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Red Sea Max 250 User Manual

1. To close the hood repeat the above in the reverse order first closing to the 30 position and thereafter to the horizontal position Slight pressure in the direction of the arrow in Fig 20C will be required to separate between the upper and middle legs To disassemble the hood from the aquarium remove the hood support pins by inserting the end of a small screwdriver into the small recess in the head of the pin Thereafter remove the hood pins from the hood hinges at the back DO NOT attempt to remove the hood support by forcing open the support joint 19 20 Skimmer collection cup 1 The collection cup consists of 3 parts the collection cup body the integrated foam adjuster already assembled inside it and the lid The body also houses a silencer and air flow valve for the skimmer 2 Familiarize yourself with the assembly of the foam adjuster which will need to be removed periodically for cleaning When reassembling make sure that the o ring at the bottom of the foam adjuster enters the cup smoothly Initially assemble the foam adjuster to its uppermost position Fig 21 Figure 21 assembling the integrated foam adjuster 3 To complete the assembly of the collection cup make sure that the lid is seated properly 4 Open the skimmer panel in the hood 5 Hold the cup with the air valve on the right hand side line up the hole in the cup bottom with the top of the
2. Figure 15 Installing the fine polishing mechanical filter Light tubes 1 4 Using the protective packaging as a cushion place the hood upside down on a level surface Remove the 6 plastic screws from the front of the transparent lens and rotate the lens back against the hood Note To remove the lens completely from the hood hold the lens perpendicular to the hood and carefully push each of the 4 hinges out of their brackets Fix the lighting tubes into position by first inserting the electrical connectors into their sockets and then turning the tubes 90 Ensure the tubes are fully inserted in to the sockets For best effect from the lighting insert the actinic and 10 000K tubes alternately 5 Close the lens securely ensuring that the gasket is properly positioned and replace the 6 screws You are now ready to place the hood on the aquarium NOTE After initial assembly replacing the light tubes can be performed with the hood attached to the aquarium Figure 16 Opening the transparent lens Hood 1 Ensure that the hood supports are folded as shown in the diagram Figure 17 Hood supports 18 2 Thread the hood s electrical cord through the cable access hole in the top of the tank and holding the water cooling fan cable on top of the hood place the hood on top of the tank Make sure that the hood fits securely around the rim of the tank it ma
3. d Figure 29 Water flow through the MAX filtration system Note The integrated surface skimmer shutter should be adjusted regularly according to the water level in the aquarium As a general rule the top surface of the shutter should be positioned 2 cm 0 8 below the RER water surface There are two factors affecting the water level inside the filtration chamber 1 Overall water volume in the system 2 Surface skimmer shutter position At this point of set up the water level inside the filtration chamber should be below the plastic rim as can be seen through the filter compartment water level viewer This is the Maximum water level Fig 31 Max water level Figure 30 Maximum water level In order to start the surface skimming lift the surface skimmer shutter up to 2 cm 0 8 below the top frame At this point the water level at the filtration chamber will drop by 2 4 cm 0 8 1 6 as can be seen at the water level viewer this is the optimal water level for operation Fig 32 If the water level drops below this line lower the shutter as necessary to raise the water level Note The MAX filtration system can sustain a water loss of i 12 lit 3 U S Gal due to evaporation skimmer waste l and continue functioning normally Water loss above this level will dramatically affect the performance of the filter system If you
4. Contact your local Red Sea dealer for details pH Several factors contribute to the importance of monitoring your marine aquarium s pH level Chief among them is that aquatic organisms thrive only within a certain range that varies from organism to organism Changes in pH affect fundamental processes in many marine organisms such as calcification or the deposition of calcium carbonate skeletons pH levels should remain in the 8 2 8 4 range for a reef aquarium pH may drop during daylight for several reasons Excessive CO Excessive nitrification Alkalinity decreases Organic matter buildup 44 If you detect other indications of organic matter buildup consider reducing the food quantity and partially changing the water Alkalinity Alkalinity refers to the amount of acid required to lower the pH as well as indicates the store of bicarbonate HCO3 and carbonate C03 in the water Corals absorb bicarbonate convert it to carbonate and then combine the carbonate with calcium to form calcium carbonate skeletons The prevailing wisdom among marine biologists favors the notion that certain organisms calcify more quickly at higher alkalinity than naturally occurs in seawater Bicarbonate intake thus becomes a limiting factor in the calcification rate among many corals This stems partially from the fact that both photosynthesis and calcification compete for bicarbonate and the bicarbonate concentration starts out low For these
5. Red Sea MAX 250 The complete Coral Reef Aquarium USER MANUAL Red Sea Red Sea MAX 250 The complete Coral Reef Aquarium USER MANUAL Red Sea Contents d 1 Introduction 2 Honung se S 2 Water movement and circulation cccooo 3 TEMPETE osser S 3 Filtration teen nee 3 livestockensenenesseenn ee 5 Se een 7 Parts diagfamsee2 2 2 2 ek ee ee 8 MAX Setup 10 11 location aussen ii 10 BCCOSSIDI Ver ee er et 10 ROOM TEMPE lUe eran E 11 Unpacking the aquarium 11 Pre operating instructions 12 37 ASSEM IY een 12 Eireulation pUMPS nesse 13 210 41141101 a ac 14 Filtration Materials cee hatte ks ae et te 16 IPQ OS nee een 17 Hood nennen sen 18 Bowenlenter aite see lies 21 Operating the lighting u uuuueaen 22 COOMING Fan Seesen 23 Preparing the saltwater ccceeoco 24 Elaw dynamies 2 822er een 26 Adjusting the protein skimmer ouoooo 28 SUDSHAlEr ne ee eens need 29 WMO TO GK nannte a 30 STOCKING hetan k arena 32 Quick reference set up Chart eee 34 Caring for the reef cecccooooo 36 48 Daily reef care procedures eeeee 36 installing theschilleta 2 2 82er 39 Weekly reeficat esearon enaA E 43 Monthly reef care water changes ucoo 47 Bimonthly or longer term Care eects 48 Troubleshooting 49 52 Lis
6. In a closed room without ventilation the ambient temperature can slowly rise Check that the thermostat on the heater is set to lower than 25 C 77 F If you have installed a chiller check that it is functioning properly that the thermostat temperature is set lower than 27 C 81 F and that the chiller pump is functioning properly If you have not installed a chiller check that the rear water cooling fans are switched on and are working correctly and that the water level is maintained between the optimum and minimum levels If the water cooling fans do not work check the fuse If your chiller heater water cooling fans water level etc are all functioning correctly check that the hood fans skimmer and circulation pumps are all working correctly If all of the MAX components are functioning correctly installation of a chiller may be necessary to maintain the desired stable temperature Q The daylights are not switching on and off every day as programmed A Refer to the operating the lights section above and ensure that the lights are programmed for the full week option Q My set up is new and the skimmer doesn t seem to be skimming A If the set up is new or If you have just cleaned your skimmer re rinse it with water Allow the skimmer to run for 48 hours before worrying Skimmers react to changes in water density and other chemical residue can form on the plastic during the molding process While this is saf
