RedSea Max 250 - Mixed Reef 2020

[otyrrell]

Ok, well I'm finally posting my build now that its been up and running for a year and I am upgrading to something larger.

Tank is a RS 250 MAX - picked up used but in good condition.

For filtration, I've added a custom algae scrubber to the right hand chamber, I use intank media basket with 2 Marine Pure blocks cut to size, one bag of carbon, and one bag of Purigen. Filter pad after maintenance for 1 day (any more and my right chamber runs dry and I get bubbles all though out the display). I use the stock RS skimmer which works great and only needs to be cleaned weekly, I have used the Deltec MC500 which fits nicely and is quite, but found it too finicky, and needed to constantly be cleaned.

Lighting is 2 RedSea Reef LEDs custom mounted in the hood set to 90% max, I have upgraded the hood fans using the correct size PC fans, it keeps the lights cool, and they are wisper silent.

For Accessories, I have an Arctica Chiller 1/5 HP connected to the right hand chamber pump, which also houses my XP Aqua ultimate ATO sensor. 3 Kamoer X1 dosing pumps, a 1500va UPS, 2 maxspect fx-230 gyres, dosing containers and a AUQA GADGET 5 G for ATO water. I also have various "Smart" plugs for automating the light cycle for algae scrubber, and turning of the ATO for water changes.

Last testing -
Temp - 79.5
Nitrate - 2.5
Phosphate - .09
Salinity - 1.026
Alk - 6.9
Cal - 390
Mag - 1160

Maintance -
Dosing, Alk, Cal, Mag
12 gal water changes weekly.
clean algae scrubber from lights and screen weekly.
Empty and Clean skimmer weekly.

Livestock -
Lots, some of our favorites are pompom crab, diamond goby, fighting conches, and bristle star fish.

Video -

Pics -

With hood up,

Typical water change, purchased these containers specifically so I could lay them on top of the hood and open the valve. Had to add the silicone backing sheets though after one slid off.

This is the algae scrubber chamber, I have 4 of SantaMonica's Gem 5 waterproof LEDs zip tied to a cut section of 3" pvc. They work great, but need to be scrapped weekly.
Under the screen are two bubblers from eheim that provide the water aggitation.

Left hand side of cabinet -

Left hand side of Cabinet -

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Welcome to r2r and nice set up you have there! Love the hood and the wc containers!

 

[Saiaman01]

Hello such a nice installation. Can you tell me some stuff please ?
What's your program on XF 230 ?
As well can you tell where do you found the media basket and the custom algae scrubber?
Thanks a lot

 

[otyrrell]

Hi Saiaman,
I ran my 230's in Alternating Gyre mode, anti-sync. Max forward @ 40, max reverse @ 10. with all times set to 10s

Media basket was from inTank - https://intankaquatics.com/intank-media-basket-for-red-sea-max-250/

I built the algae scrubber, see parts below-
4 - GEM 5 Lights - https://www.santa-monica.cc/GEM5-hi...HT-10-watts-other-LEDs-20-watts-CFL_p_84.html
Mounted with Zip Ties to a third section of 6" pipe from Lowes

Screen can be found on amazon or craft store - I just cut it to size.
Amazon product

Eheim Air Pump -
Amazon product

 

[Cdow1991]

How did you mount the lights in the hood? I have the same tank and have been thinking of doing this

 

[otyrrell]

Hi Cdow,
Sorry, I typed this all out the other night, and apparently never posted it. Anyway, when I got the tank the old lights were already out, so you'll need to look that process up if your not sure about it. As for mounting the new lights it was pretty easy, the frame has 3 aluminum brackets that support where the light was, I just bought a couple u bars of aluminum from lowes, drilled them to line up with the mounting holes on the light, and then bolted those to the pre-existing brackets. The only other challenge was cutting a whole in the hood to run the power cables, i drilled on the slope where the water cooling fan what, and then used a couple rubber gaskets and superglue to seal it from moisture.

The biggest pain is really just taking the hood apart and putting it back together, but its not too bad.

The Steves LED guide was very helpful
http://www.stevesleds.info/rsm250v5/red_sea_max_250_22620.pdf

 

[brian414899]

Ok, well I'm finally posting my build now that its been up and running for a year and I am upgrading to something larger.

Tank is a RS 250 MAX - picked up used but in good condition.

