Show Off and Discuss Your Red Sea Reefer Series

[PerplexyHexy]

Hey Guys wondering what most of the redsea reefers here have come up with an ATO option since the one provided is too small...would like to see pics to get an idea...i am leaning towards getting a small container which holds 10G and keep it besides the tank..

Thats what I do... I have my reservoir behind the wall where the tank is... Its under my bathroom sink... I run the Tunze ATO through the wall into my sump... done this on 2 tanks so far... very easy and convenient... First two pictures are from my old bowfront setup which was in my Family room... had that go from my laundry room wash basin where I had my ro/di setup into a 10 gallon tank through the wall into the sump... the other pictures are from my current setup for the red sea xl 425 where I did the samething, but in my living room... i used 10 gallon Petco tanks for both

 

[shred5]

Hey Guys wondering what most of the redsea reefers here have come up with an ATO option since the one provided is too small...would like to see pics to get an idea...i am leaning towards getting a small container which holds 10G and keep it besides the tank..

I have a Innovative Marine AUQA Gadget HydroFill Ti Auto Top Off ATO Reservoir in a matching cabinet from IKEA.

 

[Reef Able]

I have a Innovative Marine AUQA Gadget HydroFill Ti Auto Top Off ATO Reservoir in a matching cabinet from IKEA.

That does help nice clean set up. Thank you.

 

[Reef Able]

Thats what I do... I have my reservoir behind the wall where the tank is... Its under my bathroom sink... I run the Tunze ATO through the wall into my sump... done this on 2 tanks so far... very easy and convenient... First two pictures are from my old bowfront setup which was in my Family room... had that go from my laundry room wash basin where I had my ro/di setup into a 10 gallon tank through the wall into the sump... the other pictures are from my current setup for the red sea xl 425 where I did the samething, but in my living room... i used 10 gallon Petco tanks for both

Thanks a lot...unfortunately my tank is sitting on an exterior wall so there is nothing on the other side...and my bathroom sink is on the opposite side of the tank....i might just place besides it in a small cabinet...might as well use the cabinet to store other stuff...

 

[shred5]

That does help nice clean set up. Thank you.

The HydroFill is nice because it has a drawer that pulls out making it very easy to fill..

 

[Reef Able]

The HydroFill is nice because it has a drawer that pulls out making it very easy to fill..

yeah i saw that on google images...nice idea...

 

[kinetic]

Okay, but is it normal for it to fluctuate some? For example it was about 1/2in below the emergency overflow tube all day yesterday and then last night I checked before bed and it’s about flush with the top of the emergency overflow tube, maybe a slight trickle. What causes this?

DC pumps sometimes vary a tad. My VarioS-4 return did this after a 4 or 5 months of not maintaining it. Once I gave it a good clean, the water level stays pretty level. I'm not sure if it's the pump or the herbie drain system. I can't imagine the valve closing/opening on its own, so it must be the flow rate. I think the return pump could be slowing or increasing its flow throughout the day? Shouldn't be that way, but it could be.

 

[kinetic]

Hey Guys wondering what most of the redsea reefers here have come up with an ATO option since the one provided is too small...would like to see pics to get an idea...i am leaning towards getting a small container which holds 10G and keep it besides the tank..

I use an 5 gallon LPDE Araven Colorclip Airtight Food Container that's BPA free. It fits on a little shelf in my closet next to the tank.

It feeds my tank with a Neptune ATK. At the same time, I have a FMM module on my Apex with a solenoid that fills the reservoir with water straight from my RO/DI unit (which I run a line from my laundry room to my home office, by going down under the house through crawlspace). The reservoir also has an emergency float valve, and a high and low optical sensor.

When the low sensor is open, the solenoid opens and RO/DI's auto shutoff valve turns off automatically and my reservoir starts to fill until the high optical sensor is closed or at a maximum of 35 minutes. I have 4 different safe guards:

1. Timed solenoid
2. High water level sensor
3. Manual float valve
4. The solenoid can only open for a maximum of 35 minutes every three days.

