Christian's Red Sea Reefer 250 G2

[saltienewb]

How are you liking the Kessil?

 

[ScubaFish802]

How are you liking the Kessil?

Love it.
Not a single issue so far (though I have seen a comment here and there by others of having to warranty replace the power supply). This shimmer effect it creates is really stunning in my opinion.

There are seemingly endless settings.. I really want to play around with the storm and lunar cycle settings - but I have resisted the urge and left the settings from the start to keep things stable.

I originally used this video to set my defaults, determine starting height, spread etc.. -
Though I have since lowered it to 8" off the water line since my work desk is to the side of the tank and after a day it felt like I was staring at the sun.

Since the tank is only ~36" long, lowering it slightly from 10" seemed acceptable since there are absolutely no issues with spread or coverage.

I am hoping to find a par meter for rent so I can get more accurate info in the future though.

-- and Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[saltienewb]

Thanks, I’ll be following your build. Like what you’ve done so far, equipment wise. Sadly I don’t have another tank to rob for livestock haha

 

[ScubaFish802]

Update 7: Well it's about that time. Since I'm planning to add the 1st new fish since 2020

Made some progress setting up the QT tank. Petco is having their 50% off sale on Aqueon tanks, so I picked up a new 20 long - This tank is in the kitchen, in front of a busy road, so I've painted all sides but the front black.

Picked up this 2x outlet air pump off amazon that can run plugged in or off a rechargeable battery. Figured it would be nice to have around the house in the event of a power outage.

Used the rest of the mesh from the Red Sea DIY Cover kit + some leftover light diffuser crate + fishing line + a cheap led light from a beta tank in the garage to make a cover. Since I am awaiting a wrasse after all..

Purchased some PVC tubes for hides, a HOB filter, and the ammonia badge... moved filter media that has been in my sump over to this tank.. I think that covers everything..

Now I wait

 

[taulgrl]

This is one impressive QT tank! Looking forward to seeing the wrasse occupant

 

[ScubaFish802]

Update #8: I noticed my clownfish acting strange again, and finally they laid another round of eggs - though this clutch is very small compared to previous. Hoping they continue the cycle now that things are stable again. I haven't seen any since right before the transfer to the new tank.

I have a big trip coming up and will be gone for a week. This has had me eyeing the Apex (among other reasons), and it just so happened that the new version was released last week. So if that wasn't a sign that it was time to jump on the bandwagon..

I have an auto feeder on the way, and am in the process of setting things up beyond just receiving power.

I decided to re-start on the bottom slide-out controller board, in an effort to keep the top controller board clean for dosers when that comes someday in the future. It wasn't as tight as the pictures look, but managed to get both gyres, the inkbird, and both apex head unit and power bar mounted to a single board with breathing room.

Did I mention that I hate wire management..

Only complaint I have so far, is that there isn't even a basic probe holder included in the starter package
Seems like for $0.25 they could of at least put a cheap plastic probe rack in for the price lol
Foam will have to do for now..

Thanks for reading & Happy Reefing

 

[twiggy]

hi i currently have a 32.5 like you did. have you found the step up in size much different or easier and better with having a sump rather than aio i was looking at doing the same myself . it looks awesome congrats thanks

 

[ScubaFish802]

hi i currently have a 32.5 like you did. have you found the step up in size much different or easier and better with having a sump rather than aio i was looking at doing the same myself . it looks awesome congrats thanks

The only issue is I didn't go big enough lol
But otherwise it is a much more enjoyable experience for me personally than the smaller AIO setup was.
Just having the room to breath and space to be more creative was a big boost.

 

[BetterJake]

I'll call this Update #6.5: Finally saw the Reefmat 500 in stock on @SaltwaterAq. They seem to have a warehouse near me, I ordered late Friday and received it early Sunday.

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It's a tight fit with the skimmer and Reefmat together but I was able to make it work with the ATO. I think it's time to start thinking about a different solution for the ATO setup..

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I'm installing my reefer 250 today actually and also went with the reefmat 500 and RSK 300. It sure will be tight with the ATO on the side. Is it difficult to work on the skimmer/cup with it tucked away like that?

 

[ScubaFish802]

I'm installing my reefer 250 today actually and also went with the reefmat 500 and RSK 300. It sure will be tight with the ATO on the side. Is it difficult to work on the skimmer/cup with it tucked away like that?

Welcome to you as well!

99% of the time I just pull the tube that is tucked into the side in that image and drain it into a small cup

if I need to take the cup off I wait until the ATO tank is empty and then take that off and slide the reefmat to the left like the arrow in this pic

I see a lot of others on here having luck with a 5 to 10 gal ATO sitting outside the sump. I’ll probably move to something like that in the future so they don’t have to be stacked together.

 

[BetterJake]

Welcome to you as well!

99% of the time I just pull the tube that is tucked into the side in that image and drain it into a small cup
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if I need to take the cup off I wait until the ATO tank is empty and then take that off and slide the reefmat to the left like the arrow in this pic

View attachment 2783862

I see a lot of others on here having luck with a 5 to 10 gal ATO sitting outside the sump. I’ll probably move to something like that in the future so they don’t have to be stacked together.

Super helpful! Forgot about the drain line, that will come in handy. Yeah, I'm aleady planning on an ATO upgrade as well, on top of getting some room back in the sump, more days in between needing to top off would be nice as well. If you end up upgrading the ATO would love to know what you go with.

 

[ScubaFish802]

Update #9: Not much going on, but haven't updated in a while.. Took some pics after a water change today..

 

[ScubaFish802]

Edit: Double posted - Actual Post Date: 10/03/2022

Well, it's about that time again - Reefmat is due for the second change, seems to be using somewhere around a foot and a half a day or so..

 

[ScubaFish802]

Since it's been another month, might as well post an update as well while I am here:

Update #10:

Clownfish are just wrapping up the latest batch of eggs, last few stragglers pictured below. I can see the eyes flash so it has got me looking into culturing rotifers and phyto again.. we just got a puppy a few weeks ago (our second dog) so that has been draining as expected.. not sure I could do both

Here's my monthly photo dump of progress and general tank pics..

Still loving this scroll coral..

Really need to clean these laker zoas up..

 

[BetterJake]

Since it's been another month, might as well post an update as well while I am here:

Update #10:

Clownfish are just wrapping up the latest batch of eggs, last few stragglers pictured below. I can see the eyes flash so it has got me looking into culturing rotifers and phyto again.. we just got a puppy a few weeks ago (our second dog) so that has been draining as expected.. not sure I could do both

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Here's my monthly photo dump of progress and general tank pics..

Still loving this scroll coral..

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Really need to clean these laker zoas up..

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Looking really great. I know this is a fish/reef forum, but wouldn't complain if you post a puppy picture.

 

[ScubaFish802]

Looking really great. I know this is a fish/reef forum, but wouldn't complain if you post a puppy picture.

Here is the little demon, today will be halfway through his 4th week with us.

 

[WirelessMike]

Quick background to this post.. another one of my ‘hobbies’ is legos. Something about putting legos together really helps me clear my mind after a crazy day at work. For instance here is the UCS ATAT that has been proudly taking over our kitchen table for months.
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Anyways, while on vacation recently I stumbled into a used Lego store. In the store was a mess of random boats, ships, etc.. it got me thinking, could I float shark guy in my tank as like a fun little joke? Well, he floats! So thinking I’ll seal him and the boat up with some sort of clear aquarium safe sealant and toss em in..View attachment 2703816

This is awesome! I have had that same thought a few times in the past.

 

[ScubaFish802]

This is awesome! I have had that same thought a few times in the past.

The coating has held up well, though he only floats around on occasion now. Too much turbulence at the surface
Though, with these summer kits from lego he might be due for an upgrade.. lol

 

[ScubaFish802]

Finally got one from the in-stock email alert
All fingers crossed it shows up healthy -- now we wait..

 

[ScubaFish802]

Well, at least when they have 75% of the fish they will ship my order So close lol