Question on Red Sea E260

Snoopdog · Aug 13, 2020

So proud owner of a used E260, very well taken care of. I am 10+ years out of the hobby and have a lot of catching up to do. Do people normally recommend doing in-stand sump upgrade? What is the main advantage? It seems from looking at the specs the size is comparable to the HOB sump that is already on the tank. I really want a refugium again so that is what I am thinking about it. Any other upgrades that I should do? This tank looked so dead when I picked it up, I saw such little life in the tank that I was really let down. In my old tank you could not stare but for a few seconds until you saw some type of baby starfish, sponge, etc. All I can think is that the guy had to have used dead rock from the start.

Dub_G · Oct 24, 2020

Hey not sure if you've upgraded your tank or still going with the rear sump. When I bought my used E-260 it had the optional bottom sump.

If you haven't done it yet I would highly recommend it. If you do decide to go with bottom sump do some research on here about replacing diaphragm valve that comes with the sump with a ball valve. The diaphragm valve is very difficult to maintain proper water level in the the rear area. One day it is perfect and the next it suddenly raises and water is falling down the emergency overflow.

Have you started a build thread for your tank? I like to see how other tanks look and are set up?

Dub_G · Oct 24, 2020

Well I see in your next post that it looks like my response wasn't needed!

Snoopdog · Oct 24, 2020

Yeah I bought the bottom sump. Still fighting with the Red Sea Skimmer that I added to it down there. RSK-300 I think was the model. 7 Days running now and it is still overflowing. I will eventually do a build thread once my corals start growing. Overall I love the tank and it is starting to straighten out. Went through Dinoflagellates and Cyanobacteria but still getting a daily film algae on the glass. Corals are starting to grow ever so slightly.

Oh and about the valve, yeah I did redo every bit of the plumbing a month ago and added the gate valve from BRS.

Dub_G · Oct 24, 2020

Did you have to drain the tank to redo the plumbing? I've been battling the diaphragm valve forever now and it is the one thing I hate about the tank. I just don't want to go through the pain of draining the tank to fix the plumbing issue.

I have a Bubble-Magus Curve 5 skimmer for mine. It was in the tank when I bought it and it has been doing fine for me. Going off the ain't broke don't fix it rule.

Snoopdog · Oct 24, 2020

Dub_G said:
Did you have to drain the tank to redo the plumbing? I've been battling the diaphragm valve forever now and it is the one thing I hate about the tank. I just don't want to go through the pain of draining the tank to fix the plumbing issue.

I have a Bubble-Magus Curve 5 skimmer for mine. It was in the tank when I bought it and it has been doing fine for me. Going off the ain't broke don't fix it rule.

No sir.