Eric's Red Sea Reefer 525XL Build

[Reefer525XL]

Things have been moving slowly with the tank. Had a brown algae outbreak from getting to happy with Reed Roids *totally my fault* I did a 3 day blackout plus GFO and 90% of its gone now, still a few patches here and there but nothing major.

I ordered a Building An Obsession camera tube so I decided to get some top down shots of some of the nicer frags. Colors are starting to come back now, they did get a bit dull from the 3 day blackout.

All pictures taken under 100% Royal Blues!


Corals -5-01-2017 by Reefer525XL, on Flickr


Corals -5-01-2017-2 by Reefer525XL, on Flickr


Corals -5-01-2017-3 by Reefer525XL, on Flickr


Corals -5-01-2017-4 by Reefer525XL, on Flickr


Corals -5-01-2017-5 by Reefer525XL, on Flickr


Corals -5-01-2017-6 by Reefer525XL, on Flickr


Corals -5-01-2017-7 by Reefer525XL, on Flickr


Corals -5-01-2017-8 by Reefer525XL, on Flickr


Corals -5-01-2017-9 by Reefer525XL, on Flickr


Corals -5-01-2017-10 by Reefer525XL, on Flickr

[TX_Punisher]

What are 2,3, and 7?

[pelphrey]

Originally Posted by Reefer525XL

Things have been moving slowly with the tank. Had a brown algae outbreak from getting to happy with Reed Roids *totally my fault* I did a 3 day blackout plus GFO and 90% of its gone now, still a few patches here and there but nothing major.

I've learned my lesson the hard way a few times with reef roids, I'd feed then not long after have GHA outbreak. I used very little each time, but I think a little to often. I use it now maybe a few times a month.

[Reefer525XL]

Originally Posted by TX_Punisher

What are 2,3, and 7?

MattV Alias, UC Strawberry Shortcake and RR Pink Floyd.

Originally Posted by pelphrey

I've learned my lesson the hard way a few times with reef roids, I'd feed then not long after have GHA outbreak. I used very little each time, but I think a little to often. I use it now maybe a few times a month.

I was adding some every night for 2 weeks. It was a small amount each time but over a 2 week period it was just too much for the tank to handle. Never doing that again

[Reefer525XL]

Short clip under blues! Make sure you watch it in HD

[Reefer525XL]

Well water changes ain't doing it anymore so the GHL doser 2.1 had to go online a few weeks ago. Currently dosing 16ml a day of both Part A & B. Thanks to these slim gallon jugs from BRS I still have some room left on the right side of the stand.


Reefer 525XL -5-17-2017 by Reefer525XL, on Flickr

[Reefer525XL]

Sneak peak at what is*over the Reefer 525XL... Third light change in 3 months but I think this one is here to stay *


Reefer 525XL -5-17-2017-3 by Reefer525XL, on Flickr

[moondoggy4]

Giesemann Spectra? what leds are you using as well? I have a Giesmann Infinity light.

[Reefer525XL]

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

Giesemann Spectra? what leds are you using as well? I have a Giesmann Infinity light.

Yes it is the Spectra. LED's are the xho blue strips from reef brite.

[TX_Punisher]

Got a fts with the new lights?

[Voodoojar]

Originally Posted by Reefer525XL

Sneak peak at what is*over the Reefer 525XL... Third light change in 3 months but I think this one is here to stay *


Reefer 525XL -5-17-2017-3 by Reefer525XL, on Flickr

Can you show me how the reefbrites are mounted to your spectra? I've been thinking of doing the same to my spectra.

[sde1500]

Interesting, why the switch in lights?

[Reefer525XL]

Originally Posted by Voodoojar

Can you show me how the reefbrites are mounted to your spectra? I've been thinking of doing the same to my spectra.

Sure. There are two ways of mounting it. You can straighten the "L" brackets included with the LED strips then remove the screw on the end plate of the fixture to attach the bracket to it. At first I was going to do it like that but then I realized that every time I took the end plate off to change the bulbs the strips would need to come off too. This is only done once ever 9-12 months depending on how often you change your bulbs but I really did not want to be taking the strips off.

Here is a picture I found only from another person who installed it the way I mentioned above.



and this is the way I did it on mine. I drilled a small hole right below the Giesemann logo and attached the "L" bracket with a bolt and nut. Some people might not want to drill their fixture so the first option is the way to go but a little hole on each side of the fixture doesn't bother me at all.

this is just my opinion but I think the way I mounted mine looks nicer


Spectra -5-23-2017 by Reefer525XL, on Flickr


Spectra -5-23-2017-2 by Reefer525XL, on Flickr

[Voodoojar]

fantastic thank you.

[solitude127]

How's the heat since you switched to MH?

[Reefer525XL]

Originally Posted by solitude127

How's the heat since you switched to MH?

Tank just gets 1 degree hotter from 77 to 78 when the MH are on.

[solitude127]

I've always wanted to try MH but was always scared of the heat it might add.
Very nice build you have going. Keep up the amazing work.

[Reefer525XL]

Originally Posted by solitude127

I've always wanted to try MH but was always scared of the heat it might add.
Very nice build you have going. Keep up the amazing work.

Thank you.

It does help that my tank is open top so the heat is not trapped inside a canopy.

[Reefer525XL]

I guess I should update this thread since its been over a month.

New light is performing well. However I have not seen much growth since the change. I think it mainly due to the time Im running the lights. LED's are 12hrs. I have not gotten any par readings of the XHO's but I don't believe they put out much par. T5's are 6hrs and MH 3hrs. I originally was planning on running the lights for 12, 10 and 3 hours (LED -> T5 -> MH) but held off as I did not want to bleach anything. Today I increased the T5's from 6hrs to 10hrs. I'll be keeping an eye on the higher frags to make sure nothing gets stressed from the extra 4hrs.

These photos are from yesterday night right before the XHO's turned off.

Green Slimer



FHC Rainbow Lust



JKR Rainbow



WWC Grafted Cap


Bonsai



BigR WD



$500 Efflo & TSA Rainbow Sherbet



RRA Pink Floyd



CB Maleficent



PC Superman -> WWC Pantera Rosa -> ASD Rainbow Mille

[Reefer525XL]

a few more!

Jason Fox Razzmatazz



TSA Blackbeards Treasure



Red Planet



PC Rainbow



WWC Dragon Slayer



Inland Corals Poseidon



RRC Pink Cadillac

[HidingReefer]

Stunning corals

[corallover00]

Great job Reefer525XL. You got amazing photos and stunning corals. What are the settings when you take the photos? Thanks.

[Reefer525XL]

Originally Posted by HidingReefer

Stunning corals

Thank you!

[Reefer525XL]

Originally Posted by corallover00

Great job Reefer525XL. You got amazing photos and stunning corals. What are the settings when you take the photos? Thanks.

Thanks... I shoot RAW in manual mode. When shooting under just blue I keep the shutter speed between 40-60, ISO 1600 and f stop at 6. I then import into Lightroom and adjust the white balance and exposure. I also set the white balance on the camera at 10k.

[corallover00]

Sweet. Will try that next time.