My Reef - Take #2 - Reefer 250

Jay Seng · Feb 15, 2019

After about 10 years with my current "standard" 55 gallon tank that I purchased from one of the big box stores, I've decided to upgrade to a real reef tank. Multiple years of trial and error, all the DIY stuff and plenty of mistakes. Why not go with a product that spells out Red Sea Reefer and is made for you to start a reef.

Got my pallet in an is in good shape.

Opened it up and noticed that someone from their warehouse hit the side with their forklift. Checked it out and there was some damage to the stand. Luckily, it was the piece that no one could see. Contacted MarineDepot and they were able to get Red Sea to send me a replacement.

NY_Caveman · Feb 15, 2019

Sorry to see, but sounds like you will be taken care of. Welcome to R2R!

Jay Seng · Feb 15, 2019

Thanks! Everyone on R2R seems to be nice people.

NY_Caveman · Feb 15, 2019

Pretty much

Ruben's Reef · Feb 15, 2019

!!! Welcome to R2R @Jay Seng !!! Following your build.

Jay Seng · Feb 15, 2019

I needed some more space in the back of the stand to mount some gear on so I decided to build a cover for the Chiller opening. I also wanted to hide all of the electrical cords. Purchased a DJ power strip and built a special fixture to house that and included that opening cover.

Fish_Sticks · Feb 15, 2019

Definitely worth it to wait for returns. I've already returned three parts on my new build and the wait is killing me.

Jay Seng · Feb 15, 2019

@Fish_Sticks Luckily we're both 1 or 2 days UPS Ground Transit from Red Sea's warehouse. They usually ship it fast.

Jay Seng · Feb 15, 2019

Also got my sump area about 60% of the way there. I'm still waiting for an acrylic shelf to mount my dosing pump.

The V3 Sump configuration really threw me off because I was ready to hard plumb my return line so that I could add reactors and convert the ATO Container to a refugium. I'm not sure if I should get some metric to american pipe conversion pieces or just replace the current pipe with Red Sea Part # 42221. Even so, the drain pipes takes a lot of room in there. I'll be limited on space.

extremetang · Feb 16, 2019

Nice build. I also just recently set up a Red Sea 250, but having hard time finding an ATO container that will fit the tight space. Where did you get that narrow but tall container next to your sump?

Jay Seng · Feb 16, 2019

Thanks! Its the standard 5 Gallon Trigger System container that you can get from anywhere.

Westside Guy · Feb 16, 2019

Good luck with your build, I await more pictures!

Jay Seng · Feb 17, 2019

Added 55lbs of sand and did some Aquascaping. I can never get the right look but I think I did ok this time.

Westside Guy · Feb 17, 2019

Aquascaping is very subjective, I think it looks nice and someone else might trash it. I only used 40 pounds of sand on my Reefer 250 which was recently installed as I think it may be easier to clean later on.

NY_Caveman · Feb 18, 2019

Jay Seng said:

I absolutely love this. The split between looks completely natural and totally interesting.

powers2001 · Feb 18, 2019

Awesome start !!! I have a RSR 250 too !!! Can we get an equipment list?

Jay Seng · Feb 19, 2019

Sure thing! It is a "builder on a budget" list. Everything here works and it works great.

Equipment List:
-Red Sea Reefer 250
-2 x AI Prime HD
-eFlux 1050 DC Flow Pump
-Reef Octopus 110SSS Protein Skimmer
-2 x eFlux 1050GPH Wave Pump
- eFlux 2100GPH Wave Pump
-JBJ ATO System with cheap amazon pump
-5 Gal Trigger System ATO Container
-Hygger Titanium Heater (Amazon)
-American DJ Power switch

Need to install:
-Jebao DP-3 Dosing Pump
-Skimz DLC4 Dosing Container
-AquaMaxx Filter Media Reactor - XS

Inside Tank:
-CaribSea Dry Aragonite Special Grade Reef Sand 55 lb
-Reef Saver Dry Live Rock 14lbs
-Fiji Premium Live Rock 35lbs
-Tonga Branch Live Rock 2lbs

Live Stock:
-Six Line Wrass
-Marroon Clown - He is an butt h0le but i've had him for 10 years.
-Standard Hermits and Snails
-Fire Shrimp

Coral Frags:
I'm not too familiar with names but it's mostly beginner corals. If I can have success with these then I can upgrade to better ones.
-Various Euphyllia
-Pulsating Xenia
-Various Zoas including WWC Illuminati
-WWC Red/Green Grafted Monti Cap
-Purple Acro
-Green Star Polyp
-Orange Recordia
-Purple Stylo
-WWC Rainbow Monti