Dark Seas Reefer 250

OctaviusBrine · May 6, 2023

So I’ve finally decided to start a build thread. I’m not very computer savvy but I’m pretty stoked with the way my tank has been goin. Figured I’d share the progress. These were the beginning stages of the tank. It started off with filter socks pretty standard set up. I did switch to a fleece roller awesome investment btw. I took some established rocks from my other tank to start the cycle.

OctaviusBrine · May 6, 2023

I have since added to it with a new scape keeping some old rock still in the tank to keep the uglies down. Made some organizing changes since room is tight. Added the apex as I work away a lot. Man I have a love hate relationship with it they are great when they work. But idk if it’s me but I got so many parts bad right out of the box kinda sad since there stuff is so spendy.

OctaviusBrine · May 6, 2023

Living in alaska makes it super hard getting anything that’s for sure. From hardware to fish to coral. We have one specialty store an hour away from we’re I live and a petco pretty close but they can no longer keep their saltwater fish alive. So now they don’t even sell saltwater fish anymore. Shipping here is no fun either if anyone will actually ship. I did make a home aid co2 recirculating system using the silencer which works rather well.

OctaviusBrine · Jan 4, 2024

A lot of changes have happened since I last posted. I have made a new cabinet for hardware, added a gyre and kalk stirrer, trigger ato container, Red Sea ato, upgraded to the D/C controller for my skimmer. Plus a lot more coral.

Current fish.
2 red firefish
1 flame hawk fish
1 mandarin goby
3 lyre tail anthias
1 yellow tang
1 tuxedo urchin
2 fighting conch snails
Bumble bee snails
Halloween crabs
And other misc snails

Corals
2 green birdsnest
Red monti cap
Space invader challice
Raja rampage chalice. Which I don’t believe
Sunset monti
Green Indo torch
Purple torch
Dragon soul torch
Freezer burn torch
Green hammer
A few different shrooms
Pink and purple blastos
Multiple zoas
Button scoly
Green and pink/red trachy
Duncan
Krptonite candy canes
Gsp
Cactus coral
Galaxy
2 acans
Dragon soul Favia
Finger toadstool

Acros
Pink Cadillac
Multi color didgi
Blucatchu
Bill Murray
Razmataz
Sticky fingers
psychopath
Frankenberry
Powerball
Chemical change
Climate change
Haley berry
Golden shag
Random green acro

Next on the list is to get rid of the worthless Red Sea diaphragm valve and install a gate valve.

kevgib67 · Jan 4, 2024

Wow, very nice! That dragon soul torch is popping.

OctaviusBrine · Jan 4, 2024

kevgib67 said:
Wow, very nice! That dragon soul torch is popping.

Thanks! I’m happy with my lps they are happy and doing well. I’m just waiting on my acros to do something other than encrust.

00W · Jan 25, 2024

OctaviusBrine said:
A lot of changes have happened since I last posted. I have made a new cabinet for hardware, added a gyre and kalk stirrer, trigger ato container, Red Sea ato, upgraded to the D/C controller for my skimmer. Plus a lot more coral.

Current fish.
2 red firefish
1 flame hawk fish
1 mandarin goby
3 lyre tail anthias
1 yellow tang
1 tuxedo urchin
2 fighting conch snails
Bumble bee snails
Halloween crabs
And other misc snails

Corals
2 green birdsnest
Red monti cap
Space invader challice
Raja rampage chalice. Which I don’t believe
Sunset monti
Green Indo torch
Purple torch
Dragon soul torch
Freezer burn torch
Green hammer
A few different shrooms
Pink and purple blastos
Multiple zoas
Button scoly
Green and pink/red trachy
Duncan
Krptonite candy canes
Gsp
Cactus coral
Galaxy
2 acans
Dragon soul Favia
Finger toadstool

Acros
Pink Cadillac
Multi color didgi
Blucatchu
Bill Murray
Razmataz
Sticky fingers
psychopath
Frankenberry
Powerball
Chemical change
Climate change
Haley berry
Golden shag
Random green acro

Next on the list is to get rid of the worthless Red Sea diaphragm valve and install a gate valve.

The colors in here are incredible.

OctaviusBrine · Jan 25, 2024

00W said:
The colors in here are incredible.

Wow thanks! I swear it’s a lot more work than it ever used to be. Back in the day it was just remembering to turn on and off your light.

Gumbies R Us · Jan 25, 2024

OctaviusBrine said:
A lot of changes have happened since I last posted. I have made a new cabinet for hardware, added a gyre and kalk stirrer, trigger ato container, Red Sea ato, upgraded to the D/C controller for my skimmer. Plus a lot more coral.

