Reefer 250 Build. 15 years away from the hobby but I am back

[Scurvy]

Very nice...Glad you hung onto it all those years!

I’ll watch Melev’s streams when I can and many of his videos while 1st getting my feet wet. Smart guy.

That whole top ledge is just shouting for some nice sps colonies. I think its gonna work out great for you.

 

[Dal-Reef]

Very nice...Glad you hung onto it all those years!

I’ll watch Melev’s streams when I can and many of his videos while 1st getting my feet wet. Smart guy.

That whole top ledge is just shouting for some nice sps colonies. I think its gonna work out great for you.

Marc is super nice guy.. I am here in the Dallas area and he lives not far from me. I am sure I will run into him someday. You got it, that is what my plan is for that ledge sure it works out. Just need to slow my roll down don't want to get in a hurry. Thanks for following along..

 

[Dal-Reef]

Building of the scape was fun and this time I took my time and enjoyed the process. My last tanks I just stacked rocks like a wall but this time went with more of open feel to let corals have room to grow and increased water flow.

I have around 180lbs of the old school live rock you used to get from Marshall Islands and Tonga. I have keeped it dry and stored in trash cans for around 15 years and was from my old 125 Oceanic tank. This stuff is very light and porous. The weight of the rock i used was around 55lbs so not much but it did fill the tank up.

I did not bleach or soak the rock before using. I just set it in the tank filled with saltwater and started the cycle. Used glue from BRS as well Gorilla glue on all the rock that touched each other.

Rock stored in sealed trash cans all these year and still smelled like the ocean

Love how open the rock is

Used painters tap and and piece of cardbard to lay the size of the thank. Really helped in getting the it right

Taking it apart and then putting it back together was not as easy as we thought but it worked out great

Turned out great...

 

[Dal-Reef]

I decided on a sand bed and what I have done in the past. I went with CaribSea
Aragonite special grade dry sand. I ended using around around 50lbs that gave me just at 1' 1/2 of sand. I feel one of the most important thing to do with dry sand is wash it. It has so much slit and all its going to do cloud and cover everything in your tank. It takes time but worth in the long run. Pictures below show how I did it.

50lbs used

I used bucket and high pressure nozzle for the rinsing

I did not do the whole 50lbs are one time but would fill the bucket a quarter full then
insert the nozzel full forces and would stick it down into the and mover around.

I slowly tilt the bucket and let the milky water dump them repeat. Careful you don't wash
out some of the good sand. For each batch it took about 4 or 5 wash to get it clear.

Good to go and ready for the tank...

Dumped in the tank getting ready for water. It looks deeper than what it is. Just around 1' 1/2

 

[Dal-Reef]

97 days old Reefer 250 update Video 11-01-2019.. Doing good so far... Still taking it slow... Still got lots more build of pic and will continue to update the thread..

 

[Bryan68]

Tank is looking great!

 

[Dal-Reef]

Thanks Bryan68.. Love the hobby

 

[Dal-Reef]

July 27 my Reefer 250 was born.. I used Fritz blue box for my salt. I made 70 gallons of salt and let it run will power heads for about 4 days before filling the tank. My plan was to let the tank run with the dry rock, sand and saltwater for a few days before adding Dr. Tim's One and Only and Dr Tim's Ammonium Chloride to kick the cycle off. As I will post later this was not enough to get the cycle moving. I had to add some additional live bacteria from another company to really get the cycle moving.

Yep I am pretty nerdy and the wife took a pic of me filling the tank. I it

was a great day

 

[Vinman]

Do to work and life I tore down my 125 gallon Oceanic reef tank 15 years ago. The love of this hobby has never left me and I knew that one day I would get another tank. Well I am I back .

I spent months researching and slowly getting all of the gear. I am a gear head and really wanted this tank to be automated as much as possible and and allow me to monitor remotely due to work travel. I am in IT for a living and love all of the technology out there for us hobbyist.

The Reefer 250 has been up and running 12 weeks this Saturday. I have taken tons of pics and will start sharing over the coming weeks and months. Just maybe it will help someone just like you guys have helped me.

. The

That is a pile of gear...wow awsome...jealous lol

 

[Damion123]

I think I’m going to go with a reefer 250 with the Clarisea like you. Which model clarisea did you get?

 

[Dal-Reef]

@Damion123 Went with the Gen2 3000.. I have modified the sump and its ready to install but waiting a few more weeks. I letting the tank mature before installing. It will strip the water for sure.. The Reefer 250 is good size tank you will like it

 

[Dal-Reef]

I think I’m going to go with a reefer 250 with the Clarisea like you. Which model clarisea did you get?

Been a long time in the making.. The technology now is super cool

 

[CivicS14]

congrats! Heck of an equipment list there.

 

[Dal-Reef]

congrats! Heck of an equipment list there.

Thats what he wife said also I wanted to get as automated as much as I can since I travel for work. The technology is cool

 

[CivicS14]

Thats what he wife said also I wanted to get as automated as much as I can since I travel for work. The technology is cool

Luckily you got a supportive wife. That helps a ton. My wife helps out when I’m out of town as well.

 

[Damion123]

I have also been out of the hobby since 2007

 

[Dal-Reef]

Luckily you got a supportive wife. That helps a ton. My wife helps out when I’m out of town as well.

I so agree.. I catch her talking to the fish

 

[Dal-Reef]

congrats! Heck of an equipment list there.

Thanks.. I am a bet of gear head. Work in It so this new stuff is cool

 

[Dal-Reef]

I have also been out of the hobby since 2007

I think you will like the 250 good tank to get salty again..

 

[MuffinMonster]

Dal, I set my reefer 250 up last night and it sits 4 inches away from my wall, the new aquatic life floating hybrid mount says it sets the light up to 3.75inches away from the wall. I’m curious to pull the trigger on that floating mount set-up like we talked about on Facebook and see if it works with my tank. My other option I’m thinking is putting a shelf above my tank and do this: