Red Sea Max E260
Marlborough
Introduction
This my Red Sea Max E260 - second marine aquarium I've kept. I had a Red Sea Max 130 when they first came out in 2008 for about 18 months, however had to sell due to my degree taking up most of my time. My Brother got a Fluval M40 in Summer 2015 and I wanted to get back into it since - now I have!
Background
I spent about 6 months researching, finding out about different types of aquariums and saving money. Was going to go for a Red Sea Reefer 250 but after seeing the AI lights on the Max E260 that sold it for me!
Filtration
I went for the sump upgrade. It has a pair of Red Sea filter socks (100 micron), 2 TMC Bio reactors - one for phosphate remover and the other for carbon, the standard Red Sea MSK 900 protein skimmer (may upgrade but is performing well so far) and about 20kg of live rock. Added a TMC V2 bio react 500 with NP pellets - keeps the nitrate at 0.
Have now upgraded the skimmer after 1 month of running. The new Skimz is so much quieter and is taking out a lot more waste.
Have now upgraded the skimmer after 1 month of running. The new Skimz is so much quieter and is taking out a lot more waste.
Lighting
The Aquaillumination Hydra 26 HDs are awesome! Completely controlled by an app on my iPad and 9 hour lighting schedule set up from 9:30am sunrise ramping up to a 4 hour period at a high intensity then ramping down to a 8pm sunset. Also has a lunar cycle.
Flow
Standard circulation pumps - 2x 2150. Looking to get a Maxspect Gyre XF130 soon.
Phosphate
Alkalinity
Calcium
Nitrate
Nitrite
Ammonia
pH
Salinity
Temperature
Magnesium
5 Fish
33 Corals
24 Invertebrate
Equipment
Additive
Tropic Marin Re-Mineral Marine
Aquarium
Heater
Lighting
Media
Medication
AquaIlluminationptasia-X
Pump
Eheim Compact+ 1000
Sicce Syncra Silent Pump
TMC V2 PowerPump 3000
Reactor
TMC V2 Bio React 500
TMC V2 Fluidised Sand Bed Filter
Skimmer
Skimz SK181 Skimmer
TestKit
Feeding See more
Ghost feed of artemia · Mysis · Artemia · Reef Roids · Artemia with Spirulina · Reef roids, reef pearls and Red Sea coral energyMaintenance
Daily:
Clean skimmer
Clean glass inside and out
Weekly:
10%-15% water change
clean/replace filter socks
Test all parameters
Clear detritus from rocks
Top up NP Biopellets
Monthly:
Change carbon
Change RowaPhos
Clean skimmer
Clean glass inside and out
Weekly:
10%-15% water change
clean/replace filter socks
Test all parameters
Clear detritus from rocks
Top up NP Biopellets
Monthly:
Change carbon
Change RowaPhos
On average you perform a 15.6% water change every 7 days.
0% total water change in August.