RedSea Reefer 525XL - Aquascape No.1 - Im Back

jmiotke · 07/24/2016, 07:30 AM

So after 16 years being out of the hobby. I'm back. During this time I've been keeping planted tanks and discovered aquascaping 5 years ago.

Been doing tanks like this:

and this:

and a whole lot more.

I missed my reef and decided it was a good time to hop back in the hobby. Ive purchased the RedSea Reefer 525XL and the Geisemann Aurora light. Everything else is still TBD while I read everything I can get my hands on and talk to folks in the local reef club and LFSs.

Oldcabin · 07/25/2016, 06:49 PM

Congrats! Gorgeous previous tanks. I also just ordered a 525XL today. Can't wait to follow your progress.

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jmiotke · 07/25/2016, 07:55 PM

Thanks. Ill start posting photos as soon as I get a SD card reader and can download them. Ive got the stand/tank all setup. Rock is next.

studboy36 · 07/26/2016, 09:42 AM

Wow! Awesome planted tanks! I just love Cardinal tetras. I haven't set up my reef tank yet, still mapping things out. A planted tank is next on my list. Looking forward to seeing your reef tank build. :-)

jmiotke · 07/26/2016, 01:50 PM

Here is the setup so far. So much to do but plan on taking my time to do it right.

jmiotke · 07/26/2016, 01:55 PM

Equipment List:

RedSea Reefer 525 XL
Geismann Aurora 60"
Current Orbit Marine LED - backlight

FattyK21 · 07/26/2016, 02:10 PM

WOW on the previous tanks
Looks 3D

jmiotke · 08/02/2016, 07:42 AM

Slowly working on this build. Mounted the light to the shelf above and started playing with the interface. The manual mentions that the T5s have to be burned in by running 4 days in a row for 10 hours a day at 100%. Never heard of this but am doing it regardless. So with the tank empty....no worries. But what about when the tank is loaded with coral?

Also picked up the Vectra M1 and backup battery and 160 pounds of Caribsea rock.

Later today should receive my packages of plumbing parts and reactors. Will give me a lot to do with plumbing and aquascaping.

jmiotke · 08/02/2016, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FattyK21

WOW on the previous tanks
Looks 3D

Thanks FattyK21.

burton14e7 · 08/02/2016, 01:41 PM

I've never seen a freshwater tank I liked until now. I can't wait to see what you do to your new reef.

Was there no background on the reefer tank or did you remove it?

jmiotke · 08/02/2016, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burton14e7

I've never seen a freshwater tank I liked until now. I can't wait to see what you do to your new reef.

Was there no background on the reefer tank or did you remove it?

Thanks. Yea Ive really enjoyed freshwater but got that itch to go back to salt.
It did have the black vinyl on it. I ripped it off as soon as I got the tank. I like to apply a frosted window film, paint the wall white behind the tank and then back light it with a LED strip.

Once I saw Broadfield do it here I bought the tank. I was afraid it would be impossible to remove cleanly. But with his experience in easily removing it assured me it would be no issue. He was absolutely correct.

bk. · 08/02/2016, 06:44 PM

Mot! I've followed your stuff for quite some time on TPT. Knowing what your capable of, I'm expecting big things out of this

I'm also hoping to jump into the saltwater side of things in the next couple of years. Looking forward to following along and learning a thing or two.

jmiotke · 08/02/2016, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bk.

Mot! I've followed your stuff for quite some time on TPT. Knowing what your capable of, I'm expecting big things out of this

I'm also hoping to jump into the saltwater side of things in the next couple of years. Looking forward to following along and learning a thing or two.

Yea, ive sold off all my nano tanks to free up time for the reef. I will keep my 120p but wont be flipping aquascapes nearly as often.

ljosh · 08/04/2016, 10:44 AM

Following along.

Very curious to see what you can do with a reef.

