SuncrestReef's Reefer XL 425 Rebuild

[SuncrestReef]

Thanks for sharing all these pictures! Planning to tear down my tank in about a year and re-locate it so this really helps to visualize the journey and help me to plan for success as well.

Curious, how did you locate your pistol shrimp? I have one too and was wondering how tricky they'll be to find!

I already knew which rock the pistol shrimp was under, so I first removed all the other rocks one by one and carefully inspected them to make sure I removed all the hermit crabs, snails, and peppermint shrimp. When I lifted that last rock, the pistol shrimp scampered around looking for other shelter, but there was no place to hide so it was very easy to capture him.

 

[SuncrestReef]

Catching the fish was pretty easy once I pulled all the rocks out and drained the tank down to about 6" of water. The only exception was my tailspot blenny, which I couldn't find. I'm hoping he wasn't hiding in the rocks I took outside, and I'm crossing my fingers he's somewhere in that large rock in the coral tank.

Update: I found the tailspot blenny in the coral tank!!! He was hiding in that large rock.

I'm so relieved! I've had this little guy for over 2 years.

 

[SuncrestReef]

I moved the Reefer XL 425 display tank off the stand for cleaning:

A quick rinse with the garden hose revealed what's left to scrape and/or clean with vinegar:

The rocks are currently in a barrel for bleaching and then an acid wash:

Next step is to disassemble the cabinet to remove the center panel and replace it with the 8020 aluminum frame so the new sump will fit:

 

[Daveobrien]

Pool acid (Muriatic acid) is what I'd use to clean the tank with. Put tank on a flat surface on styrofoam. Fill with water, dump in a gallon of pool acid and a power head. let set a day or two. Much easier to clean after that.

When I washed my rocks, I socked in bleach for a few days. Then pressure washed off any remaining sponges/Zoas/larger organic matter. Chip all snail tubes off to release the snail organics. Then put them back in Fresh bleach water for another week. You have to break open any snail shells to really get this done.

Circles show a few I smashed to show you. There's LOTS more on this particular rock.

After:

 

[SuncrestReef]

Pool acid (Muriatic acid) is what I'd use to clean the tank with. Put tank on a flat surface on styrofoam. Fill with water, dump in a gallon of pool acid and a power head. let set a day or two. Much easier to clean after that.

Or just 5 minutes with a fresh razor blade:

 

[powers2001]

@SuncrestReef really like the idea of the overflow box as ATK reservoir, crafty!

 

[SuncrestReef]

@SuncrestReef really like the idea of the overflow box as ATK reservoir, crafty!

Yes, it was funny because I had filled a 3 gallon bucket of RO/DI to set up my ATO's, but I was worried my dog might knock the bucket over. Then I looked at that empty overflow chamber and the idea hit me.

 

[schuby]

@SuncrestReef , your yard looks as well manicured as your new sump!

 

[SuncrestReef]

@SuncrestReef , your yard looks as well manicured as your new sump!

Thanks! Yes, I'm lucky to have a 1 acre flat lot with lots of room for lawn games. With the weather warming up, it's almost time to set up the croquet course!

 

[nukemdanno]

Awesome build & thread. I have a trigger emerald, you will not be disappointed with that sump. My next build I plan on the platinum series. I would love not to have to clean filter socks anymore lol. Great Job!!

 

[Daveobrien]

Or just 5 minutes with a fresh razor blade:

But look at all the old worm casings and other calcium junk you can't reach in the overflow box. Pool Acid!

 

[SuncrestReef]

But look at all the old worm casings and other calcium junk you can't reach in the overflow box. Pool Acid!

You haven’t seen my 26” razor scraper:

 

[SuncrestReef]

It fits!!! Today I disassembled the Red Sea cabinet. It was actually quite easy to take apart, then put it back together minus the center panel. And thankfully the 8020 aluminum fit perfectly.

Here's what 3 years of 1,500 lbs of aquarium does to carpet:

I just need to adjust the shelf supports to see how things will fit before finalizing the sump plumbing.

 

[schuby]

What are the feet of the 80/20 vertical bars sitting on? There's gonna be quite a bit of force at the bottom of each one. When it was a panel, it was spread out across the full depth of your stand.

 

[SuncrestReef]

What are the feet of the 80/20 vertical bars sitting on? There's gonna be quite a bit of force at the bottom of each one. When it was a panel, it was spread out across the full depth of your stand.

The aluminum legs sit directly on the cabinet floor panel (indicated in red below), which is supported directly below each leg by the front and back supports with a cross brace between them. There is no air space below the support legs; it's fully supported.

 

[captain_jimmy]

I got them from MarineAndReef.com:

Red Sea Reefer Nano Reefer 170 250 350 Max-E Sump Replacement Pump Return Connector 16 mm 42221

Replacement Red Sea Reefer Nano, Reefer 170, 250, 350 & Max-E Sump Pump Return Connector 16 mm. Red Sea Part # 42221.

www.marineandreef.com

Hey suncrest. Nice build.

Are you certain this is the correct piece? The site lists part #42222 as the one for the XL 425

Red Sea Reefer 450 & XL-425 525 Aquarium Replacement Sump-Pump Return Connector 20-25mm 42222

Replacement Red Sea Reefer 450 & XL-425/525 Aquarium Replacement Sump-Pump Return Connector 20-25mm. Red Sea Part # 42222.

www.marineandreef.com

 

[SuncrestReef]

Hey suncrest. Nice build.

Are you certain this is the correct piece? The site lists part #42222 as the one for the XL 425

Red Sea Reefer 450 & XL-425 525 Aquarium Replacement Sump-Pump Return Connector 20-25mm 42222

Replacement Red Sea Reefer 450 & XL-425/525 Aquarium Replacement Sump-Pump Return Connector 20-25mm. Red Sea Part # 42222.

www.marineandreef.com

I am 100% certain that part # 42221 is correct and fits. Here’s a photo I just took of part # 42221 along with my metric to US 1” adapter attached to my Reefer XL 425 plumbing while the tank is sitting in my driveway for cleaning.

My understanding is that part #42222 is glued so you can’t unscrew the barb fitting to replace it with a PVC slip adapter. But 42221 unscrews.

 

[SuncrestReef]

I'm pretty happy with how close my planned design ended up to reality. The measurements I took worked out perfectly!

Plan:

Reality:

 

[captain_jimmy]

I am 100% certain that part # 42221 is correct and fits. Here’s a photo I just took of part # 42221 along with my metric to US 1” adapter attached to my Reefer XL 425 plumbing while the tank is sitting in my driveway for cleaning.

My understanding is that part #42222 is glued so you can’t unscrew the barb fitting to replace it with a PVC slip adapter. But 42221 unscrews.

Great, thank you!

 

[SuncrestReef]

This has turned into one of the longest slow-motion builds, but I’m finally back on the project.

I made some minor changes to the plumbing design, and just need to trim a few fittings to properly fit my UV sterilizer.

I should have the rest of the plumbing done tomorrow.