Red Sea REEFER 250 Build

[nickenayat]

Hey everyone! I am starting a build for a Red Sea REEFER 250. I plan to share the build, struggle and story here for all to see.

First a little background. I have been in fish keeping for about 8 years now. Started my first reef 2 years ago with a IM Nuvo 24 and have posted many photos on reef2reef. About two months ago for some reason I had a bad case of RTN killing about half my tank and was devastated. I could not find a reason because all parameters were in check and no major changes were made to the system. I decided to turn a negative into a positive and upgrade haha!

This is my first tank with a sump but have been planning and wanting to make the jump for a while now. This will be a great learning experience for me and everyone to see and comment. Please ask questions and this will be a great thread.

Here is the plan for the build:

(2) EcoTech XR15 G4 Pros
(2) EcoTech MP40s
EcoTech Vectra S1 return
EcoTech reeflink
Quantum Nyos 160 skimmer
5 gallon trigger systems ato reservoir
Micro ato
Bubble magnus doser
1-2 liters pond matrix
Pukani dry rock (40lbs)
Carib Sea Fiji pink sand (20 lbs) and reef grade sand (20 lbs)



I plan to try to plumb the return with two gate valves for future additions. Maybe a media reactor, calcium reactor, turf scrubber not sure yet.

Stay tuned. Photos coming soon...

 

[TheEngineer]

Good luck with the build!

 

[nickenayat]

Here’s the first shots of photos. Having trouble with plumbing from the return pump to the return valve. I wanted to add two gate valves but seem to only have space for one unless I do some serious modifications. Any suggestions??

Debating to add more dry rock for the aquascape. Let me know what you guys think.

Also need to add some better wire management, the doser and the ato reservoir.

More to come...

 

[Flameback Pair]

@nickenayat Great start !!! I have a RSR 250 too. B-)

 

[nickenayat]

Added to the scape

 

[Flameback Pair]

When you going to get water in that thing?

 

[nickenayat]

When you going to get water in that thing?

Adding water over the next two days. I only have a 75GPD RO/DI so it’s gonna take a decent amount of time. Will post photos once the tank is filled

 

[nickenayat]

Here is an update to the sump area. Connected the bubble magnus, ATO reservoir, mounted the MP40s, and figured out the plumbing for a future attachment. Unfortunately I could only get one gate valve on there.

 

[Flameback Pair]

In-cabinet layout looks good, clean, sharp. What are you using for ATO?

 

[Mystikal]

Looks real nice! Great choice of equipment thus far.
Watch out for the return blowing sand around the front glass. Same goes for the MP40's. I ended up getting a 3d y-return printed for my reefer 250.

 

[nickenayat]

In-cabinet layout looks good, clean, sharp. What are you using for ATO?

Using a trigger systems 5 gallon reservoir and a aquasmart micro ato. I had it on my old IM Nuvo for 2 years and never had a problem and I like a small compact size.

 

[nickenayat]

Looks real nice! Great choice of equipment thus far.
Watch out for the return blowing sand around the front glass. Same goes for the MP40's. I ended up getting a 3d y-return printed for my reefer 250.

I have been dealing with that. I’m turned the MP40s to 30% and the return to 45%. Seems to have helped but still dialing everything in. I’ll consider the Y connector down the road. Thank you

 

[nickenayat]

And then there was water....

Took a couple weeks to finalize the plumbing and tune in the Red Sea drain valve. Finally got it silent and things are going smoothly. Going to test the parameters tomorrow morning and see how the cycle is to begin adding a cuc. Any suggestions on fish and the first corals. Planning for an SPS dominant tank but overall it will be a mixed reef.

Thanks for all the comments.

 

[Chrisfish]

Congratulations, tank is looking awesome

 

[nickenayat]

Here’s my original IM Nuvo.

 

[nickenayat]

Rocks are starting to get algae and coralline in them. Added some zoas and acans and two Wyoming white clownfish.

More to come....

 

[PanchoG]

Good looking tank, congrats, following along.

 

[Flameback Pair]

@nickenayat updates ???

 

[nickenayat]

Hey guys... sorry for the long time between.

I have since added a bubble coral, a monti cap from my other tank, a flower pot, some acans, birdsnest and a purple torch but it has completely lost its color and I’m getting worried. I added a yellow tang and a lawnmower blenny for livestock. Planning to add 3 more fish over the next couple months and that’s it (not sure what kinds yet).

Tank parameters have been stable but my calcium and mag are a little low. I haven’t fully set up my dosing system yet because I haven’t really needed it, just maintaining with regular 5 gallon water changes weekly.

I just ordered some new diffusers for Black Friday will update with pictures when they arrive.

Here are some photos:

 

[Flameback Pair]

Those diffuser plates should make a huge difference. I bought a couple for my XR15's.