Red Sea Reefer XL 200

[ilott]

I run mine all the time, unless I am adding something where I am supposed to turn it off. They bubble like crazy for the first few weeks, just run it lower and empty more often during that time. The stuff that is making it bubble is not supposed to be in the tank, it is doing its job. If noise is a concern, look for one with a DC motor. They are quieter and you can turn down the pump speed to make it even quieter.

The noise shouldn't be a problem on this new tank as it'll be in my cosy room as apposed to my bedroom like my current one, so the constant vibrating was waking me up in the light sleep stages of the night,

 

[Darren in Tacoma]

Okay, so how long exactly would you run skimmers? I had one on my Fluval EVO when I first got it but it kept overflowing and it got really noisy so I removed it (obviously I set it up wrong but the instruction were not very clear)

Our 425 xl is still pretty green so I don't need the skimmer to remove impurities, so I just run it for 5 hours in the middle of the night. It runs very wet and I let the water drain back into the sump. It brings my ph up from 7.8 to 8.2 with that run time.

Most skimmers are going to overflow when they're new. Just let the bubbles run back into the sump. I run mine at night because letting the bubbles back into the sump causes micro bubbles in the display and I would rather view it without bubbles.

 

[rusty hannon]

Hello,

Yesterday, I posted in regards to what tanks I like the look of and your guys' opinions on those tanks, but I think I've settled with the Red Sea Reefer XL 200, as it's much more in my price zone due to already having adequate lighting.

I just wondered if a Protein Skimmer is a necessity or can I get away without one? The Red Sea Reefer XL 200's sump isn't classed as "refugium ready" but I could use the allocated skimmer section as a refugium providing one isn't necessary.

I was hoping to start a mixed reef but due to SPS demanding perfect qualities and next to no imperfections, I imagine a skimmer is necessary.

Alternatively, I could always spend a little more and get the XL 300, then if needs be I can use a skimmer as well as a refugium.

What are your opinions and is there upgrades I could purchase online so I can use both?

Olivia

You definitely need a skimmer.

 

[Darren in Tacoma]

Also clean your skimmer before you use it. A sink full of dawn works well, just be sure to rinse thoroughly. Most of those plastic parts have some kind of mold release on them, as well as other contaminants from the manufacturing process.

 

[Snoopdog]

When all is said and done, the cost difference in the tank is nothing compared to the total you will spend. Buy the bigger tank, use the light you have now... then upgrade the light (that's easier than upgrading the tank). Just set up the aquascape so the corals that need it are right under the light.

That being said, I added a refugium to my 200XL using a hang on. ( https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/smal...um-with-led-ligthing-system-cpr-aquatics.html )

So you slid your sump over about 3 inches? Were there any issues with the piping coming down into the sump? How did you like the refugium? $245 is insane for a 2.5 gallon refugium, but that is what we are faced with in this hobby. I just bought the Red Sea E-260 used last week, great tank, outstanding. I am thinking about how to baffle up my sump to make a refugium but maybe I will just buy the same thing you bought.

 

[ilott]

Also clean your skimmer before you use it. A sink full of dawn works well, just be sure to rinse thoroughly. Most of those plastic parts have some kind of mold release on them, as well as other contaminants from the manufacturing process.

Is dawn washing up liquid? I've just never heard of it here in the UK. Thank you though!

 

[Snoopdog]

Is dawn washing up liquid? I've just never heard of it here in the UK. Thank you though!

Dawn soap is like any other soap. But just make sure you rinse that thing like there is no tomorrow.

CAVEAT: I do not use any soap around my tank.

 

[ilott]

Any soap. But just make sure you rinse that thing like there is no tomorrow.

I thought to thoroughly rinse it as it's bad for the fishies, thank you for your help!

 

[Ippyroy]

Refugiums are great. I pulled out my filter socks, which were 2 7inchers, and now use that area as my fuge. I have sand, chaeto, and some snails in it. My NO3 is 5 and PO4 is at .05. The skimmer takes out what is left after the chaeto and snails are done as well as helps with gas exchange.

 

[Snoopdog]

I thought to thoroughly rinse it as it's bad for the fishies, thank you for your help!

I personally do not, but I am saying if you do, rinse the hell out of it. I would never wash my skimmer with soap.

 

[X-37B]

Look at a Tunze 9410 dc.
Run it 24/7.
Very underrated skimmer that requires no break in.
Turn it on and set it in 6.5" of water and clean the cup once or twice a week without even turning it off.
If you want to clean any skimmer before setup use diluted vinegar or citric acid.
I would never use soap on anything reef related.

