Stan's REEFER 250

sirstan51

Member
After years of smaller tanks with hand me down or inexpensive equipment, i decided it was time to "level up" as me and my hobby buddies call it. The tendency is to want to rush, but to do it right, and responsibly financially, im going to take my time. I got a smoking deal on the tank, LR, and also decided to clean and use the yr old sand.

Here's what ive got going so far in the last month. Btw, i dont think i could be happier with Red Sea. Ive used their test kits before and they are quality, but the tank build quality blows me away.

The Tank: stock t5 lights and ballast removed by PO. Along with reflector and og skimmer. Hood fans still work great. Upgraded eheim return pumps (quiet and powerful) Stand in excellent condition. Everything good to go.

FB_IMG_1447830228278_zpsk4ctyvt5.jpg


LR and Sand: Saved a bunch of $$ here. Rock and Pink Samoa sand came with. A little cleaning and some shark teeth?? and we were ready to scape and fill.
FB_IMG_1447830196419_zpsap2gizly.jpg

FB_IMG_1447830184640_zpsxjeijbzw.jpg

received_981024128625497_zpsnk2bqi9w.jpeg


After scaping and filling i had to decide on which leds. Felt pretty limited because of space and narrowed to the radions or the ai hydras. Selected new hydra 26 hd. Love the control and features for better price point than radions. Only purchased 1 unit so far to test. Will either need added 52 or at least 1 more 26. Love these lights. No heat, but i still run fans during the day.
20151107_142504_zpshl7yqtzb.jpg


Equipment: Cant run skimmerless like i do in my 28g aquapod. Also learned from my nano that Tunze Osmolator Nano might be the single best reef purchase ive ever made. Skimmer and ato were high on my list. I found a hobbyist selling Tunze Reefpack (9004 skimmer & 3162 skim filter) along with Osmolator 3155 for a great price. I knew both would fit in back chamber and while i like inTank media rack, felt like water wasnt really being pulled through.
Eventually the rack chamber will be used for a reactor (i think).

The "eye" sensor for ato fits perfectly in designed slot on 3162. I have backup float mounted separately with supplied magnet and running chemi pure blue inside filter box. Skimmer is dead silent, but skimming medium tea with super fine bubbles. No micros in the tank thank God. So happy with Tunze. Matches quality of tank build. #German
FB_IMG_1447828738772_zpsaqcfwsoa.jpg

FB_IMG_1447828775957_zpsmbfavas4.jpg

FB_IMG_1447830262330_zps2xphakfx.jpg


Tank is now almost finished with nitrite cycle (.5) and adding CUC. No trace of ammonia.
Will be adding Jebao RW8 and new heater soon, plus another Hydra. Then its time for the live stuff!!

Always looking for tips and suggestions! Thanks for looking!
received_986085621452681_zps2wj3eisw.jpeg
 

sirstan51

Member
Update time!

I finally purchased my 2nd Hydra 26 HD. Why did I wait so long?? Love these lights. Though there was a chance Id still need an Ai prime in the middle, but it doesnt look like it.

913fd20f23acd2124975537f172d437b.jpg


Also upgraded from mp10 to mp40esw. With my 2 ehiem return pumps there seems to be plenty of flow.

Tank will be 1 yr in Nov and should get some great additions with MACNA being in SD.

Who is going?

Next up will be either a:

Auto Doser or controller

My water parameters arent as steady as i would like for the big 3. No bad stuff really, just dont stay on top of my dosing enough.

An tips appreciated!!

Thanks for reading!

3e59dbac29eae31beb7821a59c872e18.jpg


Before I added 2md hydra.
04390f40832c01e71c9903711ca7eeca.jpg


Best fish ever!!
fec098d20f6911faf3a3a8d7ede3c91f.jpg



Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
 

Stackhous

Member
Great tank looks great. I have the same tank n just started my cycle. Thinking about switching to the hydras too but don't know if I should do just 52 or do two 26's
 

sirstan51

Member
Great tank looks great. I have the same tank n just started my cycle. Thinking about switching to the hydras too but don't know if I should do just 52 or do two 26's
Thank you.

You need the 26s so you can spread them apart for coverage. If you aren't using your canopy and are hanging lights, you could work with a 52.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
 

sirstan51

Member
Yes I did. (In hindsight I should taken pics).

I actually used heavy duty velcro strips (2 each) that are abt 1.5 inches wide and 3 inches long on the top of the lights on either side of the fan (perpendicular). Totally secure and plastic plate provides a safety barrier that is def needed. Also protects from moisture which would be a killer.

I do run the cooling fans on the hood and only had a heat issue during initial setup when the lights for full power (you'll NEVER need full power) for about 30 min. No heat issues on my regular schedule.

Drilling some holes in the hood for the fans wouldnt be a bad idea, but i do hate to mod the fan in that way and will only do as a last resort if needed.



Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
 

sirstan51

Member
Pics & A Video

So i couldnt wait for the daylights to kick on before snapping some shots of new additions. Should be the last adds before MACNA.

Added:
6 head purple torch
Neon Green Octospawn
2 Staghorns
Some daisies and GSP
More CUC
3 peppermints to help with aptaisia

Also found what i thought was a lost Ricordia! Re-glued to some LR.

Here's a quick video.

5697dbe3b091503275bbffd8aa5c9a82.jpg


351df4df21b8c781535de7b584737667.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
 

sirstan51

Member
Thanks for ur help


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hey bud, I re-mounted my lights today using 9" framing plates and l mounts at the ends attached by small screws (3/8) and bolts. Lots of velcro holding brackets in place and attaching light to brackets.

Hope this helps. I didnt want to screw into the hood.

8614c3cf44d1bcb52ec602e46a920a7c.jpg


d81cffe7e938e2c14c32d044e20ff680.jpg


d96a76e5fc68faa90dab43d3cd612ff4.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
 
Top