Saving a broken red sea reefer 250

James Mikell · Aug 4, 2018

Here is a picture for reference. Leaves enought room for me to rach it while still hiding most of the plumbing.

James Mikell · Aug 5, 2018

Ok well got some more work done on the plumbing. I will say i have a new respect for people who are good and doing custom plumbing. Here are some more pics. And dont worry i know theres no gate valve. Im just waiting for it to arrive. The return side is all glued up.

James Mikell · Aug 10, 2018

Got the final pieces i was missing. Gate valve is installed. Also installed some under cabinet led strip wired to an infared sensor thst turns on the lights when i open the door.

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Flameback Pair · Aug 10, 2018

James Mikell said:
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.

What online store did you get it from may I ask?

James Mikell · Aug 10, 2018

powers2001 said:
What online store did you get it from may I ask?

The ebay users name is talryn77 i was directed there by a thread on here by jake adams from reef builders

Flameback Pair · Aug 15, 2018

James Mikell said:
The ebay users name is talryn77 i was directed there by a thread on here by jake adams from reef builders

talryn77 is out of skimmers, bummer. B-( You'll have to tell us the noise level of that eSsence skimmer. It's supposed to be dead silent.

James Mikell · Aug 15, 2018

powers2001 said:
talryn77 is out of skimmers, bummer. B-( You'll have to tell us the noise level of that eSsence skimmer. It's supposed to be dead silent.

Will deffinately let everyone know how it goes. Im just wsiting on s local contact to get some rock in so i can scape it and start cycling. Should be maybe another week

James Mikell · Sep 1, 2018

So i decided to toss the idea of running 3 ai primes and decided to buy a used pair of hydra 26hds on the flex mounts. I could not be happier. The flex mounts are forcing the lights to be a bit higher than id like but i think it will be ok. Besides the hydra mounts i really want arnt sold here in the states.

Dan Korczak · Sep 1, 2018

I think the only thing I love more than a DIY greenfield project is a DIY repair project. Great job with the repair. Good stuff.

James Mikell · Sep 2, 2018

Thank you. Hopefully wont be too much longer till its cycling.

Flameback Pair · Sep 2, 2018

Where did you get the stand?

Rakie · Sep 2, 2018

Very nice, looks great! Plumbing is an artform, you're not wrong at all.

James Mikell · Sep 2, 2018

powers2001 said:
Where did you get the stand?

Had it custom made by a local cabinet shop.

James Mikell · Sep 23, 2018

Been some time. Finally got the chance to test all my plumbing. Only leak was a loose union. Tightened it up and all is good. Now comes the slow process of making the needed water. I will be mixing the salt right into the tank. Sand will be going in shortly.

James Mikell · Sep 25, 2018

IT'S FINALLY RUNNING!!!!!!! Man it has been a long process. I still need to add rock to the scape as i deffinately misjudged how low the rock on the right is. And i need to add a peak to the left rock. Hopefully the cycle gets started with the bacteria ive added to the system. And the few pieces of live rock going in the sump. I was able to get the eshopps overflow basically silent within about 15 min. Now its hurry up and wait. Thanks to those have followed along so far.

NY_Caveman · Sep 26, 2018

James Mikell said:
IT'S FINALLY RUNNING!!!!!!! Man it has been a long process. I still need to add rock to the scape as i deffinately misjudged how low the rock on the right is. And i need to add a peak to the left rock. Hopefully the cycle gets started with the bacteria ive added to the system. And the few pieces of live rock going in the sump. I was able to get the eshopps overflow basically silent within about 15 min. Now its hurry up and wait. Thanks to those have followed along so far.

Nice! Congratulations!

James Mikell · Sep 27, 2018

Water is clear and the cycle has begun. Salinity is a little low at 1.020 but i will bring that up with salt in the top off. One of my cats photo bombing.