Red Sea Reefer Deluxe (250)

[panamagixxer]

So, yesterday and today was set-up. Got the 250 started and APEX set-up.

Installed:

RO system in the garage and mixed my salt water.
APEX and 4 probes.
1 Wav pump.
Skimmer.
Doser (not running, but wired up).
GFO/Carbon Reactor (not running, but wired up).
APEX leak detector.
APEX auto feed.
Icecap Reef Cam.
M1 Pump.

Spent a good amount of time on wire management, but will spend more (back is killing me). That's why I mounted a few things for the future, the cabinet on the 250 is tight, but workable.

I will keep updating this post - first tank in ages, so its a learning experience again. Will get a couple "clowns" tomorrow to appease my 6 year-old.

Wish me luck!

 

[Papermonkeys]

I might be crazy but I think you wanna cycle before you add some fish. But enjoy your 250, I love mine!

 

[panamagixxer]

I might be crazy but I think you wanna cycle before you add some fish. But enjoy your 250, I love mine!

I added a bottle of BIO-Spira - Instant Ocean which should allow for a couple of clowns to be put into the tank "early".

 

[panamagixxer]

Looking a lot clearer after 24 hours.

 

[JUNBUG361]

Looks good, the sand is settling down. Take your time

 

[Rover88]

I added a bottle of BIO-Spira - Instant Ocean which should allow for a couple of clowns to be put into the tank "early".

Not a guarantee...

Mostly depends on your rock and your sand. That is where the bacteria 'lives'. Did you have dry, non cured rock that has never been live? Did you have live rock shipped in? Did you get live rock locally? It changes it for each one.

Either way, you are going to have live animals in during your 'cycle', so just keep a close eye on it and be prepared for large water changes if levels get high. I don't like to cycle with fish as I feel its unhealthy to the fish. A bottle of bacteria is not a proper method of cycling.

But hopefully it works out for you, and the clowns! The setup looks good. Those reefer systems are awesome.

 

[panamagixxer]

Thanks, have about 50 lbs of live rock (shipped) and 40 lbs of live sand.

 

[Rover88]

Thanks, have about 50 lbs of live rock (shipped) and 40 lbs of live sand.

Thats good and bad! Good because it brings a lot of biodiversity, bad because during the shipping process some will inevitably die. This means when you add it to your tank you'll have a 'mini cycle' where the die-off degrades and the tank adjusts.

I've never had live sand, and have read mixed reviews.

 

[panamagixxer]

Quick Pic, tank cleared out well.

 

[agruetz]

I added a bottle of BIO-Spira - Instant Ocean which should allow for a couple of clowns to be put into the tank "early".

Do not. Do yourself a favor go slow. I recommend using Red Sea's Reef Mature kit. Has complete instructions and at the end of 30 days you have a rock solid foundation for your reef. At the end of the day nothing good happens fast in a reef tank.

 

[allendehl]

Thanks, have about 50 lbs of live rock (shipped) and 40 lbs of live sand.

That indeed will help you cycle your tank very quickly...but you should still make sure it does. LFS will tell you it is ok to throw in a couple of clowns or chromis but it is not fair for the fish.

It is not much work to throw in a frozen shrimp and test for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates for the following few days. As soon as you see your ammonia and nitrites disappear and nitrates raise, you're good to go.
With your setup you may not even see an ammonia spike since you are bringing in the bacteria with your rock and sand (and may be able to put in fish right away) but IMO it is still a good practice and exercise.

 

[JUNBUG361]

Use chaeto to cycle your tank. I did

 

[panamagixxer]

Use chaeto to cycle your tank. I did

So, how specifically did you use it? Where did you put it to grow, in the tank, or in the cabinet?

 

[JUNBUG361]

I just put in sump & let the tank cycle on its own. With time and patience