For filtration, I've added a custom algae scrubber to the right hand chamber, I use intank media basket with 2 Marine Pure blocks cut to size, one bag of carbon, and one bag of Purigen. Filter pad after maintenance for 1 day (any more and my right chamber runs dry and I get bubbles all though out the display). I use the stock RS skimmer which works great and only needs to be cleaned weekly, I have used the Deltec MC500 which fits nicely and is quite, but found it too finicky, and needed to constantly be cleaned.

Lighting is 2 RedSea Reef LEDs custom mounted in the hood set to 90% max, I have upgraded the hood fans using the correct size PC fans, it keeps the lights cool, and they are wisper silent.

For Accessories, I have an Arctica Chiller 1/5 HP connected to the right hand chamber pump, which also houses my XP Aqua ultimate ATO sensor. 3 Kamoer X1 dosing pumps, a 1500va UPS, 2 maxspect fx-230 gyres, dosing containers and a AUQA GADGET 5 G for ATO water. I also have various "Smart" plugs for automating the light cycle for algae scrubber, and turning of the ATO for water changes.

Last testing -
Temp - 79.5
Nitrate - 2.5
Phosphate - .09
Salinity - 1.026
Alk - 6.9
Cal - 390
Mag - 1160

Maintance -
Dosing, Alk, Cal, Mag
12 gal water changes weekly.
clean algae scrubber from lights and screen weekly.
Empty and Clean skimmer weekly.

Livestock -
Lots, some of our favorites are pompom crab, diamond goby, fighting conches, and bristle star fish.

Video -

Pics -

With hood up,

Typical water change, purchased these containers specifically so I could lay them on top of the hood and open the valve. Had to add the silicone backing sheets though after one slid off.

This is the algae scrubber chamber, I have 4 of SantaMonica's Gem 5 waterproof LEDs zip tied to a cut section of 3" pvc. They work great, but need to be scrapped weekly.
Under the screen are two bubblers from eheim that provide the water aggitation.

Left hand side of cabinet -

Left hand side of Cabinet -

What are you doing to keep your nitrates at 2.5 ppm

 

[otyrrell]

In my opinion that was all the algae scrubber. As long as I cleaned once a week it would keep my levels nice and low.

 

[brian414899]

So I’m just starting up a used Red Sea max 250 that I bought from my lfs. It’s 3 days into cycling. I started with 80 lbs of live sand and 30 lbs of live rock. I have 30 lbs of live rock I plan on transferring from my 32 gallon bio cube.
as it is right now if I turn on the protein skimmer it just foams out control, over flow the skimmer with in a few minutes. I did add dr Tim’s nitrifying bacteria and a couple hermit grabs. My water is still really cloudy. So I then added seachem clarity. Still looks foggy. Any suggestions?

In my opinion that was all the algae scrubber. As long as I cleaned once a week it would keep my levels nice and low.

 

[otyrrell]

So I’m just starting up a used Red Sea max 250 that I bought from my lfs. It’s 3 days into cycling. I started with 80 lbs of live sand and 30 lbs of live rock. I have 30 lbs of live rock I plan on transferring from my 32 gallon bio cube.
as it is right now if I turn on the protein skimmer it just foams out control, over flow the skimmer with in a few minutes. I did add dr Tim’s nitrifying bacteria and a couple hermit grabs. My water is still really cloudy. So I then added seachem clarity. Still looks foggy. Any suggestions?

Let it sit. I would expect it to stay cloudy at least for a week, and you will go through a bunch of different algae stages and various cloudiness levels over the next month. I wouldn't add anything else, and leave skimmer off for the moment. Odds are those hermits will die, so if they are currently still alive you probably should give them to someone with an established tank, or take them back to where you got them.

After about a month (maybe 2 weeks depending on how "alive" the rock and sand were), when you phosphate and nitrate level out and your ammonia reads zero turn on the skimmer and work on tuning it. You should start with a fish, and small cleanup crew and try not add more than 1 or 2 things at a time.

You will here it again and again, and ultimately screw up at least a couple times, but patience is key in this hobby. Go slow, make small changes and be patient

I wish you luck, its a wonderful hobby once you make it past all the waiting.

While you wait, I would suggest you watch all the BRS YouTube you can. They are packed full of great info.

Here is a good place to start: