Red Sea Reefer 525 xl - The Universe!

Candace Summers · Nov 23, 2019

Hey guys! Just wanted to start a build thread for my new tank, a Red Sea Reefer 525 xl. I have 2 small salt water tanks on the go now, which are nicknamed Galaxy (13.5 gal EVO) and Nebula (20 gal innovative marine). I skipped a medium sized upgrade and went with a 525 xl as I feel it’s a good size, Big enough to keep a few tangs but not so big that water changes will be hard. This one is named Universe as it’s most likely going to be the biggest reef I ever own and fits with the name theme

Still have a lot of work to do and here is my equipment list so far

RSK 600 skimmer
Neptune Apex
Neptune ATK
2 Neptune wavs
Cor 20 return pump
3 AI hydra 32s (considering a 4th)
2 finnex 500 watt heater
AI prime fuge light

I plan to get 2 Neptune dos, hoping for a Black Friday deal! And I’m sure there will be more to add on as well.

Candace Summers · Nov 23, 2019

one thing I learned the hard way on the night I was going to build the stand: check which breaker you’re putting a big tank on well in advance of building it! I went to install a gfci outlet and realized the breaker handled half the outlets on my main floor (well not quite half, but 3 tanks were already run on it!)

So had a little delay getting an electrician in to install a 20amp dedicated breaker just for the tank!

splitting_lanes · Nov 23, 2019

Looking good!

Kjames · Nov 23, 2019

Looking like you are off to a great start. ResSea tanks make for a super clean appearance.

TopShelfAquatics · Nov 23, 2019

This is a build I can see some massive potential in! Keep up the good work sir

Candace Summers · Nov 23, 2019

splitting_lanes said:
Looking good!

Thanks! Lots yet to do but one step at a time.

Candace Summers · Nov 23, 2019

Kjames said:
Looking like you are off to a great start. ResSea tanks make for a super clean appearance.

This is exactly why I went with Red Sea! As you can see from the pics this tank is in my open concept kitchen/dining/family room so I wanted it to look as sleek as possible. My hydras aren't shipped yet and still need to decide on a lid, likely going acrylic to keep it looking as good as possible.

CasaReefer · Nov 23, 2019

AWESOME..... Looks Great... I have the same set up... But in Black.... you won't be sorry.. I am going to ride along

Candace Summers · Nov 23, 2019

TopShelfAquatics said:
This is a build I can see some massive potential in! Keep up the good work sir

Thanks!! I hope I won’t disappoint!

MTBake · Nov 23, 2019

Looks good! Cant wait to see this one grow

I'm also just starting a 525xl build.

Candace Summers · Nov 23, 2019

CasaReefer said:
AWESOME..... Looks Great... I have the same set up... But in Black.... you won't be sorry.. I am going to ride along

Just checked out your thread! Looking great! I can’t wait to get mine wet! The return pump is still in the mail though, so a few more days before I can add water.

Candace Summers · Nov 23, 2019

MTBake said:
Looks good! Cant wait to see this one grow

I'm also just starting a 525xl build.

Sweet. If you start a build thread tag me!

MTBake · Nov 23, 2019

Candace Summers said:
Sweet. If you start a build thread tag me!

Here it is, https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/matts-red-sea-reefer-525xl-build.662543/page-2#post-6699838

Candace Summers · Nov 25, 2019

Skimmer assembled and starting some cord management. I used some shelving tracks to keep the boards upright but they’re easy to remove. Running out of space quickly despite using 2 boards.

Candace Summers · Nov 30, 2019

Next step, getting the return pump plumbed and getting rocks in the tank. The plumbing part was pretty easy once I figured out which parts I needed. Figuring out the parts, not so much. The rock work didn’t transfer exactly as I had intended (recreating what you did on the floor is dang near impossible) but I figure in 6 months it will be fine, once I get some coral going.
This build is taking longe than I expected, as I had planned to have it filled with water last weekend.

OceanDiver · Dec 14, 2019

Watching. I started mine in October loving 525xl

Candace Summers · Dec 16, 2019

We now have sand, water, and most importantly, lights! She’s looking good. Using the Red Sea mature reef program with dry rock and some live rock and a cycled sponge in the sump and my numbers are decently in line with what they should be according to the program.
Had a bit of a time with the light brackets as the wire die the hydra 32 is way thicker than what it used to be for the 26 which the mount was built for. Had to abandon the instructions and use the light clips to clip the wire along the bracket rather than channeling it through the inside of the bracket. I was upset at first but by the time I turned the lights on I had forgotten about. Can’t notice any wires when the lights are on.
I soon need to organize those wires behind my outer mounting board. That mess is stressing me out.