JDowns Red Sea Reefer 525XL Ver. 2.0

[JDowns]

I'm preparing the next build of another 525XL. There will be plenty of time to get things together and start the cycle period before the tank actually goes live this summer. We are moving our office this summer in the same complex but about 100 yards away. My plan is to get the new tank setup as a dedicated SPS system to be able to transfer everything from the old tank to the new tank, get rid of some of the soft coral in the old tank, then transfer rock and corals into tubs and reset up the old tank. Going to be an adventure for sure.

I'll be updating this thread during the progression in phases.

While I'm waiting on the tank I'm going to start on the lighting. I've decided to go the Radion route for this tank due to it being a well proven lighting system that can generate plenty of par and with four XR15's raised higher than normal I really shouldn't need any other supplemental lighting, and if I do that is going to be a good problem to have. I have (4) Kessil's and (2) Reef Bright XHO's on the current tank that I'm happy with, but that's an expensive route to go and I'm willing to try the Radion path instead.

Lighting parts list.

Item Quantity
ECOTECH RADION XR15W G4 PRO 4
ECOTECH MARINE MULTI-LIGHT RMS TRACK 1
XR717 RMS HANGING KIT 1
RADION XR15 DIFFUSER UPGRADE 4
MULTI-LIGHT RMS SLIDE FOR XR15 4
WXM VORTECH & RADION WIRELESS MODULE 1
MISC 1

I've pretty much made up my mind on other components based on experience with the current tank, Deltec for the skimmer, Red Dragon for the return pump, albeit the smaller 100w model. The 150w is just over-kill since I only run it at 70W to maximize contact time in the sump. I currently run 2 MP40's and 2 Neptune WAV's. I really like the ability to just plug in the WAV's with no additional power supplies, don't like the cleaning aspect in comparison to the MP40's, but that can be solved so I'll most likely go with (4) WAV's. Other decisions will come as I start to lay out items and design elements in CAD first. Both tanks will be converted to bare bottom. I'm considering going continuous auto water changes on both tanks and plumbing in water swaps from one tank to both my 10 gallon nano's. So the larger tank can handle the skimming and nutrient import/export for both the nano's which are fish-less. I'm leaning towards the @AVAST Marine Spyglass for media reactors since I'm not a huge fan of the multiple manifold look / functionality. The Skimz reactors have served me well after some modifications (drilling the holes larger so they don't plug up as easy), but the spyglass reactors look to be much much easier to maintain and utilize. I'll be converting the Red Sea Sump to filter pads instead of socks since I've had better success with that route and its very easy and economical to just replace pads every couple days and not deal with sock cleaning. I'm really liking the refugium on the current tank and will use the refugium on the new one also.

More details to come.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Following along looks to be a good build

 

[JDowns]

While I'm waiting for parts to start coming in next week. Decided to get a jump on the cover for the RMS track to hide the cabling.

For five feet of track this was a bit of printing. Getting it squared up prior to welding with solvent.

Now for the lengthy period of coating with epoxy, sand, rinse repeat, prime and paint.

 

[Captain Quint]

I'm stoked to watch your build.

Please keep the progress with pics.

 

[JDowns]

Got the XR15's, RMS track, diffusers, RMS slides, and light hanging kit in today. Going to have to decide what my annoyance factor is going to be on the dissimilar finishes once all assembled. Since I have the time I'll probably take apart the light and break out the airbrush and paint the top and diffuser flat black to match the rest of the assembly. The piano black finish I can tell is going to most likely annoy me around cleaning time.

Also received the @AVAST Marine Spyglass reactors. Excited about these so getting these together will be high on the list. I can see myself getting another pair for the other tank and getting rid of the Skimz reactors. I really wish I would have seen these earlier as I probably would have gone with these from the beginning. Maintenance and swapping out media should be an absolute breeze.

 

[JDowns]

Decided to change up the material on the top wiring cover for the Radion RMS Slide. Switching to Proto-Pasta matte fiber black, which has nice architectural matte finish when done. Slight setback in printing time....but I have months before I need the light over the tank, so not a big deal.

While that's going on I decided to create an easy adjustment intake assembly for the @AVAST Marine Spyglass reactors. This is a prototype that can either be used as a single pass or passive recirculating.

 

[JDowns]

Finished the assembly for the Spyglass Reactors. Since I hate suction cups, created a base that can be welded to the base of the reactor for the pump to stay centered, and printed a new top for the retention screen.

