Almost nothing on the tank worked, but I got it for a great price. I figured that the AIO tank would be a good beginner platform and the RSM250 seemed to be a decent size.
The build:
I got two new Sicce Syncra pumps for the returns because neither of the pumps were working. I also got two Hydor flo rotating water deflector to give a little variation to the flow in the tank and to ensure adequate surface agitation.
The skimmer was in the tank, but the pump did not work. I was doing research and found that the aquamaxx WS-1 skimmer will fit in the RSM250. I was trying to decide between buying another pump and getting the aquamaxx but after hearing how some people were displeased with the stock skimmer I decided to go with the aquamaxx.
The lights did not work. I wasn't sure if it was just the bulbs or if the ballasts were gone, but I wanted to go with LED lights. I got a Viparspectra 300W that I am going to attempt to fit in the hood of the tank while my tank is cycling.
I got a replacement heater and purchased an ink bird temp controller as well. I plan to wire the stock cooling fans to this as my house can get warm during the summer months.
The seller of the tank included a couple smaller powerheads with the tank, but I want to have a mixed reef tank and I have heard that sps corals need quite a bit of flow. I have various maxijet powerheads I can swap out if needed to get more flow.
I swapped the outlet behind the tank to a GFCI outlet for extra protection.
I had a few pieces of rock from the previous owner but knew I would need more. I ordered 55lbs of reefsaver rock from BRS and have been working on trying to make a halfway decent aquascape. I finally found something that I like. In my first post you can see I have an archway as well as a little cave with multiple tunnels for the fish to hide in and swim through. I tried to make sure I have a lot of surface area for corals. I think I am more excited about the corals and inverts than I am for the fish.. once I am sure the aquascape is perfect, I plan to make sure it stays in place using epoxy. It is pretty stable as it is, but I want to make sure none of the rocks fall.
I got a 40lb bag of aragonite reef sand from carib-sea. From my research and calculations this should be enough for around a 2" sand bed, but we will see!
I also got the salifert master test kit. I plan to use my freshwater test kit with the saltwater key for testing ammonia and nitrite through the cycle. I also got a bottle of microbacter 7 and plan to get the ARC coraline algae in a bottle. This should help with the cycling as well as hopefully introduce coraline algae to my virgin reefsaver dry rock!
I feel like there is still more that I am forgetting.. I will try to take as many pictures as I can and update this thread as much as I can to keep everyone updated! Please forgive my formatting and drawn out posts.. this is my first time doing something like this on a forum and I will mostly be updating through mobile.. haha