7. given specimen Coral Most symbiotic corals need to supplement the products of photosynthesis with hosted zooxanthellae Very few species are truly autotrophic most will slowly starve if not fed in captivity Unfortunately the aquarist cannot always discern such a gradual process the net daily deficit amounts to only a few percent Most popular coral specimens feed on zooplankton other nanoplankton bacteria floc mucus or absorb nutrients from the water Most corals require feeding Anemones Anemones consume pieces of mussel or shrimp placed directly on the tentacles or mouth Fish supply stores stock many different commercial liquid foods We recommend Red Sea CoralGro CoralGro s complete balanced formulation supplies all the nutritional requirements for marine invertebrates Monthly reef care water changes While we recommend changing 10 of the tank water every week if that proves too difficult replace 25 30 of the water at least once a month Frequent partial water changes help to dilute undesirable substances 1 Siphon away the amount of water to be replaced 2 Pre mix the replacement seawater to achieve the temperature and specific gravity that match the tank water parameters 3 Slowly add the newly mixed water 4 Check the parameters again and adjust as necessary Take this opportunity to vacuum part of the substrate or bare bottom and bare live rock areas rearrange the d cor and perhaps move arou
8. temperature and salinity from that in your aquarium Fish and especially invertebrates react easily to even minor changes in these parameters so proper acclimation is the key to their successful relocation To acclimatize your Livestock Place the fish coral invertebrate with all of the water from its bag into a bucket Place the bucket on the floor next to the MAX With some air line tubing and a flow valve run a siphon drip line from the MAX to the bucket Start a siphon and slowly allow the tank water to drip into the bucket using the valve to adjust the drip rate Keep the drip fairly slow too fast a drip can change the parameters too quickly and shock the creatures When the volume of water in the bucket has doubled test the pH salinity and temperature of the water If they match the tank s parameters you can transfer all the livestock to the aquarium If not continue with the drip method until the parameters match Be sure to remove water from the bucket to prevent overflow if necessary The stocked aquarium The above steps should simplify and demystify the setup and stocking processes for a reef aquarium Remember to research the needs of the fish and invertebrates you want to stock to guarantee from the start that you have the time energy and resources to invest in their care Try to resist the temptation to add all the inhabitants at once By stocking your aquarium slowly you greatly increase the creatures chances
9. 300 gph 10 biological filter circulation pump 11 protein skimmer pump 6 carbon filter 12 light tubes 10 Location The first step in setting up the MAX is to choose a suitable location The location should be decided upon in advance because once filled with substrate rocks and water the aquarium weighs about 350kg 770lbs and must not be moved Consider the following parameters when choosing the location The MAX like all glass aquaria may crack if subjected to sudden movement as a result of uneven water pressure on the glass walls Accessibility When choosing a location ensure that you have enough room to raise the main aquarium hood and remove the skimmer collection cup for regular maintenance Make sure you can reach the power center switches located at the rear right side of the MAX and that the power center can be removed from its niche Ensure that the area surrounding the aquarium is waterproof and consider moving away anything that water might damage NOTE If you plan to use a water chiller ensure that there is at least 15cm 6 of clearance behind the MAX to allow for sufficient air circulation and easy installation of the Accessory kit Room temperature Site selection is important for correct temperature maintenance We recommended that you keep the ambient room temperature a comfortable and stable 22 C 72 F Avoid placing the tank in front of an air conditioner heating vents or direct sunligh
10. Figure 36 s chiller pump in Fig 38 making sure that the pump cord is positioned in the recess provided for it 39 Figure 37 Accessory kit assembly 5 Connect the bayonet connector from the chiller pump to the right side of the bracket 6 Connect approximately 15cm 6 of 16mm 5 8 flexible pipe to the other bayoneted hose barb Insert the free end of this pipe into the pump chamber and connect the bayonet to the left connector on the bracket 7 Ensure that the inlet and outlet pipes are securely attached to the chiller Plug in the chiller pump and check that the water is circulating through the chiller without leaks at any of the connections in the piping Figure 38 Conecting the chiller pump bayonet 8 Pay attention to the drop in water level and refill the tank with freshly mixed salt water at the same salinity pH and temp 40 9 Operate the chiller according to the instructions supplied with it 10 Reassemble the 1200 Iph 300 gph pump above the chiller pump as described before and turn it on Surface film build up Look for any accumulation of surface bio film This occurs naturally when light organic compounds such as fatty acids and insoluble proteins concentrate on the surface The Red Sea MAX filtration system continues to work even if the water level drops 8 cm 3 To ensure proper surface skimming adjust the level of the surface skimmer shutter 1 Lift the hood and sec
11. consider this weight when selecting an alternative aquarium support or stand If the support you choose is not designed specifically as an aquarium stand ensure that it can both withstand the weight and that it remains balanced and level it should also be constructed from a material that is splash proof The MAX like all glass aquaria may crack if subjected to sudden movement as a result of uneven water pressure on the glass walls Accessibility When choosing a location ensure that you have enough room to raise the main aquarium hood and remove the skimmer collection cup for regular maintenance Make sure you can reach the power center switches located at the rear right side of the MAX and that the power center can be removed from its niche Ensure that the area surrounding the aquarium is waterproof and consider moving away anything that water might damage Room temperature Site selection is important for correct temperature maintenance We recommended that you keep the ambient room temperature a comfortable and stable 22 C 72 F Avoid placing the tank in front of an air conditioner heating vents or direct sunlight A well ventilated room with moderate light is the best place to position the aquarium Q How much live rock should use A As a rule you should add 1 kg 2 2lb of live rock per 10 liters 2 6 gallons of tank volume The exact amount will vary with the type of rock you choose but it should occupy at least fo
