Red Sea REEFER 200 G2+ Build

[Roughneck]

FYI this is my first reef tank.

Gear list:
- Rea Sea 200 G2+ Tank
- Red Sea ATO+ with ReefCan 18
- Red Sea RSK DC-300 Skimmer
- Red Sea ReefRun 5500 DC Return Pump
- Red Sea Dual Pump Controller
- Red Sea ReefMat 250
- AI Nero 3 Circ Pumps (2ea)
- EcoTech XR30 Pro Light
- BRS Titanium 200w Heater with InkBird Controller
- Clearview Classic Lid
- CaribSea LifeRock Shapes (2ea boxes, used about 30-35 lbs)
- CaribSea Special Grade Sand (goal for 1.5 - 2" sand)

For those of you that are curious on how a Reefer 200 G2 fits with a ReefCan... the short answer is it's a tight fit. The only thing I could squeeze behind the ReefCan was the plugs of the heater controller (wouldn't be able with a 170)... and even then I could barely clip the door hinges.

That's the very best wire management my OCD could produce (tons of wires and powerbricks between the cabinet and the wall). The controller for the ReefRun return pump and the DC Skimmer create a ton of additional wires, but I think it will be worth it. This wouldn't be an issue with a wider tank with space for electrical components beside the sump. I guess this is the price to pay for a "cube style" tank.

I know the rockscape isn't the prettiest, I mostly went for fish habitat (it's full of tunnels from the 2ea CaribSea Shapes boxes) and a large coral horizontal plateau for future SPS (about 8 - 9" below water surface).

I'm only missing the XR30 light and the 2ea Nero 3 circulation pumps. Should put water in this week, wish me luck. I'll post an update when I receive the rest of the gear and start the cycling process. I'm going with a pair of clownfish with the Fritz Turbostart 900 cycling method.

 

[kevgib67]

Following!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Your cabinet is very organized; following along!

 

[2Plus2]

Looking buttery, following!

 

[Roughneck]

Well as promised, here's an update to my new build. Added the live sand, water and fish a week ago. So far no ammonia is readable with the "Turbostart 900 fish in method" but I'll still test daily to be able to react quickly should it creep up.

PSA on the Turbostart and ReefMat... the label on the bottle says to turn off the skimmer and UV (no mention of filter socks or roller mat). So added I the entire bottle, but then within seconds the ReefMat went crazy and swallowed a good chunk of the bacteria solution before I could turn it off. Turns out they updated the website instruction to also remove the roller mat but this info wasn't updated on the bottle label. Since there was no way of knowing how many bacteria were lost, I went and grab some PolypLab Genesis bacteria at my LFS to be on the safe side. So far so good.

Today was like Christmas morning, I received the XR30 and the new Clearview Lid. Now the only items pending are the two A.I. Nero 3. Should be in any days now.

 

[Roughneck]

Finally received the Nero 3 circ pumps. This will conclude the "gear" part of this build (until the dosing pump will be required).

Also installed a GFCI outlet inside the kitchen cabinet so no more exposed wire on the countertop. Happy wife, happy life

Don't mind the particles in the water column, it looks like the circulating pumps are already doing their thing and cleaning the substrate.

For now the XR30 is at 20% (until I get a Par meter) and the circ pumps are at 25%. I'm open to suggestions on flow strength if any of you have a similar setup. The ultimate goal is to have an Acro garden at the top plateau and LPS in the bottom half.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

FYI this is my first reef tank.

Gear list:
- Rea Sea 200 G2 + Tank
- Red Sea ATO+ with ReefCan 18
- Red Sea RSK DC-300 Skimmer
- Red Sea ReefRun 5500 DC Return Pump
- Red Sea Dual Pump Controller
- Red Sea ReefMat 250
- AI Nero 3 Circ Pumps (2ea)
- EcoTech XR30 Light
- BRS Titanium 200w Heater with InkBird Controller
- Clearview Classic Lid
- CaribSea LifeRock Shapes (2ea boxes, used about 30-35 lbs)
- CaribSea Special Grade Sand (goal for 1.5 - 2" sand)

For those of you that are curious on how a Reefer 200 G2 fits with a ReefCan... the short answer is it's a tight fit. The only thing I could squeeze behind the ReefCan was the plugs of the heater controller (wouldn't be able with a 170)... and even then I could barely clip the door hinges.

That's the very best wire management my OCD could produce (tons of wires and powerbricks between the cabinet and the wall). The controller for the ReefRun return pump and the DC Skimmer create a ton of additional wires, but I think it will be worth it. This wouldn't be an issue with a wider tank with space for electrical components beside the sump. I guess this is the price to pay for a "cube style" tank.

I know the rockscape isn't the prettiest, I mostly went for fish habitat (it's full of tunnels from the 2ea CaribSea Shapes boxes) and a large coral horizontal plateau for future SPS (about 8 - 9" below water surface).

I'm only missing the XR30 light and the 2ea Nero 3 circulation pumps. Should put water in this week, wish me luck. I'll post an update when I receive the rest of the gear and start the cycling process. I'm going with a pair of clownfish with the Fritz Turbostart 900 cycling method.

Sweet! I've got the same build, mostly. Following along!

 

[Kraaaemer]

Beautiful build! Following.

My Reefer Max 200 G2+ arrived today, and it’s also my first reef tank. I wanted a reasonably sized tank with some verticality to highlight what I hope will become a dense collection of coral and maybe two or three fish.

I spent most of the day putting it together, and this thread helped me suss out the build (the instructions leave much to be desired). Thanks!

After reviewing your photos, I decided to install the sliding panel that came with the kit, and put my Reefcan either behind, or beside the tank. It’s something I want to keep a close eye on anyway. I’ll eventually mount my Red Sea four pump doser, and a few other things on the panel.

For now, I’m waiting on new sand. I chose AF Biosand, and the bags split open during shipping (BRS placed it in waaaay too big of a box and UPS destroyed it).

Shout out to them for replacing it with no questions asked.

How’s the XR30 working out?

 

[Sdoutreefer]

Beautiful build! Following.

My Reefer Max 200 G2+ arrived today, and it’s also my first reef tank. I wanted a reasonably sized tank with some verticality to highlight what I hope will become a dense collection of coral and maybe two or three fish.

I spent most of the day putting it together, and this thread helped me suss out the build (the instructions leave much to be desired). Thanks!

After reviewing your photos, I decided to install the sliding panel that came with the kit, and put my Reefcan either behind, or beside the tank. It’s something I want to keep a close eye on anyway. I’ll eventually mount my Red Sea four pump doser, and a few other things on the panel.

For now, I’m waiting on new sand. I chose AF Biosand, and the bags split open during shipping (BRS placed it in waaaay too big of a box and UPS destroyed it).

Shout out to them for replacing it with no questions asked.

How’s the XR30 working out?

Thank you for the kind words! Ya, it took me quite a while to get a grip on how it all fit into the under cabinet/sump space. The he reefmat was the most challenging, lol.

What “optional” panel are you talking about? I don’t have one. Maybe it was left out of the package.

The reefcan is definetly a tight fit too. With my heater controller and other items, it barely fits, BUT it does fit like a glove lol.

The XR30 is working great. I was running it at 75% and almost bleached out a chalice that was sitting in the sand bed. So, I dialed it down to 60% and everything seems happy. I only have a couple SPS frags currently, so we will see if my intensity needs to go up or down.

 

[Roughneck]

That's awesome you'll love the 200. Great "presence" in the room without taking over the room if that make sense.

I decided to put the ReefCan in the stand because I put all the excess wires/power supplies behind the tank part of my cable management.

Loving the XR30 so far. I personally find it had way too much "light bleed" on the room so I just installed a shade. Crazy difference, the kitchen is no longer blue hahah.

Beautiful build! Following.

My Reefer Max 200 G2+ arrived today, and it’s also my first reef tank. I wanted a reasonably sized tank with some verticality to highlight what I hope will become a dense collection of coral and maybe two or three fish.

I spent most of the day putting it together, and this thread helped me suss out the build (the instructions leave much to be desired). Thanks!

After reviewing your photos, I decided to install the sliding panel that came with the kit, and put my Reefcan either behind, or beside the tank. It’s something I want to keep a close eye on anyway. I’ll eventually mount my Red Sea four pump doser, and a few other things on the panel.

