Red Sea Reefer 250 Alaska Style!

[AKReefer01]

Hello, I am starting a new Red Sea Reefer 250 from Anchorage, Alaska. I thought it would be an interesting build due to the unique challenges of living at the top of the world.

To quickly outline some immediate challenges.
Zero Red Sea Dealers in Alaska. - I had to find a shipper to barge the Tank up from Seattle. - The Reefer 250 is still in transit.
To my knowledge, only a single LFS store in the entire state. - I would rate this store as fair. Three stars. I will have to purchase almost exclusively online. Livestock included.

My plan: I plan to completely follow the "WWC\BRS hybrid method" to set up a bare bottom SPS dominate Tank. I also want a highly automated, clean installation. I will have a water station two floors below with a RODI system and 2 Brute cans. I plan never to carry a bucket, so I have a long python hose for water changes. I hope that a Syncra 3.0 can pump up two floors. If not, I will find something that will.

I am starting with the WWC|BRS four-month lights off cycle. I was fortunate enough to find 50 pounds of 2+ year cured live rock that is currently in one of my Brute cans munching on a shrimp.

Here is the list of Current Gear
Red Sea
Reefer 250
2 Reefled 90 (will get a 3rd if needed)

Neptune Apex:
Controller
Auto Fish Feeder
Probe Rack
Display Module
COR-15 Return Pump

Tunze:
2 6055 NanoStream (Going to return for 2 additional MP 10)
Comline Wavebox 6208
NanoStream 6015 (sump circulation pump)
Osmolator Universal 3155 Auto Top Off

EcoTech Marine
2 MP10s ( Will have 4 total)

Reef Octopus
Essence S-130 Internal Protein Skimmer

Skimz
MBR127 Macroalgae Reactor

BRF
GFO and Carbon Reactor
7 Stage RODI system

XP Aqua
RO/DI Flood Guardian

Python
50FT No-Spill Clean & Fill

Sicce
Syncra Silent 3.0 Pump (Water Station pump + backup return for Tank)

LFS
50 Pounds 2+ year old live rock. (very happy with this find)
Still to come:
Apex dosing system
Trident -Marine Aquarium Water Analyzer (in the spirit of automation)
Chiller (No AC in Alaska and it does get warm in the summer.)


I am sure that I am forgetting some things, but I think this gets folks pretty caught up. I will provide an update once I have the Reefer 250 in hand.

 

[don_chuwish]

Heck of a start! Pumping up 2 floors will be far too much to ask of a Syncra 3.0. I’m not even sure what to recommend for that much head pressure.
But good luck with the build!

 

[BayouReefer]

Looking at 16 to 20 feet of head your going to need a much bigger pump. Keep us posted on what you end up using. Interesting build good luck

 

[Dr. Phil]

Welcome to R2R . It looks like you have the start of an epic build! I love the look of the RS Reefer tanks. Definitely following!

 

[AKReefer01]

Yeah, the location of the RODI station changed after I purchased that pump. I am going to look around for something bigger, used and hopefully inexpensive. I just need ~20ish gallons a week pumped up. I'll check and see if I can get lucky at the LFS.

 

[Barrnone]

I dont have mp10s but I know they are a stretch on the reefer 250 glass thickness. People are able to get them to work though.

With that much head pressure I would think an Iwaki or Pan World would probably be more up to the task.

 

[AKReefer01]

Thanks for the information! I had heard the same thing about the MP10s. I’ll just have to cross that bridge when I get there. Still working the water room pump issue. Think my LFS may have a used external pump that would serve.

The

I dont have mp10s but I know they are a stretch on the reefer 250 glass thickness. People are able to get them to work though.

With that much head pressure I would think an Iwaki or Pan World would probably be more up to the task.

Reefer 250 has made it to Seattle and should be on a boat heading up mid week. Looking forward to it’s arrival.

 

[Bossman]

I live in Michigan and really enjoy my tanks in the winter time. It's very relaxing to view my tanks while the snow falls outside. I can only imagine the contrast of a marine tank in the Alaska climate.

 

[Flameback Pair]

@AKReefer01 I agree with @Bossman we think we have some hard winters in the Northern tier of the lower 48 but nothing like Alaska! Great start, will be following.

 

[AKReefer01]

Update:

Tank arrived in good condition on Dec,12th. I spent as much time as I could over the weekend building the stand and installing electronics. My Clairsea 3000 was missing parts so I have returned it and ordered another. For now I have the sock in place.

I did some leak checks late last night. Today I plan to finish the cable routing, shim the low side, aquascape, fill the tank and complete the setup of the Apex.

Oh yeah, Elf on the Shelf apparently is fishing so I may or may not be aloud to Fill the tank tonight. We will see...

 

[don_chuwish]

You work fast!

 

[CasaReefer]

Hey Reefer, Welcome to R2R... Way to make a splash.. Looks awesome.. and the right gear.. First Class Set Up and you really did a very PRO install of your gear... Top Notch.. Can wait to see whats around the corner... Thanks for the Pics..

 

[AKReefer01]

Thanks for the encouragement!

I have water in the tank and most of the primary systems online. I am not very happy with the current aquascape and will continue to tweak it. The return still seems a bit loud but I am going to ignore that issue until the Clarisea comes in.

