Whip’s Red Sea Reefer XXL 750 Hybrid Bare Bottom Build

[ReefChef19]

I know your attic is a bit funny, but try running maybe a 2x across the joist and tying into that for your lights. Thats what I plan to do for hanging my lights over my 750.

Please also keep us updated on the uv, as I would like to mount mine the same way under the cabinet. I really don't want to put it on the side of the cabinet, I like clean as well. Plus thats the same uv I've been looking at. Thanks

 

[Blutspitze]

Solid choice on the lighting; it'll definitely serve you well, and looking forward to see them set up!

 

[Whip]

Light installation...

Test fit 80/20 fixture.

Located and installed suspension kit...

Cool little trick to reduce drywall from going into tank...

Ugh... up in the attic again...

Suspended...

Let there be light!

While I was in the attic, I pulled two dedicated 20A circuits to feed my tank. I am sure the Home Depot guy thought I was building a grow house when I told him I had 15A existing and was pulling in another 40A (split between two circuits)!

Next is to hide the cords and be done... then on to the UV install.

 

[Keenan]

Very nice progress. Hanging lights is never fun but way to not cut any corners. Looks nice and clean.

 

[krakenwrangler]

Light installation...

Test fit 80/20 fixture.

View attachment 1338945

Located and installed suspension kit...

View attachment 1338947

Cool little trick to reduce drywall from going into tank...

View attachment 1338948

Ugh... up in the attic again...

View attachment 1338949

Suspended...

View attachment 1338950

Let there be light!

View attachment 1338955

While I was in the attic, I pulled two dedicated 20A circuits to feed my tank. I am sure the Home Depot guy thought I was building a grow house when I told him I had 15A existing and was pulling in another 40A (split between two circuits)!

View attachment 1338932

Next is to hide the cords and be done... then on to the UV install.

Looking good, can't wait to see UV install. Hopefully I'll start my build thread and you can see mine.

 

[Blutspitze]

Loving the light rig install. Looks great! Clean and properly done.

 

[Whip]

Looking good, can't wait to see UV install. Hopefully I'll start my build thread and you can see mine.

krakenwrangler and I have been talking via PM and he has been extremely helpful in suggesting I install a GFCI on top of my AFCI. He even supplied a great link:

Establishing GFCI Protection for an Outlet

The NEC (National Electrical Code) requires ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection for many outlets in your home. Here's how to comply.

www.thespruce.com

Off to Home Depot again!

Thanks for all your help!

 

[ReefChef19]

Great build whip, great idea with the cup over the drill bit for drilling the ceiling. I just hung my lights yesterday!

 

[Whip]

Great build whip, great idea with the cup over the drill bit for drilling the ceiling. I just hung my lights yesterday!

View attachment 1342472
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Reefchef,

I just read your entire build... amazing! I’ll be sure to continue watching your thread for insight and learning.

 

[ReefChef19]

Thank you @Whip as that is a true compliment, because I used a few ideas from yours! You have a very clean build going on, here is a link to an updated build thread that I'm still jealous of the plumbing great job! Merry Christmas and have a great holidays!

Large Build - Chefs' Official Red Sea Reefer 750XXL Build

Disclaimer!!! Im copying and posting this from my local reef club website. I actually began researching this build back in February and started actually putting it together around July. I have been taking my time and trying to do it right the first time. I owe a lot of thanks to some guys on...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Whip]

I’m sick on the couch staring at my fish tank, so I decided to take a photo...

 

[Whip]

I know your attic is a bit funny, but try running maybe a 2x across the joist and tying into that for your lights. Thats what I plan to do for hanging my lights over my 750.

Please also keep us updated on the uv, as I would like to mount mine the same way under the cabinet. I really don't want to put it on the side of the cabinet, I like clean as well. Plus thats the same uv I've been looking at. Thanks

Here is the UV installed. It’s BIG. It fits with most of the RSR V3 retrofit.

The plumbing is a little tight and it was a challenge to get it to look good. I had to use an offset to have the outlet miss my AFS, ATK, and Return Valve.

