red sea max 130 virgin - return to salt after 21 years - Page 2

russbooger · 11-02-2009, 01:57 PM

OK, wife now informed of the tank, has seen it and now wants a complete re-think of how our living room is laid out. That will keep me busy for the nest few days, and whilst the newly connected RO unit is trickling away, need a bit of advice. Filtration first, starting with the foam pre filter before the skimmer - keep it the same size size or reduce by half as I've seen elsewhere? And biological filtration - keep the existing ceramic rings, add bio balls or use living rock as a medium? I've heard that rings and bio balls become nitrate hotspots, but is that because they tend to clog with waste, surely good maintenance would remove this problem? Oh, and can't post pics at the moment, I have no idea how to compress jpegs on a Mac!

David Shaw · 11-02-2009, 06:37 PM

I removed all the stock media and stock skimmer. I bought Stevie T's - InTank Media Rack with the InTank skimmer collection cup and a Tunze 9002 nano skimmer to replace the stock one. None of these need physical modifications, you just slide them in (loads of links and how-to videos on this site).

The Tunze 9002 skimmer helps temperature stability (stock skimmer can add a couple of degrees to water temperature) and also it is practicallly silent (unlike the jet engine aircraft take off noise level of the stock one)

The media rack has 3 compartments and i put carbon on the bottom, phos ban on the middle and white floss in the top. I rinse the bags of media weekly and change the white floss every day or every other day.

Therefore there is no media under the pumps and everything is contained in the main rear compartment.

This all leads to perfect water conditions for me. Make sure you use R/O water or you will get algae issues.

These slight modifications have been perfect and everything is running smoothly with no issues.

Hope this helps.

russbooger · 11-04-2009, 07:04 PM

Quick update - wife has now seen the tank, approved it (just) and made me completely re-organise the living room to accomodate it. Hoping to get a spare fine filter pad, carbon and a bit more salt and set the tank up over the weekend. I can't post any photos yet, because I have a Mac and can't work put how to compress photos yet! Oh, and looking for anyone who imports chemi pure elite into the uk, as buying it from the states through eBay will cost a fortune in postage, VAT and customs fees!

Reefmack · 11-04-2009, 07:45 PM

Good news to hear you got the wife on your side!

redsea reefer · 11-04-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russbooger

looking for anyone who imports chemi pure elite into the uk, as buying it from the states through eBay will cost a fortune in postage, VAT and customs fees!

here you go...inTank ships worldwide...

inTank, LLC

nanoreefing4fun · 11-04-2009, 08:33 PM

Don't have to compress the pics, just upload them to Photobucket for free

1 way to post rsm pics from photobucket

russbooger · 11-05-2009, 06:32 PM

Thanks David, I'm going to have to live with stock skimmer and media for the next couple of months, as I'm just about to spend my last pennies on a circulation pump, refracto and 10kgs of living rock, plus a bit of rubble to replace half of the ceramic media. Once the tank has more rock and has matured for a few months, and the bank balance has gained a bit of weight will make the mods then!

russbooger · 11-06-2009, 05:40 PM

Ok, tank now filled with RO water, switched it on, and guess what, dodgy heater. So off to the LFS tomorrow for a new one and back up in case of future failures. Had to find a UK adapter to fit the RSM power box as well, and at the same time will invest in a digital thermometer. Switched the skimmer on to try it and it sounds like a two stroke engine - so will do the skimmer and media box upgrade sooner rather than later!

David Shaw · 11-07-2009, 05:00 PM

My stock heater packed up last week too so i replaced it with a non RSM one, loads have had issues with them failing. 4 months in and it fails is ridiculous. I emailed Red Sea 3 times and never even got a reply.

I love the RSM tank itself, just a shame the stock equipment is such bad quality. You would think after all the negative feedback that they would address the issues and get better stock equipment. They are expensive tanks and the modifications should really be done by them at source rather than at extra expense by us.

