm diamond hole saw bits and where did you find 3/8 push connect fittings?(having trouble sourcing in Canada).

Thanks!

 

[SuncrestReef]

Awesome build thread and beautifully done. If I may ask a question about your ATO to refugium build, where did you buy the 21 and 25mm diamond hole saw bits and where did you find 3/8 push connect fittings?(having trouble sourcing in Canada).

Thanks!

Glad you're enjoying the build. I got the diamond hole saw bits from Amazon.com:

21mm:
35mm:

The push connect fittings came from MistKing.com:

https://www.mistking.com/Value-3-8-inch-Elbow.html
https://www.mistking.com/Value-3-8-inch-Tee.html
https://www.mistking.com/Value-3-8-inch-Bulkhead-Oring.html

 

[SuncrestReef]

Sadly, my post above about my diamond goby was the last I saw of him. He didn't come out the following day, and didn't come out this morning. When I saw my Apex ORP probe dropping rapidly, I suspected something died in the tank. I dug out the sand from where he always sleeps and found his body stuck in the sand at the opening to his cave. He always buried the cave opening each evening, and then darted through the sand into the cave. But apparently this time the sand was too thick and he got stuck.

I'm pretty bummed.

 

[Crabby48]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Was gonna say that's a huge amount of sand even for a DG. Sucks to lose a goby. They have so much personality, blennies as well. Bleh

 

[SuncrestReef]

I haven't posted any fish photos in quite a while. Here are a couple:

 

[SuncrestReef]

After nearly a year with red bugs, they still don't seem to be harming my corals at all, but they are ruining some of my macro photos.

 

[DS204]

After nearly a year with red bugs, they still don't seem to be harming my corals at all, but they are ruining some of my macro photos.

Curious if you have already tried a wrasse for their removal, or does your livestock list already consist of a wrasse?

 

[SuncrestReef]

Curious if you have already tried a wrasse for their removal, or does your livestock list already consist of a wrasse?

I just recently got a pintail wrasse. Earlier this year I had two dragonface pipefish which are known to be the best predators for red bugs. Because my tank has so many other pods, the pipefish (and now the wrasse) seemed to just feed off those pods on the rocks and in the sand, ignoring the red bugs up on the corals.

 

[SuncrestReef]

Curious if you have already tried a wrasse for their removal, or does your livestock list already consist of a wrasse?

The best known solution for red bugs is to treat your tank with Interceptor. Unfortunately you'd need to remove any shrimp or crabs, and in my case that would require tearing apart my aquascape to get to my pistol shrimp, so I just decided to live with the red bugs.

 

[DS204]

Good luck with the pintail wrasse - hopefully that helps the situation. At least it's not harming your corals, like you mentioned.

 

[yegokego]

Glad you're enjoying the build. I got the diamond hole saw bits from Amazon.com:

21mm:
35mm:

The push connect fittings came from MistKing.com:

https://www.mistking.com/Value-3-8-inch-Elbow.html
https://www.mistking.com/Value-3-8-inch-Tee.html
https://www.mistking.com/Value-3-8-inch-Bulkhead-Oring.html

Thank you for taking the time to reply, very much appreciated. Working on my refugium now and really admire the planning and parts you used. How did you block off the ATO drain spout? Lol
I was thinking of just using a bit of tubing with a valve so it doesn't drain.

I'm sorry to hear of the fish loss, it's never easy.
Your yellow eyed kole tang is beautiful! Super picture of a garf bonsai and others as well. Very nice photography skills!

You could try a yellow coris wrasse, docile, colourful and one of the best pest eaters. You are correct that interceptor is your best bet for red bugs though, unfortunately removing all inverts and feather dusters is never as easy. Could be your future weekend project if they decide to wreak havoc.

Please keep us updated on new arrivals or changes to your build, always fun to keep following.

 

[RichtheReefer21]

My buddy had black bugs and did the interceptor tablets as well. Took 3 months but all gone now.

The macro shots are phenomenal regardless of the little red streakers

Thanks for sharing sir.

 

[SuncrestReef]

For several months I’ve been trying to battle bryopsis. Manual removal sort of kept it in check, but it was a lot of work several times per week. I finally decided to try fluconazole and I’m pretty happy with the results. I used Flux RX and after only one week it’s pretty much gone:

Before

After

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Results speak for themselves. Nice work.