12. fertilized waters They feel slimy to the touch The presence of the clusters threads and chains of these organisms indicates a circulation or filtration problem in marine aquaria Green filamentous These are hairy dark green algae spread throughout the tank especially on live rock where coralline algae do not proliferate well Hair algae can easily overgrow other specimens in the aquarium including coral To control their population introduce herbivores many species of sea urchins perform this function well Astrea snails and blue leg hermit crabs also help Algae prevention Chemical activity Algae thrive in nutrient rich water Initially provide as little phosphate and nitrate for them as possible Circulation Most micro algaes do better under stagnant conditions Keep the water moving and monitor your pump s performance Filtration Protein skimmers reign supreme in preventing micro algae they quickly remove organics that might otherwise fuel algae growth Monitor your skimmer performance regularly and keep it clean Macro algae These organisms help to control micro algae The shade caused by the macro algae cuts down on the light that the micro algae receive and use some of the nutrients otherwise available for these undesirable forms The fast growing caulerpa and encrusting corallines a group of red algae resembling coral are best 41 Pollutants Do not overfeed Perform frequent partial water changes t
13. filtered tap water Note There are many synthetic salt brands on the market some of them may contain chemical additives and binding substances that may interfere with protein skimmer performances We highly recommend using Red Sea Coral Pro which does not contain the binding materials and will not interfere with the protein skimmer performance Mixing the salt The only time you can mix the saltwater in the tank is during setup when the tank is empty Never pour a synthetic sea salt mix directly into an aquarium containing livestock When preparing seawater for water changes use another inert container such as a plastic bucket int When mixing saltwater always add the water first and then the salt in order to avoid the formation of insoluble precipitates To mix the salt 1 Fill the aquarium until the level of water in the aquarium reaches the underside of the inside plastic rim Make sure that the surface skimmer shutter is positioned all the way down so the water can easily enter the filtration chamber ad NaM Sw Make sure your hands are dry Connect the MAX to the power supply Turn the lights on Direct the two pump nozzles down Activate the two circulation pumps and the skimmer pump Switch on the heater if the water temperature is below 24 C 75 F Add 9 6kg 9 9lbs of Red Sea Coral Pro salt to achieve a salinity of 35ppt Wait 20 30 minutes The pump action should help the salt dissolve co
14. inorganic iodine exist in the ocean Their complex involvement in various cycles still constitutes an area of active research lodine predominates in two forms iodate 103 and iodide I Together these two forms should account for about 0 06ppm Among the primary organisms in reef aquaria that consume iodine you will find both micro and macro algae as well as some soft corals lodine overdoses will prove highly toxic to corals Unless you are using an accurate lodine test kit such as Red Sea s lodine test lab use iodine supplements sparingly if at all Cleaning Since cleaning the system disrupts the inhabitants anyway exploit the opportunity to clean thoroughly 1 Wipe down the outside of the hood and glass as well as the transparent lens to get rid of algae and salt crests Do not use detergents or soap only fresh water and a clean rag To clean algae from the inside of the glass use a sharp razor or cleaning magnet 2 Remove and inspect the mechanical filtration media for excessive debris Rinse them under tap water 3 Clean the skimmer collection cup and neck Supplements Add supplements in accordance with the tested water parameters and the appearance behavior of the inhabitants Do not overdose Some supplements such as iodine are toxic in high doses Invertebrate feeding The first step in understanding and addressing the dietary needs of a reef invertebrate is to identify the feeding strategies of a
15. of survival and your chances of long term success With proper setup diligent patience and care your Red Sea MAX and its inhabitants will thrive 33 34 Red Sea MAX 250 Quick reference setup chart The following is a step by step guide designed to help you keep track of the various stages involved in setting up cycling and monitoring your MAX in the first three critical months of aquarium operation Each stage is explained elsewhere in this manual Week 1 Cycle period Segal Bey Ba Bra en Bra Ei Weck2 Weck3 Week4 Month2 Month3 Assemble the Fill tank with water amp mixsalt Test salinity Stempel vl AMAA a EAE Test equipment Fra Add substrate FA Test pH amp alkali ra Add live rocks Oo FA Cure live rocks 0 Wal trite amp nitrate 2 ZARARA EA EA 7s 7S Ea Test ammonia Test calcium amp Far Algae bloom Stock with cl i Clean mecha Oy Stock with co 1 If cured live rocks are introduced on day 1 the 4 week curing cycle can be shortened to just a few days until ammonia and nitrite levels are no longer detectable 2 Ammonia nitrite and nitrate should be tested on a regular basis during the cycle period every 2 days in the first week and at the end of each subsequent week Special attention should be paid to ammonia and nitrite peaks in order to monitor cycle progression 3 Algae blooms are a good sign in the cycling procedure and the maturation of the tank
16. reasons coral reef husbandry requires close attention to alkalinity Without supplementation alkalinity levels will drop as corals consume the bicarbonate You should maintain alkalinity in the 2 4 4 5 megq L 7 15 dKH range Higher levels although they do not adversely affect the coral do increase the likelihood of decreased calcium concentration For boosting alkalinity use Red Sea Coral Buff Its unique formula of carbonate and bicarbonate effectively increases alkalinity to the desired levels Calcium As mentioned above corals primarily use calcium carbonate to form their skeletons Most of the calcium comes from the surrounding water Consequently aquaria with growing coral calcareous red algae tridacnids and halimeda become rapidly depleted of calcium Once the calcium level drops below 360ppm corals can no longer absorb enough of it and they stop growing Therefore keep the calcium level at 380 450ppm Higher levels although they do not adversely affect the coral do increase the likelihood of decreased alkalinity Always monitor alkalinity when adding calcium For optimum balance use Red Sea Success Calcium and Coral Buff together For long term calcium management use a product such as Red Sea Success Calk The result of continuous research into hard coral growth Red Sea developed this superior alternative to kalkwasser calcium reactors and calcium chloride supplements Success Calk safely and simply replenishes
17. skimmer and push the collection cup onto the top of the skimmer until firmly seated in position Figure 22 Attaching the skimmer collection cup 6 Connect the open end of the skimmer air hose to the air valve inlet barb and turn the valve clockwise to its closed position 7 Attach the air intake tube to the collection cup by pushing it through the large hole in the lid into the hole at the top of the cup Pass the free end of the tube out of the hole provided in the side of the access panel or accessory kit The air intake tube draws dryer air from outside the aquarium enclosure improving the efficiency of the skimmer as well as dampening skimmer noise Power center 1 Ensure that your hands are dry 2 Remove the power center splash cover by sliding it away from the power cord and lifting Familiarize yourself with how the splash cover locks into position 9 Hold the power center with the cable at the bottom Insert the power center power cord into the cable niche at the bottom of the back wall Insert the power center into the power center housing Use the lip at the bottom to position the box properly Fig 25 and push until the power center snaps into position at the top Figure 24 Power center 3 Connect the cables from the various components to the power center in the following order placing the plugs in the matching sockets 4 Plug the circulation pumps
