AstroReefer's 425XL build

[CDavmd]

Great over overview. It really came out excellent.

Thanks!

 

[CDavmd]

Love the breakout boxes with the manual switched, very clean and functional. I really need to step up my game! LOL!

Thanks! My friend asked if I had a hemi in there [emoji23]

 

[Jimbo662]

Did some final brain surgery...hooked up my switch panels to my breakout box. I was also able to setup a momentary button which has an led ring.

Checked my ammonia level and it’s starting to come down with nitrite on the rise.

Here’s some pics:

Brilliant idea connecting the Avast switches to the breakout box! I may have to steal this idea!

 

[siggy]

@CDavmd Just poped in to check out the build, I have a 425 on the way and was considering swapping out the plumbing and how I was going to dress the electronics side. I may have to steal a few ideas

 

[CDavmd]

@CDavmd Just poped in to check out the build, I have a 425 on the way and was considering swapping out the plumbing and how I was going to dress the electronics side. I may have to steal a few ideas

Thanks! Feel free- I got ideas from others as well.

 

[siggy]

What did you use to transition after the bulkhead or did you swap out the bulk heads

 

[CDavmd]

What did you use to transition after the bulkhead or did you swap out the bulk heads

Same fix Broadfield did in his build thread. It’s also in the show off your reefer thread.

I used the reefers union but removed the barbed connector and used a thread to slip fixture with 10-15 wraps of plumbers tape.

3/4" MPT x 1" SLIP adapter:

https://www.pvcfittingsonline.com/3-4-x-1-sch-80-pvc-reducing-male-adapter-mpt-x-socket-836-102.html

 

[CDavmd]

Cycles progressing nicely. NH3 down to 0.5, Nitrite at 1 and nitrate at 20.
Added a little more NH4Cl last night to keep it going.

Also received a few pieces of live rock from KP Aquatics. I’ve used their rock before, good life, no aiptasia.

I’m using it to seed the tank and increase biodiversity. I placed it in an acclimation box just in case a mantis or other pest rears it’s head.

 

[calvi]

Awesome build. The aesthetic is 10/10. I’m taking notes!

 

[CDavmd]

Awesome build. The aesthetic is 10/10. I’m taking notes!

Thank you! I took many notes from others as well!

 

[CDavmd]

Cycles basically done. I have to say that Fritz Turbo start is amazing. I’ve used it to start a couple other tanks and the Tanks cycle very quickly. I’ve redosed 2ppm Ammonium chloride and NH3 reads zero by the next day. Nitrites are heading down and just barely detectable. Nitrates up to 40.

I remembered I have a little pod hotel in my frag System’s Refugium....it’s been sitting in it since July. I took it out and put it in the reefer ...lots of pods scurried here and there...and the bonus I just saw now in the dark- a couple feather dusters and a big mess of spaghetti worms coming out of it.

....let there be life! [emoji1]

 

[CDavmd]

Skimmer arrived....time to clean up the post cycle water!

Also made a little mod. Despite my gate valve and adjusting pump speed I can’t get the water level dialed in. Depending on the state of my WAV’s flow pattern through out the day, I either get noise as the water falls down through the grate into the overflow box or it’s too high and I get noise from the emergency drain. It only a couple times during the day but still annoying. I slipped on a right angle 3/4 inch fixture to the emergency drain. This allowed me to run a higher water level and avoid the noise. I double checked everything with the gate valve closed and pump running 100% and no issues handling the flow.

 

[Waynerock]

Skimmer arrived....time to clean up the post cycle water!

Also made a little mod. Despite my gate valve and adjusting pump speed I can’t get the water level dialed in. Depending on the state of my WAV’s flow pattern through out the day, I either get noise as the water falls down through the grate into the overflow box or it’s too high and I get noise from the emergency drain. It only a couple times during the day but still annoying. I slipped on a right angle 3/4 inch fixture to the emergency drain. This allowed me to run a higher water level and avoid the noise. I double checked everything with the gate valve closed and pump running 100% and no issues handling the flow.

Oh snap gonna have to copy that. Mine fluctuates as well and it’s so hard to resist adjusting cause when I do it will be a game of adjusting for hours cause I never get it right. I want to set it and forget it

 

[jblasi]

Oh snap gonna have to copy that. Mine fluctuates as well and it’s so hard to resist adjusting cause when I do it will be a game of adjusting for hours cause I never get it right. I want to set it and forget it

I have the exact same problem with my 250. Great idea!

 

[CDavmd]

Well it definitely broke in quickly. Not even 18 hours since I fired her up and no micro bubbles to speak of and it’s starting to make a nice thick head of foam. Still running it at max wide open but this is looking great.

....and yes it’s absolutely silent! I can’t hear a thing. The Radion G4 fans are the loudest part of my build.





And lastly....we’re moving up the evolutionary ladder.

 

[krakenwrangler]

Might be a silly question but what size Aquamaxx reactors are you running? Looks like the XS but can't make it out. Are you running Carbon and GFO?

 

[CDavmd]

Might be a silly question but what size Aquamaxx reactors are you running? Looks like the XS but can't make it out. Are you running Carbon and GFO?

Yes they are the XS model. I’m just running carbon in both. I try to avoid GFO.

 

[krakenwrangler]

Appreciate the quick reposne. Do you feel like you have enough volume capacity in the reactor for the xl425? Or is that why you are running double carbon?

 

[CDavmd]

Appreciate the quick reposne. Do you feel like you have enough volume capacity in the reactor for the xl425? Or is that why you are running double carbon?

Yes plenty. I only run carbon intermittently and can get about 2+ cups in each. I run one canister for a couple weeks then the other.

 

[CDavmd]

Shamelessly borrowed @Centerline idea for skimmer legs. Much better than using up so much space with a stand in the sump. Thanks! @Centerline