(baktabiznis) Red Sea Reefer 250 Build

baktabiznis · Mar 28, 2017

So after leaving the hobby for the 2nd time all within 2 years I am back for good...This will be my third system but I have actually never ran a system for more than 5 months.

So in a last minute impulse I decided to go with a Red Sea Reefer 250 over a Deep Blue 57 rimless w/ Deep Blue stand. I have had Deep Blue tanks in the past and have had good and bad experiences with them but the DB stands are a little flimsy.

With my current schedule it's going to be tuff to find time to do all that is needed so this will definetly be a slow process!

----------Current Equipment-------------------------(* Denotes waiting on delivery)

Display - Red Sea Reefer 57
Stand - White Red Sea Reefer
Sump - Standard Reefer
Return - Jebao DCP Sine Wave Water Return Pump (DCP-5000)
Power Heads - 2x Jebao PP-4 530-1000 GPH Wavemaker with Controller
Substrate - Tropic Eden Reefflakes Aragonite Sand - 30lb*
Rock - CaribSea Life Rock 40lbs
Also, MarinePure Media Block (8x8x1)
RO/DI - BFS Buckeye Field and Supple (75GPD)
Controller - Neptune Apex Jr. w/ALD Module & 2x Sensors*

--------Equipment Needed---------------------------- (Please comment and recommend, I'm still debating on all equipment listed below)

Skimmer - Vertex 150
Lights - 2x Hydra 26 HD
Plumbing - Schedule 40 PVC w/ Flow Valves (only for return to incorporate reactor)

-----------Things I need 2 do------------
Aquascape
Add sand
Install in stand lighting (LED Strip?)
Mount Apex (install a false wall for an electrical panel)
Plumb return using schedule 40 PVC
Adjust doors (crooked, lol)

baktabiznis · Mar 28, 2017

Red Sea really makes a nice cabinet. I didn't realize I would have to assemble the stand until I picked the system up. The stand feels really solid!

stevo01 · Mar 28, 2017

baktabiznis said:
So after leaving the hobby for the 2nd time all within 2 years I am back for good...This will be my third system but I have actually never ran a system for more than 5 months.

So in a last minute impulse I decided to go with a Red Sea Reefer 250 over a Deep Blue 57 rimless w/ Deep Blue stand. I have had Deep Blue tanks in the past and have had good and bad experiences with them but the DB stands are a little flimsy.

With my current schedule it's going to be tuff to find time to do all that is needed so this will definetly be a slow process!

----------Current Equipment-------------------------(* Denotes waiting on delivery)

Display - Red Sea Reefer 57
Stand - White Red Sea Reefer
Sump - Standard Reefer
Return - Jebao DCP Sine Wave Water Return Pump (DCP-5000)
Power Heads - 2x Jebao PP-4 530-1000 GPH Wavemaker with Controller
Substrate - Tropic Eden Reefflakes Aragonite Sand - 30lb*
Rock - CaribSea Life Rock 40lbs
Also, MarinePure Media Block (8x8x1)
RO/DI - BFS Buckeye Field and Supple (75GPD)
Controller - Neptune Apex Jr. w/ALD Module & 2x Sensors*

--------Equipment Needed---------------------------- (Please comment and recommend, I'm still debating on all equipment listed below)

Skimmer - Vertex 150
Lights - 2x Hydra 26 HD
Plumbing - Schedule 40 PVC w/ Flow Valves (only for return to incorporate reactor)

-----------Things I need 2 do------------
Aquascape
Add sand
Install in stand lighting (LED Strip?)
Mount Apex (install a false wall for an electrical panel)
Plumb return using schedule 40 PVC
Adjust doors (crooked, lol)

I love the way they package their setups! Congratulations and good luck!

baktabiznis · Mar 28, 2017

It's really a simple plug and play system but leaves the room for customization.

baktabiznis · Mar 28, 2017

stevo01 said:
I love the way they package their setups! Congratulations and good luck!