18. to the right of the pump compartment 14 Protein skimmer Silencer Chamber cup _ 7 p Air Valve Adjuster S PA Adjuster O ring Body O ring SB P Skimmer Body Air hose connector 7 Pump Figure 8 Protein skimmer parts Protein skimmer parts 1 Disassemble the skimmer pump and inspect the components impeller impeller housing air injector bayonet connector Reassemble the pump ensuring that the pieces are securely attached and that the air injector is in the correct direction Thread the air hose through the airhose holders on the side of the skimmer body making sure to leave 15cm 6 of air hose below the bottom holder Connect the air hose to the air injector on the pump inlet Insert the pump into the inlet hole on the bottom of the skimmer body as shown in the diagram Wetting the O rings will make it easier to perform this operation Make sure that the pump is pushed in fully and that the air hose runs smoothly without kinks around the pump Figure 9 Protein skimmer assembly 6 Hold the assembled skimmer above the skimmer chamber with the pump on the right hand side 7 Holding the pump power cable up out of the tank carefully slide the skimmer assembly into the skimmer chamber The left side of the skimmer should be positioned against the left hand wall of the chamber Figure 10 Inserting the Protei
19. unit out of the top frame Note 1 To have the desired effect the cooling fan has been located very close to the water and therefore is exposed to a salty humid environment As a result it may need replacing and is therefore not covered by warranty Replacement fans are readily available for purchase from your aquatic dealer Note 2 The hood circuitry is protected from fan failure by a fuse located next to the fan switch If the fan does not turn on check the fuse Congratulations You have completed the assembly of your MAX and can move it to its chosen location You are now ready to set up your reef tank 23 24 Preparing the saltwater Seawater naturally contains all of the elements necessary for marine life Although collecting saltwater directly from the ocean has its appeal it also has drawbacks such as pollution pathogens and algae therefore it is recommended to use synthetic seawater Synthetic salt mixes are available for use with pure fresh water and contain all the necessary minerals in the right proportions Please follow these guidelines for preparing saltwater Salinity and specific gravity Salinity is a measure of the total quantity of dissolved minerals and salt in the water expressed in parts per thousand ppt 0 00 or grams per liter The average salinity of ocean water is about 35ppt Specific gravity SG is defined as the ratio of the density of the liquid in question to the densit
20. you use calcium additives regularly If pH drops take corrective action by reducing feeds adding buffer supplements and increasing water changes Salinity Check salinity and specific gravity These recommendations follow years of aquarist experience but you may get slightly different figures from other experts To clarify the basis for each recommendation a brief description of each parameter s importance follows the table Parameter Recommended for MAX Ocean Salinity 35ppt sg 1 026 Variable temperature 2620 7 manne ab pH 7 8 8 5 for marine8 2 8 4 for reef 8 0 8 3 Alkalinity 2 5 4 5 meq L 7 15dKH 2 5 meq L7 dKH Calcium 380 450ppm 420ppm Magnesium 1250 1350ppm 1280ppm Phosphate lt 0 03ppm 0 005ppm Ammonia lt 0 1ppm Variable typically lt 0 1ppm Nitrite lt 0 2ppm typically Variable typically lt 0 0001ppm Nitrate lt 10ppm Variable typically lt 0 1ppm Silica lt 2ppm lt 0 06 2 7ppm Strontium 5 15ppm 8ppm Iron 0 1 0 2ppm 0 000006ppm lodine 0 05 0 07 ppm 0 06ppm total of all forms 43 The first chapter discussed water temperature and salinity To monitor the other parameters the Red Sea MAX Starter Kit provides you with the Red Sea Marine Lab consisting of test kits for the following Ammonia pH Nitrite Alkalinity pro Nitrate Calcium Pro Magnesium Red Sea also offers test kits for phosphate silicate and iodine
21. AX aquarium including information on saltwater and substrate preparation cycling rock curing livestock selection and long term reef care We hope that you enjoy your MAX 1 Introduction The Red Sea MAX approach to the coral reef experience is to replicate a natural marine environment as faithfully as possible In the ocean coral reefs flourish only where specific physical conditions prevail such as sufficient light adequate current stable temperature and water clarity The Red Sea MAX provides a system that creates these conditions allowing you to keep a thriving healthy reef aquarium in your own home Lighting Light is the primary energy source in a coral reef ecosystem Some of the reef organisms such as macro algae phytoplankton and zooxanthellae symbiotic algae convert the light into chemical energy that other reef inhabitants consume in turn Invertebrates such as corals and anemones rely on sufficient light to promote photosynthesis These photosynthetic invertebrates harbor symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae that consume the nitrogenous components and carbon dioxide CO2 from the coral converting it into nutrients and oxygen for the coral itself The spectrum of light is of paramount importance because those wavelengths colors of light found at the natural depths of reefs maximize the ability of the zooxanthellae to photosynthesize The intensity of the light is also important though it is impractical for a home aqu
22. From day 3 4 post set up the brown algae will start to cover the aquarium glass and rocks followed by the red cyano bacteria and sometimes green filamentous algae These should disappear naturally during week 4 with the help of the cleaning crew 4 Stock with fish only after testing water parameters salinity pH ammonia nitrite alkalinity and calcium During week 3 you can add two small damselfish The next fish should be added at the end of week 4 5 Stock with corals only after testing water parameters Ammonia and nitrite levels should be 0 Phosphate 0 Sppm pH 8 2 8 4 alkalinity 2 5 4 meq I and calcium 400 450 35 36 6 Caring for the reef The long term success and health of the inhabitants of your MAX aquarium depends on you Proper planning makes reef care easier to manage and quicker to perform This will leave you more time for the real goal enjoying your aquarium Care of the tank should follow a regular logical pattern Divide the tasks into daily weekly and monthly procedures including equipment checks feeding water parameter testing and adjustments You may find it helpful to make a systematic checklist of care activities and keep a log of the activities performed There is a comprehensive maintenance log available for download from the Support section of the MAX mini site which you can print out or use as a basis to design your own log Your log does not need to be complicated you will need to tr
