MixedReefers 200EXT BUILD THREAD

[Mixed Reefer]

So a lot of you know I have swapped my Red Sea 425xl which was a 102 gallon system for a new Innovative Marine 200EXT. I want to start this build thread before I get to far into it. I still have a lot left to swap out or work on. In reality that why we cal it our hobby. So I started to build the stand back on November 24th 2024 and with help from Reefers in the club was able to get the display (a whopping 740lbs.) on the stand. This was such a relief! The 200EXT when I purchased, was the complete system. This included the APS stand, mighty xl return pump, RFS 50 Acrylic sump and all plumbing. Overall the assembly was pretty straight forward and with ease. The system got wet December 16th 2024 where I went for it and filled it halfway up with RODI and adjusted the salinity. Three days later I had the salinity and temp in the display matching the troughs temp/salinity in my basement with all my livestock. The livestock was transferred from the trough on December 19th 2024 to its new home. Just to backup a bit. My Red Sea 425xl’s tanks seams were starting to give way. You could see the seams separating from the glass, it was on two front corners of the tank. I was very lucky to get that tank broken down before a disaster. So here’s some pictures of the old and new tank to current. I will be adding as I get it up to my level of reefing.

Last day with my Red Sea

The Red Sea was fire!

Last picture before I broke 425xl down

Trough in my basement for just under three months

APS stand came wrapped and protected nicely

I
I built the stand basically right in place. Straight simple build. Less than an hour

Just about done with stand. Just need top and ready for display

Very exciting day. Thanks to everyone that helped make this happen. I’m sure they won’t forget how heavy it was!

RODI added. Lights are from old tank. Ordered new ones, they’re on back order. Still three weeks away. Don’t ask. lol You will see the old ones soon on marketplace.

Picture of RFS 50 sump. More specs to come.

Bringing up the livestock, towel to protect any mishaps. Some large pieces going in.

No explanation lol

Starting to come together

Somewhat disappointed with the scape. Went from full display to empty tank. Corals are in fair health. To long in trough downstairs

Green Slimer lost all its slime

Everything back in tank except two wrasses that jumped, one on last day during transfer. Corals are in rough shape but bouncing back.

 

[Mixed Reefer]

More to come. Equipment etc

 

[Mixed Reefer]

Here’s the tank today

 

[Mixed Reefer]

Running Apex controller right now. Getting ready to swap over to GHL Profilux 4. Here’s some pics of adding Wi-Fi for new lights that are coming. One thing about the GHL controller that’s great is that you don’t need all the extra cables and boxes stuck everywhere under your tank to upgrade your components. Using GHL you just open it up and install new card or if that doesn’t work because you need more card space you could purchase an expansion box. I still have work ahead of me to get this up and running, but it’s starting to come together

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

Running Apex controller right now. Getting ready to swap over to GHL Profilux 4. Here’s some pics of adding Wi-Fi for new lights that are coming. One thing about the GHL controller that’s great is that you don’t need all the extra cables and boxes stuck everywhere under your tank to upgrade your components. Using GHL you just open it up and install new card or if that doesn’t work because you need more card space you could purchase an expansion box. I still have work ahead of me to get this up and running, but it’s starting to come together View attachment 215456View attachment 215457View attachment 215458View attachment 215459

So glad to see you upgrading to @Vinny@GHLUSA products. Mine have been bulletproof so far.

 

[Mixed Reefer]

Round two on the Profilux. Adding an extension card so I’ll have an extra PH probe for my calcium reactor. The card I’m installing has PH and two inputs for level sensors.

 

[Vinny@GHLUSA]

Following along to see the progress! I'm loving the look of that open rock scape!

 

[Cpage101]

Round two on the Profilux. Adding an extension card so I’ll have an extra PH probe for my calcium reactor. The card I’m installing has PH and two inputs for level sensors. View attachment 215985View attachment 215986View attachment 215987View attachment 215988View attachment 215988

coming along nice there Doug! Slow and steady hopefully I get my other controller board done this weekend. Now I remember why I delayed the new build. So much work.

 

[afboundguy]

coming along nice there Doug! Slow and steady hopefully I get my other controller board done this weekend. Now I remember why I delayed the new build. So much work.

Definitely looks great Doug! I need to work on my controller board as well but need to replumb the tank first so I know where I can put various things!

 

[Kymot]

@Mixed Reefer Doug, will need to do an in place tank transfer soon, do you happen to still have the big tub for temporary hold? If yes, may i borrow it at some point? Thx

 

[Mixed Reefer]

@Kymot Sure let me know

 

[Mixed Reefer]

I started working on upgrading lights finally.
Purchased GHL 7206’s x 5 each. Should be cooking coral soon. I purchased one used for cheap cash and have to switch exterior over from white to black. See pictures for before and after.

 

[Mixed Reefer]

Here’s some pics of light bar I’m making. It has hinges and will lock out of way to perform maintenance on the tank.
It’s not complete yet but excited to share.
SELF NOTE- BUILD LIGHT BAR BEFORE INSTALLING TANK! It was a nightmare working on it the last couple of days. It doesn’t take much to make one mistake.
Here’s some pictures of my progress. Will finish tomorrow and update some completed pictures

 

[Mixed Reefer]

 

[Mixed Reefer]

Four out of five lights up! Really happy how it’s coming together. So strong and functional, much cleaner look. Final pics to come.

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

You'll love these a lot more than the xr15's you had running over the last tank

 

[SteveDola]

Looking good. I just set up a 170 ext to replace my rs250 but still have much of the preparation for the tank to complete. I hope mine looks as good as yours.

 

[Mixed Reefer]

You'll love these a lot more than the xr15's you had running over the last tank

Already do, with only four lights up waiting on screws to finish setting up the fifth! Very clean look.

 

[Mixed Reefer]

Looking good. I just set up a 170 ext to replace my rs250 but still have much of the preparation for the tank to complete. I hope mine looks as good as yours.

Thanks! I would suggest getting light rack up before moving tank to final position. It was a PITA to work around the glass. Also risky. Might need some fragments from you to fill in after you move over. Keep me posted GL!

 

[SteveDola]

I was going to hang the lights with toggle bolts. The racks can be expensive for the Stratons. However youre right, (probably moreso) I should try and hang them before transfering the tank.