Callum96 · 08/04/2016, 02:03 PM

Following this, I've got the 450.

jmiotke · 08/06/2016, 12:56 PM

Started to do the plumbing and have to say Im really not happy with how Red Sea designed the ATO reservour. IMO this should have been easily lifted up to the top of the sump lip and pulled straight out. Its not even close. If I want to use it I have to remove everything out of the sump including the plumbing to slide it sideways and then out. What the heck were they thinking???

jmiotke · 08/06/2016, 06:31 PM

Some more equipment:

Apex controller
Vectra M1
Aquamaxx reactors
Tunze ATO

Scaping: caribsea liferock

And decided to try the full Aquaforest system

Oldcabin · 08/06/2016, 07:18 PM

Nice. I'll be using much of the same gear. Why are you ditching the rock?

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jmiotke · 08/06/2016, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldcabin

Nice. I'll be using much of the same gear. Why are you ditching the rock?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not sure what you mean about ditching the rock. I just received about 160 pounds of the caribsea. Ill post some pics up of what im thinking for the scape.

Oldcabin · 08/06/2016, 07:49 PM

Oh, my mistake. I mis-read and thought you said scrapping. Looking forward to seeing your aquascaping ideas!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bk. · 08/07/2016, 08:21 AM

Looks like a lot of people turn the RO reservoir into a refrugium instead of using it for topoff.

Check out this thread for some ideas if you'd like. On the last page is a good pic of someone who went that route.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...458623&page=66

Ron Reefman · 08/07/2016, 08:54 AM

I've just ordered a CadLight Artisan 125 and it looks very much like the Red Sea system. Although mine will be in white.

I'll be interested in your aquascape ideas. I've had a 180g with a rock wall that started 6" off the front glass and went almost to the water surface at the back of the tank. After 6 years I was ready for something new. And then my 180 sprang a 30gph leak last weekend!

Your fresh water tanks looked crazy cool so I have big expectations on your saltwater scape!

No pressure there's only all of us watching!

Good luck.

jmiotke · 08/07/2016, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

I've just ordered a CadLight Artisan 125 and it looks very much like the Red Sea system. Although mine will be in white.

I'll be interested in your aquascape ideas. I've had a 180g with a rock wall that started 6" off the front glass and went almost to the water surface at the back of the tank. After 6 years I was ready for something new. And then my 180 sprang a 30gph leak last weekend!

Your fresh water tanks looked crazy cool so I have big expectations on your saltwater scape!

No pressure there's only all of us watching!

Good luck.

Thanks man. They say copying is the sincerest form of flattery. I will be copying a lot of what Broadfield has done. Thanks Toby Broadfield for sharing your experience.

jmiotke · 08/16/2016, 07:53 AM

So finally got the computer built and lightroom loaded to get to my photos. Here are a bunch I took during the build.

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jmiotke · 08/16/2016, 07:55 AM

And here are some more pics during the build.

07/24/2016, 07:30 AM	#1
jmiotke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 8	RedSea Reefer 525XL - Aquascape No.1 - Im Back So after 16 years being out of the hobby. I'm back. During this time I've been keeping planted tanks and discovered aquascaping 5 years ago. Been doing tanks like this: and this: and this: and a whole lot more. I missed my reef and decided it was a good time to hop back in the hobby. Ive purchased the RedSea Reefer 525XL and the Geisemann Aurora light. Everything else is still TBD while I read everything I can get my hands on and talk to folks in the local reef club and LFSs.

07/25/2016, 06:49 PM	#2
Oldcabin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 132	Congrats! Gorgeous previous tanks. I also just ordered a 525XL today. Can't wait to follow your progress. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Red Sea Reefer 525XL Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=24675773#post24675773 Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 525XL

07/26/2016, 09:42 AM	#4
studboy36 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 140	Wow! Awesome planted tanks! I just love Cardinal tetras. I haven't set up my reef tank yet, still mapping things out. A planted tank is next on my list. Looking forward to seeing your reef tank build. :-) __________________ Lurk, Search, and Research are the keys to finding information on RC Current Tank Info: 187 60"x30"x24" system in process

07/26/2016, 02:10 PM	#7
FattyK21 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Mebane NC Posts: 186	WOW on the previous tanks Looks 3D __________________ 60g RIMLESS http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=24816891#post24816891 Current Tank Info: 60g Rimless

08/02/2016, 01:41 PM	#10
burton14e7 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Keller, Tx Posts: 2,009	I've never seen a freshwater tank I liked until now. I can't wait to see what you do to your new reef. Was there no background on the reefer tank or did you remove it? __________________ Go Lakers! Current Tank Info: Currently awaiting relapse.

