Red Sea Reef-Frame 250 - White Cabinet

The Red Sea Reef-Frame 250 - White Cabinet is a 246 litre (65 US gallon) reef-ready aquarium system combining a 204 litre (53.9 gallon) ultra-clear glass display, a professional 42 litre (11.1 gallon) REEF-SPEC filtration sump, and a reinforced white marine-spec plywood cabinet. Its 90 cm (35.4 inch) length provides room for varied coral placement and open swimming areas, while the 53 cm (20.9 inch) front-to-back depth accommodates three-dimensional rockwork without requiring the footprint of a much larger aquarium.

Designed for aquarists who want to select their own equipment, the REEF-FRAME 250 provides the glass aquarium, cabinet, overflow, plumbing, and sump rather than a predetermined lighting and filtration package. Red Sea's eurobraced construction, ReefGate precision flow valve, removable surface-skimming combs, and ReefMat-ready mechanical filtration compartment create a versatile foundation for a customized saltwater reef.

Red Sea Reef-Frame 250 White Aquarium Features

• 204 litre (53.9 gallon) display: The 90 cm aquarium length provides space for separate rock islands, open sand channels, and multiple coral placement areas rather than concentrating the entire aquascape into one compact structure.
• Eurobraced ultra-clear glass: The aquarium incorporates perimeter reinforcement for additional structural strength and a 12 mm (0.47 inch) ultra-clear front panel for improved viewing clarity.
• 53 cm (20.9 inch) aquascaping depth: The front-to-back dimension allows rockwork to be positioned at different distances from the viewing glass, with room for circulation and routine cleaning around the structure.
• White marine-spec cabinet: Reinforced plywood construction supports the full contour of the aquarium and includes stainless steel hinges, splash-resistant doors, and adjustable leveling feet.
• Custom equipment configuration: Lighting, return pump, protein skimmer, circulation pumps, and monitoring equipment are chosen separately, allowing the reef to be built around the intended livestock and coral requirements.

ReefGate Overflow and Quiet Water Management

The REEF-FRAME 250 collects surface water through removable combs surrounding a centrally positioned overflow. Water then enters the sump through an enlarged rectangular downflow inlet designed to reduce turbulence, with a precision ReefGate valve controlling the operating level inside the overflow.

• ReefGate precision adjustment: Fine valve control allows the downflow to be balanced against the selected return pump, helping maintain quiet and consistent sump operation.
• Main and secondary drainage: The overflow incorporates a regulated main downpipe and secondary overflow bypass as part of its water-management system.
• Removable surface-skimming combs: The comb sections can be cleaned to remove deposits and maintain effective collection of surface water.
• Hydrodynamic plumbing: Factory-designed piping reduces unnecessary flow restrictions, while optional metric and USA connector kits provide additional flexibility for customized plumbing.
• Single curved 25 mm (approximately 1 inch) return: The aquarium uses one return outlet for a separately purchased return pump, unlike the dual-outlet arrangement on the larger REEF-FRAME 350 and 500.

REEF-SPEC Sump with Adjustable Skimmer Chamber

The 42 litre (11.1 gallon) sump provides a dedicated filtration area below the display. Unlike the smaller REEF-FRAME 170, the 250 offers an adjustable-height protein skimmer chamber and optional refugium-divider compatibility, giving aquarists greater control over how the sump is configured.

• Adjustable skimmer water depth: The skimmer chamber can be set between 17 and 23 cm (6.7-9.1 inches), allowing the operating water level to be matched to the requirements of a compatible protein skimmer.
• 225-micron mechanical filtration: The included fine-mesh filter bag collects suspended debris before water passes through the remaining filtration system.
• Filter media cup: A separate media cup is supplied for use within the mechanical filtration arrangement.
• ReefMat-ready compartment: The mechanical filtration tray and removable divider can be taken out to accommodate compatible automated roller filtration without rebuilding the aquarium plumbing. The ReefMat 250 is the model used with the corresponding MAX equipment configuration.
• Optional refugium section: A compatible divider allows a dedicated refugium area to be established within the sump, providing an additional option for nutrient-management planning.
• Bubble-management system: A bubble-trap water path with coarse sponge helps prevent bubbles from the filtration chamber travelling back into the aquarium.

Choosing Equipment for a 90 cm Custom Reef

The REEF-FRAME 250 is suitable for customers planning a marine fish aquarium, soft coral display, LPS reef, or appropriately equipped mixed reef. Its longer display and configurable filtration sump offer practical advantages when choosing equipment and planning rockwork, particularly compared with the smaller 170.