23. ack segment switch around the face of the timer represents Ya of an hour 15 minutes Move the segment switches to the outer position for the time you want the daylights to be on and to the inner position for the time you want the daylights to be off Once you have the MAX fully operational and switched on you can set the actual time by rotating the dial until the arrow is pointing to the current time 1 Plug the Red Sea MAX power center cord into the wall socket and switch on the uppermost switch which will turn on the hood 2 Set the timer s three position switch to the ON position 1 The daylights and the cooling fan will turn on The moonlights will be off 3 Set the moonlight switch to the ON position I and move the timer s three position switch to the OFF position 0 The daylights and the cooling fan will turn off The moonlights will be on Toggling the moonlight will switch them on and off 4 Make sure all switches are set to OFF Disconnect the MAX from the power Installing the cooling fans 1 Max 250 has a replaceable dual water cooling fan unit that is located on the back wall of the top frame above the left pump chamber 2 Connect the DC jack from the hood to the socket of the fan unit 3 To operate the fans press on the front switch located next to the lighting timer 4 To replace the fan unit disconnect the power cable depress the snaps at the side if the fan unit and push the fan
24. ack the following The tank s parameters pH salinity temperature etc Information specific to each animal when you added them their approximate size date of death it happens in the most successful aquaria and possible cause etc The general appearance of the tank and individual species Equipment changes when you changed light tubes or replaced heaters etc Daily reef care procedures Check the appearance of your fish and corals Fish Check the fishes behavior Look for signs of aggression like bites or injuries diseases or missing inhabitants the prompt removal of carcasses is crucial If you spot any signs of illness treat the affected fish in a quarantine tank most treatments are highly toxic to marine invertebrates Corals Check the polyp extensions looking for signs of stress such as closed polyps i e for long periods fading colors or loose tissue If necessary relocate the stressed coral to an area with better light and current If all the corals show signs of stress it most likely results from water parameters particularly pH or salinity Water color and turbidity The aquarium water should be clear Several factors may account for turbid water White or milky water unrelated to calcium buffer additives can result from ammonia buildup This occurs through decomposing organic matter or rotting carcasses In such a case the water will also emit an unpleasant odor If this occurs y
25. arium to provide the high light intensity present in natural reefs As a general rule a light intensity of 1 watt per liter of water is sufficient for marine invertebrates As with most other organisms fish and invertebrates require both light and dark periods for healthy biological functioning The photoperiod needed for photosynthesis is 10 12 hours The Red Sea MAX features a complete reef spec lighting system including 6 high intensity 39 watt T5 fluorescent bulbs with a high polish textured aluminum reflector designed specifically to attain the lighting requirements for a healthy reef ecosystem The MAX provides a light intensity lumens of 24 650 lux of clear blue sky color 10 000K with a 1 1 ratio to pure actinic blue 420nm wavelength peak to enhance the growth and health of the delicate stony corals SPS and duplicate the magnificent fluorescent colors of the reef invertebrates The lighting comes with a built in 24 hour analogue digital timer to ensure a consistent photoperiod Eight blue LED moonlights complete the natural environment Water movement and circulation Water movement constitutes another critical physical parameter in reef aquaria The extensive biological effects of currents specifically their role in transporting nutrients and oxygen make them crucial for static coral reef species Water flow increases the food supply fuels metabolism promotes gas exchange and improves enzyme action and respiration calc
26. artment stays near the min line take out the fine polishing filter media and clean the pad vigorously they might have become clogged with excessive debris For additional help with operating the Red Sea Max please i i refer to the Red Sea Max website redseamax com or contact Customer Care i 51 Q Why there are micro bubbles in my tank A The major reason for bubbles is air drawn in by the circulating pump Immediately check the water level in the left pump chamber through the water level viewer If the water level is too low the pump may draw air and inject the micro bubbles If this is the situation act as describe on the previous paragraph A low level of micro bubbles in marine aquariums is normal and should be expected Intense skimming is the secret of great water quality as it both removes organic waste before it can break down AND maintains a high redox level This is achieved by super saturating the water with air i e dissolving more gas into the water than is normal for the given temperature and pressure Once the super saturated water leaves the skimmer it relaxes and releases the extra gas in the form of micro bubbles You might be getting microbubbles if you are using tap water with water conditioners or natural seawater Many conditioners Some synthetic salt formulae and impurities found in natural seawater increase the surface tension of the water and cause a small proportion of the bubbles to escape
27. clean the air line and air intake nipple submerge the inlet assembly with its air line in a bucket of hot water 9 Clean the parts and reassemble the pump 10 Reconnect the pump to the skimmer and slide the skimmer back into the chamber as before Keep the air line out of the water 11 Turn on the skimmer at the power center 12 Gauge the air suction and the water air mixture If it still seems inadequate check again for blockage and repeat steps 1 3 13 Clean the collection cup and reconnect it to the skimmer 14 Replace the filter foam on top of the pump keeping the air line out 15 Close the skimmer panel Water level Check on a daily basis the water level through the Filter compartment water level viewer Make sure that the water level is not too low to interfere with the system operation Adjust the surface skimmer shutter if necessary and use RO water to replenish the evaporated water Furthermore the water loss to evaporation may dramatically raises salinity See the Technical section in Troubleshooting chapter 7 for more information on water level adjustment and fine tuning Water temperature control For optimum conditions a reef aquarium should be maintained at a stable water temperature in the range of 24 28 C 76 82 F the stability of the temperature being more important than the exact value Slightly higher temperatures can be tolerated for short periods of time as long as the change in temperat
28. croorganisms typically takes 1 4 weeks depending on the type of rock and the method used Although many organisms die during transport much of the fauna survives During the cycling period the ammonia levels rise rapidly as bacteria process the dead organisms The elevated ammonia levels can cause even more organisms to die producing even more ammonia The populations of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria grow accordingly eventually processing all the ammonia and nitrite and reducing them to undetectable levels To initiate and boost the seeding of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria in the bio filter media and live rocks the Red Sea MAX Starter Kit includes Red Sea NitroBac This specially designed formula contains a concentrated blend of nitrifying bacteria that quickly and effectively stabilize the nitrification process reducing the cycling time for new aquaria by up to 60 percent You can add it directly to the aquarium during the initial setup and add 50ml every week during the cycle period Curing the live rocks 1 Wash all the rocks with saltwater and remove any grayish or slimy areas which harbor decaying microorganisms This will help minimize ammonia levels 2 Remove any signs of algae 3 Place the live rock in the tank Ensure that only small areas of the rock are in contact with the tank bottom or other rocks Try to build as many caves as possible such that the larger rocks sit on the bottom and the smaller o
