My RSM 130D

[jdmevo9]

Had my rsm running for about 2months, but still battling algae blooms. Everything seems to be doing good, I've been doing water changes every once a week with filtered ocean water. I'm running a small cpr hob refugium to lower my phosphate. It's got a 250w mh with 24w t5 actinics, tunze 9002 skimmer, 1/10 hp prime nano chiller, and a eurofil sump that has not been set up yet...still waiting on my lifereef overflow box.
Nitrates:0
Nitrite:0
Amonia:0
PH:8.3
Phosphate: .5
Calcium:460
Temp:77-78

[TonyV]

Nice setup. How do you like your Current USA chiller? I am looking at getting one and wanted to get some feedback? Did it require any additional pumps?

[jdmevo9]

I run a quiet one 1200 pump in the back where the skimmer sits. I use the accessory kit to get the water to and from the chiller. It's a great unit and maintains my temp 77-78 even when I have the halide on. I like that it doesn't require lots of room and doesn't have that much noise to it.

[TonyV]

Did you replace the stock skimmer with a Tunze like everyone else seems to? Where did you buy the skimmer at? Pics of the hook up would be great but not really needed. I think I get the idea on hookup. I am pulling my stock heater out in favor of a Stealth 150W. Reviews say that it is a much more stable heater.

[jdmevo9]

Yes I did because it does a lot better job of skimming but I've read that some people have really good results from using the stock one, so it's kinda up to you as to whether you want to upgrade it or not. I bought the skimmer from Tunze Nano DOC Protein Skimmer 9002
I run a hydor 200w, but the stealth a good heater too. Definitely scrap the red sea heater cause it really isn't that accurate.

[jdmevo9]

Hope these pics help out a little more, tell me if you need anymore. I got the skimmer from marinedepot.com


This is where my skimmer sits and to the right of it is a intank media rack

[Reefmack]

jdmevo9 - Welcome to Reef Sanctuary and the RSM Crew!

You've got a great setup! Is that an Orbit Pro hood?

[jdmevo9]

Yes it is, I don't know if the 250w is what's causing my algae problem? I need some advice.

[Reefmack]

I doubt it's the 250W. I have the 150W version, and I just went through a HA outbreak on the top of my rock - first time I've had any HA in 2 years of having the tank. And that was with a fuge and chaeto in the cabinet. My nitrates were high though. I cut back feeding and managed to get back to no measurable nitrates, and still had to manually pull off the HA. No sign of it coming back after over 2 weeks now. When I pulled it off I noticed a lot of sediment coming up with it, so I siphoned all of that out after pulling the HA off. It must have been getting its nutrients from that sediment & detritis that had settled on top.

[jdmevo9]

If it's not the light that's causing the abundance of algae, would it most likely be the .5 phosphate that's causing the algae issue? I know the chaeto will help reduce the amount but will it completely get rid of it or will I need a phosreactor?

[Reefmack]

I didn't notice that phosphate reading in your post. You could just run some Phosban in a bag, or SeaChem PhosGuard in a bag, to reduce the phosphate. I prefer the PhosGuard as it doesn't easily turn into mud like the ferric oxide types (Phosban, etc.). Both types are good IMO.

[jdmevo9]

I'll definately try that. I'll get some tomorrow and keep an update. How often do you change the phosban?

[Reefmack]

Can't remember! A month or two? A search may tell you.

[jdmevo9]

Got my lifereef overflow today and got everything set up, so now everything is running. Also I did put a bag of phosguard in the micron sock. So hopefully there will be some changes over the course of time. I will post new pics tomorrow.

[TonyV]

Cool. I am very tempted to do a sump/refugium. Let's see some pics when you get a chance. Who made the sump/refugium? Couldn't you possible tie into your chiller line instead of using the lite-reef?