Red Sea 900 XL Build/upgrade

[Erik-Reefer]

Getting read to do a pretty big upgrade. I currently have a 90 gallon leather dominated reef tank that I will be upgrading to a Red Sea 900 3XL. Going to be a fun project!!!

 

[SoggyNW]

That sounds awesome, the 900xl is a gorgeous tank. And your 90 already looks awesome. What do you plan to do with the extra space in the new tank? What new livestock are you looking at putting in?

I'm super jealous. Can't wait to see it come together.

 

[Spiderwoman]

You will enjoy the 900; ours has been up fir 15 months and I love it more now than when it was initially installed.

 

[Erik-Reefer]

That sounds awesome, the 900xl is a gorgeous tank. And your 90 already looks awesome. What do you plan to do with the extra space in the new tank? What new livestock are you looking at putting in?

I'm super jealous. Can't wait to see it come together.

Much appreciated! Im sorry for the long overdue response... Yeah, its a gorgeous tank, and a HEAVY tank as well! Looking to grow more leathers throughout.. I love the way they flow! Livestock? Looking to add a few wrasses and possibly anthias down the road!

 

[Erik-Reefer]

You will enjoy the 900; ours has been up fir 15 months and I love it more now than when it was initially installed.

So awesome to hear! my lights aren't even connected and I'm mesmerized by it!

I apologize for delay in my response, who would think that 7 month old's had so much energy? LOL

How did you mount (or did you mount) your doser? Did you drill into the RS stand or did you do a cabinet?

 

[Erik-Reefer]

Between closing on our home, and chasing after my 7 month old, time has certainly flew by! Once we were all moved in, I found the perfect wall!

 

[Erik-Reefer]

My plans for the tank is to go LPS and leathers. I love the movement that they make. My supplies just recently arrived, and when I opened them, I felt like a kid on my birthday! THis is what I'm going to be running:

Return - Vectra L2
Lighting - 4 x AI Hydra 32
Skimmer - RS 900
Reactor - BRS Dual Reactor
Doser: Jebao DP4
Flow - Maxspect 350 Gyre along with variously placed powerheads

My son decided to help me a bit!

 

[Erik-Reefer]

Its been quite a bit since my last update, so here we go:

I wanted to install a controller set up without drilling anything into the stand, possibly one that would accommodate an ATO. Not too many out there, and the ones that are, aren't cheap.

I decided to build my own. I bought an IKEA cabinet at consignment shop for 10 bucks. With a little cutting and a quick blast of spray paint, I easily converted it into my control box!

 

[Erik-Reefer]

I installed an led strip under the tank to illuminate the sump. I bought them off Amazon and they were super easy to install!

 

[Susan Edwards]

Nice. Do you have your tank set up yet? I have the same tank being delivered Oct 6th. How wide is the non wet side of the cabinet? I ordered the slide out panel but I don't think there will be enough room for all my equipment in there!!

 

[Erik-Reefer]

Nice. Do you have your tank set up yet? I have the same tank being delivered Oct 6th. How wide is the non wet side of the cabinet? I ordered the slide out panel but I don't think there will be enough room for all my equipment in there!!

Thanks!! Its running now - the dry side on the sump from glass to wall is 18 3/8".

From back to front, just before the bracer, just under 22 1/2"

On the back of the dry side, there is a large opening that makes it super easy to bring the wires in. I recommend adding the cabinet before adding the bracer if you can, makes it easier getting in.

 

[Erik-Reefer]

I had a dedicated breaker installed with outlets placed at the back opening of the sump.. last thing i wanted was to overload anything.

 

[Erik-Reefer]

With the tank wired up, I started on my rock work. All of my other tanks have been pretty much stack balance and usually against the glass. For this tank I wanted to make sure that I had little to no dead spots and get good flow throughout.

After watching the BRS negative space video and the one the one that Tidal Gardens did, it was an easy decision to go the negative route.

Since I was building the rock outside of the tank, I built a pvc mock up of my tank to gauge height/depth etc.. I promised my wife itd only be a few weeks

 

[c.poindexter]

Way to go with the upgrade. Looking forward to the build.

 

[Erik-Reefer]

I pulled rock from my other 2 tanks and now the Marco rock arrived and am ready to go!!

 

[Erik-Reefer]

Way to go with the upgrade. Looking forward to the build.

Thank you so much!! Its been an awesome experience and alot of fun!!!

 

[Susan Edwards]

Thanks!! Its running now - the dry side on the sump from glass to wall is 18 3/8".

From back to front, just before the bracer, just under 22 1/2"

On the back of the dry side, there is a large opening that makes it super easy to bring the wires in. I recommend adding the cabinet before adding the bracer if you can, makes it easier getting in.

thanks. that is more than I thought! Can't wait to see your scape! And water in your tank