Red Sea Max250 restoration build

[vinsonj]

Cool!
I mounted the light at the very front edge of the main hood. Not the part that hinges. I used stainless screws and the supplied brackets. Bent them back to get the light pointing back slightly. The foam is just there to take up the gap between the hood and the bracket.
When I installed the light, I had the hood off and apart. I drilled a couple of holes and routed the power chord through the hood so that it wasn't hanging down in the water. Been awhile, so I don't remember exactly where. I might be able to snap some pics later this evening when I get home.
The dimmer is available separately for the light. BRS has them. Think it was around $20.
They also have a Bluetooth controller for it as well, but it was considerably more expensive.
Also, I use the Coralife surge protector with the built in timer to control on/off for the LED. Not sure if I mentioned that or not.

Is this the dimmer you used? It's the only one I seem to be able to find on BRS

In-Line LED Dimmer

Inexpensive, versatile dimming control for Lumi Lite, Tech and XHO LED units. Installs easily and is capable of a wide variety of settings allowing you to conveniently choose the perfect amount of light with a push of a button. To install unplug your power supply and install the inline dimmer...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[SamMule]

Before:

After:

 

[SamMule]

Is this the dimmer you used? It's the only one I seem to be able to find on BRS

In-Line LED Dimmer

Inexpensive, versatile dimming control for Lumi Lite, Tech and XHO LED units. Installs easily and is capable of a wide variety of settings allowing you to conveniently choose the perfect amount of light with a push of a button. To install unplug your power supply and install the inline dimmer...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Yup, that's the one!

 

[vinsonj]

Yup, that's the one!

Excellent....and you just connected it in series to the LED plugin like below?

 

[SamMule]

Yes

 

[SamMule]

Been awhile since I updated. Tank is doing great.
No major changes. Just starting to run out of space!

Solar flare is finally getting some growth, color, and PE back

SCOP has started taking off in the last month or two

Aussie Gold tort looking really good too!

BSA Acid Rain. Such a unique piece. One of my favorites!

Mystery acro I picked up awhile back. Was only a few polyps attached to a frag plug with a mili on it. I detached the milli and let this one grow out. Looking like it has some great potential!

I've gone to larger water changes every two weeks now.
Nutrients seem to be about the same.
PO4 .2-.3
Nitrates 12-20 or so.
Alk running in the 7's to low 8's
Mag around 1320 IIRC.

 

[SamMule]

Updated FTS

 

[SamMule]

Did a little moving and nipped the tip on Mr. Neutron today... Guess it's do or die on this one.

Red planet looking good. Finally starting to shoot out some new branches.

No-name milli quickly becoming a favorite.

This one is growing well, but has gone more purple. Starting to look a lot like the valida above it.

 

[xCry0x]

Your tank looks awesome!

Would love to know more on how you have the tank set up now adays given your success.

I've been fiddling with a rsm 250 for the past 5 years but it looks nowhere near as good as yours!

 

[SamMule]

Thank you! I have been trying to keep things as simple as possible. Stock pumps plus one MP40 and skimmer with Tunze ATO that I mix kalkwasser into.

 

[xCry0x]

Thank you! I have been trying to keep things as simple as possible. Stock pumps plus one MP40 and skimmer with Tunze ATO that I mix kalkwasser into.

Congrats - love seeing tanks like this since it highlights how you don't need all the fanciest equipment in the world to have success.

 

[SamMule]

Updated FTS:

Getting pretty crowded in here. Anyone near western MT looking for a good deal on some frags?

 

[shookONES]

Love this build. Am I right I’m assuming you’ve taken the tank this far with just kalk and water changes?

 

[SamMule]

Yup. Simplistic approach seems to be working for me!

 

[SamMule]

Over the last few months, (after the introduction of some bumblebee snails from a lfs) I started noticing reduced PE on several acros. Ended up finding red bugs. After 2 11.5mg treatments a week apart, PE and color has started to return. Killed my cleaner shrimp, but the pistol shrimp and and zanzibar shrimp made it through just fine. Will hit em one more time next week just for good measure, but I am pleased with the results.
Got a new phone with a decent camera. Better do a little pic update!
FTS:

BSA Acid Rain. Growing at a good clip. Really special piece. The new camera really helps bring out the subtle color variations throughout.

JF Solar flare. Finally growing!

SCOP. Polyps are more yellow than orange, but still looks awesome.

TGC orange Creamsicle. Some tip damage from the MP40 about 3" away.
RC poison envy left and GARF bansai below.

Little TDS. Poor Sarmentosa is losing the fight between fox flame and PC rainbow. Might have to address that.

 

[Jigity_jigity_joe]

Seriously amazing thank! Are you running the stock skimmer?

 

[SamMule]

Thank you! And yes, it is kind of a bear to get tuned, but seems to work OK once it's running.

 

[Jigity_jigity_joe]

You are very welcomed Making me feel very inspired to work harder on my 250, I moved it about 6 months ago and it’s been a fight ever since. I’m finally getting it reigned back in and put my skimmer back in but dang I cannot make it not overflow, and there’s very little info on the things anywhere. Seems like I just need to drop the level in the back chamber down quite a bit, where do you run yours if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[SamMule]

It's about at the top line. That valve is a PITA. If you look at it wrong, it starts overflowing. Check your line and make sure you don't have any breaks in it too. I had an issue with that as well at one point.
Do you use an ATO? It's much easier to keep adjusted with a consistent water level

 

[Jigity_jigity_joe]

Wow really? Yeah that valve definitely is finicky, it just seems like there’s no way to keep it from frothing over, mines just about at the top line also and I do have an ato. With the valve off it doesn’t draw any air in, the water level still creeps up into the neck of the skimmer, maybe it’s the sponge set up I have going on or something.