Reefer 250 build - Tokyo, Japan

[Machpoint89]

@Machpoint89 just curious but are you Japanese or did you move there from the US?

I’m actually Dutch, but lived in the US for 10 years, Middle East for 6 and now Japan for the past 3. (The lady of the house is Japanese... so we settled here... for now)

 

[Machpoint89]

PROJECT RO/DI

So I had some issues with my RO/DI after moving to the new apartment, but turns out after doing some math I didn’t really “need” the upgrade, but it sure is nice to have. (CLICK HERE if you’d like to read about - what I thought was - my Reverse osmosis pressure problem)

I added a booster pump to my 3-stage RO/DI system wanting around 70~80psi range after doing some research

Check out this video :



If you’d like to review how YOU can improve your RO/DI system : BRSTV - RODI Upgrades

TDS from the tap = 99~114

TDS before Di cartridge = 3 (this means the sediment filter and carbon filter do a great job and this is a good base line for me to double check WHEN they would need to be replaced)

TDS after Di cartridge = 0

THE MATH

BEFORE booster pump installation: 40PSI

• 10.67ltr/hr or 2.82usg/hr = 67.68 GPD with a ratio of 1:2.25 (for every 1 gallon of clean water I would get 2.25 gallons of waste water)

AFTER booster pump installation 80〜82psi

• 24.79ltr/hr or 6.55usg/hr = 157.2 GPD with a ratio of 1.51(for every 1 gallon of clean water I would get 1.51 gallons of waste water)

This is an increase in OUTPUT of 67% which I think is worth it*
(*this might affect the filters and membrane lifespan, but given that I don’t constantly make water I’m fine with that risk)

Before attaching the booster pump via the included bracket I used a rubber strip I had laying around (see upper left photo) this reduced pump noise from vibration to zero.

Another way of reducing your waste water is by adding a second membrane:

 

[Machpoint89]

PROJECT GATE VALVE

So today I painted the gate valves orange with spray paint that’s meant for plastic.
Washed them and dried them before applying roughly 4 coats of spray paint.

I let them dry and rinsed them off after painting was completed... Is it necessary to paint them.... absolutely not, but I thought why not. Would be kind of cool to match the PVC piping

 

[Machpoint89]

PROJECT SUMP MOD

So today I customised the RSR250 V1 sump by removing the stock filter holders and some of the glass panels....

Why?.... to make room for the Clarisea filter roller. Given that I could be gone for a week or sometimes longer I don't want to have to rely on filter socks and it seems this was a great solution.

REMOVING THE FILTER SOCKS:

• Wear safety goggles / glasses (don't risk and glass splinters flying into your eyes!)
• Use a flexible box cutter and pry in between the glass and silicone (I have tried dental floss and straight razors, but they're too rigid)
• Keep scoring and "pushing" the blade through the silicone parts (take your time as not to break any panels)
• at the end use the straight razor blade at a 45 degree angle to "scrape" away the old silicone
• wipe away and dirt / leftover silicone pieces with a wet cloth
• shine a light at an angle to inspect no accidental small glass shards remain (I had a few small chips that splintered off so be careful)

 

[Machpoint89]

I have been debating the best position for the Clarisea-SK3000 filter roller and decided I should go with the option that leaves the most space in the sump to access potential reactors.

This is my final "layout" of the sump to be:

 

[Machpoint89]

PROJECT PLUMBING > MAIN DRAIN

Today I finished plumbing the main drain. It was a bit of a challenge getting the angles correct. I used all new O-rings (coated with vaseline) on union parts.

Also used an O-ring on the 3/4” x 1” male adapter that screws into the RedSea #42221 adapters. (Click on the names for a link... see picture below for details)

I used a 1” UNION so I could easily service the ClariSea filter roller and change the layout in the future if needed.

(Make sure to always have the nut on a union positioned in a way so it doesn’t fall off when unscrewing it... also when installing UNIONS check if the O-ring is there and lube it up.... sometimes they’re missing from transport)

 

[Difrano]

Nice to see a RSR 250 in Japan! My question is, since you are closer to the tropical Pacific, would you find better livestock/corals in there? Also I can't imagine how expensive could be reefing in Japan

 

[Machpoint89]

Nice to see a RSR 250 in Japan! My question is, since you are closer to the tropical Pacific, would you find better livestock/corals in there? Also I can't imagine how expensive could be reefing in Japan

You can get some beautiful Aussie stuff here, but yes everything is marked up REALLY high.... I don’t mind paying a bit more for quality its just a bit tough on the wallet.

Import costs here run high also as they tightly control what comes into the country.

Most of the hardware I get from the US bit by bit as I simply cannot find it here. I try to support the LFS as best I can though. For instance my RO/DI unit cost me about $600

 

[powers2001]

@Machpoint89 I know Okinawa is a bit south of the main island and getting close to the tropics. I heard there are some reefs and reef fishes/animals there. I have a friend that spent some time in Okinawa.

 

[Machpoint89]

@Machpoint89 I know Okinawa is a bit south of the main island and getting close to the tropics. I heard there are some reefs and reef fishes/animals there. I have a friend that spent some time in Okinawa.

Ah cool! Yeah it’s a nice place. I used to go there almost every month with a previous job. Did some scuba diving there. It was fun, but I expected more...

 

[Brent Behringer]

looking great! I like the the orange paint on the valve handles! I just took delivery of my reefer 250 tank/stand today!

 

[Machpoint89]

looking great! I like the the orange paint on the valve handles! I just took delivery of my reefer 250 tank/stand today!

