Setting Up The Red Sea Max This Week!!

[mandarin man]

I believe you have RSM 34gallon. It is best to replace the stock skimmer witht the tunze 9002 (stock skimmer does not work).

[scherzo]

I started not too long ago with a 29 gallon biocube.. it isn't as hard as you may think.. as long as you take your time...

I will be doing the same with a 90 gallon that i have (converting from fresh to salt..)

I'm probably going to get the sand in with some LR and just let it sit for a few months.. then once you get used to it.. you'll (I'll) add more and more...

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by fraggalrock

No Idea as to what to put in there yet but I love mushrooms and bubble coral the tank has been sitting in my living room for weeks and I hae finally decided to start unpacking items. I will take a pic of Max as soon as I put water in it.I think I will do a test run with regular water first just to get used to how things all work.I had a few growing pains with the BioCube and now it is a fresh water tank LOL but my Angels Love it and I am happy with the way it looks,so now on to Reef I Go!!

There is no problem adding freshwater first, if you don't add any livestock you can add the salt directly to the tank when you are ready. A few notes on this however is I would start by adding RO/DI water right from the start, get a refractometer to measure salinity (JL's sells a vertex model for under $50) and buy a good quality salt. There is much debate on what salt is best but I have heard great things about DD salt and if you get a brand with all the right parameters you won't have to start dosing supplements.

While I have to agree that the tunze 9002 is a great skimmer I wouldn't consider it necessary to change out the stock skimmer if you do regular water changes. Many people run without a skimmer at all with proper husbandry and the stock skimmer works fairly well but yes, there are better skimmers.

[Snaz]

Good luck with the RSM. Just go slow and you will be fine.

You realize that squirrel picture might cause nightmares for some people? I for one will never be able to get that image out of my brain pan.

[fiorano]

take your time and do lots of research every step of the way

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

There are also lots of local reefers you can visit (if they're willing & they usually are) to see their setups first-hand. If you get to Burnaby, you're welcome to come by and we'll show you our fw & sw setups & I can try to answer any questions you may still have about setting up a sw tank. Most of the local reefers I know on here & on BCA are very happy to have others come over & talk about their addiction. I'm sure you can find someone in Richmond if you don't want to travel too far.

Just a thought.

Anthony

[fraggalrock]

You guys are great! I cant wait to see some of your set ups! Mine however looks crazy right now,I have read my directions and cant figure out how to tuck in these cords? I added extra silicone to the inside chambers (didnt do a great job gee who would have thought it would be so hard to work with that goo.Any body have pic of their cord storage?

[bullit67]

I have the 130D and the skimmer works great the i unbder stand the skimmer from the original 130 is not so great

[Skimmerking]

well if you wanna see the setups just go to the tank journals , and where are the pictures shame on you

[fraggalrock]

So I tested my levels yesterday and they needed more salt which I mixed and added more last night.Asuming I am reading the refractometer right the readings on the left is what I want level with the blue line? if that is the case thn I am at 1.025! I still think I need more sand if I want to get a JawFish in the future.I will get more sand tomorrow and give it a good cleaning and the water should be clear before I add my Live Rock on Friday. I also have to buy a test Kit,any Suggstions?