All hands on deck with Redsea Reefer 250

mosash · Jul 23, 2018

Got a great deal on a Redsea Reefer 250. Cleaned it out using vinegar and currently leak testing the tank/plumbing using the return pump. Looking to begin cycling by next weekend. Below are items I received with the tank and additional items I'd like to purchase plus some questions. Let me know what you guys think, I appreciate the feedback! I have lots of questions and topics to discuss and I'm not sure if I should put it all in one thread or to comb through all discussions and post to specific threads. I'll try both...

Current equipment (came with tank):
Return Pump - Jebao DCP 6500 (with controller)
Skimmer - Bubble Magus Curve 5
Lights - 2 AI Prime
Media Reactor - AquaTop MR-20
Filter socks
APEX system with temp probe

Items to purchase:
Wavemakers - Thinking MP40
Heater - Haven't decided yet
Substrate - Caribsea fiji pink sand
Rock - Caribsea life rock
Filter Cups - Replacing the filter socks
APEX Probes - Salinity and pH
Mesh Lid - A used acrylic one made for the 250 would be great (top lids, etc.)

Questions:

1. Where should I have the return pump dialed in? I currently have it at a speed of 54% using up 20 watts. The controller allows me to increase speed in increments of 1% ranging between 30%-100%.

2. When should I start the skimmer? I was told from another reefer to have it started during the cycling process so it's broken/dialed in by the time cycling is complete.

3. What should I put in the media reactor? I'm thinking of starting this up once there is a bioload.

4. Can someone provide some good lighting schedules for the 2 AI Prime's. I'm looking to slowly begin with some lps/soft corals maybe after 4-6 months.

5. What are your thoughts on Caribsea life rock?

6. What are your thoughts on not doing crushed coral for substrate and sticking to Caribsea fiji pink sand?

7. What do you recommend for the filter cups?

8. I plan on eventually setting up a fuge, maybe converting the ato to a fuge as some of the reefers have done. Not sure how I'll plan to have water flow in and out of it. Wondering if I can add a bigger ato to the right of the sump and keep it at the same height to continue the gravity fed ato idea.

I know this is all a lot, again, I value everyone's input!

HotRocks · Jul 23, 2018

mosash said:
Got a great deal on a Redsea Reefer 250. Cleaned it out using vinegar and currently leak testing the tank/plumbing using the return pump. Looking to begin cycling by next weekend. Below are items I received with the tank and additional items I'd like to purchase plus some questions. Let me know what you guys think, I appreciate the feedback! I have lots of questions and topics to discuss and I'm not sure if I should put it all in one thread or to comb through all discussions and post to specific threads. I'll try both...

Current equipment (came with tank):
Return Pump - Jebao DCP 6500 (with controller)
Skimmer - Bubble Magus Curve 5
Lights - 2 AI Prime
Media Reactor - AquaTop MR-20
Filter socks
APEX system with temp probe

Items to purchase:
Wavemakers - Thinking MP40
Heater - Haven't decided yet
Substrate - Caribsea fiji pink sand
Rock - Caribsea life rock
Filter Cups - Replacing the filter socks
APEX Probes - Salinity and pH
Mesh Lid - A used acrylic one made for the 250 would be great (top lids, etc.)

Questions:

1. Where should I have the return pump dialed in? I currently have it at a speed of 54% using up 20 watts. The controller allows me to increase speed in increments of 1% ranging between 30%-100%.

2. When should I start the skimmer? I was told from another reefer to have it started during the cycling process so it's broken/dialed in by the time cycling is complete.

3. What should I put in the media reactor? I'm thinking of starting this up once there is a bioload.

4. Can someone provide some good lighting schedules for the 2 AI Prime's. I'm looking to slowly begin with some lps/soft corals maybe after 4-6 months.

5. What are your thoughts on Caribsea life rock?

6. What are your thoughts on not doing crushed coral for substrate and sticking to Caribsea fiji pink sand?

7. What do you recommend for the filter cups?

8. I plan on eventually setting up a fuge, maybe converting the ato to a fuge as some of the reefers have done. Not sure how I'll plan to have water flow in and out of it. Wondering if I can add a bigger ato to the right of the sump and keep it at the same height to continue the gravity fed ato idea.

I know this is all a lot, again, I value everyone's input!

Welcome to R2R, tons of helpful people here!!!

1. Where should I have the return pump dialed in? I currently have it at a speed of 54% using up 20 watts. The controller allows me to increase speed in increments of 1% ranging between 30%-100%.

This Will Depend on how fast you want to turn the tank volume over. There are several theories here and you will get answers all across the board. I started with mine on 50% and it has worked great for me.

2. When should I start the skimmer? I was told from another reefer to have it started during the cycling process so it's broken/dialed in by the time cycling is complete.

I started mine the day I fired up my tank. I did use live rock and had some coral that I had been keeping in rubbermaid bins for about 60 days.

3. What should I put in the media reactor? I'm thinking of starting this up once there is a bioload.

Depends on what you are trying to accomplish with it. I run GAC and GFO. Considering changing my GAC Reactor to Bio Pellet Reactor and Using the GAC in bags in return area.

4. Can someone provide some good lighting schedules for the 2 AI Prime's. I'm looking to slowly begin with some lps/soft corals maybe after 4-6 months.

I have AI's on all of my tanks. I use pretty much 8-10 hrs of on time, ramping up and down for 2 hrs each. This again is another one that you will get answers across the board as far as how people run them. Key is once you pick a setting leave it there, corals take sometimes up to 30 days to adjust to lighting changes.

5. What are your thoughts on Caribsea life rock?

No Experience with it, I purchased all live rock from local hobbyists when I started my tanks.

6. What are your thoughts on not doing crushed coral for substrate and sticking to Caribsea fiji pink sand?

I love caribsea FIJI pink, it does come in very dirty and needs rinsed well with RODI Water.

7. What do you recommend for the filter cups?

I don't use them...

8. I plan on eventually setting up a fuge, maybe converting the ato to a fuge as some of the reefers have done. Not sure how I'll plan to have water flow in and out of it. Wondering if I can add a bigger ato to the right of the sump and keep it at the same height to continue the gravity fed ato idea.

Sky is the limit, whatever you can fit/come up with should be fine. I use the ATO that comes with the tanks and have to top off every 3-5 days. I am considering plumbing my RO line directly to my 750XXL and adding a float switch to the ATO Reservoir.

Hopefully this is of some help! Happy Reefing!

Flameback Pair · Jul 23, 2018

Do you have your Jebao connected to your Apex?

HotRocks · Jul 23, 2018

I'm simplistic. I don't own an Apex.

I do however have a ghl doser I'm soon to add.

mosash · Jul 23, 2018

HotRocks said:
Welcome to R2R, tons of helpful people here!!!

1. Where should I have the return pump dialed in? I currently have it at a speed of 54% using up 20 watts. The controller allows me to increase speed in increments of 1% ranging between 30%-100%.

This Will Depend on how fast you want to turn the tank volume over. There are several theories here and you will get answers all across the board. I started with mine on 50% and it has worked great for me.

2. When should I start the skimmer? I was told from another reefer to have it started during the cycling process so it's broken/dialed in by the time cycling is complete.

I started mine the day I fired up my tank. I did use live rock and had some coral that I had been keeping in rubbermaid bins for about 60 days.

3. What should I put in the media reactor? I'm thinking of starting this up once there is a bioload.

Depends on what you are trying to accomplish with it. I run GAC and GFO. Considering changing my GAC Reactor to Bio Pellet Reactor and Using the GAC in bags in return area.

4. Can someone provide some good lighting schedules for the 2 AI Prime's. I'm looking to slowly begin with some lps/soft corals maybe after 4-6 months.

I have AI's on all of my tanks. I use pretty much 8-10 hrs of on time, ramping up and down for 2 hrs each. This again is another one that you will get answers across the board as far as how people run them. Key is once you pick a setting leave it there, corals take sometimes up to 30 days to adjust to lighting changes.

5. What are your thoughts on Caribsea life rock?

No Experience with it, I purchased all live rock from local hobbyists when I started my tanks.

6. What are your thoughts on not doing crushed coral for substrate and sticking to Caribsea fiji pink sand?

I love caribsea FIJI pink, it does come in very dirty and needs rinsed well with RODI Water.

7. What do you recommend for the filter cups?

I don't use them...

8. I plan on eventually setting up a fuge, maybe converting the ato to a fuge as some of the reefers have done. Not sure how I'll plan to have water flow in and out of it. Wondering if I can add a bigger ato to the right of the sump and keep it at the same height to continue the gravity fed ato idea.

Sky is the limit, whatever you can fit/come up with should be fine. I use the ATO that comes with the tanks and have to top off every 3-5 days. I am considering plumbing my RO line directly to my 750XXL and adding a float switch to the ATO Reservoir.

Hopefully this is of some help! Happy Reefing!

1. Does the Redsea weir function mess with flow?

3. What's GAC? Why are you going away from GFO to biopellets?

4. Can you send me your AI settings? Thanks

6. Isn't the Caribsea fiji sand a live sand, so, I shouldn't I be rinsing it?

mosash · Jul 23, 2018

HotRocks said:
I'm simplistic. I don't own an Apex.

I do however have a ghl doser I'm soon to add.

I wasn't planning on using the Apex but the seller gave me an offer I couldn't reject! He was moving and needed to get rid of everything asap.

HotRocks · Jul 23, 2018

mosash said:
1. Does the Redsea weir function mess with flow?

3. What's GAC? Why are you going away from GFO to biopellets?

4. Can you send me your AI settings? Thanks

6. Isn't the Caribsea fiji sand a live sand, so, I shouldn't I be rinsing it?

Red Sea flow is completely adjustable. Very easy takes 5 minutes.

GAC is carbon. I'm not removing it. Just going to put it in a bag in the filter sock area (high flow) then using reactor for pellets for nitrate reduction. I will keep my GFO running.

I will look into sending you my settings. You just want a screenshot of my timeline?

I think there are websites where you can download presets.

@4FordFamily set up all my lighting cycles.

HotRocks · Jul 23, 2018

Oh the sand. I use the dry version in QT for Wrasses. It's what's dirty. If using live no need to rinse.

Flameback Pair · Jul 23, 2018

GAC = granular activated carbon

mosash · Jul 23, 2018

HotRocks said:
Red Sea flow is completely adjustable. Very easy takes 5 minutes.

GAC is carbon. I'm not removing it. Just going to put it in a bag in the filter sock area (high flow) then using reactor for pellets for nitrate reduction. I will keep my GFO running.

I will look into sending you my settings. You just want a screenshot of my timeline?

I think there are websites where you can download presets.

@4FordFamily set up all my lighting cycles.

This is all new to me. I think a screenshot may not be sufficient for my experience level haha. Any links to those websites with the downloadable presets?