Thanks Brent.... I stole the idea from some of the OCD reefers out here, but liked the clean look. Awesome congrats on the RSR250... I think they're great tanks. You gonna do a build thread? Always fun to follow along someone's progress

EDIT: Just saw your "build thread contributor" badge.... sorry... It's still morning here

 

[Waynerock]

Looking good man keep it up. I love my reefer 250 I have had it for about a year after upgrading from a 170 and it’s too full already. Super jealous of the filter roller I have the v2 sump but only saw the upgrade from another reefer to make it fit after it was running for a few months. Oh well

 

[Brent Behringer]

Yep, I have one going! Just ordered a custom synergy cl-34 sump in gray/red. I'll be plumbing in all red pvc pipe/fitting and painting my aquamaxx reactor top/bottom plastics gray and the thumb screws red to match. My sump is still about 6 weeks out. I plan to get the stand/tank set up, then do some work on my ATO and Control cabinet and build my out door RODI station. Should keep me busy with the limited time I will have.

Here's my build thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/brentbs-red-sea-reefer-250-build.726445/

 

[Machpoint89]

Looking good man keep it up. I love my reefer 250 I have had it for about a year after upgrading from a 170 and it’s too full already. Super jealous of the filter roller I have the v2 sump but only saw the upgrade from another reefer to make it fit after it was running for a few months. Oh well

You still planning on adding a filter roller? I wanted the option since I could be gone a month at a time at worst. This will reduce maintenance efforts required.

Yep, I have one going! Just ordered a custom synergy cl-34 sump in gray/red. I'll be plumbing in all red pvc pipe/fitting and painting my aquamaxx reactor top/bottom plastics gray and the thumb screws red to match. My sump is still about 6 weeks out. I plan to get the stand/tank set up, then do some work on my ATO and Control cabinet and build my out door RODI station. Should keep me busy with the limited time I will have.

Here's my build thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/brentbs-red-sea-reefer-250-build.726445/

Following your build thread. Looking forward to it. i thought of the same thing, but the triton sump. However getting it to Japan is a real problem. Maybe in the future. I'll let this run first.

 

[canadianeh]

I have the same tank and mine has been running for less than 2 months. I like the idea of painting the sump. I had this idea after I got it all set up and running so too late for me. I am also using orange PVC to make it Neptune theme. It looks like you have the V2 sump. Mine is V3 so I had to run the piping differently. I am also using Clarisea filter as well.

 

[mrrtheory]

So lets call this: attempt #2

long story short our second child was born and family / job things got in the way. We moved closer to the city, but slowly and surely I have been planning for the assembly. This tank hasn’t seen water in 2 years probably.

A BIG shout out to Jason @Eight for the inspiration. His extremely picture heavy thread was my main inspiration Including the legendary @Broadfield :

For Jason's RSR250 build thread: RedSea Reefer Build by Jason​

For Jason's RSR250 plumbing: Jason’s RSR250 sump plumbing​

For Toby’s RSR450 OCD build thread: RedSea Reefer 450 Build by Toby​

I had to alter some of the plans since I have the V1 sump vs his V3 for this Reefer 250

Today my order came in from the US. I mainly ordered my fittings from PVC Fittings Online and they deliver worldwide. After a few ordering issues on the website their excellent customer service helped me get the correct items all the way to Tokyo.

So what did I order? (please click on each description for the link)

• 1/2” elbow - orange
• 1” sch 80 unions
• 1/2” sch 80 - male adapters
• 1” T - orange
• 1” x 1/2” sch 80 reducer
• 1” 45 - orange
• 1” 3-way - orange
• 3/4” x 1” sch 80 - male adapter
• 1” elbow - orange
• 1/2” x 3/4” PVC reducing male adapter
• 1/2” & 1” spears GATE valves
• 1” sch 40 PVC piping - orange
• 1” surface mounting clamps

The return will be fitted with a GATE valve and plumbed directly into a Clarisea SK-3000 Automatic Filter Roller

I will try make a similar - albeit not as detailed - write up as some of the others that have inspired me for this project.

This has been a true waiting game!

That little cartoon plumbing sketch is golden.

 

[Machpoint89]

I have the same tank and mine has been running for less than 2 months. I like the idea of painting the sump. I had this idea after I got it all set up and running so too late for me. I am also using orange PVC to make it Neptune theme. It looks like you have the V2 sump. Mine is V3 so I had to run the piping differently. I am also using Clarisea filter as well.

Thanks yeah I think it will look very clean. Just enough room behind to run some wiring. Oh I thought I had the old V1 sump. Out of curiosity do you know the difference between V1 & V2? I know what V3 looks like

That little cartoon plumbing sketch is golden.

Thanks. I always think making plans and drawing them out is the best way to visualize things and easy to see potential problems. Plus a good way for others to see what I'm thinking and get some valuable feedback (positive or negative)

 

[Waynerock]

You still planning on adding a filter roller? I wanted the option since I could be gone a month at a time at worst. This will reduce maintenance efforts required.



Following your build thread. Looking forward to it. i thought of the same thing, but the triton sump. However getting it to Japan is a real problem. Maybe in the future. I'll let this run first.

I wish but I don’t want to risk damaging the sump now that everything is settled and it’s kinda DIY to remove everything to accommodate the roller and I suck at DIY. This thing is on auto pilot right now so I fear changing anything and the 250 micron socks aren’t too bad

 

[Machpoint89]

I wish but I don’t want to risk damaging the sump now that everything is settled and it’s kinda DIY to remove everything to accommodate the roller and I suck at DIY. This thing is on auto pilot right now so I fear changing anything and the 250 micron socks aren’t too bad

I'm very fond of the "if it ain't broke - don't fix it" mentality ....