Back in the game! RSR 250!

[NanoSteam]

There have been reef tanks in my household from the day I was born thanks to my dad. I've been personally reef keeping on my own since 13? I don't recall, it was a long time ago. I'm not 31, my wife and I purchased our first home and are expecting our first baby in November. I'm ready to setup a reef tank again to enjoy with my son.

I placed my order for the Red Sea Reefer XL 200 from saltwateraquarium.com on 8/19. Unfortunately found out it's sold out right after with ETA of 2 - 4 weeks. I really hope that time frame is accurate, for now I'll prepare the rest of the build. I'm also worried about the so called "curb delivery". An 18 wheeler has no chance of making it anywhere near my home so I'm hoping delivery is with a box truck instead.

AS OF 8/24 I'VE CHANGED MY ORDER TO A RSR 250.

Equipment I have so far:
Lighting: AI Hydra 26HD + 3DReefing diffuser (from my previous 20g)
Protein Skimmer: Bubble Magus Curve 5
Return: Syncra Silent 3.0 (714gph)
Wave Maker: Two AI Nero 3's (may pickup a 2nd one)
Salt: FritzPRO R.P.M + Refractometer
Water: AquaticLife 4 stage RODI system /w ASO & float valve
Aquascape: Carib Sea 40lb Life Rock Shapes
Sand: Carib Sea 40lb Special Grade
Cycle: Biospira + Ammonium Chloride fishless
Heater: 125w Eheim Jager

So far I've setup my RODI system with a Rubbermaid "Slim Jim" 23 gallon container and have been playing around with aqua scaping. After getting the container I did read up on some concerns of the material? Does anyone have any insight if I should be concerned about using this container?

Here are some pics:

RODI Setup has a auto shot off valve with float valve. Tapped into the cold water supply prior to entering water heater, and waste water drains into the pre-installed drain the builder had installed. I also installed a waterproof outlet cover on the outlet just under the RODI unit as a pre-caution.

Here is where I'm at with the rock scape, Picture from the front, and both sides since I want this to be viewable from all 3 angles.

 

[Doctorgori]

are you gonna be able to get inside that thing to siphon, remove dead food, fish et?

 

[NanoSteam]

are you gonna be able to get inside that thing to siphon, remove dead food, fish et?

Haven't thought of that. I've always scaped like this but you have a point. I just suck at being creative with rocks. I guess I have plenty of time to mess around with different designs.

 

[NanoSteam]

Change of plans... I ended up switching my order out for the Reefer 250. It was in stock ready to ship and I was regretting not going bigger than the 200xl so this works out. Paid the difference, hopefully will have a shipped tank soon. Now I Just need to source a second 26HD.

 

[NanoSteam]

I just realized I had made my thread in the "cube" section. Now that i've switched tanks hopefully a mod sees this and can move me over?

On a surprising note spoke to the freight company and delivery is already scheduled for tomorrow! Fingers crossed it goes smooth.

 

[NanoSteam]

Well that was quick! Order was changed to the RSR 250 8/24 and this AM the the tank was delivered! 24 hrs from order to door for a aquarium.

A few things...
Found a second 26 HD on eBay and pulled the trigger. Comes with the mount.

Purchased a second Nero 3 and a Inkbird for the heater.

I was able to put together the stand today and bring the tank inside but won' t be able to get it on the stand alone with a pregnant wife. Will have to wait until I get a helping hand. The wait will be the end of me.

 

[Little c big D]

Can't wait to see it running. I like the rock work!

 

[NanoSteam]

Can't wait to see it running. I like the rock work!

Thanks! unfortunately I'll have to re-scape since that was the scape I had in mind for the 200 XL. I'll spend my time working on that until I can get the tank on the stand.

 

[NanoSteam]

Got the tank on the stand this morning and finished up scaping/filling the tank. I'm very happy with the "two island" setup. I ended up using up all 40lbs of Carib Sea Life Rock shapes.

I'm just waiting on receiving my 2nd Hydra 26HD at this point.

Tomorrow I'll add 2ppm of ammonia to the tank and drop in the Bio-Spira.

