BeMoTo Reefer 250 Build!

BeMoto

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Found a Red Sea Reefer 250 2nd hand yesterday. Wanted to go bigger but this size is practical for me and my family right now. This will be my 3rd aquarium. I've had a 50 gal breeder and a 12 nano befor 10 years ago. I'm taking my time this go around. Really trying to focus on keeping a tank long term this time. Being more responsible and keeping up with testing and water control over buying live stock every weekend.

I really do like all the equipment, toys and over all care for this little ecosystem. I'm trying to be more patient and make small changes slower over time. See alot of people on "youtube" making more changes in a month than most people do in a year.

I'm going to keep this thread for reference of my new build. I wish I had taking notes/record of my last tank. Really didn't think I would miss it the last go around! So live and learn I guess.

I have 60lbs of fiji dry rock curing, started 3 weeks ago. Purchased a rodi unit, a Red Sea reefer 250, and have a old skimmer and sump.

There is still alot I need to figure out. I'm leaning toward a mixed reef with a sallow sand bed. Some days i think I'll go bare bottom and have a dominant sps tank. The next I think it's best to play it safe. MORE RESEARCH I SUPPOSE!.

The only thing I must have at this moment is a pair of clowns and a piece of blue ridge coral.
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Mastiffsrule

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Good evening

Nice score on the tank

Sounds like a good plan in place. May just be me but looks like a lot more than 60 pounds of nice rock.

Looks good. Keep pics coming
 
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BeMoto

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Me and my ocd put it on a scale, hopefully I did the math right.

I'm currently trying to figure out a aquascaping plan and stock list. Looking Into carbon dosing and what works best for me. Debating if i should make a custom stand for the tank so i have more room under the tank. So many things to over think.

Would like to figure out dosing options since it might dictate return pump size, lighting, sump size, and having a refugium or not.
 
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BeMoto

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1st try at aquascaping on the new tank..... getting another 30 lbs of dry rock. I like rock! Leaning towards bare bottom sps dominate tank. Struggling with my stock lisk and dosing system.
Was looking at triton, but worried about supply. Looking Into zoevit, but not sure how it all works.

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Corey Dufrene

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I bought a Red Sea Reefer second hand as well about 2 years ago.

It took me forever to decide on my aquascaping.

What return pump are you planning on using?
 
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BeMoto

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Just ordered a vectra S2, and a kessil ap700.

I went with vectra because of the battery backup option. We loose power from time to time. Batteries will keep me safe till I get the generator going.

Changed the rock layout again.

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Having just moved, I am also in the process of setting up my Reefer 250. The one new piece of equipment I'm adding this time is a Clarisea SK-3000 filter roller. It's much easier to put in now before you fill your sump, so if you're interested in running a filter roller instead of socks, you might look into it. I had to mod the sump to fit it in, but you can see detailed instructions in my build thread.
 
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BeMoto

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I'm now thinking about putting the sump in the basement. If that happens I will get a larger sump. The stock sump doesn't appear to have enough space for me. This would give me all kinds of space, and make maintenance alot easier.

Not sure if I will use a roller mate or not. I like the idea of a putting a refugium where the sock filters goes and not having any filter at all.
 
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@powers I did get an AP700 but i don't have them running at all. I played around with them some. I'm still planning on using them but it will cycling the tank.

I was hoping it had some pre-setting for color spectrum. I'm sure there some info out there but haven't found any on it yet. But that's my only complaint so far, and it might not even be a big deal.

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BeMoto

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Started cycling last night. Was up way to late but since today is my 1st day under "social distancing" I got it done. It was worth it to me.

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BeMoto

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Been almost week cycling, no action yet. Not surprised but I'll be excited to see anything.

Been testing ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites.

Adding ammonia as needed. Only turning the lights on for a quick picture. Might even take them off so I don't play around with them.

Othere than that there isn't much to say.

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BeMoto

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I have a pair of clowns in a separate tank now. I just got them 4 days ago.

I'm also looking at getting a kole tang, and a flamed angle, and some sort of blenny.

I've also considered getting a pair of mandarins and not getting anything else. Was thinking about trying to breed them. But I'm still doing research and not sure if I can dedicate the time for it at this point in my life.

With the pandemic still going I tried my best not to spend much on my aquarium. But I still ended up picking up an Ato, a pair of Ink Bird Controls, and a few heaters, and setting up a qt tank.

I also have a piece of life rock in an aquarium by itself to seed my display tank seen.

My display tank is fully cycled and ready to go, so I'm excited about that!

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BeMoto

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6/28/20

Added my clowns from Qt today. Had an algae explosion after losing power a week ago, at least thats the theory. Did a 30% water change befor adding the fish. The algea seems to be going away.

Im looking into getting an UPS for backup power when I can. We have a generator but somebody has to be around to turn it on.

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Evening,

Looks great. Rock work you settled on looks awesome. The algae is probably part of the tank maturing. Sorry if I missed it, you have a CuC in there to help?

If I may suggest the biggest tang/bristle tooth I would put in would be a tomini/flame tang. Size wise the swimming room just isn’t there for the tangs. The mandarins could work. Like you mentione, do the research first and ask questions as needed. They will require a lot of supplemental feedings since you’re tank will not have the pod population they will need. A mini angel would work, just watch since not all are reef safe. I like the flame and the white tail.

Keep us update, looks great so far.
 

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