Reefer 250 build - Tokyo, Japan

[Machpoint89]

PROJECT TOKYO - A RSR250 STORY

Thanks for visiting my build thread. After moving to Japan end of 2017 I have been slowly gathering equipment when the time/price was right.

Our previous tank was a RSR450 in Dubai and it has been difficult without a tank. My hands started shaking, eyes twitching, but finally on track.

After waiting months for something to pop up I bought a used RSR250. The challenge has been finding familiar equipment.

A lot of Japanese/Taiwanese/Chinese products here which I wasn't familiar with so I have slowly ordered items from the US and Germany. Finding English speaking reefers in the area is also part of the challenge. (if you're in Japan please introduce yourself)

Equipment list:

• RedSea - Reefer 250
• GHL - Mitras LX7 light
• Deltec - 600i skimmer (200~600ltr/hr)
• Neptune - COR-15 return pump (1500ltr/hr)
• Neptune - Apex controller
• Neptune - Auto top of kit
• Ai - NERO 5 wave maker
• ClariSea -SK-3000 filter roller
• Finnex - TH Titanium Heaters (300w)
• SICCE - ULTRA zero utility pump
• Avast Marine - “the plank” & “the keg” autofeeder

PLAN:

• This will be a mixed reef tank with sandbed
• replace all the o-rings
• clean or replace the door hinges
• find the best way to hang the Mitras LX7 (any suggestions are welcomed to hang them parralell with the length of the tank)
• custom plumbing including dual or triple manifold

EDIT:

Some Quick Links to parts of the build:

• Project Sump Mod > Removing the filter sock holders on a RedSea sump
• Project Plumbing > PVC parts used
• Project Plumbing > Main Drain
• Project Plumbing > COR 15 | convert 3/4” to 1”
• Project Plumbing > 1” Manifold with 3x Gate valves
• Project > Electrical Cabinet & Wire management

• GHL vs FocusTronic vs Neptune

CURRENT TANK STATUS (JUN 2021) :​

 

[Machpoint89]

First things first. Replace these o-rings!

Replaced the old dried up o-rings with a new set and the part number is: R42187

The newer o-rings are white for the down pipes and red for the rest instead of black and also slightly thicker. I’m guessing all the newer tanks have the upgraded o-rings.

Lubed them up with some Vaseline.

 

[SPR1968]

Well that all looks great so far and welcome to R2R as well!

 

[Flameback Pair]

@Machpoint89 Great start !!! Can we have updates?? How's things in Tokyo?

 

[Machpoint89]

@Machpoint89 Great start !!! Can we have updates?? How's things in Tokyo?

Well we had our second child and everything had been put on pause, but guess what.... I’m baaaaccckk. =)

 

[Flameback Pair]

@Machpoint89 wow it's been about a year and a half since you last posted !!! Thanks. Let us know what is going on and congratulations on the second child.

 

[Machpoint89]

So lets call this: attempt #2

long story short our second child was born and family / job things got in the way. We moved closer to the city, but slowly and surely I have been planning for the assembly. This tank hasn’t seen water in 2 years probably.

A BIG shout out to Jason @Eight for the inspiration. His extremely picture heavy thread was my main inspiration Including the legendary @Broadfield :

For Jason's RSR250 build thread: RedSea Reefer Build by Jason​

For Jason's RSR250 plumbing: Jason’s RSR250 sump plumbing​

For Toby’s RSR450 OCD build thread: RedSea Reefer 450 Build by Toby​

I had to alter some of the plans since I have the V1 sump vs his V3 for this Reefer 250

Today my order came in from the US. I mainly ordered my fittings from PVC Fittings Online and they deliver worldwide. After a few ordering issues on the website their excellent customer service helped me get the correct items all the way to Tokyo.

So what did I order? (please click on each description for the link)

• 1/2” elbow - orange
• 1” sch 80 unions
• 1/2” sch 80 - male adapters
• 1” T - orange
• 1” x 1/2” sch 80 reducer
• 1” 45 - orange
• 1” 3-way - orange
• 3/4” x 1” sch 80 - male adapter
• 1” elbow - orange
• 1/2” x 3/4” PVC reducing male adapter
• 1/2” & 1” spears GATE valves
• 1” sch 40 PVC piping - orange
• 1” surface mounting clamps

The return will be fitted with a GATE valve and plumbed directly into a Clarisea SK-3000 Automatic Filter Roller

I will try make a similar - albeit not as detailed - write up as some of the others that have inspired me for this project.

This has been a true waiting game!

 

[Machpoint89]

HINGES:

As the hinges of this pre-loved RSR250 were getting a bit rusty I decided to replace them at first with hinges from IKEA, but after some deliberation I realized I didn’t want to use them.

