Vo's Reefer 250 Build

[phuong.nhat.vo]

Starting my build.
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Aquarium, stand, sump:

*Red Sea Reefer 250​

Lighting:

*Light: Reef Brite XHO LED, 36 inch. 3x Actinic blue, 2x 50/50​

*Mounting: TBD​

Filtration:

*TBD​

Maintaining water parameters:

*Specify gravity: TBD​

*Alkalinity: TBD​

*Calcium: TBD​

*TBDs: TBD​

Food:

*TBD​

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[Peace River]

Congratulations on your new adventure!!!

 

[phuong.nhat.vo]

Congratulations on your new adventure!!!

Thank you.

 

[phuong.nhat.vo]

Slow progress. Got the doors on. I made the mistake of putting the sump and plumbing in first and then realizing I can't adjust the door hinge screws. The hinges can be adjusted to align the doors.

Now to decide on equipment... so many choices.

Also starting on the rockscape. Using Two little Fishies grey epoxy and BSI super thin insta-cure.

 

[Lavey29]

I have the XL300 you will like your 250 a lot.

 

[phuong.nhat.vo]

I have the XL300 you will like your 250 a lot.

Nice! I like the dimensions and of the XL300 more than the 250 honestly. Also the XL300 sump and plumbing looks like a simpler/better design. I was really close to buying an XL300 but the only one the fish store had was an open box display that had micro scratches. Curse my perfectionism.

 

[Lavey29]

Nice! I like the dimensions and of the XL300 more than the 250 honestly. Also the XL300 sump and plumbing looks like a simpler/better design. I was really close to buying an XL300 but the only one the fish store had was an open box display that had micro scratches. Curse my perfectionism.

I think there are only minor differences and your 250 will be a beautiful reef soon. I went with all ecotech components, radion lights, MP40s and vectra M2 return pump so everything is seamlessly connected on the mobius app. I also found the eshopps 200 skimmer works well but it is oversized for the capacity.

 

[Lavey29]

The banshee 10g ATO reservoir fits well inside the cabinet also and gives you a week worth of top off.

 

[BradFish]

So how's it going?

 

[phuong.nhat.vo]

So how's it going?

Slow, really slow.

Aquascaping for eternity...making rock chicken fingers (powder rock and thin superglue method).

Pretty good and cheap thin superglue (Amazon)

I didn't realize why it was taking so long for the glue to harden until I turned on the humidifier. Everyone knows that superglue gel cures underwater fast. So more moisture=faster curing...duh Didn't figure that out after hours of standing there holding rocks together waiting for it to cure.

 

[phuong.nhat.vo]

Return pump and skimmer came in

 

[WiseGuyy]

Following your build! Can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[powers2001]

@phuong.nhat.vo glad to see another Reefer 250. I have one myself. You will love this tank. Good luck!!

 

[phuong.nhat.vo]

Really slow progress. I finally got water in it this past weekend. Still ordering more equipment but at least I can start cycling.

Still undecided on the automation approach. It's either,
1) Full automation (zero water changes)
2) Automate water changes and supplement with "All for reef"

 

[powers2001]

@phuong.nhat.vo great start.

 

[phuong.nhat.vo]

For the XHO lights, I got a few versions 3D printed and ended up with this...

Allows some angle adjustments for aiming the light inwards to hopefully increase coral growth.

Little fingers butt against the glass and "helps" keep the light from falling off.

 

[phuong.nhat.vo]

Much better spread now.