1Blazer Build Thread - Red Sea Reefer 425XL

[1Blazer]

I run my own let me know if you would like a link for download.

@jsker Absolutely! I am interested in seeing a proven graph!

 

[1Blazer]

@4FordFamily Thank you very much! I should be calling you doctor after that surgery you performed on that wrasse... nerves of steal. I dont think i could do it

 

[dbl]

No distraction at all! I was searching on this specific topic as to why not many use the deluxe version of the red sea line... at least i couldnt find any on the 425xl. May I ask what LEDs you had and why you decided to go t5? I know t5 is a tried and true lighting source but I didnt want to hang it (only way I would do it)

Since this tank has been set up, I was using four AI Vega's. I had good success with them to be honest and it's the only lights I've ever used. But as you said, everyone says that T5's are the tried and true, I got a good deal on the fixture a while ago, so I figured I would give them a go. So far, I can now see what everyone is talking about!

 

[1Blazer]

Since this tank has been set up, I was using four AI Vega's. I had good success with them to be honest and it's the only lights I've ever used. But as you said, everyone says that T5's are the tried and true, I got a good deal on the fixture a while ago, so I figured I would give them a go. So far, I can now see what everyone is talking about!

@dbl I dont blame you one bit! I have used t5 before and they definitely get the job done but I am stubborn and want to see if I can get the type of results out of the Hydra 26HDs i have seend quite a few successful Primes but I am hoping I can make this into a full blown LED SPS tank... A man can dream lol

 

[Philt56]

I’m looking at top lids too for my 425xl. Did you get a cutout over the overflow section? Fabio says it would look cleaner without but I think I’d like to be able to access it occasionally without lifting the whole lid off. I’m also asking if they can do a bigger feed door so I can have more access in the tank without lifting it off.

I decided to do radions on the multi lite overhead so my 2 mount cutouts will be on the sides.

I see the new fusion design on a simple square lid. Not sure how it will look with the bigger cutouts. He did sent me a graph of how it would look but hard to decide without a finished product for a bigger tank with cutouts like that.

 

[1Blazer]

UPDATE:

So I noticed a few things on my tank last night.

1- PH is lower than I am used to. Looking at 7.8 after well circulated and mixing prior to being put in the tank. I have researched a bit on the reef crystals and have come across a few others who have experienced similar situations. Solution--- ordered Red Sea Salt (Not the pro as I am getting very close to pull the trigger on a datasco calcium reactor and I can supplement ALK through my DOS)

2-I needed a refugium light and @crabs_mcjones article on the Kessil H380 made me pull the trigger

3- I have PH calibration fluid coming in today and I will calibrate to see if #1 was necessary

4-Recieved the splitter for the red sea return nozzle from Amazon and I think it helped but the sand is still shifting a bit so time will tell if the dual nozzles will help with shifts in sand.

5- the clowns are doing well although they each have taken to their own corners and seem to be figuring out who will be the dominant fish.

 

[Crabs McJones]

UPDATE:

So I noticed a few things on my tank last night.

1- PH is lower than I am used to. Looking at 7.8 after well circulated and mixing prior to being put in the tank. I have researched a bit on the reef crystals and have come across a few others who have experienced similar situations. Solution--- ordered Red Sea Salt (Not the pro as I am getting very close to pull the trigger on a datasco calcium reactor and I can supplement ALK through my DOS)

2-I needed a refugium light and @crabs_mcjones article on the Kessil H380 made me pull the trigger

3- I have PH calibration fluid coming in today and I will calibrate to see if #1 was necessary

4-Recieved the splitter for the red sea return nozzle from Amazon and I think it helped but the sand is still shifting a bit so time will tell if the dual nozzles will help with shifts in sand.

5- the clowns are doing well although they each have taken to their own corners and seem to be figuring out who will be the dominant fish.

Be careful with that H380, it'll tank your nutrients quickly lol

 

[CastAway]

Hey @1Blazer!

Tagging along.

 

[1Blazer]

I’m looking at top lids too for my 425xl. Did you get a cutout over the overflow section? Fabio says it would look cleaner without but I think I’d like to be able to access it occasionally without lifting the whole lid off. I’m also asking if they can do a bigger feed door so I can have more access in the tank without lifting it off.

I decided to do radions on the multi lite overhead so my 2 mount cutouts will be on the sides.

I see the new fusion design on a simple square lid. Not sure how it will look with the bigger cutouts. He did sent me a graph of how it would look but hard to decide without a finished product for a bigger tank with cutouts like that.

OHHHH! I never thought of that! I most definitely didnt think of a cut out for the over flow... I guess in my head that was kind of given to work around... Better give him a message in the morning because I would much rather have a cutout around the overflow to access the area and potentially add a light. Thanks for looking out @Philt56 Glad there is another 425 reefer! I have a secret thought... I have a radion xrG3 in the basement and a XR15 as well.... Not sure what to do with them besides set up a quarantine tank or switch them the main tank and grab another xr 30 gen 3

 

[1Blazer]

Hey @1Blazer!