Without this site i wouldn't have known about the Tunze 9002 alternative skimmer and Media Rack and to me they are essential modifications, the noise and additional heat of the stock skimmer would have driven me crazy otherwise !!

russbooger · 11-07-2009, 07:28 PM

David, as I write this the skimmer is growling away in the tank. Going to turn the bloody thing off in a minute, I've had it turned on to circulate the new water, but as its got no dissolved wastes to deal with its turning the inside of the tank into a microbubble blizzard.

Like you I love the look of the tank, was originally going for a nano cube 28g hqi but for the price I got this one for, even after replacing the fans and light s and with the dodgy skimmer I still think I got a good deal!

I'm getting 20kg of semi cured live rock tomorrow from my local shop, its been curing for a fortnight and has loads of colour and growths all over it so will be using this to cycle the tank - might take a bit longer to cycle, but the extra life on the rocks will be worth it. That will clear me out till crimbo, already asked the wife for a 9002 for my prezzie!

David Shaw · 11-07-2009, 08:46 PM

Russ

I hear your pain. The noise of the stock skimmer drove me insane. The Tunze 9002 i have is almost silent. Also the stock skimmer seems to add a couple of degrees in water temp from the motor. The media rack is great, makes it easier to clean and rinse the media bags, and also means you don't have to keep removing the power heads.

I use Rowa Phos, for removing phosphates in one media bag along with Rowa carbon in another, this will give you the UK alternative to the US chemipure which we can't get in the UK. I also use white floss on the top of the media rack to water scrub.

I had problems with micro bubbles too, like many on here, until i replaced the skimmer, tried everything to get rid of them so ditching the stock skimmer for me was a necessity not an option. As soon as i plugged the new skimmer in they disappeared. What i also like about the Tunze range is that if you open the plug socket, they have the two pin adapters inside, so you can plug them into the RSM electric control panel like the stock ones which keeps the clean look without having to find another socket to plug them into.

This hobby is expensive as well as addictive! what with modifications and the initial cost of the RSM it's a wonder we can afford to buy the fish to put into it ! I collect RO water from the LFS every week to do a 40% water change and i don't dawdle and browse otherwise i would end up spending £££££'s. I get the water and get out ASAP as i just know i would get more "stuff" otherwise.

russbooger · 11-08-2009, 02:44 PM

Rowa phos and carbon - thanks for the tip! Could only stretch to 10kg of rock today, but the tank looks great. Just switched the skimmer off now, to clear the water for some photos. Then leaving it off overnight till the morning when I can fiddle properly with the air inlet to get a bit of foam going (if there's enough waste yet)

David Shaw · 11-08-2009, 02:51 PM

Once you get the Tunze you will be fine. I keep my skimmer on 24/7, no ned to turn it off when feeding and no micro bubbles.

Plus the wife will love you over ditching the jet engines and returning to silence

nanoreefing4fun · 11-08-2009, 08:17 PM

russbooger - start a tank thread in the rsm owners club & share some pics with us so

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...x-owners-club/

Reefmack · 11-08-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanoreefing4fun

russbooger - start a tank thread in the rsm owners club & share some pics with us so

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...x-owners-club/

I think this is his tank thread ? Maybe not?

11-02-2009, 01:57 PM	#16 (permalink)
russbooger Tubeworm Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 28 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: red sea max 130 virgin - return to salt after 21 years OK, wife now informed of the tank, has seen it and now wants a complete re-think of how our living room is laid out. That will keep me busy for the nest few days, and whilst the newly connected RO unit is trickling away, need a bit of advice. Filtration first, starting with the foam pre filter before the skimmer - keep it the same size size or reduce by half as I've seen elsewhere? And biological filtration - keep the existing ceramic rings, add bio balls or use living rock as a medium? I've heard that rings and bio balls become nitrate hotspots, but is that because they tend to clog with waste, surely good maintenance would remove this problem? Oh, and can't post pics at the moment, I have no idea how to compress jpegs on a Mac!