07/25/2016, 07:55 PM	#3
jmiotke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 8	Thanks. Ill start posting photos as soon as I get a SD card reader and can download them. Ive got the stand/tank all setup. Rock is next.

07/26/2016, 01:50 PM	#5
jmiotke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 8	Here is the setup so far. So much to do but plan on taking my time to do it right.

07/26/2016, 01:55 PM	#6
jmiotke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 8	Equipment List: RedSea Reefer 525 XL Geismann Aurora 60" Current Orbit Marine LED - backlight

08/02/2016, 07:42 AM	#8
jmiotke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 8	Slowly working on this build. Mounted the light to the shelf above and started playing with the interface. The manual mentions that the T5s have to be burned in by running 4 days in a row for 10 hours a day at 100%. Never heard of this but am doing it regardless. So with the tank empty....no worries. But what about when the tank is loaded with coral? Also picked up the Vectra M1 and backup battery and 160 pounds of Caribsea rock. Later today should receive my packages of plumbing parts and reactors. Will give me a lot to do with plumbing and aquascaping.

08/02/2016, 06:44 PM	#12
bk. Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 31	Mot! I've followed your stuff for quite some time on TPT. Knowing what your capable of, I'm expecting big things out of this I'm also hoping to jump into the saltwater side of things in the next couple of years. Looking forward to following along and learning a thing or two.

08/04/2016, 10:44 AM	#14
ljosh Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 354	Following along. Very curious to see what you can do with a reef.

08/04/2016, 02:03 PM	#15
Callum96 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 59	Following this, I've got the 450.

08/06/2016, 12:56 PM	#16
jmiotke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 8	Started to do the plumbing and have to say Im really not happy with how Red Sea designed the ATO reservour. IMO this should have been easily lifted up to the top of the sump lip and pulled straight out. Its not even close. If I want to use it I have to remove everything out of the sump including the plumbing to slide it sideways and then out. What the heck were they thinking???

08/06/2016, 06:31 PM	#17
jmiotke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 8	Some more equipment: Apex controller Vectra M1 Aquamaxx reactors Tunze ATO Scaping: caribsea liferock And decided to try the full Aquaforest system

08/06/2016, 07:18 PM	#18
Oldcabin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 132	Nice. I'll be using much of the same gear. Why are you ditching the rock? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Red Sea Reefer 525XL Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=24675773#post24675773 Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 525XL

08/06/2016, 07:49 PM	#20
Oldcabin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 132	Oh, my mistake. I mis-read and thought you said scrapping. Looking forward to seeing your aquascaping ideas! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Red Sea Reefer 525XL Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=24675773#post24675773 Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 525XL

08/07/2016, 08:21 AM	#21
bk. Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 31	Looks like a lot of people turn the RO reservoir into a refrugium instead of using it for topoff. Check out this thread for some ideas if you'd like. On the last page is a good pic of someone who went that route. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...458623&page=66

08/07/2016, 08:54 AM	#22
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I've just ordered a CadLight Artisan 125 and it looks very much like the Red Sea system. Although mine will be in white. I'll be interested in your aquascape ideas. I've had a 180g with a rock wall that started 6" off the front glass and went almost to the water surface at the back of the tank. After 6 years I was ready for something new. And then my 180 sprang a 30gph leak last weekend! Your fresh water tanks looked crazy cool so I have big expectations on your saltwater scape! No pressure there's only all of us watching! Good luck. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

08/16/2016, 07:53 AM	#24
jmiotke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 8	So finally got the computer built and lightroom loaded to get to my photos. Here are a bunch I took during the build. [/url]

08/16/2016, 07:55 AM	#25
jmiotke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 8	Build Pics And here are some more pics during the build. Last edited by jmiotke; 08/16/2016 at 08:46 AM.