Tom D's Red Sea Build , more like progression thread!

[TomD]

First, setting up! It's the RedSea e series 43 with the Hydra LED's.

Was all very straightforward, although I was confused for a few over the return. Ive never had a return not connect directly to the barb. On the red sea there is a right angle that you then screw into a piece of plastic so the return tube is actually not touching the outlet barb.

And thank God I still had my RODI due to my office tank. I really can't believe it. I purchased this from someone here and its been a couple years and the inline TDS meter is still reading 0. Its a Kent Spectra. I need to change filters soon.

 

[TomD]

Filling up and Rock

I used sand from Marco's and some Marco rock, although due to my awful first attempt at aqua scaping I did use a fair amount of LR which is probably why my cycle was so short. The first pic was a pile of rocks. Second pic is my final rockscape.

 

[TomD]

And now after cycle and where are today. The meteor shower and Goby were new additions today. I can't wait until the shower colors up!!! I am very very impressed with the light on this tank. Pic of this first acro. I can't believe how cheap it was. My local LFS is the BEST as far as prices.

 

[TomD]

And here we are now

Here are the pics I took today. I don't like to put too many corals up top until I am sure my rose bubble isn't going to move. He hasn't moved since he got to his current spot. These LED's are very bright so I have been going up 1% per day. The first day I put him in I shut down the powerheads and sure enough he went under a rock and didn't come out for a few days. Today was the largest I have seen it expand so it may stay. The acro is up pretty high but it is placed towards the back of the tank so I will have to keep an eye on it but I don't think it will be too much.

My review of this tank is for $1500 it's a great tank and looks furniture quality, HOWEVER, for $1500 with a skimmer that must be upgraded I feel it should have come with the sump. I will be ordering that very soon and looking for opinions on skimmer options.

My other comment is getting a conch as part of your cleanup crew. This is the first time ever that my post cycle algae bloom lasted 48 hours! After the cycle I tested no amonia and added my clowns. A few days later the entire sand bed was getting covered with diatoms and slime. Well, I know I mentioned this in another thread but 48 hours with him in there it was ALL gone. It worked so great I got one for my work tank as well. Now there is no algae in sight so I will be using a little nori on the advice of a fellow club member to keep him fed. I highly recommend them!

 

[TomD]

Next week I will be starting the same type of thread when I upgrade my office tank from a nuvo 8 to a 13.5 Fluval. I already have upgraded lighting so that should be a fun tank!

 

[Chris A.]

Nice looking tank

 

[jah-hoeva]

I love the Red Sea Tanks. Looks great man.

 

[this is me]

Looks great! I love cube tanks.
Does the RBTA host the clowns?

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Looks good! Cute little goby. The marco sand looks like it settles nicely also.

 

[mcf6188]

very very cool great set up. good luck

 

[TomD]

Not yet and today the RBTA really expanded to about triples the size of that pic. I hope they do.

 

[TomD]

Looks great! I love cube tanks.
Does the RBTA host the clowns?

Not yet. My last tank they never took so I am really hoping this time they will. Frankly, I find them to be a pain so the only reason I get one is in the hope that the clowns will host.

 

[TomD]

And how we stand today....

 

[TomD]

Got this today and love it!

 

[Chris A.]

Nice chalice, never been a big fan but might try one

 

[TomD]

Nice chalice, never been a big fan but might try one

I've always been an LPS lover. I like one big acro at the top followed by some nice softies, a clam, anemone, and a lot of LPS. I'll say it again this is my first tank (2 now with the one at work), that I have had a conch and it keeps the sand like its new. It is my new favorite member of the cleanup crew!