I was the incredibly lucky guy that won the Red Sea 250 Complete System Giveaway.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-partner-giveaway-red-sea-reefer-250-complete-system.598156/
First off, I would like to thank @revhtree, Reef2Reef, Red Sea, and @Vivid Creative Aquatics! What a cool giveaway, and extremely generous!
I really couldn't believe it when I saw the thread. I had been at work late and was about to go to sleep when I remembered that the drawing had been that night. I had to wake the wife up to verify that I was reading the my ticket numbers correctly and that I hadn't lost my mind. I was so stoked that I really didn't get much sleep that night...
Then came the rapid planning stage, some of which is still going on. Here is what I have so far...
Controller: Apex
Light: AP700
Return: COR 20
Return Kit: Red Sea Reefer Ultimate Return Line Upgrade
https://vividcreativeaquatics.com/shop/red-sea-reefer-ultimate-return-line-upgrade-25mm-to-12in-rfg/
Skimmer: Reep Octopus eEssence 130
Nutrient Export: Reef Octopus Biopellet Reactor BR-110
Powerheads : 2 x Reef Octopus Pulse 2
Heater: Finnex 300 Watt Titanium
Rock: 30 lbs of Marco Medium Foundation and 50 lbs of their Shelf rock
Controller: I struggled with this one. I am slowly coming to accept that I am a c0ntrol freak. This seems to have been apparent to those around me for quite some time... I must be slow on the uptake. Lol. I really like the ability to monitor and control what is happening with the tank remotely. The pricing between picking up new modules to expand my existing Apex to support the Red Sea VS buying a whole other setup was just a couple hundred dollars. I decided that having the additional "brain" and EB832 were well worth it. This will also allow me to monitor this tank on a seperate Fusion page, reducing the likelihood that I get confused about which tank I am monitoring/controlling.
Light: I have an AP700 on my frag tank right now that will be reallocated to this build. The frag tank will get an old Aquatic Life MH/T5 hybrid fixture until it can be replaced with something more modern. It will be interesting to compare growth and coloration when frags move from it to the DT's under the AP700's until then.
Return Pump: I went back and forth from one extreme to another here. Run the Sicce Silent for the return and additional pumps to drive reactors, or just go with one big pump. After reading reviews, evaluating pump curves, and the operational complexity of all options, I decided on the COR 20. I picked up another FMM so I can take advantage of the Apex to monitor return flow after the manifold that I will construct. The COR 20 should be able to provide more than enough flow for the returns, the BR-110, and whatever other reactors I wind up adding to the manifold eventually. I plan on running the discharge at 1.25" until the manifold to minimize headloss, then will reduce it down to 25mm up to the....
ULTIMATE Red Sea REEFER Return Line Upgrade Kit!
(credit: VCA's website)
This return manifold is SUPER nice. Antonio @Vivid Creative Aquatics was really helpful and steered me in the right direction for this build. I can't wait to get the tank set up so that I can try this thing out. I'll see if I can't get some video with air bubbles entrained in the suction of the COR20 so you guys can see how they work!
VCA also hooked me up with:
The MJ Pump Vacuum Attachment, which will really help since I am planning on making this a bare bottom tank. I'll be picking up another one of these for the QT. Works GREAT!
https://vividcreativeaquatics.com/shop/mjv-mj-pump-vacuum-attachment/
And, several bags of MTC (Multi-Tube Clips) to help manage my RO, Sea Water, Waste Water, and dosing lines. These things are awesome and do a much nicer job than zip ties. I have tested them out on the run towards my storage tanks and WHAT a difference. Did I mention that I am a control freak? The kits come with fittings for 2, 3, or 4 RO lines in Seafoam White, Aqua Blue, Lava Rock Black, or Yuma Orage. I opted for Seafoam White.
https://vividcreativeaquatics.com/shop/mtc-kits-multi-tube-clips/
I'll get some before and after pics this weekend to demonstrate this clips.
That's all I have time for right now. Will work on it some more this weekend. Can't wait for the tank to arrive and get this rocking...