The feed side is just mocked up (I need a valve), but it was a tight fit to get a flowmeter and gate valve in there.

I have an ATS inbound and I have a pretty cool idea on how to install that bad boy so more to follow!

 

[TexAgReefer]

Here is the UV installed. It’s BIG. It fits with most of the RSR V3 retrofit.

View attachment 1370698

The plumbing is a little tight and it was a challenge to get it to look good. I had to use an offset to have the outlet miss my AFS, ATK, and Return Valve.

View attachment 1370553

The feed side is just mocked up (I need a valve), but it was a tight fit to get a flowmeter and gate valve in there.

View attachment 1370691

I have an ATS inbound and I have a pretty cool idea on how to install that bad boy so more to follow!

Looks great!! What are you feeding from your auto feeder? Is that into your return section?

 

[Whip]

Looks great!! What are you feeding from your auto feeder? Is that into your return section?

Haha. Nice observation!

I am feeding NLS (the 1mm sinking pellet variety). A sinking pellet is key for what I am doing. At noon, my skimmer shuts off and a MJ1200 turns on in my return chamber for 20 minutes. At 1201, the AFS drops one rotation of sinking pellets right on top of the return pump inlet. The MJ1200 breaks the water’s surface tension just enough to allow the pellets to sink into the return pump and go into the display. After 20 minutes, the skimmer comes back on and the MJ shuts off.

The MJ keeps my return chamber nice and clean too!

 

[TexAgReefer]

Haha. Nice observation!

I am feeding NLS (the 1mm sinking pellet variety). A sinking pellet is key for what I am doing. At noon, my skimmer shuts off and a MJ1200 turns on in my return chamber for 20 minutes. At 1201, the AFS drops one rotation of sinking pellets right on top of the return pump inlet. The MJ1200 breaks the water’s surface tension just enough to allow the pellets to sink into the return pump and go into the display. After 20 minutes, the skimmer comes back on and the MJ shuts off.

The MJ keeps my return chamber nice and clean too!

I like that! Clever way to feed without it being above the display. Has it tested well/as you expected?

 

[Whip]

I like that! Clever way to feed without it being above the display. Has it tested well/as you expected?

Thanks!

It works perfectly (fit, form, and function). I am getting anthias, so I wanted a way to feed them multiple times throughout the day without an ugly feeder perched upon the rim of my tank.

I “borrowed” the idea from Reefdudes...

 

[TexAgReefer]

Thanks!

It works perfectly (fit, form, and function). I am getting anthias, so I wanted a way to feed them multiple times throughout the day without an ugly feeder perched upon the rim of my tank.

I “borrowed” the idea from Reefdudes...

Thanks for sharing. I’m glad I saw it. I am going to do the same on my new build that I’m planning. I was quite a few anthias as well.

 

[Whip]

I appreciate everyone asking about my plumbing. If you wish to duplicate it, here is a “low effort” schematic of my piping.

Remember to take the given measurement of the pipe and ADD the applicable deducts.

The 1-1/4” union was supplied with the Varios 8. I bushed it down to 1” and forgot the deduct.

ALL other unions and valves pictured are from BRS.

I also have a pipe run that “hides” all my ATO and AWC tubing.

I’ll do the same for my header in a bit.

All pipe is FORMUFIT that I bought from Walmart Online, but it looks like they don’t sell it anymore. Google “Formufit PVC Pipe” and you can find it.

Good luck!

 

[krakenwrangler]

Here is the UV installed. It’s BIG. It fits with most of the RSR V3 retrofit.

View attachment 1370698

The plumbing is a little tight and it was a challenge to get it to look good. I had to use an offset to have the outlet miss my AFS, ATK, and Return Valve.

View attachment 1370553

The feed side is just mocked up (I need a valve), but it was a tight fit to get a flowmeter and gate valve in there.

View attachment 1370691

I have an ATS inbound and I have a pretty cool idea on how to install that bad boy so more to follow!

It looks great!

 

[Whip]

UV Sterilizer plumbed in and set at 157 GPH. ATS is next!