Saving a broken red sea reefer 250

[James Mikell]

Well what better way to introduce myself to reef2reef than to showcase my current build. I currently own a 24 gallon aquatop cube all in one system. I quickly realized i deffinately wanted a bigger system but funds are always tight. My LFS had a rsr 250 tank only sitting in the box on the floor snd had been there for a couple months. Found out that it was because the glass overflow had broken and it wasnt going to get fixed. Talked down the manager to 225 bucks from the 350 they were asking and figured this would be a great diy project.
So far i have removed the glass overflow and removed the bulkheads that come from the factory. I glassed and siliconed over the holes and preceded to water test, thankfully no leaks. I went with the eshopps eclipse M overflow box. I must say that drilling this tank was nerve racking seeing as i have never done that before. Also drilled dual 3/4 inch returns, one on each side of the overflow box. The stand is a bathroom cabinet from home depot that i reinforced with 2x4s to ensure it would hold up as well as a 1/2 inch plywood to the top. The sump is a trigger systems sapphire 26 and the return pump is a jebao dcp 5000, hopefully this will give me enough flow for the dual random flow generators. Still need to purchase a skimmer, sand, and rock. Now onto the pictures since i know the general feeling is pics or ****. Any advice or critique is welcome.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Well what better way to introduce myself to reef2reef than to showcase my current build. I currently own a 24 gallon aquatop cube all in one system. I quickly realized i deffinately wanted a bigger system but funds are always tight. My LFS had a rsr 250 tank only sitting in the box on the floor snd had been there for a couple months. Found out that it was because the glass overflow had broken and it wasnt going to get fixed. Talked down the manager to 225 bucks from the 350 they were asking and figured this would be a great diy project.
So far i have removed the glass overflow and removed the bulkheads that come from the factory. I glassed and siliconed over the holes and preceded to water test, thankfully no leaks. I went with the eshopps eclipse M overflow box. I must say that drilling this tank was nerve racking seeing as i have never done that before. Also drilled dual 3/4 inch returns, one on each side of the overflow box. The stand is a bathroom cabinet from home depot that i reinforced with 2x4s to ensure it would hold up as well as a 1/2 inch plywood to the top. The sump is a trigger systems sapphire 26 and the return pump is a jebao dcp 5000, hopefully this will give me enough flow for the dual random flow generators. Still need to purchase a skimmer, sand, and rock. Now onto the pictures since i know the general feeling is pics or ****. Any advice or critique is welcome.

Nice deal! Welcome to R2R!

 

[Flameback Pair]

How's the build coming?

 

[James Mikell]

Its in a holding pattern. Im waiting for the custom cabinet i ordered to come in. Should be here next weekend. Ive been slowly collecting other parts while i wait.

 

[Fin]

Yeah, like you mentioned - everyone likes build thread pics!

 

[BigAl07]

Its in a holding pattern. Im waiting for the custom cabinet i ordered to come in. Should be here next weekend. Ive been slowly collecting other parts while i wait.

Did you decide against the HD cabinet?

 

[James Mikell]

Yes, i just never was happy with the look of it so im having a cabinet built to resemble the red sea cabinet but built with wood instead of particle board.

 

[BigAl07]

Yes, i just never was happy with the look of it so im having a cabinet built to resemble the red sea cabinet but built with wood instead of particle board.

I think you'll be much happier and more secure with this new stand layout.

 

[James Mikell]

Me too. Im gonna post some pictures tonight of the sump and the protien skimmer.

 

[James Mikell]

Well as i await my custom cabinet that i ordered from my local lfs i figured i would update this with some pictures of the equipment i have been ordering.
The sump is a trigger systems sapphire 26. I must say the quality is absolutely amazing.
Next up is the protein skimmer, i got such a ridiculous deal i couldnt pass it up. It is an octo essence 130, hopefully it will perform well on my system. For the heater im using a finnex hpg 200. For circulation in the tank i ordered an icecap 3k gyre, hopefully one will be enough with the 2 rfg return nozzles. And last will be my icecap ato to keep my water level where it needs to be. Hope yall enjoy.

 

[Flameback Pair]

I'm thinking about the same skimmer.

 

[James Mikell]

I'm thinking about the same skimmer.

I bought this from an online shop that was liquidating their inventory. Paid 150 for it. It was a never used display unit. Like i said i couldnt pass it up.

 

[James Mikell]

Well my cabinet came in tonight and i could not be happier with it. I had him add a front center brace but it was left removeable for working inside the sump. Also got a partial order of my sand. Shouldnt be too much longer now

 

[James Mikell]

Well finally got most of my plumbing in. Waiting on a new gate valve and some more 90° elbows since i glued up the previous one i had ordered when i had planned to use white pvc. Decided to ball out and go sch 80 grey pvc. Also had to turn my sump around in order to make changing out the filter floss easier. The emergency pvc run is done and im happy with how it came out. Let me know what you guys think.

 

[Antics]

Looking good! Can't wait to see this thing filled!

 

[Dennis McGrath]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but how are you going to be able to access that rear valve once the tank is up against the wall?

 

[Flameback Pair]

I wish those eSsence skimmers were DC. They're very nice anyway.

 

[Antics]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but how are you going to be able to access that rear valve once the tank is up against the wall?

Reefer 250's are just under 3 feet long, so based on the photos provided OP only has to reach about a foot from the side to adjust the valve. You have to leave that space for the overflow box anyway. But I agree its better (or easier) to put the valve in the sump area above the drain input.

 

[James Mikell]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but how are you going to be able to access that rear valve once the tank is up against the wall?

Antics is correct the valve placement wont be an issue as there is more than enough space once the tank is up against the wall because of the overflow box. It is less than a foot from the edge of the tank.

 

[James Mikell]

I wish those eSsence skimmers were DC. They're very nice anyway.

I've never had a skimmer as this is my first tank with a sump. This will be the only pump on my system that isn't dc but i got such an incredible deal on it i just couldnt pass it up. Got it online from a store that was liquidating inventory. Paid 150 for it.