For now, I’m waiting on new sand. I chose AF Biosand, and the bags split open during shipping (BRS placed it in waaaay too big of a box and UPS destroyed it).

Shout out to them for replacing it with no questions asked.

How’s the XR30 working out?

 

[Sdoutreefer]

That's awesome you'll love the 200. Great "presence" in the room without taking over the room if that make sense.

I decided to put the ReefCan in the stand because I put all the excess wires/power supplies behind the tank part of my cable management.

Loving the XR30 so far. I personally find it had way too much "light bleed" on the room so I just installed a shade. Crazy difference, the kitchen is no longer blue hahah.

That is a good idea! What did you make it out of??

 

[Roughneck]

I bought it from a reef specific 3D printing store. The fit is spot on.

EcoTech Marine Radion XR30 Light Shade

Elevate your aquarium's aesthetics with Printed Reef's Ecotech Radion XR30 Light Shades. Featuring a unique slide-on design for G5 & G6 compatibility, our shades magnify the beauty of your tank while ensuring a snug fit.

printedreef.com

 

[Kraaaemer]

You’re welcome! The bundle I received from Red Sea contained the Slide Out Control Panel 25. I’ll include some pics once I finish getting everything setup. I’m waiting for my RODI system to arrive later this week

 

[Kraaaemer]

Presence indeed, and your setup is beautiful. I’ll admit that the design played a huge role in my decision. It’s super eye catching, even more so than many of the larger tanks I’ve seen.

 

[Roughneck]

Thanks, I can't wait to start the coral journey. That's funny I'm also waiting for my RODI. That's my water station as of now in my garage. I'm getting RO water at my LFS for now.

 

[JustinP.]

The setup looks amazing! How are you liking the flow from the neros? I was also curious about the lights underneath, what did you end up using for it?

 

[Roughneck]

Thanks! So far I think the Nero will work out, but for now I just keep them on random flow and it keeps the debris off the substate. I'll do more fine tuning once I start getting the corals.

I bought this light at Home Depot. Works great.

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/commercial-electric-led-under-cabinet-light-18-inch-energy-star-/1000859444

 

[Roughneck]

Finally got my first batch of corals in . One video is in 10k and the other in AB+ spectrum.

Was lucky enough to get decent size colonies from my LFS. Probably not the smartest starting with SPS, but I'm being very diligent with water change and testing. I have a dosing pump with some All for Reef ready for when I notice the Calcium and Alkalinity to drop. I added a batch of Copepods and I'm feeding them Phyto every 3days. I know it's too early to cheer, but so far the Copepods seems to have help with the Uglies. I only got a little bit of diatoms for 2 weeks and it's now completely gone.

The skimmer will stay off until needed, that ReefMat almost works too good. Since my nutrients are still low, I'm feeding the corals Reef-Roids and Aminos. So far so good.

I had issues with lighting intensity with my Gen 6 XR30. It's too good at spreading for a small tank IMO. To get 200ish Par on top, the sand bed had to be 150 Par. Ended up getting the "high intensity lens kit", now the center top is closer to 300 Par while the surrounding sand is about 100 Par. Better for a mixed reef.

Fish list:
- Gladiator Clownfish
- Onyx Clownfish
- 3ea Blue-Green Chromis (under quarantine at LFS)

Clean up crew list:
- 2ea Cleaner Shrimps
- 2ea Scarlet Hermit Crabs
- 2ea Turbo Snails

Coral list:
- 3ea Acropora mini colonies (unknown species)
- Pink Bird's Nest colony
- Orange Setosa
- Green Psammocora
- Jack-O-Lantern Leptoseris
- WWC Grated Montipora Cap
- Candy Cane colony (unknown species)

 

[Sdoutreefer]

What aminos are you dosing? How old is the tank?

It is coming along!

 

[Roughneck]

The tanks is still very young, it's a little over two months old but was cycled instantly with the Fritz Turbostart 900 and Polyp Lab Genesis (never got any readable ammonia or nitrite and saw nitrate within a week).

I got the Tropic Marin Amino-Organic. The only issue with it is that it needs a minimum 0.03ppm of phosphate to use, thus why I'm using the Reef-Roids (it's basically my phosphate dosing method hahah).

What aminos are you dosing? How old is the tank?

It is coming along!