Red Sea Reefer 250 - Build Feedback

[mtdaly85]

Hello all,

I'm considering purchasing a Red Sea Reefer 250 in the very near future. Here is what I'm considering:

Red Sea Reefer 250 Deluxe
Syncra Silent 3.5 Pump (660 GPH)
EcoTech MP10wQP x 2
2 x Eheim Jager Heaters
50 lbs of BRS Reef Saver Dry Live Rock
40 lbs (won't use it all) Special Grade Arag-Alive
Deltec 600IX (AC power) Skimmer

I'm pretty confident in most of the build, but I was looking for feedback on the return pump and the lighting. Should I go with a smart-pump (controllable with a phone, controller, etc.)? Should I ditch the default AI Hydra 26HD lights and go with a Nanobox Quad? Kessil 700?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Scurvy]

I might re-think the MP-10’s. I used one on mine for the first year or so but couldn’t run it over 70ish% without the magnet losing its grip and falling off... Glass is a touch too thick for a solid hold.

No experience with any of your other choices but it’s all known to be good equipment. I might go a little bigger on the return pump but that’s my preference. I feel like you never quite get what the manufacturer states you will especially after it gets a little dirty. I use a VarioS2 at full speed now but had been using a Jaebo DCP 8000 at about half power before it failed.

 

[Zotch]

Up the return pump and look into other power heads. I would go with pukani rock and make sure you rinse your sand, Whatever bacteria they put in it is not worth the cloudy water whenever it is disturbed.

 

[mtdaly85]

Up the return pump and look into other power heads. I would go with pukani rock and make sure you rinse your sand, Whatever bacteria they put in it is not worth the cloudy water whenever it is disturbed.

I was wondering about the pukani rock... seems like it’s a better answer than the reef saver. I like the look of both.

What powerheads? What if I went with 2x MP40wQD?

I’ll go with a better return. Any recommendations? Recommended GPH?

 

[Zotch]

I'm going to get a Varios 4 pump with mine, after head pressure loss it should be in a good range.. I am looking into power heads that you can angle and hook up to my Apex like

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sicce-xstream-e-variable-dc-wave-pump-powerhead-800-2250-gph.html
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/octo-pulse-2-wave-pump-reef-octopus.html

The MP's are nice but I don't like the dry side looking like headphones on the tank and putting them in back is not optimal since you can't aim them.

I have had both pukani and reef saver rock. I could chisel the pukani A LOT easier to create the scape I wanted, plus it's MUCH lighter then reef saver. You just have to cure the Pukani longer as it comes with crud in it but it's worth the wait time.

 

[mtdaly85]

I'm going to get a Varios 4 pump with mine, after head pressure loss it should be in a good range.. I am looking into power heads that you can angle and hook up to my Apex like

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sicce-xstream-e-variable-dc-wave-pump-powerhead-800-2250-gph.html
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/octo-pulse-2-wave-pump-reef-octopus.html

The MP's are nice but I don't like the dry side looking like headphones on the tank and putting them in back is not optimal since you can't aim them.

I have had both pukani and reef saver rock. I could chisel the pukani A LOT easier to create the scape I wanted, plus it's MUCH lighter then reef saver. You just have to cure the Pukani longer as it comes with crud in it but it's worth the wait time.

I'm going to go with the Varios 4 as well. The Syncra 3.5 is just barely strong enough to meet the 250 requirements.

Also going to go with 2 x Tunze Nanostream 6055 powerheads in place of the MP10 (or MP40 based upon feedback in this thread). It moves just as much water and its less than half the price.

 

[Zotch]

I'm going to go with the Varios 4 as well. The Syncra 3.5 is just barely strong enough to meet the 250 requirements.

Also going to go with 2 x Tunze Nanostream 6055 powerheads in place of the MP10 (or MP40 based upon feedback in this thread). It moves just as much water and its less than half the price.

The Tunze are nice also. Good choice

 

[gobble]

I had two MP10's on my Reefer 250 and had no problem at all with the magnets not being strong enough. They did well, SPS looked great in that tank until I moved to a larger tank.

 

[DarthSimon]

No Issues with MP10's on my Reefer 250...

 

[HolisticBear]

Another vote for the Varios 4 if budget allows, it is silent. But I don't have a negative word on the Syncra, it may be a solid choice.

On the MP10s, consider if you're going to mount them on the back wall. And if so, allow enough room behind the tank for placement. You may want the tank flush against the wall, just consider it before you place it. With a nice return pump, I don't think two MP10s are insufficient. On the plus side, they don't need as much maintenance and some people LOVE the no cord in the tank look. I personally prefer the gyre, but it requires more mainteance for sure (monthly cleaning).

I quite like the AI Hydra lights. They are easy to program and work well. Some may prefer the Kessil, but you're already paying for the Hydras. I would live with them for awhile. They are solid.

 

[clk51212]

I’m running a jeabo dcp 6500 on a reefer 350 dead silent been running 8 months no issues at all

 

[devin]

I would look into the gyre 230’s. I run 2 on my 250 on the back wall on the sides of the over flow.

Also look into the vca random flow adaptor for the tank with the drop adapter, buy you will want to install a check valve for sure. I run 2 radions 15’s for lighting. Unless your going with the model that includes lights then the hydras are fine. Remember you can buy the tank with or without lights.

Also the 250 is kinda a pain to aquascape so I would pick up extra rock or maybe at a box of stax’s to your order.

 

[Flameback Pair]

@mtdaly85 I wouldn't go with the deluxe. It has holes drilled in the glass to mount the Hydras. Can't remove them and add other lights.

 

[mosash]

I’m running a jeabo dcp 6500 on a reefer 350 dead silent been running 8 months no issues at all

I got the Jebao DCP 6500 for my RSR 250. What do you have yours set at?

 

[Gary Jaz]

I'm going to go with the Varios 4 as well. The Syncra 3.5 is just barely strong enough to meet the 250 requirements.

Also going to go with 2 x Tunze Nanostream 6055 powerheads in place of the MP10 (or MP40 based upon feedback in this thread). It moves just as much water and its less than half the price.

Just ordered a Varios 4 and a single Tunze 6055 today for my 250.

 

[clabern]

I would look into the gyre 230’s. I run 2 on my 250 on the back wall on the sides of the over flow.

Also look into the vca random flow adaptor for the tank with the drop adapter, buy you will want to install a check valve for sure. I run 2 radions 15’s for lighting. Unless your going with the model that includes lights then the hydras are fine. Remember you can buy the tank with or without lights.

Also the 250 is kinda a pain to aquascape so I would pick up extra rock or maybe at a box of stax’s to your order.

Hey there - random older post, but hoping you can help me out. You mentioned here you ran 2 Gyre 230's on the back wall of your 250, do you still have the tank/this placement? I just started up my 250 and have 2 Gyre 330's on the back wall (each side of the overflow), and am wondering what settings you used? I have some soft corals on one side (xenia, leather, frogspawn, etc) and if I put that Gyre on any sort of + flow mode they are blasted and unhappy. I have been running it on a random mode with max flow of -30% which seems okay, but isn't actually moving much water.