29. d above a chiller of at least 1 6HP should be used Note Most reef keepers consider the installation of a chiller i to be a basic necessity as a safeguard against sudden increases in temperature Given the cost of livestock Red Sea recommends installing a chiller as a safeguard against sudden increases in temperature i Installing a chiller with the Accessory kit MAX accessory kit provides an easy and j convenient way to secure the inlet and outlet oe pipes of additional equipment such as water rq chiller to the MAX The Accessory kit consists of a bracket that snaps into position in the top frame above the right pump chamber and 2 2 bayoneted hose barb connectors 1 Turn off the 1200 Iph 300 gph pump and remove from the tank in 2 Attach approx 35cm 14 of 16mm 5 8 Figure 35 flexible pipe to the outlet of the chiller pump Chiller pump not provided and the other end to one of assembly the accessory kit bayoneted hose barbs Insert the chiller pump to the bottom of the right pump chamber and feed its power cord through the accessory kit window in the back wall 3 Connect the inlet and outlet flexible pipes of the chiller to the hose barbs on the bracket and secure in position with the lock nuts 4 Insert the accessory bracket into the window in the frame by maneuvering it as shown
30. d that fall to the bottom or between rocks They play an especially important role if your tank has substrate keeping it clean and aerated We recommend starting with the following species Brittlestar starfish Pistol shrimp Detrital feeding sea cucumbers Additionally we recommend introducing herbivorous snails such as Asraea tuncta or Turbo snail The blue legged hermit crab Clibanarius tricolor plays a similar role as does the attractive skunk cleaner shrimp Lysmata grabhami When the ammonia and nitrite levels have peaked and subsequently reach zero you have finished the cycle Stocking the tank After the Red Sea MAX has finished the cycle and the algae blooms are under control your aquarium is ready to be stocked with fish and invertebrates Here are some guidelines to help you stock a healthy and successful aquarium Compatibility of species Before adding any fish or invertebrates familiarize yourself with any compatibility issues among the desired species Tank inhabitant compatibility is crucial to a successful and healthy reef aquarium Incompatible species will increase stress in the fish and increase the risk of disease Stocking rate Stock your aquarium gradually to allow the biological filtration to catch up with the bio load of the new inhabitants Introducing species Introduce the more docile species first This allows them to acclimate themselves to the aquarium before you add larger more act
31. dic water changes good skimming balanced feeding and proper maintenance 45 46 Ammonia As mentioned earlier ammonia results from the decomposition of organic matter and from the excretory processes of fish It is highly toxic to marine life In an established aquarium the nitrifying bacteria rapidly convert ammonia to nitrite nitrate and nitrogen gas compounds with much less toxicity to fish than ammonia itself Ammonia levels should not rise above 0 1ppm To maintain low to zero levels of ammonia combine periodic water changes good skimming balanced feeding and good maintenance Nitrite Seawater makes nitrite far less toxic than fresh water does As an intermediate product of ammonia oxidation nitrite demands little or no attention from the reef aquarist Nevertheless tracking nitrite can prove instructive by demonstrating the biochemical processes at work in the aquarium Nitrite levels should not exceed 0 1ppm Nitrate The nitrification process ends with the production of nitrate Nitrate abundance usually results in the growth of algae and potential pests such as dinoflagellates whose growth are spurred by nitrate At the levels normally found in reef aquaria nitrates carry no particular toxicity in fact the zooxanthellae corals consume it as a nitrogen source To maintain low levels of nitrate combine periodic water changes the use of a deep sand bed DSB and balanced feeding lodine Both organic and
32. e for your aquarium it will impede the skimmer s efficiency for a couple of days Remember that your skimmer will work only if the water contains proteins as these proteins bind to the surface of the air bubbles and give the bubbles the structural rigidity they need to ascend the neck of the skimmer and settle in the collection cup If your tank is clean your skimmer cannot produce foam no matter how much you open the air inlet My skimmer is producing a lot of weak watery foam A Production of an excessive amount of weak watery foam also referred to as over skimming indicates the presence of chemical substances that need to be removed by the skimmer Raise the foam adjuster as necessary and reduce the air flow by closing the air valve until you get a stable foam production My skimmer isn t producing foam or it is too dry and builds on the neck During a new set up the bio load is low and the amount of organics is negligible If your MAX is fully stocked lower the foam adjuster as necessary and open the air valve Check the water level and raise it to the optimal line If you still get light foam production inspect for blockage in the airline or skimmer inlet The water level on the Filter compartment water level viewer is near the min line but the tank water level is below the rim Check the surface skimmer shutter position and adjust it as necessary below the surface level If the water level in the pump comp
33. e same species or towards other species social behavior solitary in couples or schools and feeding requirements Since a fish only tank is not required to support delicate invertebrates which are vulnerable to even slight changes in water parameters the total biomass can be greater than that of a mini reef set up Species diversity can include types that would not be suitable for a mini reef set up due to competitiveness with invertebrates feeding on corals mollusks or crustaceans We recommend that the beginner hobbyist should populate the tank with the hardiest species available especially during the first six months of tank maturation This group includes the Damselfish Pomacentridae including clownfish Cardinalfishes Apogonidae Blennies Blenniidae and Fairy Basslets Grammidae After you have gained experience with these species and better understand marine fish feeding requirements and behavior you can progress to more demanding species such as Dwarf angels Centropygiidae Hawkfishes Cirrihitidae Sea basses Serranidae and Dragonets Callionymidae Given the dimensions of the MAX we do not recommend that you keep largers species of Tangs Acanthuridae Trigger fishes Balistoididae large Angelfishes Pomachanthidae or Butterfly fishes Chaetodontidae due to their size and behavioral habits Mini reef The main focus of a mini reef is the invertebrates especially corals and anemones The role of the fi
