JB's Reefer 250 Coral Salad with Sushi

Jeffcb

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Thank you for visiting my build thread.....

Sep. 26, 2020

Hello everyone! First of all I want to thank everybody for the warm welcome to Reef 2 Reef. I was in the Hobby 30 years ago back when DLS filter rolls with rotating sprinkler heads were the thing. You old timers will remember that. Looked like a sewer treatment facility. I loved watching that sprinkler head go around in circles lol. Then some smart person invented the Bio Ball and now there is so much more. Wow technology has come a long way. Like a lot of people I got really into it. I like the biology, chemistry and mechanical engineering of the hobby. Like most I had lots of success and also my share of mistakes. My biggest mistake was starting an Aquarium Maintenance Service to help support my Reef habit. Got to buy wholesale and had tanks everywhere. The next thing you know my hobby had turned into work and wasn't a hobby anymore. Sold it all. I have been visiting this one LFS now and then and one day the bug got me again! I am back! I will be asking a lot of questions.


I ordered my tank. Almost got the Reefer XL 200 but landed on the Red Sea Reefer 250. More area below and not quite as wide. Should work well in the area I have for it. . Back in the day I remember water was important and also remember lugging 4 or 5 five gallon jugs of water in the car filled at the store. So this is were I am starting. I purchased a Aquatic Life 4 stage RO/DI unit. Of course had to get a Brute on wheels with its own dedicated power head. Already making water! Cant wait for the tank!

Tank Fill 1.jpg



Tank Fill3.jpg


Updated pic 2/3/2021
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Pic 4/18/21
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Pic 6/7/21
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9/19/21
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3/14/22
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9/11/22
TWO YEARS OLD this week
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Jeffcb

Jeffcb

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My Aquarium has arrived at my LFS. I went and picked up the stand so I can assemble it before they deliver the tank tomorrow. Took everything out of the box and inspected all the parts for any damage. It all looks good. I am impressed with the fit, finish and machine work of the materials. It all went together perfectly. I will say watching a product review on You Tube stated it would take about 30 minutes to assemble. NOT. Took me about 3 hours but I did take my time. Definitely need a power screw driver and a rubber mallet. The door hinges are quick release and are easily removed and attached. I did have to be adjust the hinges but that is very easy. I am stoked !! Can wait for my tank !!
Cabinet.jpg
 
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Jeffcb

Jeffcb

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All right. Tank is here, up and full of water! All the fittings were really easy to install. No leaks. I did have to get a smaller barb for the return pump. Very Very!! noisy. Had to crank diaphragm valve a lot, until it finally filled right to the emergency drain. Now its quiet as a mouse. I assembled the rocks out side the aquarium until I got were I wanted. Then transferred them to the tank. Super easy with Carib Sea Dry Live Rock Arches. I will probably need to epoxy the top rocks on later.

  • Tank volume 54g
  • Sump 11g
  • 244 Liters 65g
  • Red Sea Coral Pro Salt
  • 40 lb. Carib Sea Fiji Pink Live Sand
  • 60 lb. Carib Sea Dry Live Rock
  • Return Pump, Sicci 3.5 660 gph
  • Skimmer, Red Sea RSK-300
  • Lighting, 2 Red Sea ReefLED 90s
  • Wave Pumps, 2 Red Sea ReefWave 25s, 1980 gph
  • Heater, Cobalt Aquatics Neo-Therm 200
And we're off and running !!
Tank Fill 1.jpg
Tank Fill 2.jpg
Tank Fill3.jpg
 
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Jeffcb

Jeffcb

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I purchased a Aquarium Controller board Mounting System from Marine Depot. Kind of expensive for what it is. DIY option would of been a lot less money but it is nice. I do wish it was about a half inch wider. It was hard to stuff all the wires inside when closing it up. I cut a slot out of the side and added a rack mounted American DJ lighted, switched power strip. I found that at Guitar Center. Routed the cables on the bottom side of the cabinet with Kwik clips. Going to need another power strip and will mount that above the board. Birds nest gone!

Switch box.jpg cabnet switchs.jpg Birds nest.jpg
 
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Jeffcb

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My Skimmer sits to high. Red Sea recommends 6-8 inches and its at 9. It's new and there is nothing in the water to skim. All it does now is over flow. But I think it will operate better at the proper height. Had a plastic shop cut me 3 pieces of 1/4 in acrylic drilled holes and I made a 2 on stand. Know it sits at 7 inches. I wonder how long it will be until there will be nutrients to skim?
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powers2001

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My Skimmer sits to high. Red Sea recommends 6-8 inches and its at 9. It's new and there is nothing in the water to skim. All it does now is over flow. But I think it will operate better at the proper height. Had a plastic shop cut me 3 pieces of 1/4 in acrylic drilled holes and I made a 2 on stand. Know it sits at 7 inches. I wonder how long it will be until there will be nutrients to skim?
20201001_154930.jpg
20201001_154849.jpg
20201001_154930.jpg
@Jeffcb101 you could feed your tank now so skimmer would have nutrients. Just feed the tank a little fish food every once and awhile. Your skimmer will have a bioload to pull out.
 

powers2001

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I added 6 very small Hermit crabs yesterday. The Reefer has sustained life for 24 hrs now. Continuing with MicroBactor 7.

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@Jeffcb101 you need to feed your hermit crabs. Probably don’t have anything to scavenge on right now.
 
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