 

[Jon's Reef]

So you slid your sump over about 3 inches? Were there any issues with the piping coming down into the sump? How did you like the refugium? $245 is insane for a 2.5 gallon refugium, but that is what we are faced with in this hobby. I just bought the Red Sea E-260 used last week, great tank, outstanding. I am thinking about how to baffle up my sump to make a refugium but maybe I will just buy the same thing you bought.

That is where the sump sits in the 200Xl, on the right. Slips in just perfect. The medium size may also work, but I wanted a little room left over.

 

[Jon's Reef]

I would never use dish soap as a small amount of residue will cause issues. Also, careful with vinegar. Some of the plastics in aquarium parts do not do well with it. Just give it a rinse in the sink, then wipe it dry. It will go crazy the first few weeks, just part of the process.

 

[Snoopdog]

That is where the sump sits in the 200Xl, on the right. Slips in just perfect. The medium size may also work, but I wanted a little room left over.

Cool, I am ordering it before the end of the day.

 

[Snoopdog]

I would never use dish soap as a small amount of residue will cause issues. Also, careful with vinegar. Some of the plastics in aquarium parts do not do well with it. Just give it a rinse in the sink, then wipe it dry. It will go crazy the first few weeks, just part of the process.

Oh, could you do me a favor and measure your sump? All of the info online has chamber sizes but not the overall measurements.

 

[Jon's Reef]

Here are the links to what I am using for the fuge:
https://www.marinedepot.com/cpr-aquafuge2-hang-on-refugium-small (Note no light)
https://www.marinedepot.com/cpr-af-bubble-trap-box (to control noise/ the waterfall coming out)
https://www.marinedepot.com/tunze-eco-chic-refugium-led-light-fixture (could use any light, but these are the exact same length and can get wet)
(Tumble the chaeto, went cheap because it will get full of macro)

 

[Jon's Reef]

Oh, could you do me a favor and measure your sump? All of the info online has chamber sizes but not the overall measurements.

Here are the rough measurements for my 200XL sump/ base cabinet area (note that I did not subtract glass thicknesses etc, so rough guidelines) (click for full size)

 

[Snoopdog]

Here are the rough measurements for my 200XL sump/ base cabinet area (note that I did not subtract glass thicknesses etc, so rough guidelines) (click for full size)

You are a gentleman and scholar!!

 

[ichthyoid]

Hello,

Yesterday, I posted in regards to what tanks I like the look of and your guys' opinions on those tanks, but I think I've settled with the Red Sea Reefer XL 200, as it's much more in my price zone due to already having adequate lighting.

I just wondered if a Protein Skimmer is a necessity or can I get away without one? The Red Sea Reefer XL 200's sump isn't classed as "refugium ready" but I could use the allocated skimmer section as a refugium providing one isn't necessary.

I was hoping to start a mixed reef but due to SPS demanding perfect qualities and next to no imperfections, I imagine a skimmer is necessary.

Alternatively, I could always spend a little more and get the XL 300, then if needs be I can use a skimmer as well as a refugium.

What are your opinions and is there upgrades I could purchase online so I can use both?

Olivia

Fwiw,
I’ve had saltwater tanks for almost 50 years, so take this with a grain of, well, salt!

First,
There isn’t a huge difference in size between 200 & 300 liters, so go for the bigger one if you have the budget.

One important purpose of protein skimmers that often gets overlooked is gas exchange between the system water and the atmosphere. Oxygen in and CO2 out is a biggie. The CO2 is much more soluble than O2 and a lot of the biochemistry going on relies on both. I would not run a system without one & it will help provide for a greater overall system capacity as well.

You will run out of tank volume (room) a lot quicker than you anticipate. Anything smaller than about 120 gallons (4 feet long) tends to be easier to take care of. A larger system tends to be more stable. Cleaning glass will be a chore that never goes away. Between those factors you will find a lot of tanks in the 40-150 gallon range. The larger sizes also allows for keeping a few more, or larger types of fish, corals, etc. The bigger ones are also more $$$$! Cost of operation is also a factor and doesn’t always scale linearly to the size. There’s your dilemma

Automation can help a LOT with stability, if it’s done right. It is also expensive!

To do right, this hobby is not easy & requires a lot of knowledge & work. If it were easy & cheap then everyone would do it. It’s also the most rewarding hobby I’ve ever had & I hope the same for you!

One last thing to consider...who will take care of it when you are away or sick?
-my $0.02, best of luck!

 

[ichthyoid]

As for a refugium I have a Lifereef like you will find in the link below. It’s the small 10 gallon & is attached to the sump of a 95 gal system. Just wanted to show you that there are more options.

Refugium, refugiums, LifeReefugium

www.lifereef.com