Tagging along.

@CastAway lets hope its worth your while!

 

[1Blazer]

Be careful with that H380, it'll tank your nutrients quickly lol

@crabs_mcjones shoot! should i h ave gone with the H80?????!

 

[Crabs McJones]

@crabs_mcjones shoot! should i h ave gone with the H80?????!

Nope, h380 is still top choice. Just don't run it to long. Short photoperiods of 6 to 8 hours depended on how high off the fuge you can mount it.

 

[Philt56]

OHHHH! I never thought of that! I most definitely didnt think of a cut out for the over flow... I guess in my head that was kind of given to work around... Better give him a message in the morning because I would much rather have a cutout around the overflow to access the area and potentially add a light. Thanks for looking out @Philt56 Glad there is another 425 reefer! I have a secret thought... I have a radion xrG3 in the basement and a XR15 as well.... Not sure what to do with them besides set up a quarantine tank or switch them the main tank and grab another xr 30 gen 3

Yeah, I was looking at artfully acrylics‘s tops and they offered the cutout for the overflow as a standard option and their large feeding door is essentially the same cutout with a removable lid. The only thing will be the mesh area will be maybe only 12” wide in the center of the lid if the overflow and feed door cutout and their borders extend maybe 5” out I decided to do the multi light radion mount cause I figured I could just lift the lid up and slide it towards the rear and rest it on the overflow.

I’m doing the radion multi light mount so the mount arms will be on each side. I figured I could just lift the lid up and slide it back towards the overflow and rest it on top. Right now there’s only one xr30 pro g3 on the rail, I have another on my old tank and will move it and the fish and coral once the 425 is cycled and stable.

 

[Philt56]

Btw that second pic is what Fabio sent me for what the new fusion style cutouts would look like. Not sure if that graph paper is to scale for a 426’s dimensions. My markup was for the cutouts I’m considering.

Just reread your first post and saw you were in IL? Where at?

 

[1Blazer]

Nope, h380 is still top choice. Just don't run it to long. Short photoperiods of 6 to 8 hours depended on how high off the fuge you can mount it.

That will be the trick I think... I got the goose neck too but I'm wondering if I can somehow mount it to the top of the stand and have it hang down. Not sure yet but I will definitely play with the idea.

 

[1Blazer]

Btw that second pic is what Fabio sent me for what the new fusion style cutouts would look like. Not sure if that graph paper is to scale for a 426’s dimensions. My markup was for the cutouts I’m considering.

Just reread your first post and saw you were in IL? Where at?

@Philt56 I think I may be copying yours... thats a heck of a design.

I used to live in Chicago --- River North at the Flair Tower. Absolutely loved it there minus not having a tank!

 

[1Blazer]

Yeah, I was looking at artfully acrylics‘s tops and they offered the cutout for the overflow as a standard option and their large feeding door is essentially the same cutout with a removable lid. The only thing will be the mesh area will be maybe only 12” wide in the center of the lid if the overflow and feed door cutout and their borders extend maybe 5” out I decided to do the multi light radion mount cause I figured I could just lift the lid up and slide it towards the rear and rest it on the overflow.

I’m doing the radion multi light mount so the mount arms will be on each side. I figured I could just lift the lid up and slide it back towards the overflow and rest it on top. Right now there’s only one xr30 pro g3 on the rail, I have another on my old tank and will move it and the fish and coral once the 425 is cycled and stable.

@Philt56 BTW That tank is looking good! I cant wait to see what it looks like in 6 months. I have been a Radion fan from the get go but I decided to give the AIs a shot this go round.

 

[Philt56]

I have a diatom bloom now. Added dr Tim’s one and only and water is very cloudy or at least almost like tea. Need to change the socks.

 

[1Blazer]

I have a diatom bloom now. Added dr Tim’s one and only and water is very cloudy or at least almost like tea. Need to change the socks.

@Philt56 it will settle down i used Dr. Tims one and only as well but I opted out of the ammonia dosing. I went with the fish

 

[SuncrestReef]

Hey there!

Equipment list:

Reefer 425xl Reefer Deluxe
2 x Aqua Illumination 26 HD
Vectra L1 Return pump
Bubble King Mini 160
Neptune Apex Controller (2016 version) with 3 DOS dosing pumps
Top Lids -Acrylic top (waiting arrival)
Maxspect Gyre XF150
AquaSmart ATO & AWC
Little Oceans sump baffle for refugium
Synergy Reef ATO container
JBJ 1/10 hp Arctic Chiller
Bulk Reef Supply 6 stage RO/DI 150gpd Unit

Nice equipment! I'm also just starting my Reefer XL 425 build and have several of the same components from your list. I'll be curious to hear how you like the AquaSmart ATO & AWC. I was originally planning to purchase that, but at the last minute I went with the Neptune ATK and DOS for AWC since I had so many of the other Neptune modules and just wanted everything in the same control portal.

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