Current fish.
2 red firefish
1 flame hawk fish
1 mandarin goby
3 lyre tail anthias
1 yellow tang
1 tuxedo urchin
2 fighting conch snails
Bumble bee snails
Halloween crabs
And other misc snails

Corals
2 green birdsnest
Red monti cap
Space invader challice
Raja rampage chalice. Which I don’t believe
Sunset monti
Green Indo torch
Purple torch
Dragon soul torch
Freezer burn torch
Green hammer
A few different shrooms
Pink and purple blastos
Multiple zoas
Button scoly
Green and pink/red trachy
Duncan
Krptonite candy canes
Gsp
Cactus coral
Galaxy
2 acans
Dragon soul Favia
Finger toadstool

Acros
Pink Cadillac
Multi color didgi
Blucatchu
Bill Murray
Razmataz
Sticky fingers
psychopath
Frankenberry
Powerball
Chemical change
Climate change
Haley berry
Golden shag
Random green acro

Next on the list is to get rid of the worthless Red Sea diaphragm valve and install a gate valve.

Tank is looking great!

OctaviusBrine · Feb 5, 2024

Trying to get better coverage I added a 30” blade. Let’s see how it goes. Can anyone figure out what my diy brackets are made out of.

This guy came by this morning a little bull moose. I guess he wanted to check it out too.

tuscani · Feb 21, 2024

Awesome!!!

tuscani · Feb 21, 2024

What frag rack are you using?

OctaviusBrine · Feb 21, 2024

tuscani said:
What frag rack are you using?

Just some cheap Amazon suction cup frag racks my wife bought me for Christmas a few years ago. they work alright. I’d rather have some magnetic ones. It would make scrapping the glass easier.

Abyzter · Feb 22, 2024

OctaviusBrine said:
So I’ve finally decided to start a build thread. I’m not very computer savvy but I’m pretty stoked with the way my tank has been goin. Figured I’d share the progress. These were the beginning stages of the tank. It started off with filter socks pretty standard set up. I did switch to a fleece roller awesome investment btw. I took some established rocks from my other tank to start the cycle.

I'm excited to see how your tank turns out!

Undecidedmn · Feb 26, 2024

This tank setup is beautiful. I have a Red Sea Reefer 250 v3 I neglected that I am redoing. I would love to see your equipment list and how you set everything up.

OctaviusBrine · Feb 26, 2024

Undecidedmn said:
This tank setup is beautiful. I have a Red Sea Reefer 250 v3 I neglected that I am redoing. I would love to see your equipment list and how you set everything up.

Sure thing I have some In My aquarium showcase I believe but I’ll give you the run down.

Mp40
Reef wave 25
Nero 3
Various 2 return with cable into apex for more control since I replaced Red Sea valve for gate valve.
Dose for 2 part
Apex pro
Trident
Versa pump for kalk stirrer
Avast kalk stirrer
RSK 300 with dc controller
Trigger ato
Red Sea ato pump
36” Ai grow blade
2 radion XR 15 blues
Coral twist uv sterilizer
Co2 recirculating scrubber

I think that’s about it let me know if you want other specifics.

Undecidedmn · Feb 26, 2024

My tank has a Tunze ATO. Separate refugium. Cor 15 return. Two Reefi Duo lights. 2 Nero 3s. Bubble Curve 5 smikker. Apex controller. Trident is in the shop and Neptune Dos are off. Tank just has fish and I have been fighting a bubble algae outbreak. I do not want to killed hidden snails and crabs, but I am almost going to take all rock out and due a peroxide treatment on all of it to kill it off.

Planning within the next week to replace the dang diaphragm valve. Won't hold for more than an hour.

OctaviusBrine · Feb 26, 2024

Undecidedmn said:
My tank has a Tunze ATO. Separate refugium. Cor 15 return. Two Reefi Duo lights. 2 Nero 3s. Bubble Curve 5 smikker. Apex controller. Trident is in the shop and Neptune Dos are off. Tank just has fish and I have been fighting a bubble algae outbreak. I do not want to killed hidden snails and crabs, but I am almost going to take all rock out and due a peroxide treatment on all of it to kill it off.

Planning within the next week to replace the dang diaphragm valve. Won't hold for more than an hour.

Sounds like you got a good set up. I have mixed feelings on apex equipment it’s great when it works.

Bubble algae is the worst. I have some I have tried emeralds a few times with no luck. Now I just manually remove about once a week. I have wanted to try the pytho crabs heard they work. My fox face eats it in my other tank. The 250 is too small for one though.

Yeah the diaphragm valve is worthless. It’s the best thing I have done to the tank yet. It has made the stress level drop completely. I would wake up to my return pumping air.