SuncrestReef's Red Sea Reefer XL 425 build

[Hulkwithin]

Thank you so much for showing me your setup. That is going to help me a lot I will setup my mixing station before I do anything else. What do you use for an RODI unit? I'm debating getting the 7 stage Pro Plus Ro/Di from BRS or the Spectrapure Mega MaxCap Performance Plus 1:1 Ultra. Does anyone suggest which is better?

By the way super awesome coloring of you're livestock. Love it

 

[SuncrestReef]

Thank you so much for showing me your setup. That is going to help me a lot I will setup my mixing station before I do anything else. What do you use for an RODI unit? I'm debating getting the 7 stage Pro Plus Ro/Di from BRS or the Spectrapure Mega MaxCap Performance Plus 1:1 Ultra. Does anyone suggest which is better?

By the way super awesome coloring of you're livestock. Love it

I have the BRS 5 Stage 150GPD Plus Water Saver RO/DI system. I don't have any experience with other brands, so I can't really compare. But I've had no problems with mine.

 

[Hulkwithin]

8 days after ordering my Reefer XL 425 from Bulk Reef Supply and seeing my order listed as "In Picking" on their web site, I called BRS to see what's going on. They said the order had been sent to Red Sea and suggested I contact them. Red Sea informed me that the tank shipped today and provided tracking info with the freight vendor. The freight vendor's website lists 1 package, 622 lbs., and says they will contact me 24 hours before delivery to make arrangements, but they don't give any ETA. Overall not the most customer-friendly process, but at this point I'm just glad to know the Reefer is on the way.

In the meantime, I have received 60 lbs of Pukani rock, 60 lbs of Tropic Eden sand, and the schedule 40 PVC pipes and fittings. I'm still waiting on all the valves from PVCFittingsOnline.com, and all my Apex equipment and lights/pumps and other equipment from Premium Aquatics. Hopefully things will arrive next week and I can start making some progress. Patience..............................

I was wondering about the coloring of all your pipes. The orange & blues, etc. Where did you get them?

 

[SuncrestReef]

I was wondering about the coloring of all your pipes. The orange & blues, etc. Where did you get them?

I got the colored PVC pipe and fittings from https://www.aquariumspecialty.com/parts-plumbing/pvc-parts.html

 

[Hulkwithin]

I got the colored PVC pipe and fittings from https://www.aquariumspecialty.com/parts-plumbing/pvc-parts.html

Thank you so much. You have been a big help. I'm going to start my build. Needless to say, I will be doing very similar things. I've learned and I am learning a lot from your build. I have lots to do on my Reefer 3XL900. Everything you have done is super awesome. Looks fantastic. Hope your corals thrive with the upmost strength and beauty. I am starting just like you with my water setup. It will be a journey and hope with all the rewards of a thriving tank.

 

[Daveobrien]

I got the colored PVC pipe and fittings from https://www.aquariumspecialty.com/parts-plumbing/pvc-parts.html

I followed SuncrestReef's mixing station design and built my own this spring. I bought colored PVC from a different source. But, afterwards I've learned HomeDepot.com carries (and ships it) - and in many cases its cheaper. Check out all price options before ordering.

Colored PVC
- https://www.pvcfittingsonline.com/pipe/furniture-grade/orange.html <-- Where I ordered
- https://www.homedepot.com/p/Formufi...e-40-PVC-Pipe-2-Pack-P001FGP-OR-5x2/312192339 <-- example of HD.

Bought all my true union ball valves from,
- https://www.supplyhouse.com/

 

[SuncrestReef]

It's been a very long time since I've done a photo shoot in my tank. Here are some shots from my Nikon D610 DSLR with 200mm macro lens:

 

[DesertReefer51]

SuncrestReef,

It's been a while since I've been on R2R or followed your thread or others. But time has allowed for my tank build to progress. I'm about to order a large amount of my automation equipment and was wondering how the Neptune ATK has been working for you. Buddies are still urging me to go with the Tunze but I was hoping to utilize all of the APEX monitoring features. My resistance is the large number of poor reviews from PMUP's failing to the sensors not lasting more than 6-9 months on average.

I'm taking into account most people do not maintain or clean their equipment such as the sensors or inspecting the PMUP periodically. I'm trying to get real opinions/experiences from actual users of this equipment and not rely on the limited reviews.

Thanks for continually updating on the forum. You and others have kept my motivation to finish this build.

 

[SuncrestReef]

SuncrestReef,

It's been a while since I've been on R2R or followed your thread or others. But time has allowed for my tank build to progress. I'm about to order a large amount of my automation equipment and was wondering how the Neptune ATK has been working for you. Buddies are still urging me to go with the Tunze but I was hoping to utilize all of the APEX monitoring features. My resistance is the large number of poor reviews from PMUP's failing to the sensors not lasting more than 6-9 months on average.

I'm taking into account most people do not maintain or clean their equipment such as the sensors or inspecting the PMUP periodically. I'm trying to get real opinions/experiences from actual users of this equipment and not rely on the limited reviews.

Thanks for continually updating on the forum. You and others have kept my motivation to finish this build.

