Simon's RSM250 - Beginner Advice Please

[aquachemist]

Just starting out. Got sand in and sw now for a week. Sitting at 1.026

I am still yet to order some dry rock and a chiller. Should i try and get the cycle started with a dead shrimp or wait till i have the rocks and chiller?

Red Sea Max 250

 

[aquachemist]

First drops of sand

Filling

Filled, turn pumps on and VOILÀ a massive sandstorm [emoji34] that took a few days to settle. Had to take some sand out and rinse more as the cloudy water would not completely settle

Red Sea Max 250

 

[aquachemist]

Clear now though

Red Sea Max 250

 

[aquachemist]

Also, how long till the skimmer starts to skim properly? Mine just bubbles up and pours over into the chamber

Red Sea Max 250

 

[aquachemist]

Red Sea Max 250

 

[pablomay28]

The basics you will need are a chiller preferably a jbj actica 1/10hp. I use an eheim compact plus 2000 pump for the chiller and as a return pump(it can be used inside or ouside the tank) I use it outside. A automatic top off to keep your salinity and water level stable (very important for the skimmer to work efficiently) I recomend the tunze osmolator nano 3152 though rated for a smaller tank it will be perfect for your RSM 250. A plastic 2 way air valve for your skimmer (they are easier to adjust).API salt water test kit to monitor your cycle (I use API in combination with HANNA CHECKERS). If you want I can load some pictures of my set up so you can have an idea. You can check a video I posted on YouTube of the way I used to have it set up I went back to the stock skimmer and it works a lot better with the aftermarket air valve.
Ill post some pics to help you adjust the skimmer later on today.

 

[aquachemist]

Excellent. Please post photos of your setup that would be a big help

Red Sea Max 250

 

[pablomay28]

I roll the skimmer column all the way up to where it touches the coverer and have the water 4 bars down and keep the bubbles half way up the column that will give you a nice foam head on the top

 

[pablomay28]

Have you seen the video?

 

[aquachemist]

What do you mean '4 bars down' ?

Red Sea Max 250

 

[aquachemist]

What's the link to the video?

Red Sea Max 250

 

[pablomay28]

dont have acces to youtube on work computer. just type in pablomay28 and you will find it

 

[pablomay28]

Check out this video on YouTube:

 

[pablomay28]

on the left side of your tank in the sump there are bars or lines next to the glass that mark the water level in the rear sump

 

[aquachemist]

Oh ok. Mine is right at the top. I'll just take a few buckets out of the tank

Red Sea Max 250

 

[aquachemist]

I'm not keen to modify the skimmer just yet. Unless it doesn't work. What does the plastic air valve look like? How/ where to get them

Red Sea Max 250

 

[pablomay28]

No modification needed. Just bypass the air valve on the collection cup. I am loading the pics they will be up in a few

 

[pablomay28]

This is how high I have the gate





Sorry its 3 lines down not 4





This is the valve



This is how I run my skimmer



Full tank shot



This is what has worked for me. I will post some more tomorrow morning. Hope this helps

 

[aquachemist]

What level should the sliding gate be on the back wall of the tank?

Red Sea Max 250

 

[aquachemist]

Thanks very much

Red Sea Max 250