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-partner-giveaway-red-sea-reefer-250-complete-system.598156/
First off, I would like to thank @revhtree, Reef2Reef, Red Sea, and @Vivid Creative Aquatics! What a cool giveaway, and extremely generous!
I really couldn't believe it when I saw the thread. I had been at work late and was about to go to sleep when I remembered that the drawing had been that night. I had to wake the wife up to verify that I was reading the my ticket numbers correctly and that I hadn't lost my mind. I was so stoked that I really didn't get much sleep that night...
Then came the rapid planning stage, some of which is still going on. Here is what I have so far...
Controller: Apex
Light: AP700
Return: COR 20
Return Kit: Red Sea Reefer Ultimate Return Line Upgrade
https://vividcreativeaquatics.com/shop/red-sea-reefer-ultimate-return-line-upgrade-25mm-to-12in-rfg/
Skimmer: Reep Octopus eEssence 130
Nutrient Export: Reef Octopus Biopellet Reactor BR-110
Powerheads : 2 x Reef Octopus Pulse 2
Heater: Finnex 300 Watt Titanium
Rock: 30 lbs of Marco Medium Foundation and 50 lbs of their Shelf rock
Controller: I struggled with this one. I am slowly coming to accept that I am a c0ntrol freak. This seems to have been apparent to those around me for quite some time... I must be slow on the uptake. Lol. I really like the ability to monitor and control what is happening with the tank remotely. The pricing between picking up new modules to expand my existing Apex to support the Red Sea VS buying a whole other setup was just a couple hundred dollars. I decided that having the additional "brain" and EB832 were well worth it. This will also allow me to monitor this tank on a seperate Fusion page, reducing the likelihood that I get confused about which tank I am monitoring/controlling.
Light: I have an AP700 on my frag tank right now that will be reallocated to this build. The frag tank will get an old Aquatic Life MH/T5 hybrid fixture until it can be replaced with something more modern. It will be interesting to compare growth and coloration when frags move from it to the DT's under the AP700's until then.
Return Pump: I went back and forth from one extreme to another here. Run the Sicce Silent for the return and additional pumps to drive reactors, or just go with one big pump. After reading reviews, evaluating pump curves, and the operational complexity of all options, I decided on the COR 20. I picked up another FMM so I can take advantage of the Apex to monitor return flow after the manifold that I will construct. The COR 20 should be able to provide more than enough flow for the returns, the BR-110, and whatever other reactors I wind up adding to the manifold eventually. I plan on running the discharge at 1.25" until the manifold to minimize headloss, then will reduce it down to 25mm up to the....
ULTIMATE Red Sea REEFER Return Line Upgrade Kit!
(credit: VCA's website)
This return manifold is SUPER nice. Antonio @Vivid Creative Aquatics was really helpful and steered me in the right direction for this build. I can't wait to get the tank set up so that I can try this thing out. I'll see if I can't get some video with air bubbles entrained in the suction of the COR20 so you guys can see how they work!
VCA also hooked me up with:
The MJ Pump Vacuum Attachment, which will really help since I am planning on making this a bare bottom tank. I'll be picking up another one of these for the QT. Works GREAT!
https://vividcreativeaquatics.com/shop/mjv-mj-pump-vacuum-attachment/
And, several bags of MTC (Multi-Tube Clips) to help manage my RO, Sea Water, Waste Water, and dosing lines. These things are awesome and do a much nicer job than zip ties. I have tested them out on the run towards my storage tanks and WHAT a difference. Did I mention that I am a control freak? The kits come with fittings for 2, 3, or 4 RO lines in Seafoam White, Aqua Blue, Lava Rock Black, or Yuma Orage. I opted for Seafoam White.
https://vividcreativeaquatics.com/shop/mtc-kits-multi-tube-clips/
I'll get some before and after pics this weekend to demonstrate this clips.
That's all I have time for right now. Will work on it some more this weekend. Can't wait for the tank to arrive and get this rocking...
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