11-02-2009, 06:37 PM	#17 (permalink)
David Shaw Fire Coral Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 76 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: red sea max 130 virgin - return to salt after 21 years I removed all the stock media and stock skimmer. I bought Stevie T's - InTank Media Rack with the InTank skimmer collection cup and a Tunze 9002 nano skimmer to replace the stock one. None of these need physical modifications, you just slide them in (loads of links and how-to videos on this site). The Tunze 9002 skimmer helps temperature stability (stock skimmer can add a couple of degrees to water temperature) and also it is practicallly silent (unlike the jet engine aircraft take off noise level of the stock one) The media rack has 3 compartments and i put carbon on the bottom, phos ban on the middle and white floss in the top. I rinse the bags of media weekly and change the white floss every day or every other day. Therefore there is no media under the pumps and everything is contained in the main rear compartment. This all leads to perfect water conditions for me. Make sure you use R/O water or you will get algae issues. These slight modifications have been perfect and everything is running smoothly with no issues. Hope this helps. __________________ Manchester, UK RSM 130D Tunze 9002 Skimmer Media Rack & InTank Collection Cup Non Stock Heater (stock one just quit working) Stock Pumps Initial Setup With Live Rock & Live Substrate My Tank Thread http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...sm-130d-2.html

11-04-2009, 07:04 PM	#18 (permalink)
russbooger Tubeworm Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 28 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: red sea max 130 virgin - return to salt after 21 years Quick update - wife has now seen the tank, approved it (just) and made me completely re-organise the living room to accomodate it. Hoping to get a spare fine filter pad, carbon and a bit more salt and set the tank up over the weekend. I can't post any photos yet, because I have a Mac and can't work put how to compress photos yet! Oh, and looking for anyone who imports chemi pure elite into the uk, as buying it from the states through eBay will cost a fortune in postage, VAT and customs fees!

11-04-2009, 07:45 PM	#19 (permalink)
Reefmack NaClH2O Addicted Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Posts: 6,153 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: red sea max 130 virgin - return to salt after 21 years Good news to hear you got the wife on your side! __________________ aka Terry Excellence in reefkeeping is achieved by mastering the fundamentals, and learning from mistakes. No such thing as an evil crab. Only humans have the ability to be evil. "If you don't like what your fellow forum neighbors are doing, then don't pay so much attention to them" 34g Red Sea Max 130 (April 07), ~50-60 lbs. live rock, Aragonite substrate. Lighting: Current USA Outer Orbit Pro - 150W HQI, 2 x 24W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI, 2 x 24W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent by UVL, Vortech MP20, LifeReef RSM Siphon, EShopps RS-75 Sump, Euro-Reef custom sump skimmer, Simplicity media reactor, Tunze Osmolator ATO, ReefKeeper Lite L3 controller Reefmack's RSM 130 and...Red Sea Max Owners Club and My JBJ 6G in this thread[/color][/i]

11-04-2009, 08:33 PM	#21 (permalink)
nanoreefing4fun Manta Ray Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central Arkansas, USA Posts: 3,547 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: red sea max 130 virgin - return to salt after 21 years Don't have to compress the pics, just upload them to Photobucket for free 1 way to post rsm pics from photobucket __________________ ~ Glenn 34 gal Red Sea Max 130D, with 2 1/2" deep sand bed of 0.1-0.2 Fine/Medium sand CaribSea Aragonite Seaflor Special Grade reef Sand and 35 # Live Rock Tonga Branch * CUC (snails, Ceriths, Nassarius, Margarita Turbos, Astrea & Banded Trochus - one Emerald crab - one Skunk Cleaner) * Coral - Two Color Aacanthastrea, Red Chalice Coral, Closed Brain Coral, Turbinaria Scroll Ridge Coral, Blue Tip Branching Acropora, Birdsnest Pink Coral, Cup Coral, Torch Coral , Hammerhead Coral, Open Brain Coral Orange, Keyna Tree Coral, Green Star Polyp, Frogspawn, Pom Pom Xenia, Green Eyed Zoanthids, Candy Cane Coral, Ricordea Floridian, Duncan Coral, Staghorn Acropora, Blue Chalice Coral, Flowerpot Goniopora & Bluestriped Mushroom *** Fish - (1) Scooter Blenny (2) Ocellaris Clownfish (1) Yellow Clown Goby My Tank Thread (click here to see the latest pics of my tank & how it is progressing)

