Red Sea max 250

[TheAvilasReef]

Hello guys I just bought a pre owned Red Sea max 250 looking forward to starting my cycling process this week!! This just a rough aqua scape.

 

[BamaCoastPyrat]

It's going to be fun! Good luck!

 

[Phil Steel]

Nice one mate, that’s a nice size.

what are you thinking of putting in?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Hello guys I just bought a pre owned Red Sea max 250 looking forward to starting my cycling process this week!! This just a rough aqua scape.

Have fun with the tank!!!

 

[RSM250NBTX]

Nice! I’ve got a RSM250 about 2.5 months in. what lights are you using? Everything stock?

 

[TheAvilasReef]

Nice! I’ve got a RSM250 about 2.5 months in. what lights are you using? Everything stock?

Everything’s stock , I was told everything was functioning , I just realized a ballast is blown out that controls 2 out of the 6 lights . I’m slowly starting to realize this tank is going to need quite some work . Have you upgraded your lighting ?

 

[TheAvilasReef]

Nice one mate, that’s a nice size.

what are you thinking of putting in?

I haven’t fully decided but I do like the soft corals. As far as fish I would probably start off with a pair of clowns and move up from there .

 

[Phil Steel]

I haven’t fully decided but I do like the soft corals. As far as fish I would probably start off with a pair of clowns and move up from there .

Can't go wrong with some zoas and mushrooms for colour and perhaps a toadstool for height! Personally I'd stay away from gsp and xenia as they grow like wildfire unless isolated, but to each their own.

After the clowns, you can join the tang clan....standard blue hippo and perhaps a purple or gem? I'm big on purple fish so if not the purple tang, then perhaps a royal gamma or black cap basslet?

 

[TheAvilasReef]

Can't go wrong with some zoas and mushrooms for colour and perhaps a toadstool for height!

After the clowns, you can join the tang clan....standard blue hippo and perhaps a purple or gem? I'm big on purple fish so if not the purple tang, then perhaps a royal gamma or black cap basslet?

A purple tang would be awesome . I’m patiently waiting for that moment to arrive .

 

[Phil Steel]

A purple tang would be awesome . I’m patiently waiting for that moment to arrive .

I'll leave this here for inspiration!

 

[TheAvilasReef]

I'll leave this here for inspiration!

 

[TheAvilasReef]

So I’m started my cycling process and got my skimmer up and running . The water was very cloudy , I think I tuned it properly I attached some pictures . Skimmer helped clean up the water in just a few hours . Would anyone know if 4 of the 6 lights would hold up temporarily ? There t5s currently 2 white and 2 blue . I know I don’t need to turn on the lights yet , but want to be prepared .

 

[RSM250NBTX]

Everything’s stock , I was told everything was functioning , I just realized a ballast is blown out that controls 2 out of the 6 lights . I’m slowly starting to realize this tank is going to need quite some work . Have you upgraded your lighting ?

Yes it takes some work but worth it. Hood comes apart pretty easy if you’re handy and patient. I took mine apart and cleaned everything out. Swapped all the fans out. I run ATI T5
2x coral plus
1x blue actinic
1x white
I found 6 T5 bulbs was way too much light and also heated tank up too quick.
take it slow and ask questions. Take lots of pictures( something I need to do more).

 

[TheAvilasReef]

Awesome , did you swap the fans out for a different brand or OEM? Could you point me in the right direction as to where you got the parts ? Mine seem a bit noisy, and I’m suggesting they won’t last very long . I’m going to pop it open to see if I can find a replacement ballast. Thanks for all your help ! I really do appreciate you!

 

[RSM250NBTX]

Awesome , did you swap the fans out for a different brand or OEM? Could you point me in the right direction as to where you got the parts ? Mine seem a bit noisy, and I’m suggesting they won’t last very long . I’m going to pop it open to see if I can find a replacement ballast. Thanks for all your help ! I really do appreciate you!

I just ordered fans off Amazon got I think 20db or lower. 20x20x20 qty 2 and 20x20x15 qty 4. Maybe 30 bucks for all of them. I did have to cut the wires and solder as it was a different connection. Seems to be pretty quite the loudest part on the tank is the skimmer

 

[TheAvilasReef]

Update !!! I finally got my tanked cycled and I upgraded my lighting I disconnected the t5 lighting and threw in 3ai Prime 16hds. The original fans aid with cool down since I did put them in my hood . Not sure the correct intensity and coloring due to the lights being so close to the water but I’m going to rent parameter to get that dialed in . I also but a mushroom coral and a clown fish , can’t remember the name of the other coral .

 

[Freddiet5678]

Update !!! I finally got my tanked cycled and I upgraded my lighting I disconnected the t5 lighting and threw in 3ai Prime 16hds. The original fans aid with cool down since I did put them in my hood . Not sure the correct intensity and coloring due to the lights being so close to the water but I’m going to rent parameter to get that dialed in . I also but a mushroom coral and a clown fish , can’t remember the name of the other

 

[Freddiet5678]

How did you deal with all the cords with the plastic protector haha putting on my ai primes this weekend and that's my conundrum lol