Red Sea Maxalicious

[resplendantreef]

Hello.
Started my RSM the day after Christmas.
Added 45lbs. of fiji standard from the Docs. Placed my order with Jeff of Lifereef.com to hook me up with a sweet custom sump/fuge. I ordered a JBJ ATO to throw in the mix. Adding the Tunze 9002 to the sump.
Thanks for checking me out.

 

[ScarletReef]

Looks good so far. Good luck!

 

[resplendantreef]

Two days ago I noticed a little bit of a Diatom introduction. Today it looks like an explosion. I am currently placing an order for a clean up crew and my first fish. Deciding on this first fish has been extremely exhausting. The only fish that I am positive on is a Centropyge Argi which I planned to add last all along. Looks like we are gonna make some hard choices... Still waiting for my Lifereef sump/fuge w/ Tunze 9002 skimmer(pulled the stock jobby skimmer) and will also add my ATO(already here) when the sump arrives. BTW my clean up looks something like 12/12 snail crab. And two Peppies. Any advice on the first couple fish would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for looking.

 

[cjj14u]

Don't do the "peppies"...trust me.....

 

[resplendantreef]

I like peppermint shrimp. Why not get them?

 

[ScarletReef]

I have no problem with my peps, I would just caution to make sure you actually get peppermints, not camel shrimp, which look similar. Peps won't have the hump back and will be clear and red, not white and red.

Pygmy Angels are so cute! (But it is good that you are planning to add it last.) I would think you could consider maybe a pair of clowns, or a royal gramma and a watchman type goby to start. There are a lot of great nano fish out there you could chose, really.

 

[resplendantreef]

Added the lifereef sump/fuge with a tunze 9002.
JBJ ATO also.
Current inhabitants:
Resplendent Anthias
Six line wrasse
Zebra barred dart fish
Duncan coral
Hammer
Pink Stylophora
Xenia
Peppermint shrimp
Quite a few hermit crabs and Snails. Placed an order today for some Aussie Acans from aquarium specialty.
Sorry for the crap pics but its the best my iPhone has to offer. I will borrow my gf's cam and get better soon.
Anybody have the Tunze 9002? I have had it runningfor almos 4 days and it is still filling the cup up in less than thirty min. with the screw closed all the way. I know they need break in time but geez.... How long did yours take to break in and give me some info on adjustments please.

 

[LetoII]

Hey started my RSM 2 weeks ago. Got hit with alot of diatoms a few days in and I'm battling a GH and green algae bloom. Tank looks good and that fuge is very cool. how did you fit it to the tank if you dont mind me asking.

 

[resplendantreef]

It was custom built by Jeff at lifereef.com to fit my tank.

 

[LetoII]

I'm sorry I'll rephrase, how is he water being drawn into the fuge, I assume you removed the stock skimmer and have a large pool of water to draw from but I'm curious.

 

[resplendantreef]

Yes, I removed the stock skimmer and added the prefilter and overflow that came with my sump. It came with all the items needed to get the water to and from the sump. Basically a hang on overflow with tubing and a return pump with tubing. Expensive but well worth it. I spent about the same amount of money for the sump as I did on the tank.

 

[LetoII]

Looks good tho... And I bet your water will be very clean especially with that macro growing in there.

 

[TonyV]

Looks good. What are you connecting the return line from the sump to the tank with? Are you using one of the accessory ports? I am ordering a RSM overflow from Jeff as well.
Which return pump are you using?

 

[resplendantreef]

Can't remember the brand of the pump that was included but it is plenty big enough. The water is returned through a clear hose connected to a J tube that hangs on the back of the tank to the far left. The first day I had it set up the hose crimped from the water pressure and when I came home there were a zillion micro bubbles in the display. It caused my ph to go stupid on me and my elegance coral left the building. I secured the hose and it runs perfect now. So make sure your hoses are secured or the water pressure will bend them.

 

[sfilipowski]

I have had a 130d going for about 16 months and all is good. I was just wondering why the sump sounds expensive and I got the seamax cause it had everything you need to grow it all. I think I'll go for tom in a few more months. Basically I was just wondering what are the main advantages of having the sump setup? This is my first reef tank so I am just trying to learn something new today. yours is looking good though keeps the pics coming.

 

[LetoII]

From what I see the benefit is being able to grow macro algae and having a solid skimmer

 

[resplendantreef]

More water volume, growing macro, and it's easier for me to use my ATO. Also, I don't have to mess with the main display as much. I ordered kalkwasser and plan to replace the distilled top off water with kalkwasser water soon. My tank is still new but it's looking much better every day.

 

[resplendantreef]

Also it is a predator free zone to mass produce coepepods(sp?) and other beneficial things.

 

[sfilipowski]

thanks makes all makes sense, I would really like to have that safe zone and the macro is for? polished water, better quality, again just tryin learn the hobby quys. could I just put some macro in the back of mine or is there too little light back there for it to grow. also I have read that some carbon would help with any smell and also polish the water too. any thoughts on this? No mine does'nt stink just wondering:bigeyes:

 

[resplendantreef]

Update: Yellow Fiji leather came in the mail. I ordered three but only the leather came. They said they were waiting to send healthier ones. Tank is looking good and the skimmer is finally broken in. Took ten days.
Current tank inhabitants:
Six Line Wrasse (Bully)
Zebra Barred Dartfish (Hyper Active)
Resplendent Anthias (Big Sexy)
Yellow Watchmen Gobie (Haven't seen him since I bought him^^^)
Occy (Little Guy)

Peppermint Shrimp
Hermit Crabs and Snails

Yellow Fiji Leather
Pink Stylophora
Hammer coral
Duncan Coral
Frogspan (Frag)
Acan (Frag)
Xenia

The mud in the fuge is figi mud. Through some in but don't want to mash it in because it was cloudy for two days when I initially added it.