The Tucker's Red Sea 650
- Thread starter FishOuttaWater
- Start date
Change in a reef tank needs to happen slowly. Those mechanical float valves are not really precise and subject to circumstances that we might not anticipate. What if you've pushed something against the float valve so it is stuck in the closed position. Then you notice it (or maybe not) and move whatever is causing the valve to hang up. Then you get a quick slug of fresh water changing your salinity quickly. Not always a huge problem, but it would be better if it changed slowly dripping the top off water.
Do you plan to add kalk to your top off water? If so, then that becomes even more problematic and you will definitely need to drip the top off solution to avoid large swings of pH.
Mine is adjusted to 1-2 drips per second and I get no more than 0.03 increase in pH whenever top off water is added. I use a weak solution of kalk for top off. No more than 4 teaspoons per 10 gallons premixed before I add to the top off reservoir.
FishOuttaWater
Member
Our Big Upgrade 650 Tank Build
Part of our problem is that since this was the same tank used by Red Sea at macna there were a few parts missing. I'm missing the elbow for my return pump and also the upgraded skimmer pipe. I'm also missing a couple of end caps. The lfs that sold it to me said he will have them drop ship everything that is missing or damaged. I think the elbow is the biggest problem because the return pump keeps sucking air.
Part of our problem is that since this was the same tank used by Red Sea at macna there were a few parts missing. I'm missing the elbow for my return pump and also the upgraded skimmer pipe. I'm also missing a couple of end caps. The lfs that sold it to me said he will have them drop ship everything that is missing or damaged. I think the elbow is the biggest problem because the return pump keeps sucking air.
The water level in my pump section is 2-3 inches above the pump inlet without the elbow. I don't think it would suck air with that water level. Could you go to the hardware store and find an elbow that would fit on that inlet? It shouldn't cost over $1 and even if it doesn't fit exactly, it should help eliminate the problem of sucking air. Waiting on the Red Sea folks can be time consuming....I finally had to have the LFS owner contact the sales rep to get the attention I needed for a replacement part for the light.
FishOuttaWater
Member
Our Big Upgrade 650 Tank Build
The store where I bought it had already contacted Red Sea about the parts and said I should have them this week.
My water level is probably 3-4 inches above the pump as well but I still get a vortex occasionally.
The store where I bought it had already contacted Red Sea about the parts and said I should have them this week.
My water level is probably 3-4 inches above the pump as well but I still get a vortex occasionally.
Good luck....it looks like you're getting plenty of help on the forum. I hope you enjoy your S650 as much as I have.
Choff
Well-Known Member
You should contact RS about the ato cap. I think they shipped out with 1 initially and then replaced it I assume due to some flaw. When I got mine, there was an ato cap in the bundle and the another replacement one in a separate pack and it said to use that one. Perhaps the macna build had the old one?
Sent using Tapatalk 2
Sent using Tapatalk 2
FishOuttaWater
Member
Our Big Upgrade 650 Tank Build
Thank you Lucien.
Choff I think the lfs owner probably pulled the upgrades off and put them on his. He said he is having it all shipped to us. The elbow and the skimmer pipe extension are something I want ASAP. Hopefully this week. I think the top off cap is fine now. It's not leaking after resetting it on the reservoir.
Thank you Lucien.
Choff I think the lfs owner probably pulled the upgrades off and put them on his. He said he is having it all shipped to us. The elbow and the skimmer pipe extension are something I want ASAP. Hopefully this week. I think the top off cap is fine now. It's not leaking after resetting it on the reservoir.
You can call Red Sea too... many times they will ship the same day - if this helps
U.S.A. Office: Red Sea 18125 Ammi Trail Houston, Texas 77060
Tel: (281) 447-0205 Fax: (281) 447-1153
Toll Free: 1-888-RedSea9
U.S.A. Office: Red Sea 18125 Ammi Trail Houston, Texas 77060
Tel: (281) 447-0205 Fax: (281) 447-1153
Toll Free: 1-888-RedSea9
FishOuttaWater
Member
Our Big Upgrade 650 Tank Build
Thanks nano
Thanks nano
You are very welcome !
Yes if you have any problems or need replacement parts call Red Sea, I had a problem with the center light fixture and called 2 days later ups dropped a new light fixture at my door. So far any questions or problems I had was solved soon after giving them a call, from what I seen so far they have great customer service at least here in the U.S. the only problem I have run into that they have not been able to solve is that all pipes and fittings are metric and that is not really not there problem since they are not a U.S. company and you can find most by doing a quick search online for the part or bringing part to local hardware and matching up what you need.
FishOuttaWater
Member
Our Big Upgrade 650 Tank Build
Still working on the aquascaping but we have most of it done. The loose rocks you see on the ground will find a place either in the sump or in our aquarium at school. It looks better in person. Three large caves and plenty of sand for us to put stuff in the sandbed.
It's not the big rubble pile that it looks like in the pictures. There are plenty of caves for fish and shelves for corals.
Still working on the aquascaping but we have most of it done. The loose rocks you see on the ground will find a place either in the sump or in our aquarium at school. It looks better in person. Three large caves and plenty of sand for us to put stuff in the sandbed.
It's not the big rubble pile that it looks like in the pictures. There are plenty of caves for fish and shelves for corals.
FishOuttaWater
Member
Our Big Upgrade 650 Tank Build
More pics with all of the lights on. Forgot to turn them all on before.
More pics with all of the lights on. Forgot to turn them all on before.
FishOuttaWater
Member
Our Big Upgrade 650 Tank Build
Hey. Yeah I remember you. I was not in a good mood after shattering my iPhone 5. I hope everything is going well with your tank.
Hey. Yeah I remember you. I was not in a good mood after shattering my iPhone 5. I hope everything is going well with your tank.
I like this ^
Nice caves - looks like you will have lots of places to mount corals too !
Mcnjenn
to ReefSanctuary and the RSM Club, a real Sanctuary of reef forums, with lots of very nice members
Congrats on your new RSM 650 - Be sure to start a tank thread & share your tank with us, we love pics
FishOuttaWater
Member
Our Big Upgrade 650 Tank Build
We have about 180 pounds of rock in the tank right now. The white rocks you see are just dry rocks we bought at the lfs for base. About 50 pounds is dry real reef rock I won at MACNA. Then we bought an additional 55 pounds of live real reef rock at the lfs. Real reef Rock is pretty expensive. Part of the deal on the aquarium was that he would sell us real reef rock for 3.79/pound. That's dirt cheap for that stuff. The rock is painted purple to have the appearance of coralline algae.
We have about 180 pounds of rock in the tank right now. The white rocks you see are just dry rocks we bought at the lfs for base. About 50 pounds is dry real reef rock I won at MACNA. Then we bought an additional 55 pounds of live real reef rock at the lfs. Real reef Rock is pretty expensive. Part of the deal on the aquarium was that he would sell us real reef rock for 3.79/pound. That's dirt cheap for that stuff. The rock is painted purple to have the appearance of coralline algae.