Just got done setting up my RSM!

[Mavjoy]

I took some pics of the R2 Moonlights and I must say, they look awesome! It looks much better in person. All that shimmer all over the tank and the blue color really hypnotizes you...hehe...I guess I'm pretty much sold with these lights. Anyways, here are some pics(these don't do them justice tho).

[Mavjoy]

Got my CUC today. Here's a pic of them in action.

Should I cut my photo period? I have them running for 8-9 hrs right now. I'm thinking of decreasing it to 6.

[Reefmack]

The R2 pictures look spooky and halloweeny I can tell from the substrate that they're doing a good job. What did you get for CUC - hermits & snails or all snails? I'm guessing some are hermits but I can't see legs LOL!

[Mavjoy]

Sup Reefmack, I got all snails for now and might pick some hermits later tonite.
I tried my new Elos KH test kit and it read 7-8 kh. Is this good? I've been using Saltwater Master Kit for other test like amm,nitrite,nitrate,ph and calcium. One of my LFS are having a 20% today 'til sunday and I'm thinking of picking some of the kits. Is salifert kits better or the same? Thanks.

[Reefmack]

7-8 dKH isn't bad and is in range for tanks. I always refer to this article for parameters:

Reef/Tank Water Parameters

Alkalinity, Calcium, pH, etc. are all inter-related as to the effect of one on the other.

Elos is supposed to be a good kit, but I've never tried one. I'm using Salifert , but when my test components get low I'll probably try the new Red Sea Alk Pro test that steveh mentioned in another RSM post.

A word of caution on hermits - they do a great job of cleanup, but if they get too big they make meals out of your snails and then wear their shells. I had one big electric blue leg hermit that got big enough that it was attacking and eating my big turbo snails. Hermits are a benefit but can decimate snails, especially smaller ones like nasarrius and cerith. There have been times I wish I'd never added any hermits to my tanks.

[Mavjoy]

Thanks for the advice Reefmack about the hermits. I have one on my 10 gallon and I usually provide a new shell each time he gets bigger. It's not one of those blue legged one, the color is white, he's a peaceful one so far. I'll try the Elos test kits for the mean time. I'll be transferring most of my corals from my 10 gallon to the RSM. Do you need to transfer them one at a time or all at once is alright? Is there an order which one goes first? I have softies, LPS, zoos and some SPS.

[Reefmack]

I don't think the order you transfer the corals makes any difference, or how many you transfer at a time. Be sure if the conditions in the two tanks are about the same. IMO, with corals, the temperature is the most critical. If there's a big temperature difference you might want to bag them and suspend the bag in the RSM for a bit. I guess do whatever is easiest first - the ones on the top or bottom. Take your time & don't rush it.

[Mavjoy]

My water today seems like its cloudy. I guess the bacterial bloom is happening right now. I hope my snails survive. I thought it was my lights 'cause its been there for almost 8 months now(previous owner notified me). How long do you think this cloudiness will last? All water parms are ok and temp is at 78 right now.

[Mavjoy]

My water got clearer today but I still want it crystal clear..hehe..anyways, I finally have some corals to show but still not done transferring all my corals to this tank.
My giant red shrooms!



My one head duncan:


FTS

I'll be adding more corals from my 10 gallon today and hopefully be able to post some pics later.

[Reefmack]

Nice pictures! Love those mushrooms! That duncan should start multiplying heads soon. Nice crop of diatom too LOL!

[nanoreefsrcool]

turing into a great tank

[Mavjoy]

Reefmack- thanks, I've worked really hard to get those precious diatom...LOL...I started moving some of my corals today and be updating some new pics later tonite or tomorrow.
reefsarecool- thanks for the comment.

[Mavjoy]

I recently moved some of my corals from my 10 gal. and here are some of the pics:




I moved all my shrooms and rics, hammer, blasto and zoos. I'll be taking new pics later today when the light are on. Should I replace my 7-8 month old bulbs?
I got this tank used and the previous owner said it was that old.

[Reefmack]

Looks good Mavjoy. I think the general consensus is to replace the RSM bulbs after 8 months. They can be hard to find at times though. If you do a Google search on "Red Sea Max parts" you should find a few outfits selling them. If you're lucky someone has them in stock. Otherwise you can call or email Red Sea to see if they have any in stock.

[Mavjoy]

Thanks for the heads up Reefmack about the bulbs. I just placed an order at Marinedepot today and should get it by thursday or friday. I have a silly question about my water level where the media rack sits. I only placed a single square of filter pad on the top part of my rack and I read it somewhere that people put like 3 pieces of it. Is it better to have the water level above or below the filter pad/s? Mine is underneath the water level.