34. food and nutrition for the herbivores and carnivores in your aquarium Frozen foods Available in many types sizes and formats these specimens prove more palatable to some stock and often cost much less than fresh food Processed properly frozen food provides the same nutrition as fresh food They tend to come in cubes packs of single species brine shrimp krill or blends Green foods Dried flaked pellets or frozen certain herbivores prefer these Macro algae are a natural source for these like ulva caulerpa or spirolina You might also try steamed okra zucchini and similar greens although in the long run they contribute to oxalic acid buildup Lettuce and other leafy greens serve well as filler but offer little nutritional benefit Weekly reef care Water quality parameters To achieve and maintain a successful reef aquarium you must control the physical and chemical limits of the reef environment The start of this manual discussed the physical requirements and how Red Sea MAX makes it easy for you to maintain them This section covers the desired water parameters as described in the chart below Following the cycle period when the system has run for several months many users routinely skip ammonia and nitrite checks but you must check the following parameters regularly Nitrate levels Check nitrate levels at least as often as you change the water pH and Alkalinity Check pH and alkalinity especially if
35. he following a Do not operate any appliance if it has a damaged cord or plug if it is malfunctioning or if it is dropped or damaged in any manner b To avoid the possibility of the appliance plug or receptacle getting wet position the aquarium stand and tank to one side of a wall mounted receptacle to prevent water from dripping onto the receptacle or plug You should create a drip loop see Figure 1 for each cord connecting an aquarium appliance to a receptacle The drip loop is that part of the cord below the level of the receptacle or the connector Use an extension cord if necessary to prevent water traveling along the cord and coming into contact with the receptacle If the plug or receptacle does get wet DO NOT unplug the cord Disconnect the fuse or circuit breaker that supplies power to the appliance Then unplug the device and examine for presence of water in the receptacle c Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children d To avoid injury do not contact moving parts e Always unplug an appliance from an outlet when not in use before putting on or taking off parts and before cleaning Never pull the cord itself to remove the plug from the outlet Grasp the plug and pull to disconnect f Do not use an appliance for anything other than its intended use The use of attachments not recommended or sold by the appliance manufacturer may cause an unsafe condition g Do not in
36. held firmly against the internal glass wall 6 Hold the power cord of the pump along the flexible hose and slide the 20 x 10 cm 8 x 4 block of Bubble trap foam into the pump chamber such that the flexible hose and the power cord run through the vertical slot in the foam Make sure that the top of the foam is slightly below the bottom of the fine filter pad located on the right wall of the pump chamber Figure 6 left circulation pump assembly 7 Insert the pump cable into the cable clip and insert the cable into cable channel that runs the length of the aquarium s back rim Fasten the cable into the outermost cable recess and drop the plug through the cable access hole 13 TSS N HS N Pump 2 1200 Iph 300 gph 1 Insert the 12mm 1 2 straight hose barb to the pump outlet and connect the flexible hose provided 2 Connect the free end of the hose to the 90 barb such that the threaded part of the 90 barb is facing forwards and the inlet of the pump is to the right 3 Make sure that the rubber washer is in position on the 90 barb 4 Lower the pump into the right pump chamber and push the thread of the 90 barb through the hole in the internal glass wall 5 Screw the small 3 part adjustable outlet nozzle onto the threaded section of the 90 barb thread until it is held firmly against the internal glass wall 6 Drop the plug through the cable access hole
37. ification and photosynthesis rates At the same time it provides proper flushing of mucus decreasing disease and sedimentation damage Sufficient water movement helps maintain proper water quality parameters The turbulence breaks the water surface to promote gas exchange especially the removal of CO2 and prevents the accumulation of bio film which reduces light penetration Good water currents eliminate stagnant areas where decomposing organic matter would otherwise accumulate Most corals available today on the market came from shallow water with calm to moderate currents For all hard corals LPS SPS and soft corals turnover of the total water volume 15 times per hour is ideal for them to flourish and thrive The Red Sea MAX features one 2400 Iph 600 gph and one 1200 Iph 300 gph circulation pumps with adjustable nozzles The water flow provides sufficient water movement to locate invertebrates throughout the aquarium allowing any desired aquascaping layout Temperature Reef inhabitants are used to very stable temperature conditions which may vary slowly within a fairly narrow range Since the organisms metabolic rates change with temperature it is essential to avoid any sudden or dramatic changes Most of the corals and invertebrates originate from the tropical equator regions where the water temperature varies between 25 30 C with an average of 27 C We recommended that you keep the aquarium temp on 26 27 C
38. intend to leave your MAX without supervision for more than one day you must lower the shutter to its lowest position to allow free water flow Opt water level Figure 31 Optimal water level 27 Never let the water level drop below the min line Fig 333 If the water level is near the min line and the shutter is in it s lowest position you should add the amount of water necessary to lift the water level to its optimal position Min water level Figure 32 Minimum water level Adjusting the protein skimmer Adjusting the protein skimmer is a two stage process combining coarse tuning of the integrated foam adjuster and fine tuning with the air valve 1 With the water set at the optimal level rotate the integrated foam adjuster anti clockwise to its full height 2 Open the air valve to the maximum Min Max Figure 33 Maximum and minimum height for the foam adjuster 3 The foam generating in the upper part of the skimmer body will start to climb up the neck If the foam is too wet and it is overflowing start to close the air valve until the consistency of the foam stabilizes 4 If the foam is too dry and doesn t reach the integrated foam adjuster windows first increase the air flow by opening the valve and then start to lower the height of the foam adjuster by rotating it clockwise The foam will start to climb up the
39. into sockets 4 and 5 UI Plug the heater plug into socket 3 Plug the skimmer plug into socket 2 Plug the hood cord into socket 1 on O Gather the component cables together and replace the splash cover Zz 2 Figure 25 Inserting the power center 10 Open the control panel on the outside of the power center and make sure all the switches are set to OFF 0 pressed down and the I up 21 Operating the lighting Open the lighting control panel You will see a mechanical timer which controls both the main T5 lighting and the LED moonlights Figure 26 lighting control panel The timer has a protective transparent splash cover to protect the system from water damage Always dry your hands before removing the splash cover Make sure that it is always replaced after adjusting the timer Figure 27 Removing the splash cover The upper switch turns off the moonlights in the event that you do not want them on automatically when the daylights are off The lower switch turns off the water cooling fans 22 Setting the analogue timer The timer has a 3 position switch ON position daylights on moonlights off O OFF position daylights off moonlights on Clock symbol automatically changes between the I and O settings according to the timer setting Each bl
