1BiteReefer- Red Sea Reefer 250 Build

[1bitereefer]

My plan is to go mixed reef, my favorite corals are the LPS, frog spawns, torch’s, etc. I plan to have on the back. But my have to move them to the sides. I may even switch to the mp10s or an mp40 on the sides. Thoughts?

 

[Branespikin]

My plan is to go mixed reef, my favorite corals are the LPS, frog spawns, torch’s, etc. I plan to have on the back. But my have to move them to the sides. I may even switch to the mp10s or an mp40 on the sides. Thoughts?

I had two mp10s and they didn’t hold well. Some people have no problems i did. They would spin or fall off. Then i got two mp40s on back and they were kicking up sand in frint of my tank so i put them on the sides. I usually only have one on at 40% and keep the other off. Its enough for my needs every now and then i turn on the other one to mix it up. I have wxm on my apex so i will anti sync the pumps and see how that works. Id go with two mp40s over 2 mp10 for sure. Better mo40 on low than mp10s on high.

 

[1bitereefer]

I had two mp10s and they didn’t hold well. Some people have no problems i did. They would spin or fall off. Then i got two mp40s on back and they were kicking up sand in frint of my tank so i put them on the sides. I usually only have one on at 40% and keep the other off. Its enough for my needs every now and then i turn on the other one to mix it up. I have wxm on my apex so i will anti sync the pumps and see how that works. Id go with two mp40s over 2 mp10 for sure. Better mo40 on low than mp10s on high.

Makes a lot of sense

 

[1bitereefer]

I’m leaning towards this scape just need to fill in that gap on the right set of rocks with rubble, it’s not the highest but there is some nice shelf’s on there to place coral

 

[1bitereefer]

All of my equipment is in except my Deltec skimmer. (Shoutout @Battlecorals). Would it be okay to start the cycle without the skimmer? Or should I wait for the skimmer to come in?

 

[1bitereefer]

Just want to get some feed back on how you guys think this will work for cord management? The plan is to try to keep the stand clean and open to later possibly install a reactor, and a new ATO. I’m waiting on my Deltec skimmer but all other equipment is in, trying to get some feedback before I️ mount the Jebao powerhead controllers to the the price of wood. I️ also am trying not to screw into the stand.

J

 

[1bitereefer]

It’s WET! after many hours waiting for my RODI to make water and mixing salt, the tank is up to temp. I am cycling with Dr Tim’s one and only. I have dosed ammonia and put in the bottle of Dr Tim’s. Now just a waiting game. Will keep you posted on results. Again, I am taking it slow. I want to make sure the I do this right. So I’ll be taking my time before adding fish.

 

[Branespikin]

You didn’t put a GFI on that outlet?

 

[Branespikin]

Looks nice and clean. Get ready fir the uglies to start kicking in!

 

[1bitereefer]

I️ did not thought that outlet I️ had my buddy put on its own breaker. Should I️ add a gfi also?

 

[1bitereefer]

Looks nice and clean. Get ready fir the uglies to start kicking in!

Thanks, yeah I’m assuming they will kick in in a few days.

 

[Branespikin]

I️ did not thought that outlet I️ had my buddy put on its own breaker. Should I️ add a gfi also?

I think its the safe way to go man

 

[dj23bol]

I will be setting up my reefer 250 soon so I'm following this thread for inspiration, I'm looking forward to watching your tank grow

 

[1bitereefer]

I will be setting up my reefer 250 soon so I'm following this thread for inspiration, I'm looking forward to watching your tank grow

Thanks bud, if you have any questions feel free to ask. I’m not expert but I’m learning haha.

 

[1bitereefer]

Just wanted to give a long awaited update. I am still in the process of cycling my tank. I have been doing the Dr Foster and Smith and their Ammonia, Its been 3 weeks and still taking awhile to get the nitrite to nitrate. I am dosing 2ppm of ammonia and in 24 hours getting 0:ammonia 1:nitrate. Hoping another 10 days i should be able to add my first fish and coral but we’ll see. Will keep you guys posted on the cycling process and when i add my first livestock.

 

[1bitereefer]

Tank is cycled and my first fish and corals have been places in the tank. Stock list is a nuclear torch, teal hammer, moca clown and bullethole clown

 

[1bitereefer]

I have a question, during my fishless cycle, dosing dr Tim’s ammonia i was getting a little brown skimmate, now I’m getting none. All I’m getting is white clear skimmate. And not as much thick bubbles. Could it be that the bio load is so low? With only 2 small clowns and 2 LPS.

 

[Flameback Pair]

I have a question, during my fishless cycle, dosing dr Tim’s ammonia i was getting a little brown skimmate, now I’m getting none. All I’m getting is white clear skimmate. And not as much thick bubbles. Could it be that the bio load is so low? With only 2 small clowns and 2 LPS.

Yes with low bio-load. Surprised you're getting any skimmate at all, skimmer has to break in but need a bio-load to break-in skimmer. You can feed a boat load of food to boost bio-load and if you're worried about nutrient buildup just test for them and adjust accordingly. You also have water changes to adjust bio-load.

 

[Xandernfs]

I started my Reefer 250 not long before you and I am battling cyano at the moment. I think it is because my dry rock is leaching phosphates. So I'm not sure if you would want to feed a lot. Not saying that powers is wrong but it may drive up your PO4 and NO3 to an undesired level.

I'm currently at a 'lights out' stand still. I will turn them back on in about a week or so. I'm going out of town for Christmas for the weekend, so they don't need to be on anyways since I do not have any coral at the moment. Once I get back, I'm looking at a bonded pair of snowflake clowns and then finally getting some coral.

 

[Flameback Pair]

I started my Reefer 250 not long before you and I am battling cyano at the moment. I think it is because my dry rock is leaching phosphates. So I'm not sure if you would want to feed a lot. Not saying that powers is wrong but it may drive up your PO4 and NO3 to an undesired level.

I'm currently at a 'lights out' stand still. I will turn them back on in about a week or so. I'm going out of town for Christmas for the weekend, so they don't need to be on anyways since I do not have any coral at the moment. Once I get back, I'm looking at a bonded pair of snowflake clowns and then finally getting some coral.

Xander, you can still overfeed and control PO4 and NO3 at the same time. That is what test kits and water changes are for. This is the best time to break in a skimmer when you don't absolutely need it due to low number of livestock. You're going to have an Ammonia spike anyway, might as well test for it and the following Nitrate spike that follows. The extra feedings can take place of Dr. Tim's Ammonia for a bacterial jump start and jump start your skimmer too!!

Xander, do you have Pukani dry rock?