Gear for a Reefer 250

[kittenbritches]

Okay, y'all. Despite just getting my 40B emergency dealt with, I have decided to upgrade a skosh to a new Red Sea Reefer 250 (with the help of a generous reefer friend).

I'll need to buy a new skimmer and a return pump, and may want to look at upgrading a few other things.

If you were getting a new Reefer 250 (54 gal display, 65 gal total w/sump) today, what would your dream skimmer be, and what would your budget choice be?

Same question for return pumps.

There are a lot of options out there -- I'd love some help whittling choices down!

 

[Peace River]

One of the things that will separate the skimmers and the return pumps is whether the skimmer pump/return pump is AC or DC. Many people love the bells, whistles, and benefits that comes with DC (quieter, lower power consumption, extra adjustability, etc.) and others like the simplicity and lower cost that comes with AC pumps. Personally I have used Reef Octopus skimmers for over a decade and currently have 4 running on different systems. They have both AC and DC options and skimmers that are rated for different sized tanks, but that it not the only quality skimmer brand. Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[ks2509]

I have a varios return pump on my tank and it's silent. As far as skimmers I looked at them all. I ended up choosing the RO Regal 150 their track record and a lucky score from a local reefer made the choice easy.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I think the bubble mag is a well rated skimmer for that unit.

I just also got a rsr250 and am looking at upgrades. That seems to be a commonly appreciated one.

 

[ks2509]

How big is the skimmer chamber in that sump? Do you plan on alot of fish or just a few?

 

[kittenbritches]

How big is the skimmer chamber in that sump? Do you plan on alot of fish or just a few?

I believe it's 9.8" x 9.8"

EDIT: The skimmer chamber is 13.8”x9.8”.

I'm planning on 8-10 fish (mostly 3" and smaller, but a couple of wrasses).

 

[Grumblez]

I haven't bought it yet but I'm getting the new "Z Skimmer". I'm using the larger 3rd chamber for a fuge.

 

[dmy535]

Return pump: Varios
Skimmer: reef octopus

nice score on the 250! You’ll love it. Great tank

 

[Supa]

Okay, y'all. Despite just getting my 40B emergency dealt with, I have decided to upgrade a skosh to a new Red Sea Reefer 250 (with the help of a generous reefer friend).

I'll need to buy a new skimmer and a return pump, and may want to look at upgrading a few other things.

If you were getting a new Reefer 250 (54 gal display, 65 gal total w/sump) today, what would your dream skimmer be, and what would your budget choice be?

Same question for return pumps.

There are a lot of options out there -- I'd love some help whittling choices down!

I have Red Sea 250 and I use the varios s2 return pump no issues. NYOS quantum skimmer.

 

[BeMoto]

I've been happy with my vectra s2. I run it around 50% and is very quiet. My current set up is a Reefer 250...

 

[c.poindexter]

I was much happier with my old reef octopus that I was with my skimz skimmer. You could also look into a vectra return pump

 

[ks2509]

I believe it's 9.8" x 9.8"

I'm planning on 8-10 fish (mostly 3" and smaller, but a couple of wrasses).

At that size any skimmer you find for your tank size should fit. Nyos RO and bubble magus would all be great picks.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Bubble mag 7 .., durable and strong , dial in with no issues

Cor20 pump

 

[CrossXchaos]

Redsea rsk 300 skimmer and sicce 5.0 works good for me.

 

[RGoltz]

I just retired a DC skimmer and replaced it with a Nyos. I would say the Nyos “just works”, which is awesome. I wish I had bought the Nyos and a Vectra pump from the get-go.

 

[kittenbritches]

Redsea rsk 300 skimmer and sicce 5.0 works good for me.

I went with the RSK-300 and Sicce Synchra 6.0.

 

[blaxsun]

The Sicce SDC 6.0 while initially more expensive than the Sicce Silent 5.0, pays for itself in a year through electrical savings. Just something to consider.

 

[kittenbritches]

The Sicce SDC 6.0 while initially more expensive than the Sicce Silent 5.0, pays for itself in a year through electrical savings. Just something to consider.

That's the one I got.

 

[ZoWhat]

When it comes time to rebuy a new skimmer for me. Definitely Reef Octopus. Definitely one rated DOUBLE my water volume. Definitely know its going to run me close to 1-grand. But heck, my smartphone cost $1200

Can't beat an oversized skimmer. Defeats many many issues upfront before they even think about becoming problems.

The ability to wetskim using a 2x rated skimmer is pure reefing power. Lightning in a bottle

 

[Guttersnipe]

Please keep your Red Sea reefer 250 simple. Don’t go crazy with adding all sorts of gear in your cabinet. It’s not necessary.
I’m using sicce return pump, vertex skimmer, and tunze powerheads. Said equipment will run a very long time.
the only thing I modded was the ato. I turned that into a fuge.