The reservoir usually takes no longer than 30 - 32 minutes to fill, so if a sensor fails, then the solenoid will close after 35 minutes. The manual float valve should protect everything else.

I was thinking of also getting a leak detector.

 

[revnull]

They are supposed to be releasing a Red Sea adaptor. they need 1.5” of water for automatic model above the filter socks and read sea sump needs something to create a higher lip across.

In haven't received my Klir yet, but I'm working on a 3D printed dam that will allow the 1.5" of water needed to trigger the roller motor. Its installed in my E-170 with add-on sump.

 

[Lbrod126]

Here is my floating canopy build for my XXL625. It hold my radion xr-30 G4 pros.

I used I inch think 6X8 pine for the frame with 1inch thick 4x4 pine for the bottom braces. I also used the radion hanging light fixture and cut it two inches on each side making it fit with ease of adjustment inside the canopy. Inside the canopy I built the light bar holder blocks with 3 inch thick 2X4 to brace and hold the light bar. The lights are excatly 8 inches above the water.

I sanded and painted the entire canopy with primer and a latex black paint 3 coats then did 3 coats of 2 part poly 2 part mineral spirits and last coats just poly.

It is directly screwed into the studs of the wall with support chains liked to the front of the canopy and to the wall. This helps support the weight of the front even though I felt like it was not needed as I built the canopy very light weight and seemed sturdy enough without them it's more of a saftey feature.

Let me know what you guys think or have any questions.

 

[Lbrod126]

How have you guys been leveling your tanks since they have the rubber leveling feet built into the bottom of the stand? I'm setting up my reefer 250 and it need leveled slightly. Do you still use leveling shims? Let me know what you guys have done. Thanks! @Broadfield ?

I only leveled it on the Initial set up after that have no had a problem. I have the XXL 625. If you want you can level it fill it up with fresh water and do a leak and level test after that drain it and you're ready to go.

 

[Aquageek450]

I only leveled it on the Initial set up after that have no had a problem. I have the XXL 625. If you want you can level it fill it up with fresh water and do a leak and level test after that drain it and you're ready to go.

I ended up using composite leveling shims under the feet and got it nice and level

 

[Aquageek450]

Any of you guys running a Vectra return pump on your reefer 250? If so, are you running the S1 or M1? And what is the cleanest way to attach it to the flex tubing supplied by Red Sea?

I have a Sicce 3.0 and i'm very dissapointed that it is not "Silent" like the smaller Sicce pumps I have used on other tanks. It has a noticable hum and since the reefer is silent it is very noticable.

 

[jwt1603]

Any of you guys running a Vectra return pump on your reefer 250? If so, are you running the S1 or M1? And what is the cleanest way to attach it to the flex tubing supplied by Red Sea?

I have a Sicce 3.0 and i'm very dissapointed that it is not "Silent" like the smaller Sicce pumps I have used on other tanks. It has a noticable hum and since the reefer is silent it is very noticable.

I didn't use the supplied hose, I bought a different, more flexible one to use. I have Sicce so called "silent" pump too. Used it for a few days, argued with Sicce about it being too loud. They sent another impeller and it was just as loud. Then they said that's just the way the are and if I wanted less noise to get a smaller pump. Then I switched to the Vectra M1. Can't even hear it. The Sicce is back in the box in a closet as an emergency spare.

 

[Aquageek450]

I didn't use the supplied hose, I bought a different, more flexible one to use. I have Sicce so called "silent" pump too. Used it for a few days, argued with Sicce about it being too loud. They sent another impeller and it was just as loud. Then they said that's just the way the are and if I wanted less noise to get a smaller pump. Then I switched to the Vectra M1. Can't even hear it. The Sicce is back in the box in a closet as an emergency spare.

Good to know i'm not the only one who thinks this Sicce is loud. I will likely make the switch to a Vectra and return this Sicce. Do you have a reefer 250? is the M1 overkill? I was looking at the S1 since it is well over the recommended GPH. Also, did you use the Ecotech barb fitting to connect the tubing directly to the Vectra?

