Just got done setting up my RSM!

[Mavjoy]

Thanks guys for all the feedback. My cycle might be done but you can never be too sure. I'll test again in a few days, depending on the results, I might add a pink birdsnest...LOL..jk...CUC? but no algae tho. I really like the way my LR are placed. I wanna add more LR, but once I transfer my corals and stuff from my 10 gallon, it will get filled by then. I saw the new RSM in marine depot and they already selling it. I was wondering when are they going to sell the new upgrades like the surface skimmer and the cup for the stock skimmer. I'll post some new pics once I add some new stuff.

[Mavjoy]

I finally got my diatom bloom. It's color red.

I also added a fuge light(Mini Might) for my chaeto.

I just got my media rack from StevieT today and got it running

I almost got my CUC today but I think I'll hold off 'til my cycle is done.

[Reefmack]

Wow - you're full speed ahead! Good job. Be sure to turn the chaeto over once every few days, and take some out if it gets too thick back there. Let us know if the chaeto grows well.

[Mavjoy]

Thanks for the 411 about the chaeto. I only turn on my fuge light on when the DT lights are off. I was running my lights for 12 hrs. but cut back to 8 'til my cycle is done then back to 12. How long do you have to have the fuge light on when it is use for growing chaeto? Is 10-12 hrs. enough? Thanks.

[Reefmack]

I'm not sure on the chaeto - I use to have some in a hang on fuge, and then in a soap holder type fuge inside the DT. In both cases it probably got 8-12 hours of light, and grew great. I guess a lot may also depend on the light intensity that it's exposed to. I would suggest keeping an eye on it for growth and if it's not doing well increase the light exposure time.

[Mavjoy]

Reefmack- I know you also have StevieT's media rack in your RSM, how much filter pads do you keep on yours? I have 2 square pieces right now. I was thinking of putting more 'til it's closer to the incoming flow.

[Reefmack]

Mavjoy - I only run one piece of pad on top - similar stuff as the original white pad. I have 1/2 unit of Chemi-Pure Elite on the bottom shelf - suspended with a plastic cable tie to the grid above, to keep it from cutting flow. On the second shelf I have SeaGel (carbon/Phos Guard mixture). On the top shelf I have a bag of Purigen with the pad on top. I rinse or replace the pad every 3-4 days, when I see the water level dropping in the pump chamber (and/or more microbubbles being generated). Whenever I get my sump/fuge installed in the cabinet I may pull the media basket out, or just run a pad in it. I'm not sure why you want to add more pads?

Not long ago, I went about 3-4 weeks without the pad even getting dirty, and I started to see some brown crud growing on my substrate in places. I finally pulled the basket out and replaced/resituated everything. I originally had my SeaGel under the pad, and I think I added too much SeaGel in the bag. I think that raised the pad enough so that the water coming through the gate had actually been going under the pad, and not through it, and a lot of extra nutrients/sediment/excess food just kept recirculating. I put the Purigen under the pad, which lowered the pad, and now I'm back to pulling out a dirty pad every few days. And the brown crud is now disappearing.

[Mavjoy]

Reefmack- Thanks for the immediate response. I have 2 pieces of filter pad right now on top of the rack, then I have purigen on the 2nd shelf, then chemi-pure on the 3rd. My flow is good right now and no micro bubbles coming out on my DT area. I'll stick with what I have right now and see if the pads collect any crud and make adjustments later. I never had any stock pad or foam that came with the system. I bought this tank used and the previous owner did not have it. Thanks again. 'Til next time.

[Reefmack]

This is the type of stuff I've been using,

Filter Pad

but I bought a large roll of it on Ebay a while back that should last me for ages. I just cut pieces out of the roll and now throw the dirty ones away instead of rinsing them.

[Mavjoy]

I'm using the same one . StevieT gave me a good size when I got my rack. I have to buy some more for my 10 gallon set up right now and for my RSM. I got one of my snails from my 10 gallon and put it in my RSM..hehe...So far so good. I really want to get my CUC soon. The algae bloom is getting there. I also got my R2 moonlights today and do they have to go inside where the bulbs are? or I can just put 'em right outside the lights.

[Mavjoy]

Here are some pics of my tank with algae bloom and my one man team CUC..hehe..also my blue xenia from my 10 gallon got some new growth on its side. Is it time to add my whole CUC?

[Reefmack]

I'd try putting the R2 lamp wherever it's most convenient. I can't even remember where I had mine when I had it on! If you're readings still look good I think you could go ahead with a bigger CUC in there. I remember well that ugly brown diatom and waiting for what seemed like forever for it to go away.
The corals in the 10 look good - are they going to go in the RSM or are you keeping the 10 going also?

[Mavjoy]

I might put the R2 lights right outside the main lights, but the package on the lights says no exposure to water. I'll just try it out and see what happens. Most of my corals from my 10 gallon will be transferred to the RSM and some of them will stay. I might make my 10 as a QT. My 10 has the 4x24 nova extreme HOT5 lights. Thank you again Reefmack for all the help and for taking time to answer all my question. I got more to come..hehe..time to put my moonlights...Oh Yeah!

[Mavjoy]

Hello guys and gals, I took some new pics of my one and only snail from last nite. He made some progress..hehe..plus, I finally installed my R2 moonlights. I put some electrical tape between the lights and the power plug so no salt creep might get inside. Hopefully it stays.

[Reefmack]

Looks good. I guess you're waiting for night to see how the R2s look!