Red Sea 250 Build! (Finally!)

[tonysnow1990]

Hi guys, name is Anthony!

Bought this last summer from a member who lives in NJ. Didn’t set it up (due to wife and I moving to a different house.

but after moving and months of anticipation this build is finally here.

not sure with livestock yet so I will update accordingly.

I will also update my hardware as I have time.

right now these are some pictures of it in the basement.

already started off with an issue with the return pump piece cracking. Attached are the pictures of that as well. I already posted about it in the hardware section but any help would be greatly appreciated!

thia is also in the basement of our house!

will update periodically!

(Hate typing on mobile so sorry for typos!)


LIVESTOCK (2/21/21):

Inverts (Hermit crabs/cleaner snails etc.)
PAIR OF CLOWNFISH (misbar from Liveaquaria)
Sharknose Goby
Melanarus Wrasse

HARDWARE (2/21/21):

Apex classic
Reef Octopus 150 SSS
300 Watt heater
Autoaqua Smart ATO and 5 gallon reservoir
AI Nero 5
Sicce Syncra Pro (may upgrade depending due to not controlling the pump)
AP 700

 

[tonysnow1990]

Bought what I think was the right replacement piece and waiting until it come in...choose 2nd day air so it gets here quickly lol.

 

[tonysnow1990]

Got the replacement part that I need. Thanks to @>>klong<< for helping me out.

so far the hard ware I have is:

AP700
AI Nero 5
Return pump is Sicce Syncra pro.
Skimmer will be reef octopus classic 110 SS. If too loud I will replace with another skimmer I have.
smart aqua auto (need to order magnet piece as it is missing)
My water supply has a RO system already set up so no worries on that.
300 w heater

I have dry rock and live sand (one bag leaked and trying to get this set up ASAP.

leak test will be coming

I plan on running two filter cups for the sump. Puritan/chemipure filte floss.

plan on adding refigium as well.

also going to add some pipe dope over the fitting for the plumbing because you never can be too sure!

any suggestions for what I should add is more than appreciated.

live stock list will be updated when able!

 

[ShepherdReefer]

Awesome following

 

[tonysnow1990]

Set up the skimmer and return pump tonight. The skimmer does take up a lot of room. If I don’t like this skimmer I may go with the tunze 9004 and just attach to sign magnets.

if anybody has any input in the skimmer I currently have in there let me know.

thanks!
Slowly but surely tank is getting there.

 

[tonysnow1990]

Also AI Nero 5 are up and lights are up. Will adjust light height and Nero when tank is all set up.

 

[tonysnow1990]

Update tonight:

Leak tested red sea 250.

Starting putting RO water in the main drain, no issues.

Then started putting it in the emergency drain pipe. It was leaking, I just let it leak into the sump (a little got over the bottom stand). There is a modification on the stand so its powder coated steel from the 1st owner. So clean up is super easy. I tightened it (it was very loose, a couple of turns did the trick). Did another test with 1-2 gallons of water and it seemed to be working out.

Tested return pump and everything was good. Seemed like decent flow to me.

I left the RO water in there. (in the sump and Display). Only a couple of gallons.

Should that be an issue? Please let me know. I don't think it would be.

Should be getting this fully wet on Sunday after my friend comes and installs a few outlets for me downstairs.


Ideas for livestock so far:

Possibly a clownfish or pair
Marine betta.


Any other suggestions are more than appreciated!

 

[tonysnow1990]

Added my rockscape and sand...I personally like the low profile look. If I need corals with higher flow/higher light I’ll put them in the right side of the tank.

If I needed a cave for a marine betta I ow have one. Any opinions please comment below.

thanks!

 

[tonysnow1990]

After a few days tank is finally wet and good to go! just adding some salt and doing a few tweaks here and there.

Skimmer doesn’t look at the right height any answers I appreciate it! I think I figured it out lol. As I’m typing this. I’ll post another video soon.

 

[tonysnow1990]

Just gotta dial it in lol.

 

[tonysnow1990]

Salt is at 34.5ish ppt. Good to go. Going to set up my old apex fusion and then everything will be connected to that. Everything is going well so far. Water is a little cloudy but due to salt hopefully that clears up soon.

Added Dr Tims, and will add some inverts tonight to test it out. Added purigen and chemipure as well. Also added some filter floss into other media cup.

Any questions? Let me know! Feels like i'm talking to myself! lol.

 

[tonysnow1990]

Update:

added inverts such as snails and hermit crabs and everything is going well.

skimmer is pulling some good skimmate. See
lights I need to re adjust such as the intensity, it’s on 80 but I’m definitely gonna dial it back when I have time.

ordered more inverts and a pair of clowns as well as a shark nose goby from liveaquria. Arriving Tuesday.

may get a melanaurus wrasse as well.
will post more updates as they come.

 

[tonysnow1990]

Update:

well I’m waiting on Live Aquaria to ship my orders, no notifications yet! Hoping they ship soon! Supposed to go out yesterday.

this is my first bad experience with them!

 

[tonysnow1990]

Update bought a melanarus, pair of clowns and shark nose goby. All are doing well.
Conducted my first water change and went smoothly, cleaned skimmer and more maintenance.

 

[tonysnow1990]

Update:

not really any changes minus some algae growing the rocks. Ugly phase is happening...hopefully gonna get some snails and hermits soon to take care of it. I already have some but always could use some more.

 

[>>klong<<]

Great start. The AP700 looks sharp and clean above that tank. The melanurus is such a beautiful fish. Good luck with the uglies. I’ve been struggling with them.

 

[tonysnow1990]

Thanks!

 

[tonysnow1990]

update: will post corals that I have in the tank tomorrow. Everything is looking good. Fought the nasties for about a week (skimmer is doing its job).

did another water change on 3/14 and conducted maintenance.

again so far so good!

 

[tonysnow1990]

Corals

 

[tonysnow1990]

*Update on Tank*

Nothing really too much. Conducting some regular maintenance . The mealnarus wrasse is a meanie to the snails. (not surprised though, they come out at night and don't really get attacked by him)...he tries but he isn't usually successful. My pair of clowns is growing and my sharenose goby is doing okay as well.

I am getting a nice meat coral and nice camo green trachy coming on Wednesday and next week I am getting a marine betta and carpenters wrasse. Im excited for all of that.

Will post pictures when I remember.