 

[NanoSteam]

Bio-Spira is doing work. It's always been my go to bacteria in a bottle for this reason.

Added 2ppm ammonia last night (confirmed with test kit), and added the Bio-Spira this morning at 9am. Tested ammonia and nitrite today at 4pm and was already showing between 0.5 and 1.0 ppm of Nitrite. Ammonia looked to be around 1 to 1.5ppm.

We'll see what the numbers look like tomorrow.
On a bright note my "new to me" Hydra 26HD arrived today, working well but the mount that came with it was the old style before revision. My OCD would kill me, had to order a matching mount.

 

[NanoSteam]

Not much to report today... here are the test results compared to yesterday. I'm not going to bother testing nitrates yet until ammonia hits 0.

8/30/21 @ 9am
Ammonia: 2ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm

8/30/21 @ 4pm
Ammonia: 1.0 - 1.5 ppm
Nitrite: 0.5 - 1.0 ppm

8/31/21 @ 4pm
Ammonia: 1.0 ppm
Nitrite: 2ppm!

Also picked up this rechargeable air pump. Reviews were excellent. Has dual outlets and is supposed to last 25 to 28 hours continuous. Reviews seem to back up that claim.

 

[NanoSteam]

Todays readings: I tested nitrates today since ammonia was at 0 now but it's difficult to read the API test kit sometimes. I wish there was a better way. Also turned the skimmer on without the collection cup following the Bio-Spira directions.

9/1/21 @ 4pm
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 3.0 - 5.0 ppm
Nitrate: 0.0 - 5.0 ppm

Things are moving along, lights stay off for the moment. My second Hydra mount is supposed to arrive tomorrow, can't wait to get that on to complete the look.

 

[NanoSteam]

Second AI light mount arrived today from BRS. Was excited to get it up and see how the tank looks lit up. (Photo below). Also did next round of tests:

9/2/21 @ 5pm
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 5.0 ppm
Nitrate: 10.0 - 20.0 ppm

 

[NanoSteam]

Not much exciting to report today, here are the test results:

9/3/21 @ 5pm
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 3.0 - 5.0 ppm
Nitrate: 20 ppm

 

[NanoSteam]

No change in parameters today, skimmer is pulling something out, has a yellow tint to it, not sure if it’s just residue from the live sand or what. Doesn’t really smell like anything.

9/4/21 @ 9:30am
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 3.0 - 5.0 ppm
Nitrate: 20 ppm

 

[NanoSteam]

Woohoo we got a move on the nitrites this evening. Also was surprised to see my clear view lid had shipped! Was expecting 40 to 50 days wait. I ordered on 8/27 and it shipped 9/4! Funny enough UPS ground says it’s going to take longer to get to me via ground than it took the build the unit lol.

9/5/21 @ 8:30pm
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0.25 ppm to 0.5 ppm
Nitrate: 40 ppm

 

[NanoSteam]

Some good updates, and first livestock is in! Fish were added Sunday. I was comfortable with the nitrite levels as at those levels it’s far from dangerous for Saltwater.

I did a 30% water change then added the fish to bring the nitrates down. As of Monday morning nitrites we’re already 0.

9/6/21
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 30 ppm

9/7/21
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 30 ppm

Pictures and a video of fish.
-Blood orange clownfish
-Royal gramma

I moved to a new town and decided to check their Petco as the reviews were good. I was surprised to find a small BUT very clean department. No algae, no sick or dead fish in the tanks and the frag tank looked immaculate. The employee there knew his stuff and was also a hobbyist. I could tell he cared about the fish. I felt comfortable purchasing unlike the neglected Petco in my last town. I was also pleasantly surprised to find they maintain 1.026 salinity in their tanks when I checked the bag water at home. Not very typical of them.

 

[NanoSteam]

The house maids drip acclimating.

I’m very careful with feeding just enough for the fishes to eat without any landing in the rocks but sometimes it’s unavoidable. These guys should do the trick.

 

[NanoSteam]

They're already eating... giving the fishes a run for their money.

 

[PeterC99]

Great start! Your experience definitely shows!