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

S.Pepper

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After waiting another week and no movement in both ammonia and nitrite I felt like the cycle was stuck.

After doing a lot of reading on here and product sites I decided to jump start everything with Fritz Turbo Start 900. Before I say anything else this stuff is amazing. I will only use this going forward with setting up a new tank. I most likely will add it from time to time to boost the bacteria in the thank. Within 24 hours all of my testing started changing. With 5 days the tank was completely cycled.

If you do go with Fritz you need to try to get it locally as your LFS or maybe a place like AlageBarn. Fritz has to stay refrigerated and within its shelf life. When I added it the tank it was very cloudy with live bacteria.

I wish I has taken a pic but my tank completely cleared up after adding Fritz

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I had some what the same problem (used Dr. Tim's). I got my ammonia to zero out, but the nitrites were super high and would not go down. I added a bottle of IO Bio spira and they zeroed out in 2 days. The next time I cycle a tank I will go with Bio Spira from the beginning.
 
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Dal-Reef

Dal-Reef

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I had some what the same problem (used Dr. Tim's). I got my ammonia to zero out, but the nitrites were super high and would not go down. I added a bottle of IO Bio spira and they zeroed out in 2 days. The next time I cycle a tank I will go with Bio Spira from the beginning.

Its amazing how quick the live bacteria works. I really liked Fritz Turbot Start. I have heard that Bio Spira was really good
 
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Dal-Reef

Dal-Reef

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From the beginning I was wanting to replace the Red Sea return nozzle for a split one. I was reading through a bunch of post here on R2R and came across a return line upgrade kit from VCA. I reach out them with several questions and they to to return which was super good customer service. I ended up getting one of their returns so glad I did. This is super cool and really adds a lot of random flow to the tank. Every tank I put will have one. ;)
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Dal-Reef

Dal-Reef

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From the very beginning I was going to run a fleece roll. Not a big fan of having to clean filter socks every 3 or 4 days. After reading on R2R and doing my research I decided on a ClariSea Gne2. I went ahead and modified the sump and pluming before I even installed the sump. Felt it would be a lot easier not having to deal with sump water.

I added flexible tubing for return after the Red Sea control valve. Once I installed if I need to raise or lower the ClariSea it will be a easier with the flexible tubing. I also made a small stand out of egg-crate which can also be adjusted . I have installed the ClariSea and my plan is to wait until I hit the 4 month mark which is coming very soon.

Dry fitting on my home made stand
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Just used zip ties to hold it all together. Pretty simple
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Dry fitting with the sump installed. 2 days later I filler with water (with out ClariSea
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Modified return with flexible tubing
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Dal-Reef

Dal-Reef

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Thank is 4 months old today.. Still a work in progress but doing pretty good. Fighting some red cayno due to lack of nutrients. I will post about that later.

 
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Dal-Reef

Dal-Reef

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Finally after a long wait I got my Tank Cover in from ClearView Lids. I went with Pisces EXO and truly is a work of art. Its light easy to access and does not hold in any condensation. Worth the wait.

The packing was sold and came with now issues
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Perfect fit and sold...
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No hindering of light for the tank
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I had 3 access doors added. I am glad I did this since you never know what you will need
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Dal-Reef

Dal-Reef

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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:

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Sorry missed your post MuffinMonster (funny handle) Been super busy with work. My AquicLife Hybrid is mounted on their standard hanging system. They did have the new yet. The lights are 8 inches from the all and the tank is 6 1/2 inches. 3.75 inches is really close the wall and your tank need to be also. May make hard to get back to do work and what not. If you have installed please post pic would love to see it
 

maxepr1

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Dal, nice work on the thread and tank! I like you have been removed from the hobby for 20 years and can't believe how much the hobby has grown! Been lurking and planning my next setup. We live not to far from each other, which LFS do you use? I have not found one other than DNA that I like/trust? Thanks
 
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Dal-Reef

Dal-Reef

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Dal, nice work on the thread and tank! I like you have been removed from the hobby for 20 years and can't believe how much the hobby has grown! Been lurking and planning my next setup. We live not to far from each other, which LFS do you use? I have not found one other than DNA that I like/trust? Thanks

My go to LFS are North Dallas Aquarium, Roberts Reef and Franks Tanks. I really only purchase my fish from North Dallas Aquarium and corals from anywhere. Roberts Reef has really nice stuff and super nice folks. Franks is super clean. Roberts and Franks are pretty good drive for me but worth it. All 3 are on FB. Their are a lot of LFS in DFW and hit a lot of them. Were do you live you should join DFWMAS we just had meet up last night for a guy doing a new tank build
 
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Dal-Reef

Dal-Reef

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Around the 3.5 month mark started getting Red cyano . Water testing showed parameters were good except No3 <1 & PO4 0 . I figured that was the cause of the red cyano, lownutrients.

I wanted to do everything I could with out adding any chemicals to ban-aide the the problem. The tank was only 3 1/2 months old and still has a long way to stabilize. But if it comes to it I will use ChemiClean or RedCyano both I have right now but I holding off.

I had been feeding just was needed but increased that a lot more. Fish were happy :) I bet I tripled the amount food I was feeding and started feeding frozen Rod's and PE Mysis shrimp adding the liquid as well.

I did a water change siphoning out as much as I could find as well as the sand. I also started running the skimmer only at night. The RedSea Skimmer is super efficient at stripping the water.

I also dosed 3ml of Brightwell NeoPhos and NeoNitro. I only did this one time and was 1/2 of what was recommend. After the siphoning of the cyano, feeding more , one time dose of Brightwell and running skimmer at night my nutrients started to come up. NO3 was >3 and PO4 .08. I done one more siphoning of Red Cyano and seems to dying back but time will tell.

Before siphoning
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After siphoning
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Red Cyano still holding off as of 12/17.. fingers crossed will stay this way
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Dal-Reef

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Love the Kissel's 360x and AquicLife T5 hybrid. Great lights and will fill the tank up.

Here is a video with up and running.

 

A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

  • I currently have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 64 36.8%
  • Not currently, but I have had feather dusters in my tank in the past.

    Votes: 59 33.9%
  • I have not had feather dusters, but I hope to in the future.

    Votes: 25 14.4%
  • I have no plans to have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 26 14.9%
  • Other.

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