My RSR 250 build; Back at it after 6 year hiatus

[dmy535]

About 6 years ago, I changed careers, sold my house and opened my own business. I had a 90 gal tank which I loved, but due to opening my own business and selling my house I needed to give it up for a few years.

Well finally back at it and my wife and I are super excited. Not much has changed since leaving, but the technology is definitely moving up which is awesome!

for a few months we wanted to go with a rimless tank, and debated and AIO or a sump. Figuring I would want to upgrade equipment and have room for future expansions we opted for the sump style tanks. We discussed either the waterbox or Red Sea rimless tanks.

I waited for the waterbox blue Friday sale, and then found an amazing deal online for a Red Sea reefer 250 (used, but never used so it was basically still brand new!) for an unbelievable deal that we couldn’t pass up. This mean more $ to dump into equipment!

Anyways, we are excited to get this going! Pictures to come!

 

[WIReefer]

Congrats on the score! Will be waiting for that build thread!

 

[dmy535]

things coming along nicely. what kick started this build was winning the BRS customer appreciation week. Ordered an item and received a free apex Es unit. That kinda sent me into hyperdrive!

doing a lot of research on lighting and equipment, we opted for the Radion xr15 blues (love them) with an eco tech mp40. Love how they all sync together in the mobius app!

just grabbed a skimmer from the Black Friday deals and deal great that I saved around $125 on this important piece of equipment.

we also grabbed some Marco rock and picked up some seeded LR from one of our favorite LFS to help start the cycle.

 

[dmy535]

Congrats on the score! Will be waiting for that build thread!

Thanks! I’ll post when I can! I see you’re in WI as well. What part?

 

[Wiskey]

Welcome back!!! This is one of those hobbies that never really lets you go lol.

I love the setup! And I have that exact skimmer. I bought mine used (for 6 months) and I couldn't be happier with it. I've had everything from the Beckett MR-2, to recerc external, to Euro Reef, to the Curve series, and I just love this Octo DC pump and skimmer setup. It pulls tons of air, and it's so silent.

Whiskey

 

[dmy535]

Welcome back!!! This is one of those hobbies that never really lets you go lol.

I love the setup! And I have that exact skimmer. I bought mine used (for 6 months) and I couldn't be happier with it. I've had everything from the Beckett MR-2, to recerc external, to Euro Reef, to the Curve series, and I just love this Octo DC pump and skimmer setup. It pulls tons of air, and it's so silent.

Whiskey

It is really silent! I’m pretty amazed. I had a RO on my old setup and was impressed so naturally went back to them

 

[dmy535]

Cycle almost complete. Nitrites sky rocketed and now the signs of nitrate showing up! The cycle is almost complete!

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[P-Dub]

WELCOME BACK!!!! Good to be salty again, isn't it?

 

[Jeffcb]

Welcome back. Looking good. Red Sea 250 myself.

 

[powers2001]

REEFER 250 owner here. Following.

 

[dmy535]

WELCOME BACK!!!! Good to be salty again, isn't it?

Yes!

 

[dmy535]

REEFER 250 owner here. Following.

Sweet!

 

[dmy535]

The cycle completed, tank looking great. Did a small 10gwater change to bring the nitrates down a bit,retested yesterday and 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites andabout 5 nitrates. My wife was more excited than me!

It was perfect timing too, because my LFS just got a new shipment of clowns, and they had phantom snow flakes that I’ve been wanting and they were reasonably priced! Also love this shop because he QTs 21 days before putting them out.

We picked up 2! My wife has already named them. Lol

Got them home last night, dripped acclimated them and added to the tank. Doing great already and very active and not hiding. I’ll post a photo soon of our first additions!

 

[dmy535]

Pics of our new clowns!

 

[dmy535]

Clowns doing well on day 3. Eating today and definitely very active. Not scared when we approach the tank and generally curious In what we are doing.

also, starting to see many signs of new life on the rocks. A few feather worms poking out filtering the water. I’ve always found it fascinating to watch the new life form! Pictures are difficult to notice but tried!

 

[gfox]

Clowns doing well on day 3. Eating today and definitely very active. Not scared when we approach the tank and generally curious In what we are doing.

also, starting to see many signs of new life on the rocks. A few feather worms poking out filtering the water. I’ve always found it fascinating to watch the new life form! Pictures are difficult to notice but tried!

Good to see you back.Nice looking clowns.

 

[DarthSimon]

Welcome back!!!!

 

[dmy535]

Good to see you back.Nice looking clowns.

Thanks!

 

[dmy535]

Thanks to a secret Santa, on this forum, I was gifted our first 4 corals!
1) horizon zoa
2) pink cat eye zoa
3) star gazer zoa
4) redwing zoa
It was definitely unexpected and I have been totally spoiled! A little nervous since the package was delayed by a day, so when I learned it was live stock I was like “oh no!” Rushed then home as soon as they were delivered and acclimated them. Water from transport bag was pretty cold, so I was worried a bit. Followed the acclimation process that WWC suggested from package and tonight they are already beginning to open up!
Also got my pink fusion and purple helix in today to help kickstart the coralline algae.
Everything coming together so far.