Show Off and Discuss Your Red Sea Reefer Series

[Broadfield]

4 bulb enough? I was thinking going 6 bulb?

What are you going to keep?

 

[Xclusive Reef]

What are you going to keep?

Pretty much something like yours, mixed bag but I am thinking more sps than anything

 

[JustAnt]

What size , brand skimmer works best on reefer 250? Was looking at red octopus or skimz..

I'm using the Nyos 120. It has a small footprint so allow for room for a small spyglass reactor in the sump as well

 

[JustAnt]

BRS is doing 15% off right now on the Reefers.

WOW. GREAT DEAL!

 

[DLHDesign]

Finally got my power/dosing drawer (nearly) finished!

Closed (ie; normal looking - the handles pre-date this addition)

Controller and storage side. (Still need to add a finishing strip to that exposed part.)

Lower angle, showing all the stuff jammed in there. My tank: now with Apex!

The dosing side. Eight pumps (7 in use currently), each with their own "zero-evaporation" container. Each container (which have sealed lids) has the outlet you can see, but also an inlet with a check-valve on the inside. Air gets in; nothing gets out.
I've got a tablet on the way for a near-tank dashboard. Current plan is to mount it on a tilt on the top near the back (where the towel is, basically). Try to preserve as much of the "counter top" as I can - which I will now use as my "testing station". I might mount it to the wall to the left of the tank, but will need approval from the wife for that first...

Lid off. This ain't so bad as far as cable mess goes. You can't see them, but two magnets hold the lid in place.

The cables are a bit of a mess in there. Four of the power bricks are mounted to the wall; the fifth is in the cabinet (brick-to-controller cable for the Vectra is SUPER short - ick). I'll likely got a cable conduit of some kind, but the few ties I have are working well enough to keep everything together and out of the way as the drawer closes. I also injured my shoulder recently, so reaching in there is not exactly comfortable...

Next project: Finish setting up the Apex, then it's on to the LED/T5 Hybrid canopy!

 

[T-Bucket]

Finally got my power/dosing drawer (nearly) finished!

Closed (ie; normal looking - the handles pre-date this addition)

Controller and storage side. (Still need to add a finishing strip to that exposed part.)

Lower angle, showing all the stuff jammed in there. My tank: now with Apex!

The dosing side. Eight pumps (7 in use currently), each with their own "zero-evaporation" container. Each container (which have sealed lids) has the outlet you can see, but also an inlet with a check-valve on the inside. Air gets in; nothing gets out.
I've got a tablet on the way for a near-tank dashboard. Current plan is to mount it on a tilt on the top near the back (where the towel is, basically). Try to preserve as much of the "counter top" as I can - which I will now use as my "testing station". I might mount it to the wall to the left of the tank, but will need approval from the wife for that first...

Lid off. This ain't so bad as far as cable mess goes. You can't see them, but two magnets hold the lid in place.

The cables are a bit of a mess in there. Four of the power bricks are mounted to the wall; the fifth is in the cabinet (brick-to-controller cable for the Vectra is SUPER short - ick). I'll likely got a cable conduit of some kind, but the few ties I have are working well enough to keep everything together and out of the way as the drawer closes. I also injured my shoulder recently, so reaching in there is not exactly comfortable...

Next project: Finish setting up the Apex, then it's on to the LED/T5 Hybrid canopy!

This is really awesome man! Love the sliding drawer idea!

 

[jsbull]

Finally got my power/dosing drawer (nearly) finished!

Closed (ie; normal looking - the handles pre-date this addition)

Controller and storage side. (Still need to add a finishing strip to that exposed part.)

Lower angle, showing all the stuff jammed in there. My tank: now with Apex!

The dosing side. Eight pumps (7 in use currently), each with their own "zero-evaporation" container. Each container (which have sealed lids) has the outlet you can see, but also an inlet with a check-valve on the inside. Air gets in; nothing gets out.
I've got a tablet on the way for a near-tank dashboard. Current plan is to mount it on a tilt on the top near the back (where the towel is, basically). Try to preserve as much of the "counter top" as I can - which I will now use as my "testing station". I might mount it to the wall to the left of the tank, but will need approval from the wife for that first...

Lid off. This ain't so bad as far as cable mess goes. You can't see them, but two magnets hold the lid in place.

The cables are a bit of a mess in there. Four of the power bricks are mounted to the wall; the fifth is in the cabinet (brick-to-controller cable for the Vectra is SUPER short - ick). I'll likely got a cable conduit of some kind, but the few ties I have are working well enough to keep everything together and out of the way as the drawer closes. I also injured my shoulder recently, so reaching in there is not exactly comfortable...

Next project: Finish setting up the Apex, then it's on to the LED/T5 Hybrid canopy!

Really nice!!!

 

[DT Prime]

Well it took a couple months but the stock ATO on my 250, which I was warned by several people about, somehow broke over night. It actually snapped at the float valve insert:

Thought that was a little weird, how much strain could soft tubing really put on it?

Anyway I might use this as an excuse to replace it and turn the stock ato container into a mini refugium/pod farm. Any lessons or feedback from others who have done the same?

 

[powers2001]

Well it took a couple months but the stock ATO on my 250, which I was warned by several people about, somehow broke over night. It actually snapped at the float valve insert:

Thought that was a little weird, how much strain could soft tubing really put on it?

