Hi all,
I'm new to the forum and joined specifically for this RSM owners club. It seems you all really know your stuff!!:bow: I have a RSM 130 that I'd like to convert to a freshwater planted tank but need some advice. I called Red Sea and they said I should just ask other owners online cuz they can only recommend their stuff. :smack:
Background One:
The Red Sea Max 130 has 110 watts (2 x 55w "T5 bulbs") of 50/50 actinic and 10,000k lights. This is not the right color temperature for plants and it's way too much wattage since I wont be running C02. Red Sea tech support says I'm stuck with these 50/50 lights and that they know of no other power compact that I can use with their system. Strangely, they said that if I use a 6500k light (appropriate for plants) that it will burn up my canopy ...even it's the exact same voltage. This makes no sense to me and they didn't give any reasoning either. I'm a bit stuck now since this reef lighting just won't work for me and I'm out a lot of money on this expensive tank so please help.
Lighting Questions:
1) Is it true that I could not use 55 watt 6500k power compact bulbs without burning down the canopy?
2) Are there any other bulbs I could safely use with this ballast that you folks know of besides the red sea brand?
3) Ideally, I'd like to run less lighting...something like 2 x 24watt or 2 x 35 watt power compacts...will the ballast be able to safely handle lower wattages without the bulbs "exploding" like I was told by Red Sea?
4) As a last resort, could I just run one of the stock 55watt bulbs and leave the other slot empty and it be safe?
Background Two:
After removing the skimmer, the water flow in the filtration chamber has dropped dramatically and it really does a horrible job due to reduced flow. I'd like to convert this to freshwater and would like to know what mods I can do to make this happen?
Filtration Questions:
1) Any suggestions on how I can setup the media in the back with skimmer removed to have it more freshwater appropriate?
2) Any suggestions on how I can increase the flow through the filtration chambers with the skimmer removed?...for example, could I use a different or more powerful power head/pump? if so, what brands?
3) Could I use two of StevieT's famous racks in the back??
Sorry for the super long post and thanks in advance to everyone that responds. BTW: I did look for other posts similar to this but I just couldn't find the right answers so sorry if this is a old topic and I'm beat_dead_horse. HELP A BROTHER OUT!!!
I'm new to the forum and joined specifically for this RSM owners club. It seems you all really know your stuff!!:bow: I have a RSM 130 that I'd like to convert to a freshwater planted tank but need some advice. I called Red Sea and they said I should just ask other owners online cuz they can only recommend their stuff. :smack:
Background One:
The Red Sea Max 130 has 110 watts (2 x 55w "T5 bulbs") of 50/50 actinic and 10,000k lights. This is not the right color temperature for plants and it's way too much wattage since I wont be running C02. Red Sea tech support says I'm stuck with these 50/50 lights and that they know of no other power compact that I can use with their system. Strangely, they said that if I use a 6500k light (appropriate for plants) that it will burn up my canopy ...even it's the exact same voltage. This makes no sense to me and they didn't give any reasoning either. I'm a bit stuck now since this reef lighting just won't work for me and I'm out a lot of money on this expensive tank so please help.
Lighting Questions:
1) Is it true that I could not use 55 watt 6500k power compact bulbs without burning down the canopy?
2) Are there any other bulbs I could safely use with this ballast that you folks know of besides the red sea brand?
3) Ideally, I'd like to run less lighting...something like 2 x 24watt or 2 x 35 watt power compacts...will the ballast be able to safely handle lower wattages without the bulbs "exploding" like I was told by Red Sea?
4) As a last resort, could I just run one of the stock 55watt bulbs and leave the other slot empty and it be safe?
Background Two:
After removing the skimmer, the water flow in the filtration chamber has dropped dramatically and it really does a horrible job due to reduced flow. I'd like to convert this to freshwater and would like to know what mods I can do to make this happen?
Filtration Questions:
1) Any suggestions on how I can setup the media in the back with skimmer removed to have it more freshwater appropriate?
2) Any suggestions on how I can increase the flow through the filtration chambers with the skimmer removed?...for example, could I use a different or more powerful power head/pump? if so, what brands?
3) Could I use two of StevieT's famous racks in the back??
Sorry for the super long post and thanks in advance to everyone that responds. BTW: I did look for other posts similar to this but I just couldn't find the right answers so sorry if this is a old topic and I'm beat_dead_horse. HELP A BROTHER OUT!!!