 

[Bos]

I think any AC pump whether its Return pump or skimmer pump is going to be loud compared to a DC. BRS shows quite a few options of DC return pumps out there, Vectra probably being the best. If you can stretch that extra $75 for the M1, get the M1 and just dial it down, that way you are covered for future upgrades or if you decide to tee/add components onto your return line.

 

[Sdot]

Now that the Red Sea Reefer series tanks are getting more common in hobbyist's homes, I thought it would be nice to have a one-stop place to share and discuss them. I love mine and I think it's one of the nicest setups for the money. It's far less expensive than an Elos and even cheaper than Innovative Marine SR series. I love setups that allow for user customization and I like checking out what others are doing with theirs. I think Red Sea really hit big with this one and the # of sales proves that. So please post up pics of your setups and feel free to discuss mods, tips, equipment etc.

I'll start out with a sump pic of my 450:

Sump by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_6030 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

Current state of my Reefer 450:

FTS by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_5293 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

I'm also going to leave this here so it's easy to find... my very cheap solution to splitting the return:

PART LIST:

1/2" NPT Connector for 1/2" Loc-Line

• http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/loc-line-male-npt-connector.html

Y Fitting for 1/2" Loc-Line Modular Hose

• http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/loc-line-y-fitting.html

1/2" Loc-Line Modular Hose - 6 segments (you can split this in half or buy two of them if you want really long arms)

• http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/loc-line-modular-hose-segments.html

(2) Round Nozzles for 1/2" Loc-Line Modular Hose (you may choose to do the flare or straight-flow nozzles, but I like these the best)

• http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/loc-line-round-nozzle.html

1. First remove the Red Sea fitting out of the end of the return nozzle... it's just pressure fit with Teflon tape.
2. Then simply wrap the threaded section of the NPS fitting with about 10 wraps of Teflon tape.
3. Next twist/slide into the Red Sea nozzle... it should go in somewhat snug.
4. Then pull it back out and wrap it again with about 10 wraps of Teflon tape.
5. Go ahead and twist/slide it back in... done.
6. Lastly, snap on the Y fitting and your selection of Loc-Line segments and nozzles.

Our very own @pelphrey recently put together a nice instructional video on this also.

Uhhh this is pure reef ****.... LOVE IT!!

 

[jwt1603]

Good to know i'm not the only one who thinks this Sicce is loud. I will likely make the switch to a Vectra and return this Sicce. Do you have a reefer 250? is the M1 overkill? I was looking at the S1 since it is well over the recommended GPH. Also, did you use the Ecotech barb fitting to connect the tubing directly to the Vectra?

I've got a 525 with the Vectra M1 running at around 60 % or so. It's probably too powerful but I'd rather run it low rather than maxed out. Just the Ecotech fitting that came with it.

 

[Raptor72]

Here is my floating canopy build for my XXL625. It hold my radion xr-30 G4 pros.

I used I inch think 6X8 pine for the frame with 1inch thick 4x4 pine for the bottom braces. I also used the radion hanging light fixture and cut it two inches on each side making it fit with ease of adjustment inside the canopy. Inside the canopy I built the light bar holder blocks with 3 inch thick 2X4 to brace and hold the light bar. The lights are excatly 8 inches above the water.

I sanded and painted the entire canopy with primer and a latex black paint 3 coats then did 3 coats of 2 part poly 2 part mineral spirits and last coats just poly.

It is directly screwed into the studs of the wall with support chains liked to the front of the canopy and to the wall. This helps support the weight of the front even though I felt like it was not needed as I built the canopy very light weight and seemed sturdy enough without them it's more of a saftey feature.

Let me know what you guys think or have any questions.

Nice Canopy. I’m trying to convince the spousal unit that this would look good on our 750 XXL but she’s not convinced yet. I don’t like the glare and look of the 4 black lights above the tank.

 

[jwt1603]

Nice Canopy. I’m trying to convince the spousal unit that this would look good on our 750 XXL but she’s not convinced yet. I don’t like the glare and look of the 4 black lights above the tank.

I have the same issue on my 525. I was thinking of putting "skirts" around the Radions to cut down on the glare.