 

[rednation]

You have any links to the filter pads that you plan on using? i have the 625 xxl and im sick of these dang filter socks.

 

[JDowns]

I bought these and cut into 4x4 squares. I switched from the blue pads since the white ones below have a bottom 100 micron layer that polishes the water really nicely.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BMSOZO0/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I printed drop in cups for my other 525XL and will do the same on this tank.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/drop-in-inserts-for-the-red-sea-reefer.488772/

 

[rednation]

I bought these and cut into 4x4 squares. I switched from the blue pads since the white ones below have a bottom 100 micron layer that polishes the water really nicely.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BMSOZO0/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I printed drop in cups for my other 525XL and will do the same on this tank.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/drop-in-inserts-for-the-red-sea-reefer.488772/

Awesome thanks man!

 

[JDowns]

Since I have an empty weekend while I'm waiting on the next batch of equipment and the tank to be delivered. I'm contemplating putting together an aluminum mount for the lights. Currently I have the same RMS track but with Kessils and Reef Bright strips suspended over the tank but the ceilings are open and 16 feet to the rafters for hanging. Which leads to unsightly wires being run vertically, then down through the wall and back into the cabinet. So to clean this up for the next tank I think I'll put together an aluminum frame that the lights can be suspended from, and wiring hidden on the back side of the framing. Much shorter run of cabling and should be a cleaner look. I'm not overly happy with the black, but I'd have to tear apart the Radions and paint them white so everything would blend well, which would result in a "warranty void" moment. Not the biggest of deals since I'm more than comfortable tearing them apart and putting back together.

Concept for the light rack. At max height the lights would have 18" of clearance from the water line.

 

[JDowns]

Got the call from the shipping company, tank and stand will be arriving this week!

Finished welding the light rack, now it's time prep and paint.

 

[JDowns]

Time to decide on the return pump. I'm torn between the Red Dragon 100w or the Abyzz A100. Basically the same quality pump but the Abyzz is nearly twice the price, but the Red Dragon is a beefy pump that would take up most of the return section.

 

[Water Dog]

While that's going on I decided to create an easy adjustment intake assembly for the @AVAST Marine Spyglass reactors. This is a prototype that can either be used as a single pass or passive recirculating.

That’s quite a fantastic, space saving mod for the Spayglass reactor. Did you use off the shelf PVC parts for that? Do you have a parts list?

 

[JDowns]

That’s quite a fantastic, space saving mod for the Spayglass reactor. Did you use off the shelf PVC parts for that? Do you have a parts list?

Unfortunately it's not off the shelf. It's three separate printed parts. If someone wants the cad files I can put those up somewhere.

The outer dial is slotted and keyed to go over the center piece. Friction is applied by the center nub on the outer dial.

 

[Water Dog]

Very cool. What size Spyglass is that for? Which Sicce pump?

 

[JDowns]

Very cool. What size Spyglass is that for? Which Sicce pump?

Medium reactor and the 0.5. It should work for the 1.o also since it's the same pump body and dimensions. I plan on running ROX in one and Marine Pure in the other. The Marine Pure is just for additional bio area and nitrate reduction. I run the same media setup in the other tank, just with different reactors.

I haven't printed the parts yet since I don't plan on running in passive recirculation mode, but it would just be a shorter pipe and a nut assembly that would get threaded onto the dial assembly.

 

[dantimdad]

I love the amount of 3d printing you are incorporating into your build!

Keep up the EXCELLENT work!

BTW, you workbench is my dream nerd hangout.

 

[JDowns]

I love the amount of 3d printing you are incorporating into your build!

Keep up the EXCELLENT work!

BTW, you workbench is my dream nerd hangout.

There are so many parts to print. But fortunately I got tons of time before I want to put water in the tank.

Finished the sump modifications design and got cut sheets out to Tap plastics. Started printing all the little bits and waiting on some new PETG filament before I do others.

Part of the dosing assembly and 3/4 NPT modification for the return. Probably just going to run a loc-line Y as I have done on the other tank.

Breakout Box for Apex ready for primer and airbrushing.

Sump side modeled and parts created. Just need to print all the little parts.

 

[JDowns]

Drop in filter pad inserts for the V3 Sump and micro adjustment for the Spectra-pure ATO pressure sensors, and Madison miniature float switches for high / low water alerts on 1/4" threaded PVC rod.

Close up of the dosing assembly.