fergusk
Community Member
Starting a build thread here for my Red Sea Reefer 250. I'll be doing an SPS Dominant tank with AWC/as much automated as possible since I travel with work quite a lot. The primary goal is for stability and minimal time with hands in the tank. I think a big part of this is going to be the fish load, as well as the nutrient export. While the auto water change method is useful for that, I don't plan to burn through salt water using it for nutrient export. I'm planning a refugium with AI Fuge or a Pax Bellum reactor. Currently I'm leaning towards a refugium, provided I can keep the sump clean. I was thinking a small pump with spray bar could be enough to get the Chaeto tumbling and prevent detritus build up. The roller filter should do 95% of the work anyway.
I'll quickly run through the planned equipment. Note that the end goal is to have it on an Apex with KHG, but I've been told that Australia is getting a new apex power board so I'm holding off until that arrives. I have almost caved and bought one 4 times in the last week though, so I may not stay strong.... In the meantime, the plan is:
Red Sea Reefer 250 (white)
Ecotech Radion XR15 Pro (X2) with diffusers. I have 2 gen 3 pros with diffusers but may upgrade to gen 5 once the tank is running.
Octo VarioS 6 Return Pump (Ecotech Vectra M1 as a spare - it'll make a good saltwater mixing and transfer pump in the mean time)
Bubble Magus Roller Mat filter (Medium size). I wanted to try this and with the price I figured I may as well. I'll need to make some mods and because it's relatively cheap I'm not afraid to.
Cove 120 skimmer or Bubble Magus Z6. I wanted a Curve 5 elite but I'll need to make more mods to the sump to fit it in (or swap the skimmer and refugium sections, which is how it was designed but seems like a waste. I don't plan on using a skimmer as a big nutrient export system - more for aeration and a convenient dump for KHG reagent.
Refugium (with AI Fuge) or Pax Bellum ARID n24. Seriously tempted by the PAX even though there's very little room for it. It would free up sump space...
Kamoer X2sr for AWC into 30L drums (in the other room)
Red Sea mesh cover
Autofeeder (probably Eheim or similar - ideally with a USB Charger so I don't need to worry about it).
ATO - Kamoer (most likely)
(Temporary) - eKoral Lite monitor with PH and Temp Probes and a connection to the VarioS Pump.
Ikea Cabinet Lighting
My plan is to set up as much as possible before filling with water. It's a pain to play with wires when you can't move the tank and it's a trap I've fallen into in my previous builds. I have a fake door behind the tank (it was a doorway but we shoved a bit of melamine in it) so I'm very happy to drill through that to route AWC and ATO reservoirs.
Let me know any thoughts. ATM I'm leaning towards Kalkwasser in a reactor as a base for alk and 2 part on the KHG, but I may swap that around. I like the idea of doing it in 2 halves.
I'll quickly run through the planned equipment. Note that the end goal is to have it on an Apex with KHG, but I've been told that Australia is getting a new apex power board so I'm holding off until that arrives. I have almost caved and bought one 4 times in the last week though, so I may not stay strong.... In the meantime, the plan is:
Red Sea Reefer 250 (white)
Ecotech Radion XR15 Pro (X2) with diffusers. I have 2 gen 3 pros with diffusers but may upgrade to gen 5 once the tank is running.
Octo VarioS 6 Return Pump (Ecotech Vectra M1 as a spare - it'll make a good saltwater mixing and transfer pump in the mean time)
Bubble Magus Roller Mat filter (Medium size). I wanted to try this and with the price I figured I may as well. I'll need to make some mods and because it's relatively cheap I'm not afraid to.
Cove 120 skimmer or Bubble Magus Z6. I wanted a Curve 5 elite but I'll need to make more mods to the sump to fit it in (or swap the skimmer and refugium sections, which is how it was designed but seems like a waste. I don't plan on using a skimmer as a big nutrient export system - more for aeration and a convenient dump for KHG reagent.
Refugium (with AI Fuge) or Pax Bellum ARID n24. Seriously tempted by the PAX even though there's very little room for it. It would free up sump space...
Kamoer X2sr for AWC into 30L drums (in the other room)
Red Sea mesh cover
Autofeeder (probably Eheim or similar - ideally with a USB Charger so I don't need to worry about it).
ATO - Kamoer (most likely)
(Temporary) - eKoral Lite monitor with PH and Temp Probes and a connection to the VarioS Pump.
Ikea Cabinet Lighting
My plan is to set up as much as possible before filling with water. It's a pain to play with wires when you can't move the tank and it's a trap I've fallen into in my previous builds. I have a fake door behind the tank (it was a doorway but we shoved a bit of melamine in it) so I'm very happy to drill through that to route AWC and ATO reservoirs.
Let me know any thoughts. ATM I'm leaning towards Kalkwasser in a reactor as a base for alk and 2 part on the KHG, but I may swap that around. I like the idea of doing it in 2 halves.
