Show Off and Discuss Your Red Sea Reefer Series

Ldogg · May 1, 2017

Well I am torn between the 2 MP40s and 2 Maxspect Gyre 250s with the advanced controller for the 625xxl. It seems like everyone is split on the idea with the gyre moving a lot of water but hard to maintain. On a 5' tank I think 2 250's at 50% would be plenty, and offer a nice gentle flow. Would the 2 mp40s still be enough if I went that route. I already have a reeflink and I am buying a vectra as my return. I am not sold on the gyre controller but I honestly don't know how often I will mess with it. Looking at a mixed reef but more LPS dominated then SPS.

Berlibee · May 1, 2017

Anyone upgraded the sump on a Reefer 250 to a sump with a refugium ? I mean not modified but installed a totally new sump.

pelphrey · May 1, 2017

Ldogg said:
Well I am torn between the 2 MP40s and 2 Maxspect Gyre 250s with the advanced controller for the 625xxl. It seems like everyone is split on the idea with the gyre moving a lot of water but hard to maintain. On a 5' tank I think 2 250's at 50% would be plenty, and offer a nice gentle flow. Would the 2 mp40s still be enough if I went that route. I already have a reeflink and I am buying a vectra as my return. I am not sold on the gyre controller but I honestly don't know how often I will mess with it. Looking at a mixed reef but more LPS dominated then SPS.

With a tank that long the MP40's should work just fine. I like the gyre pump on my short tank, it has the wide flow right out of the pump. The advanced controller takes some getting used to and once you understand the functions it is easy to change. I am running 2 gyre 230's on my reefer 250 in anti sync mode ramping up to 40%. My pumps switch back and forth every 6 seconds.

pelphrey · May 1, 2017

April 30th 2017 RAIN2 Algae Turf Scrubber Startup. Running 1 GEM5 light 24/7. Tested water with Hannas Phosphorus tester, test came back at 4, phosphates really low. I did test nitrate with my Red Sea kit (which was expired) but it was zero. I threw it away, all future tests will be phosphate tests only. I'll pickup another nitrate test kit eventually.

Added a piece of 1" PVC with a 90 to push the flow away from the output of the scrubber

Berlibee · May 1, 2017

What is the flow rate you guys have with external refugium ?

rerana · May 1, 2017

miniChou said:
I'm curious to know if anyone has tried these Crud Catcher or Flangans cup idea out on the Reefer? I would like nothing more than to just simply replace my filter floss every week instead of scrubbing down my filter sock.

I have been using the cups, and so far so good. I find that the floss gets ready for a change about every 5 days or so. I am not feeding very heavily now, but as i get more livestock, i plan just to use more floss to balance out. Now I'm just using a small piece, about 1/3 the size the cup can hold.

reeferparty · May 2, 2017

Calling all Reefer 350s!! Mainly lps dominant at the moment but prepping to start adding sps in 2-3 weeks.

What lights are you guys running? I'm currently running an ap700 about 10-11" from water level at 65%. I am getting a lot of shadowing and only about 140 par at the highest peak of my rock work (Still slowly turning up intensity). I'm considering switching/adding. Is anyone running (2) ap700s on their 350? [emoji23]

Who is running radions? If I go that direction I'm looking at 2; possible 3 gen4 xr30 pros. Let me see your setup.

I also want to know what you guys have set up for flow. I'm currently running:
-(2) mp40s one on each side stagger high/low and front/back.
-(1) mp10 on the back wall to the right of the overflow and was thinking about adding a second one on the left side.
-(1) jebao crossflow gyre on top and opposite of the top most mp40.

Here's a picture of my setup for better visual.

As it sits today..

Croff · May 2, 2017

Hello,
I'm using 1 Kessil 360 in my Reefer 170 and getting some shadowing. Do you think the AP700 will be overkill for this tank? Maybe better another 360?
Thank you for your help

dragon99 · May 2, 2017

reeferparty said:
Calling all Reefer 350s!! Mainly lps dominant at the moment but prepping to start adding sps in 2-3 weeks.

What lights are you guys running?

I'm using (2) Mitras LX7's. I considered the AP700, but wasn't convinced it could do a 48" with enough intensity. You should probably raise it up to 18" to get better coverage and then see what your PAR is at. Per Kessil:
Single AP700 Maximum Coverage

36"x 24" at 7" above water level
48" x 24" at 18" above water level

I'm getting ~350 PAR at the water surface right now, but only have the unit set to 90% @ high efficiency. I can still bump it to high output for more PAR>

Berlibee · May 2, 2017

Guys, what is the size of the right part of the cabinet please, I don't have the tank yet but I want to order a small tank for an external refugium like here:

This size:

reeferparty · May 2, 2017

dragon99 said:
I'm using (2) Mitras LX7's. I considered the AP700, but wasn't convinced it could do a 48" with enough intensity. You should probably raise it up to 18" to get better coverage and then see what your PAR is at. Per Kessil:
Single AP700 Maximum Coverage

36"x 24" at 7" above water level

48" x 24" at 18" above water level

I'm getting ~350 PAR at the water surface right now, but only have the unit set to 90% @ high efficiency. I can still bump it to high output for more PAR>

I started the fixture at 15-16" above water but you would pretty much have to run at 100% intensity at 18" and I doubt par would be enough to keep sps which is what I'm trying to prep for at the moment

Mystikal · May 2, 2017

New leaves coming in
Taking daily:

Onto the Cheato!

Berlibee · May 2, 2017

Please can someone measure the space I've asked before?

Really appreciate. Reefer 250.

sithrico · May 2, 2017

Berlibee said:
Please can someone measure the space I've asked before? Really appreciate. Reefer 250.

From sump to wall 13.5 inches. From sump to door hinges 12.5. Back to front is 17.25. Bottom to top 29.5. I made a Broadfield cabinet in mine. That's why I have them.

Ldogg · May 3, 2017

Anyone running MP60's on their 450 or 525? I am trying to figure out if 2 mp40s would be enough or if I should look at 4. If that's the case would 2 mp60s be just as good. I am leaning towards getting 2 mp40qd's to start with the thought that I may need to add 2 more down the road on a 5' Red Sea tank.

Berlibee · May 3, 2017

Thank you @sithrico !

miniChou · May 4, 2017

rerana said:
I have been using the cups, and so far so good. I find that the floss gets ready for a change about every 5 days or so. I am not feeding very heavily now, but as i get more livestock, i plan just to use more floss to balance out. Now I'm just using a small piece, about 1/3 the size the cup can hold.

Good to know, thanks. Maybe I'll give the Crud Catchers a try when they get them back in stock. I'm always looking for ways to make my maintenance life easier.