My ATK v1 has been running fine for over 2 years now with no pump failures or optical sensor failures. Many of the complaints I've seen are due to improper programming, and misunderstanding of how the ATK works. In particular people say the water is low but the pump won't run....but they don't realize the default 1 hour pause between each run of the pump. Be sure to read my ATK Tutorial to ensure you set it up correctly and understand what the programming actually does: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/neptu...torials-part-3-automatic-top-off-kit-atk.692/

 

[DesertReefer51]

My ATK v1 has been running fine for over 2 years now with no pump failures or optical sensor failures. Many of the complaints I've seen are due to improper programming, and misunderstanding of how the ATK works. In particular people say the water is low but the pump won't run....but they don't realize the default 1 hour pause between each run of the pump. Be sure to read my ATK Tutorial to ensure you set it up correctly and understand what the programming actually does: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/neptu...torials-part-3-automatic-top-off-kit-atk.692/

I appreciate the info and will definitely read over the tutorials. Do you have any experience with the PVC electronic 1/4" solenoids (either Neptune or other brands)? I was planning on using one on the supply line into the RODI system? I will have a 20g FW storage tank to start and add a second later but was thinking of adding the solenoid as a way to shut down incoming water all together instead of just relying on the float valve. I just remodeled the house and the wife is beyond paranoid regarding water disasters.

 

[SuncrestReef]

I appreciate the info and will definitely read over the tutorials. Do you have any experience with the PVC electronic 1/4" solenoids (either Neptune or other brands)? I was planning on using one on the supply line into the RODI system? I will have a 20g FW storage tank to start and add a second later but was thinking of adding the solenoid as a way to shut down incoming water all together instead of just relying on the float valve. I just remodeled the house and the wife is beyond paranoid regarding water disasters.

I haven't used any solenoids myself, but I know they are commonly used for this purpose. See this video where Terence from Neptune goes over how to program an auto-fill RO/DI system using a Neptune solenoid:

 

[TonysReef]

You should try Auto Tone in Photoshop. Usually does a great job removing that blue tint with one click.

 

[SuncrestReef]

You should try Auto Tone in Photoshop. Usually does a great job removing that blue tint with one click.

Yes, I'm aware of that. I simply don't use Photoshop for anything. I set my Nikon's white balance to 10K which is as high as it will go, and if I'm trying to take a more serious shot I will adjust my ReeFi LED light spectrum to reduce the blues. When I shoot with my iPhone I use a clip-on filter. These shots were just for fun, and I'm not trying to win any photo contests.

 

[Hulkwithin]

Good Day Sir. So I finally got my Saltwater station. I'm trying to configure the FMM high & low sensors on these 75 gallon containers for my fresh water to turn on and off the RODI. I installed the high & low sensors with a SV-1 solenoid valve and 2 optical sensor. Can you tell me your configuration in the Apex Fusion? For your FMM?

 

[SuncrestReef]

Good Day Sir. So I finally got my Saltwater station. I'm trying to configure the FMM high & low sensors on these 75 gallon containers for my fresh water to turn on and off the RODI. I installed the high & low sensors with a SV-1 solenoid valve and 2 optical sensor. Can you tell me your configuration in the Apex Fusion? For your FMM?

I'm assuming that was you who posted the same question on the Neptune Community Forum. Terence recently covered this in a #LetsTalkReef video.

See



If you don't want to use a 3rd optical sensor as he recommended, you can use this code:

Fallback OFF
If RO_Lo OPEN Then ON
If RO_Hi CLOSED Then OFF
When ON > 360:00 Then OFF
Defer 002:00 Then ON
Defer 002:00 Then OFF

Just adjust the When timer to a value realistic for your size storage tank and RO/DI production rate.

 

[SuncrestReef]

I accidentally found a bristleworm when moving a rock in my tank.

 

[SuncrestReef]

I get a lot of questions about my mixing station, so I'll provide some detail here and a parts list:

A. (qty 2) Norwesco 75 gallon storage tanks with 1.25" threaded bulkheads
B. (qty 1) Mixing pump with 1" male threaded input and output
C. (qty 2) 1.25" threaded male to 1" slip adapters
(Edit 4/17/20: Part C is actually 2 separate fittings: 1.25" threaded male to 1" threaded female reducing bushing, and 1" threaded male to 1" slip adapter)
D. (qty 2) 1" threaded female to 1" slip adapters
E. (qty 5) 1" slip unions
F. (qty 3) 3-way Y fittings
G. (qty 3) 1" T fittings
H. (qty 7) 1" ball valves
I. (qty 4) 1" 90 degree elbow fittings
J. (qty 3) 1" slip bulkheads
K. (qty 2) 1" male slip to 3/4" female threaded adapter
L. (qty 1) 3/4" male threaded to 3/4" camlock female coupler
M. (qty 1) 3/4" camlock male to 3/4" barbed hose adapter
N. (qty 1) 3/4" braided hose
O. (qty 2) Hose clamps
P. (qty 1) 3/4” male threaded to 3/4” barbed hose adapter

Optional parts for Apex automation:
Q. (qty 3) Neptune optical water sensors
R. (qty 2) Magnet mount for optical sensors
S. (qty 1) FMM
T. (qty 1) PM2
U. (qty 1) EB4
V. (qty 1) Heater
W. (qty 1) Temperature probe
X. (qty 1) Salinity probe
Y. (qty 1) DOS
Z. (qty 1) Long AquaBus cable to Apex (if in a different room)

Here are the parts annotated in photos:

Since I posted my mixing station plans, I've been flattered by how many people have replicated my design! Here's mine:

And here are a handful of clones I've seen:

 

[Toadpapa]

I definitely copied it, I am one of the pics, so lovely to have all the parts listed out for someone who has never done any sort of plumbing before and it turned out great.

 

[BigMo]

Since I posted my mixing station plans, I've been flattered by how many people have replicated my design! Here's mine:

That’s because you did a great job on explaining everything in details, thanks for sharing so much to this community

 

[SuncrestReef]

It's been a while since I've taken any photos of my Bubblegum Monster chalice. It's growing nicely and producing several new eyes.