11-05-2009, 06:32 PM	#22 (permalink)
russbooger Tubeworm Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 28 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: red sea max 130 virgin - return to salt after 21 years Thanks David, I'm going to have to live with stock skimmer and media for the next couple of months, as I'm just about to spend my last pennies on a circulation pump, refracto and 10kgs of living rock, plus a bit of rubble to replace half of the ceramic media. Once the tank has more rock and has matured for a few months, and the bank balance has gained a bit of weight will make the mods then!

11-06-2009, 05:40 PM	#23 (permalink)
russbooger Tubeworm Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 28 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: red sea max 130 virgin - return to salt after 21 years Ok, tank now filled with RO water, switched it on, and guess what, dodgy heater. So off to the LFS tomorrow for a new one and back up in case of future failures. Had to find a UK adapter to fit the RSM power box as well, and at the same time will invest in a digital thermometer. Switched the skimmer on to try it and it sounds like a two stroke engine - so will do the skimmer and media box upgrade sooner rather than later!

11-07-2009, 05:00 PM	#24 (permalink)
David Shaw Fire Coral Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 76 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: red sea max 130 virgin - return to salt after 21 years My stock heater packed up last week too so i replaced it with a non RSM one, loads have had issues with them failing. 4 months in and it fails is ridiculous. I emailed Red Sea 3 times and never even got a reply. I love the RSM tank itself, just a shame the stock equipment is such bad quality. You would think after all the negative feedback that they would address the issues and get better stock equipment. They are expensive tanks and the modifications should really be done by them at source rather than at extra expense by us. Without this site i wouldn't have known about the Tunze 9002 alternative skimmer and Media Rack and to me they are essential modifications, the noise and additional heat of the stock skimmer would have driven me crazy otherwise !! __________________ Manchester, UK RSM 130D Tunze 9002 Skimmer Media Rack & InTank Collection Cup Non Stock Heater (stock one just quit working) Stock Pumps Initial Setup With Live Rock & Live Substrate My Tank Thread http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...sm-130d-2.html

11-07-2009, 07:28 PM	#25 (permalink)
russbooger Tubeworm Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 28 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: red sea max 130 virgin - return to salt after 21 years David, as I write this the skimmer is growling away in the tank. Going to turn the bloody thing off in a minute, I've had it turned on to circulate the new water, but as its got no dissolved wastes to deal with its turning the inside of the tank into a microbubble blizzard. Like you I love the look of the tank, was originally going for a nano cube 28g hqi but for the price I got this one for, even after replacing the fans and light s and with the dodgy skimmer I still think I got a good deal! I'm getting 20kg of semi cured live rock tomorrow from my local shop, its been curing for a fortnight and has loads of colour and growths all over it so will be using this to cycle the tank - might take a bit longer to cycle, but the extra life on the rocks will be worth it. That will clear me out till crimbo, already asked the wife for a 9002 for my prezzie!