They would work, but require drilling some extra holes and would only be attached with 2 screws instead of the original 4. (Attached some photos for comparison with the original hinges)

I ended up soaking the rusty hinges in a vinegar + baking soda mix and they came out really nice. Finished them off with WD40 to prevent future rusting

After some cleaning:

Comparison between IKEA hinges and the original RedSea hinges:

I also bought some (click the link) MAGNETIC CHILD LOCKS to prevent “little wandering hands” from entering the sump. We love these things! Looks clean and use them all over the house.

 

[Machpoint89]

• I would like to plan for the blue shaded area to have another COR15 return pump for redundancy, but it looks like it wont fit. Perhaps the second return pump could be a different model like a SICCE Syncra silent

It would only come on in case the primary fails, but if you have any IDEAS on how to plumb a dual return let me know!

• The yellow shaded area was planned for the link: Clarisea SK-3000 , but now I’m considering removed the filter sock portion all together to create more space.

Any reason why you think I shouldn’t?

 

[Eight]

Woo-hoo, looking like you're off to a great start! PVC fittings on line's customer service is super friendly and helpful.

 

[Machpoint89]

Woo-hoo, looking like you're off to a great start! PVC fittings on line's customer service is super friendly and helpful.

Thanks man. Yeah man they’ve been excellent. I spent a month or 2 trying to find a store here in Japan, but not realizing PVC Fittings Online also does international shipping after reaching out to them for advice

 

[Machpoint89]

@Machpoint89 wow it's been about a year and a half since you last posted !!! Thanks. Let us know what is going on and congratulations on the second child.

Thanks... He’s already a year old hahaha and likes to “help”

Checking out the installed lighting under the sump (which I will redo most likely as I bought multi-color LED and wanted white only )

 

[_reefdad]

Loving the build! I have reefer250 as well and will be following along!

 

[Flameback Pair]

@Machpoint89 can’t believe your COR pump doesn’t fit the sump. That sucks !!!

 

[Flameback Pair]

Loving the build! I have reefer250 as well and will be following along!

@_reefdad great to see you have a reefer 250. I have one too. Do you have a build thread for it?

 

[schaNYC]

Just came across the thread, will be following! I just ordered a 250 this weekend and my build sheet looks very similar to yours. I'm going with the Profilux intead of the Apex. Hoping to mod the Reefer V3 sump to make it Triton ready.

 

[Machpoint89]

Tomorrow I should be painting my gate valves handles in orange to match the plumbing OR plasti dip the back and side glass panels of the sump to hide cords. (Depending on the time available.)

Stay tuned for more photos!

@Machpoint89 can’t believe your COR pump doesn’t fit the sump. That sucks !!!

Sorry for the confusion. I meant a 2nd COR15 pump. Since I wanted to plumb a dual return pump for redundancy purposes, but I haven’t found a solution of how to do that properly.

Just came across the thread, will be following! I just ordered a 250 this weekend and my build sheet looks very similar to yours. I'm going with the Profilux intead of the Apex. Hoping to mod the Reefer V3 sump to make it Triton ready.

Seriously debating the Triton method, but I had already ordered the Clarisea filter roller. With the small space for a potential refugium I wasn’t sure if the full Triton method would be an option. I was thinking of doing Triton-other method at some point.

Loving the build! I have reefer250 as well and will be following along!

Awesome! Best of luck and keep us posted...

 

[schaNYC]

Seriously debating the triton method, but I had already ordered the Clarisea filter roller. With the small space for a potential refugium I wasn’t sure if the full Triton method would be an option. I was thinking of doing triton-other method at some point.

I won't know for sure until I have the sump in front of me but even if I can achieve 8% total volume, think i will go for it. Also, its not a method to execute on a new tank from what I've read... it probably makes sense to start with triton-other or just some regular water chgs until the tank is a bit matured.

I am drawn to a minimal water chg method like Triton as living in a city condo with my permanent roommates ( 2 kids and wife), the sq footage (meterage?) struggle is real as you are familiar with in tokyo I'm sure. A good sized water storage tank and frequent water change setup just not easy to pull off. I'm hoping a 10 gallon ATO container will be good for 2 wks.

 

[Machpoint89]

PROJECT PLASTI-DIP

So today I used plasti-dip to spray the outside of the sump. The idea is to make it look a bit nicer and hide some of the wirings behind the sump that will go to the control board.

I also removed the glass float valve bracket with some dental floss and scraped off the remaining silicone with a razor blade

note to self:

• Don’t quit your day job to become a painter
• Always be in a well ventilated area (outside)
• Use a new razor blade to score smooth lines before removing masking tape or it will ruin your job (see upper left corner of the sump

 

[Flameback Pair]

@Machpoint89 just curious but are you Japanese or did you move there from the US?