My RSM 130D Build

[gammarho55]

Hey everybody! I'm new to the community... been a lurker for a while, but finally decided to buck up and get my first saltwater tank. Been doing a planted tank for a while, just couldn't commit to the cost until now. Just got it set up yesterday,so let me know what you think about the equipment list and let me know if you all think I'm missing something. I'd eventually like to switch out the T5 lights and move to LEDs, so if you all have ideas on how to do that, I'd appreciate it. I've seen the Radions (which are above my pay grade) and Steve's retrofit lights.
Thanks for looking and can't wait to hearing what you all think.

Red Sea Max 130D:
Tunze 9001 Protein Skimmer
Icecap 3K Gyre Flow Pump
Icecap ATO
Eheim Heater (not sure the model)
InTank Media Basket
Seachem Phosguard
Seachem Matrix Carbon
Seachem Purigen
AquaVitro Seed Bacteria
Caribsea Fiji pink (20#)
30# Live Rock

 

[gammarho55]

Decided to move my build thread to the AIO section... figured I might get more hits. Anyway, what a difference a couple of days makes. Things have cleared up nicely. I had a bare spot in the front-right corner of the tank the morning after I put the gyre pump in. I was only running it at 10%, so even though I was determined not to put my hands in the tank I had to redirect the flow more towards the surface, which has seemed to help. I see a bit of sand moving, just not being displaced. I figure it'll be better when I actually get things in the tank.
I got my live rock from an LFS, but noticed they didn't do much in the way of cleaning it off. There were a few hermit crabs with the rock and I'm starting to notice things growing on it and I'm not sure if I should be worried about. I'm not sure what the thing in the 2nd pic is, but it is definitely loving the gyre's flow. How much of this stuff should I be worried about removing before it harms the tank? Don't want stuff in there that's harmful.
Any help you all could provide would be awesome.

 

[R_C]

Welcome! The second picture looks like aiptasia and I would remove it. They are a pest anemone and can over take your tank and sting everything.

 

[gammarho55]

Welcome! The second picture looks like aiptasia and I would remove it. They are a pest anemone and can over take your tank and sting everything.

whats the best way to remove it and make sure it doesn't come back? remove the rock or just pull the rock and scrub it with a toothbrush?

 

[gammarho55]

Had to remove the Icecap Gyre Pump... it was producing wayyyy too much flow for the tank. I was only running it at a steady 10% but it was consistently producing sand movement and created a bare spot. I switched it out for a Current Eflux 660. Got it set at 60-70% steady stream and is working out nicely. I just wish it had more control over the pulse/surge modes... It goes 0%-60%, rather than 30%-60% and there's no way to change the lower percentage. Oh well.
Also, I added my first couple of coral- some GSP and small torch. Just wanted somehting in the tank to show off the flow. But the second I put them in, I realized just how lacking the stock 130D T5 lighting is. Now I just have to decide if I want to take the top off and add a screen with light/mount, or try a retrofit kit. I've seen people use the Radions as replacements for the T5 but I think those are out of my price range lol.

Let me know what you all think. Thanks.

 

[JoshH]

Steves LED makes a retrofit LED kit specificly for the RSM 130 series, Nanos box makes a retrofit kit for all kinds of tanks including the RSM 130s as well, I will be going with a Steves LED kit myself, $400 and it's designed specifically for the tank.

 

[gammarho55]

Steves LED makes a retrofit LED kit specificly for the RSM 130 series, Nanos box makes a retrofit kit for all kinds of tanks including the RSM 130s as well, I will be going with a Steves LED kit myself, $400 and it's designed specifically for the tank.

I've seen Steve's LEDs but not the Nanos box.... will have to check those out. Thanks.

 

[JoshH]

http://nanoboxreef.com/shop.html

Scroll down its the large retrofit kit, it's a little cheaper but requires a little more work to install and isn't quite as nice as the Steves LED kit. Still an awesome option though

 

[gammarho55]

http://nanoboxreef.com/shop.html

Scroll down its the large retrofit kit, it's a little cheaper but requires a little more work to install and isn't quite as nice as the Steves LED kit. Still an awesome option though

Curious as to why you think Steve's are nicer?

 

[JoshH]

There are pros and cons to each really, I feel Steve's system is more specifically designed for the RSM tanks and nano box has more of a broader range of uses. Steves has a built in fan in the heat sink of each LED strip to help dissipate heat quickly and efficiently. Installation is pretty much the same for each. I'd say the one big plus to the nanobox set up over steves is that the light arrays can be placed pretty much wherever you wish inside the hood where Steve's can only be placed in that one specific spot. This would give you the option to light from the edge in vs centre out depending on your rock scape. No real right or wrong set up to go with. I just like steves set up a little better