Thanks. Yeah, Red Sea really does a good job with the reefer series.

baktabiznis · Mar 28, 2017

So after a 48 leak test I filled the system with RO/DI and added salt. The glass on these tanks are crystal clear!!

baktabiznis · Mar 28, 2017

I ordered 40lbs of CaribSea Life Rock from PetMountain at a great price!!! It arrive packaged really good and the color on the rock is great!!

ReefQueen · Mar 28, 2017

Great start! I also just set up a red sea and I was very impressed with how sturdy the stand was considered you build it yourself. Do the reefers not come with plumbing? Have any areas on a stocking list yet?

baktabiznis · Mar 28, 2017

ReefQueen said:
Great start! I also just set up a red sea and I was very impressed with how sturdy the stand was considered you build it yourself. Do the reefers not come with plumbing? Have any areas on a stocking list yet?

Yes all Reefers come with all required plumbing. Its all PVC except for the return, which is a 3/4" green vinyl tubing. I plan on hard plumbing the return using PVC so I can incorporate a manifold for reactors, easy water changes, ex...

Potential Stocking list:
2x Picasso clowns
Starcki Damsel
Flame Angel
Potters Angel
Chevron or Purple Tang

baktabiznis · Mar 28, 2017

Reef Flakes should be arriving tomorrow so I plan on trying to aquascape late tonight. I really don't want a lot of rock in this system. I want to leave room for SPS and Fish to swim in the open. I will post some pic's tonight.

baktabiznis · Mar 30, 2017

Reef flakes arrived. I really like the train size and the pink flakes!!!

baktabiznis · Mar 30, 2017

Finished inatalling the stand lighting which is a led strip.

baktabiznis · Mar 30, 2017

marito09 · Apr 5, 2017

baktabiznis said:
Yes all Reefers come with all required plumbing. Its all PVC except for the return, which is a 3/4" green vinyl tubing. I plan on hard plumbing the return using PVC so I can incorporate a manifold for reactors, easy water changes, ex...

Potential Stocking list:
2x Picasso clowns
Starcki Damsel
Flame Angel
Potters Angel
Chevron or Purple Tang

I have the same tank and I was thinking on hard plumbing the return as well. I have a jebao DPC 6500 but I have no idea what I need to hard plumb (with space for 1 reactor) to the return of the reefer 250. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks! Great build btw!

baktabiznis · Apr 5, 2017

marito09 said:
I have the same tank and I was thinking on hard plumbing the return as well. I have a jebao DPC 6500 but I have no idea what I need to hard plumb (with space for 1 reactor) to the return of the reefer 250. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks! Great build btw!

Thanks!!!

The DCP 6500 might be a little too overpowering. I know with my DCP 5000 the systen runs the quietest on the lowest setting, otherwise I get a gurgling sound. Allthough if you are going to hard plum with PVC and incorporate a reactor you should be ok. I can't find the post right now but there is some information out there about the fitting size that will directly screw into the drain of the reefer and replace the barbed section of the return.

The Practical Reefer · Apr 5, 2017

Hey tank looks awesome I am also thinking about getting into the reefing hobby and looking at the 250, what was the total cost of the setup not including the live rock just the dry setup. Thanks

stevo01 · Apr 5, 2017

I agree about the size of the return pump. Jebao is overpowered. Maybe with a reactor you'll be ok. I have a DTC 8000 on my Reffer 525XL, and it's currently way more than what is needed, but I plan on installing 3 reactors. It's currently set on 1 and is still a little too much.

revhtree · Apr 5, 2017

Looking great!

baktabiznis · Apr 5, 2017

revhtree said:
Looking great!

thanks!

baktabiznis · Apr 5, 2017

The Practical Reefer said:
Hey tank looks awesome I am also thinking about getting into the reefing hobby and looking at the 250, what was the total cost of the setup not including the live rock just the dry setup. Thanks

I paid $1350 for the Red Sea Reefer 250 at a local LFS. The white stand usually runs a little more then the black stand. The DCP 5000 was $90 and the PP4's were $50 each.