Thankfully I did not have any issues with the MP10s. The position of the controller represents the location of its pump in the tank. So top left controller on the board connects to the top left pump.
What is the preferred method of running these pumps? Through the Reeflink or Apex?

My plan is not to setup the skimmer, reactors, dousers or lights until the cycle is complete.

My next steps:
Recalibrate the salinity probe. Looks like several folks have had issues with that probe.
Get the Auto Top Off Online.
Find a second cabinet to house the reactors, dousing equipment and Auto Top off Reservoir.

I had my better 1/2 take a couple updated pics and short video.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hello, and #WelcimetoR2R . Stop by meet and greet if you want so we can get to know you.

I like your rock work. But I also like chicken spread from a can , so.....

now is the time to do the rock work. I always say set it up and leave it. Walk out of the room. Come in and out of the room for a day or 2 and look at the tank. Go with your instant reaction every time you look. If you look and right away you say that’s nice than cool, if you look and have to think about it than maybe rearrange.

If needed, call a rover to take you to the LFS for more rock and supplies. Isn’t rover the dog sled equivalent of a regular Uber down in the states?

Again , welcome glad you’re here.

 

[Flameback Pair]

@AKReefer01 glad to see you make it so far and successfully at this point. You mention a Tunze wavemaker in the first post and you say you'll trade it in. Do I see the controller for it in the post #10? Did you change you mind and decide to use it?

 

[rkny26]

I have my 250 fitted with Clarissa 3000. Best decision ever! If you plan to hook it directly to the drain pipe you will need to cut out the filter socks, so you may want to do all the plumbing before starting the cycle.

 

[SaltFishTV]

Another Reefer in Alaska! I’m up near North Pole, Alaska. More north than you . Welcome! I’m about to make a purchase of a 250 so I’ve been browsing around!

 

[AKReefer01]

Hey there! sorry for the delay in responding to this post. Been a very busy couple of months!

Updates on the system:

• I found a pump that would push water up from the call space to the third floor of our house. So I now have fully functional water station.
• Purchased a 32Gal BIO Cube to quarantine fish.
  • I have completed a 30 day quarantine of a set of clownfish. They are now in the 250.
  • Currently have a small Mystery Wrasse on day 5.
• Completed the plumbing of the Clarisea. As Rkny26 stated, I had to remove the first chamber of the sump. That was a major pain but it is completed.
• The 250 has been running for 2 months now. I am following the BRS\WWC method so I have a month to go before I turn the lights on.

Next Steps:

• I would like to have the Wrasse and 2 small tangs in the 250 before the lights come on so I am running a bit behind.
  • Need an additional quarantine tank to start some tangs.
• Purchase a dosing system. ( I am interested in ideas )
• Rent a PAR meter to setup the lights.

Another Reefer in Alaska! I’m up near North Pole, Alaska. More north than you . Welcome! I’m about to make a purchase of a 250 so I’ve been browsing around!

No dealers in Alaska but I do have a company that will get one to Anchorage for you. Let me know if you want the info.

I have my 250 fitted with Clarissa 3000. Best decision ever! If you plan to hook it directly to the drain pipe you will need to cut out the filter socks, so you may want to do all the plumbing before starting the cycle.

This worked great. Took a lot of time to get the glass out of the first chamber but it is done and working great.

@AKReefer01 glad to see you make it so far and successfully at this point. You mention a Tunze wavemaker in the first post and you say you'll trade it in. Do I see the controller for it in the post #10? Did you change you mind and decide to use it?

I returned the Tunze power heads that I had purchased for MP10's. I did this to remove the cords from inside the tank. The Tunze Auto Top Off and WaveMaker works perfect.


Again, sorry for the delay. I will work to keep you guys more up to date. Thanks!

I will post pics later tonight.

 

[AKReefer01]

Hey there! sorry for the delay in responding to this post. Been a very busy couple of months!

Updates on the system:

• I found a pump that would push water up from the call space to the third floor of our house. So I now have fully functional water station.
• Purchased a 32Gal BIO Cube to quarantine fish.
  • I have completed a 30 day quarantine of a set of clownfish. They are now in the 250.
  • Currently have a small Mystery Wrasse on day 5.
• Completed the plumbing of the Clarisea. As Rkny26 stated, I had to remove the first chamber of the sump. That was a major pain but it is completed.
• The 250 has been running for 2 months now. I am following the BRS\WWC method so I have a month to go before I turn the lights on.

Next Steps:

• I would like to have the Wrasse and 2 small tangs in the 250 before the lights come on so I am running a bit behind.
  • Need an additional quarantine tank to start some tangs.
• Purchase a dosing system. ( I am interested in ideas )
• Rent a PAR meter to setup the lights.

No dealers in Alaska but I do have a company that will get one to Anchorage for you. Let me know if you want the info.



This worked great. Took a lot of time to get the glass out of the first chamber but it is done and working great.



I returned the Tunze power heads that I had purchased for MP10's. I did this to remove the cords from inside the tank. The Tunze Auto Top Off and WaveMaker works perfect.


Again, sorry for the delay. I will work to keep you guys more up to date. Thanks!

I will post pics later tonight.

 

[Flameback Pair]

@AKReefer01 how about a FTS and an update?