Anyway I might use this as an excuse to replace it and turn the stock ato container into a mini refugium/pod farm. Any lessons or feedback from others who have done the same?

Some people are getting these. It all depends on where you can give up some space.

http://www.reefdreams.co.uk/cgi-bin...for-Red-Sea-Reefer-170-BAFFLE170.html#SID=207

 

[Thor2j]

Well it took a couple months but the stock ATO on my 250, which I was warned by several people about, somehow broke over night. It actually snapped at the float valve insert:

Thought that was a little weird, how much strain could soft tubing really put on it?

Anyway I might use this as an excuse to replace it and turn the stock ato container into a mini refugium/pod farm. Any lessons or feedback from others who have done the same?

Mine did the same thing. I went to home Depot and they have the same thread with a 1/4" quick connect fitting. Ran that right into rubber hose coming off ato.

 

[revhtree]

Finally got my power/dosing drawer (nearly) finished!

Closed (ie; normal looking - the handles pre-date this addition)

Controller and storage side. (Still need to add a finishing strip to that exposed part.)

Lower angle, showing all the stuff jammed in there. My tank: now with Apex!

The dosing side. Eight pumps (7 in use currently), each with their own "zero-evaporation" container. Each container (which have sealed lids) has the outlet you can see, but also an inlet with a check-valve on the inside. Air gets in; nothing gets out.
I've got a tablet on the way for a near-tank dashboard. Current plan is to mount it on a tilt on the top near the back (where the towel is, basically). Try to preserve as much of the "counter top" as I can - which I will now use as my "testing station". I might mount it to the wall to the left of the tank, but will need approval from the wife for that first...

Lid off. This ain't so bad as far as cable mess goes. You can't see them, but two magnets hold the lid in place.

The cables are a bit of a mess in there. Four of the power bricks are mounted to the wall; the fifth is in the cabinet (brick-to-controller cable for the Vectra is SUPER short - ick). I'll likely got a cable conduit of some kind, but the few ties I have are working well enough to keep everything together and out of the way as the drawer closes. I also injured my shoulder recently, so reaching in there is not exactly comfortable...

Next project: Finish setting up the Apex, then it's on to the LED/T5 Hybrid canopy!

Awesome job!

 

[MCooper]

Anyone have an issue with tiny micro bubbles from area on sump not getting enough water even when ATO reserve has plenty? Keeps happening my Vectra return pump is pushing bubbles?

 

[jsbull]

Anyone have an issue with tiny micro bubbles from area on sump not getting enough water even when ATO reserve has plenty? Keeps happening my Vectra return pump is pushing bubbles?

Yes, you need to adjust the ATO float to be higher. You can use your fingers to loosen the white nuts and pull it off. You'll then need a phillips screwdriver to loosen the plastic screw and adjust it to be higher. That'll raise the level of water in that compartment and eliminate the issue.

 

[MCooper]

Yes, you need to adjust the ATO float to be higher. You can use your fingers to loosen the white nuts and pull it off. You'll then need a phillips screwdriver to loosen the plastic screw and adjust it to be higher. That'll raise the level of water in that compartment and eliminate the issue.

Thanks! Will try this tonight and hopefully it works!
If I wanna get a better ATO what is best option?

 

[jsbull]

Thanks! Will try this tonight and hopefully it works!
If I wanna get a better ATO what is best option?

The Tunze Osmolator is by far the most popular system.

I will add that I still use the stock ATO, but have an Osmolator hooked up to a RODI system that refills the stock reservoir by using their solenoid valve option. It's an awesome system.

 

[powers2001]

The Tunze Osmolator is by far the most popular system.

I will add that I still use the stock ATO, but have an Osmolator hooked up to a RODI system that refills the stock reservoir by using their solenoid valve option. It's an awesome system.

The problem with the Tunze osmo is that you have to use the pump it come with and I don't like it because it is too fast for a kalk reactor hooked up to your ato. I'm using the Tunze right now but will switch to the Apex when it is out any day now. With an Apex and their ATO you can use any pump you want. Just another reason to use a controller.

 

[Thor2j]

Anyone have an issue with tiny micro bubbles from area on sump not getting enough water even when ATO reserve has plenty? Keeps happening my Vectra return pump is pushing bubbles?

It may not be the water level. I have a vectra pump on mine and it makes a whirlpool when it's cranked up, then it pulls bubbles. I put egg crate about 1/2" under water level and it keeps it from forming.

The Tunze Osmolator is by far the most popular system.

I will add that I still use the stock ATO, but have an Osmolator hooked up to a RODI system that refills the stock reservoir by using their solenoid valve option. It's an awesome system.

Yes, you need to adjust the ATO float to be higher. You can use your fingers to loosen the white nuts and pull it off. You'll then need a phillips screwdriver to loosen the plastic screw and adjust it to be higher. That'll raise the level of water in that compartment and eliminate the issue.

 

[ReefingwithO]

The problem with the Tunze osmo is that you have to use the pump it come with and I don't like it because it is too fast for a kalk reactor hooked up to your ato. I'm using the Tunze right now but will switch to the Apex when it is out any day now. With an Apex and their ATO you can use any pump you want. Just another reason to use a controller.

I can adjust the speed at which the Osmolator pumps water. You have to open the control box to do this.

 

[ktownhero]

Finally have my 425xl in place and cycling...

 

[Antics]

Finally have my 425xl in place and cycling...

Tank is looking great, but I'm internally screaming at the placement!