• Recommended return pump: Red Sea specifies one ReefRun G2 4000 with an adjustable flow range of 2,000-4,000 L/h (530-1,060 US gph), sold separately.
• Lighting coverage: Select reef lighting suitable for the 90 x 53 cm (35.4 x 20.9 inch) footprint, with intensity and fixture placement matched to the planned coral species.
• Protein skimmer fitment: Choose a skimmer that fits the available chamber and operates within its adjustable 17-23 cm (6.7-9.1 inch) water-depth range.
• Supplementary circulation: Dedicated wavemakers can provide water movement around rockwork and across the length of the display beyond the flow supplied by the sump return.
• Automatic top-off: An ATO system is recommended to maintain a stable return chamber water level and salinity as evaporation occurs. Top-off equipment is not included in the standard bare-system package.
• 170 versus 250: The 250 adds 30 cm (11.8 inches) of aquarium length and offers adjustable skimmer depth and an optional refugium divider, while maintaining the same 53 cm (20.9 inch) front-to-back width as the 170.

Red Sea Reef-Frame 250 White Specifications

• Total system volume: 246 L / 65 US gal.
• Display aquarium volume: 204 L / 53.9 US gal.
• In-cabinet sump volume: 42 L / 11.1 US gal.
• Display dimensions: 90 cm L x 53 cm W x 50 cm H / approximately 35.4 x 20.9 x 19.7 inches.
• Total height with cabinet: 137 cm / approximately 53.9 inches.
• Front glass thickness: 12 mm / approximately 0.47 inches.
• Glass construction: Eurobraced ultra-clear glass with high-quality euro-silicone bonding.
• Cabinet: White reinforced marine-spec plywood with stainless steel hinges and adjustable leveling feet.
• Return outlet: Single curved 25 mm connection.
• Mechanical filtration: Removable ReefMat-ready compartment with one 225-micron filter bag and one media cup.
• Skimmer chamber water depth: Adjustable from 17-23 cm / approximately 6.7-9.1 inches.
• Refugium compatibility: Optional dedicated refugium divider.
• Approximate filled system weight: 374 kg / 825 lb.
• Approximate glass aquarium weight: 59 kg / 129 lb.
• Recommended return pump: ReefRun G2 4000, sold separately.
• Manufacturer warranty: Standard 3 years, extendable to 5 years at no additional charge when registered within 90 days of purchase, subject to warranty terms.

Red Sea REEF-FRAME Series Video

Shipping Notes

• Red Sea aquariums are exempt from our free shipping policy.
• To avoid delays, please order your aquarium separately from other products. If purchasing additional items, place one order for the aquarium and a second order for your other products.
• Orders shipping to the Northwest Territories, Yukon, or Nunavut require a shipping quote. Please call for details.
• Red Sea aquariums are brought in and shipped on an as-ordered basis. The average turnaround time before shipping is approximately two business days, except where noted below.
• All shipments outside the Vancouver area are sent by trucking company with fully insured residential delivery and power tailgate service.
• Orders within British Columbia and, in some circumstances, Alberta may require an additional 5-10 business days for processing. Orders from Alberta and provinces farther east generally ship directly from the distributor in Ontario within two business days.
• For in-store pickup, select that option at checkout to avoid delivery charges. You will be notified when the aquarium arrives, usually within 5-10 business days.
• Red Sea MAX S Series aquariums are always special order and generally require 3-6 weeks before shipping.
• Freight delivery includes transporting the aquarium to the destination address and unloading it. The freight company is not responsible for carrying the aquarium inside the building.
• Freight charges have been substantially subsidized to help reduce the delivery cost of your new Red Sea aquarium.
• Rural, remote, and extended-service areas may require an additional shipping charge. We will contact you before shipping if an adjustment is necessary.

Directions

• Choose a location capable of supporting approximately 374 kg (825 lb). Red Sea specifies at least 10 cm (4 inches) of clearance behind the aquarium and recommends approximately 60 cm (24 inches) of side access for maintenance.
• Assemble and level the reinforced white cabinet according to the manufacturer's instructions before placing the glass aquarium. Do not move the system while full of water.
• Install the sump and plumbing with all connector O-rings correctly seated. Hand-tighten threaded plumbing connections without tools or overtightening.
• Install the return pump and selected filtration equipment before filling, following Red Sea's initial-fill procedure and checking all plumbing connections for leaks.
• Set the skimmer chamber water depth to the operating requirements of the selected protein skimmer.
• Adjust the ReefGate valve in small increments, allowing several minutes for the water level to stabilize after each adjustment.
• Perform a power-out test to ensure the sump can accommodate water draining from the aquarium when the return pump stops.
• Clean the mechanical filtration components, overflow combs, and return nozzle as required during routine maintenance.
• Register the aquarium with Red Sea within 90 days of purchase to qualify for the extended manufacturer warranty.

What's Included

• REEF-FRAME 250 eurobraced ultra-clear glass aquarium
• White reinforced marine-spec plywood cabinet with adjustable leveling feet and stainless steel hinges
• 42 litre REEF-SPEC glass sump with adjustable-height skimmer chamber and removable ReefMat-ready mechanical filtration compartment
• One 225-micron mechanical filter bag
• One filter media cup
• Internal downflow and return plumbing with ReefGate precision valve
• Central overflow with removable surface-skimming combs
• Single curved 25 mm return nozzle