11-07-2009, 08:46 PM	#26 (permalink)
David Shaw Fire Coral Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 76 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: red sea max 130 virgin - return to salt after 21 years Russ I hear your pain. The noise of the stock skimmer drove me insane. The Tunze 9002 i have is almost silent. Also the stock skimmer seems to add a couple of degrees in water temp from the motor. The media rack is great, makes it easier to clean and rinse the media bags, and also means you don't have to keep removing the power heads. I use Rowa Phos, for removing phosphates in one media bag along with Rowa carbon in another, this will give you the UK alternative to the US chemipure which we can't get in the UK. I also use white floss on the top of the media rack to water scrub. I had problems with micro bubbles too, like many on here, until i replaced the skimmer, tried everything to get rid of them so ditching the stock skimmer for me was a necessity not an option. As soon as i plugged the new skimmer in they disappeared. What i also like about the Tunze range is that if you open the plug socket, they have the two pin adapters inside, so you can plug them into the RSM electric control panel like the stock ones which keeps the clean look without having to find another socket to plug them into. This hobby is expensive as well as addictive! what with modifications and the initial cost of the RSM it's a wonder we can afford to buy the fish to put into it ! I collect RO water from the LFS every week to do a 40% water change and i don't dawdle and browse otherwise i would end up spending £££££'s. I get the water and get out ASAP as i just know i would get more "stuff" otherwise. __________________ Manchester, UK RSM 130D Tunze 9002 Skimmer Media Rack & InTank Collection Cup Non Stock Heater (stock one just quit working) Stock Pumps Initial Setup With Live Rock & Live Substrate My Tank Thread http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...sm-130d-2.html Last edited by David Shaw : 11-08-2009 at 01:31 PM. Reason: Sold the skimmer

11-08-2009, 02:44 PM	#27 (permalink)
russbooger Tubeworm Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 28 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: red sea max 130 virgin - return to salt after 21 years Rowa phos and carbon - thanks for the tip! Could only stretch to 10kg of rock today, but the tank looks great. Just switched the skimmer off now, to clear the water for some photos. Then leaving it off overnight till the morning when I can fiddle properly with the air inlet to get a bit of foam going (if there's enough waste yet)

11-08-2009, 02:51 PM	#28 (permalink)
David Shaw Fire Coral Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 76 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: red sea max 130 virgin - return to salt after 21 years Once you get the Tunze you will be fine. I keep my skimmer on 24/7, no ned to turn it off when feeding and no micro bubbles. Plus the wife will love you over ditching the jet engines and returning to silence __________________ Manchester, UK RSM 130D Tunze 9002 Skimmer Media Rack & InTank Collection Cup Non Stock Heater (stock one just quit working) Stock Pumps Initial Setup With Live Rock & Live Substrate My Tank Thread http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...sm-130d-2.html

11-08-2009, 08:17 PM	#29 (permalink)
nanoreefing4fun Manta Ray Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central Arkansas, USA Posts: 3,547 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: red sea max 130 virgin - return to salt after 21 years russbooger - start a tank thread in the rsm owners club & share some pics with us so http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...x-owners-club/ __________________ ~ Glenn 34 gal Red Sea Max 130D, with 2 1/2" deep sand bed of 0.1-0.2 Fine/Medium sand CaribSea Aragonite Seaflor Special Grade reef Sand and 35 # Live Rock Tonga Branch * CUC (snails, Ceriths, Nassarius, Margarita Turbos, Astrea & Banded Trochus - one Emerald crab - one Skunk Cleaner) * Coral - Two Color Aacanthastrea, Red Chalice Coral, Closed Brain Coral, Turbinaria Scroll Ridge Coral, Blue Tip Branching Acropora, Birdsnest Pink Coral, Cup Coral, Torch Coral , Hammerhead Coral, Open Brain Coral Orange, Keyna Tree Coral, Green Star Polyp, Frogspawn, Pom Pom Xenia, Green Eyed Zoanthids, Candy Cane Coral, Ricordea Floridian, Duncan Coral, Staghorn Acropora, Blue Chalice Coral, Flowerpot Goniopora & Bluestriped Mushroom *** Fish - (1) Scooter Blenny (2) Ocellaris Clownfish (1) Yellow Clown Goby My Tank Thread (click here to see the latest pics of my tank & how it is progressing)

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