Matt's Reefer 250

[Whisnantrider]

So after about a year and a half with my JBJ 45-RL, I have decided to upgrade. As the title states I opted to go with a Red Sea Reefer 250. I was fortunate enough to pick one up second hand here locally for a fair price. The dimensions are great for what I wanted.

Equipment List:
Stock Red Sea Stand
Red Sea mesh filter socks
Stock Red Sea ATO setup
2-AI Hydra 26HD with AI Flex Mounts
Sicce 3.0 return pump
VCA Red Sea to 3/4" adapter, Lock-Line 3/4" to 1/2" Y, 2-VCA 1/2" RFG Nozzles
2-Icecap 1K Gyre's adaptor, Lock-Line 3/4 to 1/2"
Icecap battery backup
Ehiem Jager 150w heater (also have a 300w if the 150w isn't enough)
Auto Aqua Smart Temp heater safety controller
BRS DIY Kalkwasser Dripper
Still deciding on a skimmer. I'm torn between the Eshopps Axium X-120 or the Aquamaxx FC-80. I am open to suggestions from anyone with experience with either of these. I am currently running an Eshopps PSK-150 to tide me over.

The big draw to the Axiom is I can purchase it locally and support my LFS but I think I like the FC a little better and its a bit cheaper.

The only media I plan to use is the Pond Matrix I am transferring over from the other tank but I don't have room with the current skimmer so that is still to come.

Current stock list:
2-Ocellaris Clownfish
Timor Wrasse(haven't sen him in several days but I have a screen top so he hasn't jumped)
Yellow Clown Goby
Wide Barred Shrimp Goby
Six Line Wrasse(currently in sump not sure if I will keep him or not)
Cleaner Shrimp
A few misc. hermits and snails

Future stock:
Yellow Eye Kole Tang (maybe)
Fire Fish(Undecided on red or purple)
Any other suggestions?

I think that covers the basics. So far things are going well with the tank. Pics will be posted soon.

Thanks for looking.
Matt

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Sounds like a great upgrade, my wife has been eyeing the 250. Looking forward to seeing the pics.

 

[SPR1968]

Yes we NEED pictures as it sounds like a great new tank.

And thanks for the detailed write up

 

[Whisnantrider]

Pics added to the original post. Not much but hopefully they will tide you guys over for the moment.

 

[Whisnantrider]

Aquamaxx FC-80 skimmer ordered today!

 

[azbigjohn]

Love the pics, as well as the area around the tank!

 

[Whisnantrider]

Love the pics, as well as the area around the tank!

Thanks! If I had it to do again I would have re thought the floating shelves as I am now limited to a maximum of 40" wide tank .

 

[Whisnantrider]

Updates!
Eshopps PSK-150 was swapped out with the AquaMaxx FC-80. Nice skimmer and WAY quieter than the Eshopps. First impressions are good. Hasn't even been a week yet so we will see how it does as it breaks in.

So my final stock list is as follows:
Snowflake Ocellaris clown
Misbar Ocellaris clown
Lyretail anthis(female)
Purple firefish
Saffire damsel
Sixline wrasse
Widebared goby
Scarlet cleaner shrimp
Fire shrimp
Yellow Eye Kole Tang(will come later)

Here is the final sump and tank setup

 

[Whisnantrider]

 

[Whisnantrider]

 

[Whisnantrider]

I still need to figure out what I'm going to do for cord management. I have a couple of ideas but haven't made up my mind yet.

So far I am really enjoying this tank!

 

[najer]

Looking very nice.

 

[Whisnantrider]

Tank was looking good today and thought I would share.

 

[Whisnantrider]

Update on the AquaMaxx FC-80 skimmer. It has broken in and is pulling skimmate well. This is about a week's worth.

 

[powers2001]

@Whisnantrider nice livestock and equipment. I have a RSR 250 also !!!

 

[pelphrey]

Have you put the gyres on the sides of the tank? Or just prefer them on the back?

 

[Whisnantrider]

Have you put the gyres on the sides of the tank? Or just prefer them on the back?

I have, I prefer the look and flow pattern of them on the back. The flow kinda lifts the corals polyps and there isn't that kinda dead spot in the middle of the tank that I've had with gures in the past.

 

[powers2001]

@Whisnantrider looks like you have a Kalk dripper from a BRS kit. I have one too and got some Kalkwasser in my mouth from it ;-) How much concentration and what's you schedule with it may I ask?

 

[Whisnantrider]

@Whisnantrider looks like you have a Kalk dripper from a BRS kit. I have one too and got some Kalkwasser in my mouth from it ;-) How much concentration and what's you schedule with it may I ask?

I do and it works well. I have been running it daily. The containers are 1 gallon and I just recently bumped it up to 1 tsp of kalk in the gallon of water.

 

[spartanman22]

Glad to see someone using the FC-80. I’m strongly considering this for my build. Question for you, what size is the skimmer cup lid? Wanting to see if the Avast Marine Swabbie lids will fit.