40. ive and aggressive species Stocking fish and invertebrates Once you have selected the species you need to determine how many fish you can successfully keep in the MAX While that depends on many factors as a general rule of thumb you should stock no more than 1cm 0 4 of fully grown fish per 4 liters 1 gallon of free water volume We recommend that you stock no more than 70 cm 28 of fully grown fish Remember to consider the desired species maximum sizes when calculating this figure Invertebrates Among the many species of invertebrates available to the hobbyist you will find differences in the natural habitats of these creatures that dictate the physical conditions required for them to flourish such as light and current Corals adapt well to different lighting conditions but some are more sensitive to change than others Corals take time to adjust to new environments though you can help this process along If your corals come from a mature reef aquarium Try to place them such that their new environment duplicates the original lighting and currents as closely as possible You will know that the coral has adjusted when it expands fully and displays vibrant coloration e Continue to monitor the coral s adjustment to its new location If it appears to shrink and decrease its coloration relocate it to another position Acclimation The water that holds the fish and invertebrates during transport has a different pH
41. mpletely 10 Measure the salinity with a hydrometer following the hydrometer instructions 11 Add water or salt as necessary to achieve the desired salinity 25 Water level and flow dynamics After filling the tank with salt water and turning on the pumps and the skimmer it is time to understand and examine MAX flow dynamics and the influence of water level Note MAX filtration system is positioned on the back of the tank as opposed to in a sump and therefore the i performance of the filtration system is directly related to the water level inside the filtration chamber and Lome the tank ne errr The water enters to the filtration chamber through the integrated surface skimmer which can be adjusted to ensure positive surface skimming under all aquarium conditions Fig 28 Water enters through surface skimmer 26 The water flows in 2 directions a Part of the water is drawn through the heater chamber b and by the 1200 Iph 300 gph pump located in the right pump chamber The main water current is drawn through the complete filtration system by the 2400 Iph 600 gph pump located in the left hand pump chamber The filtration system includes the mechanical filtration media protein skimmer c biological and chemical carbon media d the fine polishing filter if installed e and finally the bubble trap which removes any residual air bubbles in the water flow
42. n skimmer 8 Thread the pump cable through the cable channel and fasten into the middle cable recess and drop the plug into the cable access hole 9 The collection cup should be placed in position after the hood has been attached see later 15 16 Heater 1 Inspect the heater for damage or cracks 2 Set the thermostat to 26 C 78 8 F 3 Insert the heater into the heater chamber which is to the right of the skimmer chamber in the filtration compartment 4 Attach the heater securely to the back wall using the suction cup provided v ap 5 Thread the heater is cord through the channel and fasten into the innermost of the three recesses pm and drop the plug through the cable l access hole Figure 11 Inserting the heater Mechanical filtration material Figure 12 Inserting the Mechanical filtration material 1 The mechanical filter pre filters the main flow of water into the filter compartment Notice the horizontal slot in the bottom of the foam that is used to locate the foam positively on the wall separating the skimmer and heater chambers 2 With the skimmer in position in the skimmer chamber and the heater in the heater chamber insert the mechanical filter foam into position as shown Biological and Carbon filter material 1 Rinse the biological filter material in its mesh bag under running water 2 Remove the shelf located approximately half wa
43. nd some of the livestock 47 Bimonthly or longer term care Some reef care activities need not take place as frequently Review the following list for details Change the carbon filter Replace the active carbon filter every two months Clean the bio filter media Every 3 4 months clean the bio filter of accumulated debris Immerse it in clean saltwater and shake gently so as not to damage the fauna Clean the pump impellers and housing Calcium carbonate builds up on the pump motors Every 6 months submerge each pump in a mixture of hot water and vinegar Remember to properly turn off and disconnect each pump 48 Add Reef Base Reef Base as aragonite slowly dissolves breaking up into calcium and carbonate It may decrease in volume as much as 10 15 annually Replenish it to ensure a deep sand bed Change the lamps Over 6 12 months the intensity of the fluorescent lamps will decrease as much as 50 and the spectrum will narrow towards the red end which can promote algae bloom 7 Troubleshooting Setup Q Where should I locate my MAX A IMPORTANT The location of your MAX should be decided upon in advance because once filled with substrate rocks and water the aquarium must not be moved Consider the following parameters in choosing the location Tank weight and support The tank weighs about 350 kg 770lbs when filled with water reef base and live rock If you choose not to use the MAX Totem Cabinet
44. neck and stabilize imal Make sure not to lower the adjuster more than its minimal height Doing so will interfere with the foam production and will block the foam from flowing out the windows to the collection cup i Note During set up the skimmer may over skim for a few days or may not skim at all i This is the skimmer s break in period Adjusting the skimmer during this period may take some time and requires patience It is advisable to do fine adjustments every few hours until the foam settles down i Preparing the substrate You can set up your reef tank with or without a substrate at the bottom We recommend using an Aragonite based substrate of at least 5 7cm 2 2 7 as it helps keep the water chemistry balanced Aragonite dissolves slowly in water releasing calcium ions and carbonates that help maintain proper pH and alkalinity for good coral growth In an established tank when the substrate matures it takes on the characteristics of live sand inhabited by millions of micro organisms These creatures promote a successful aquarium aiding the biological filtration processes of nitrification de nitrification and the consumption decomposition of uneaten food The substrate also provides a natural habitat for small worms and crustaceans that help clean the tank from detritus and play a major role in the delicate ecosystem s food chain We recommend using Red Sea Reef Base included in the MAX Star
45. nes on top It is important to build a stable structure that provides the rock with good water circulation Do not block the pump outlets or filtration chamber opening Figure 34 Positioning live rock 4 Direct the pump nozzles to produce good water movement throughout the tank 5 Add 50ml 1 70z of Red Sea NitroBac 6 Program the lighting system starting with a 6 hour period of light on the first day 7 Gradually increase this interval by 1 hour every two days until it reaches 12 14 hours per day 8 Test the water parameters paying particular attention to ammonia and nitrite levels 9 Change 10 25 of the water weekly siphoning out any settled debris 10 Start a regular maintenance program see next chapter Algae blooms During the cycle process you can expect a series of algae blooms First the brown diatom algae will appear followed by red cyanobacteria and then green filamentous algae These algae blooms constitute a natural and typical part of the cycle in reef tanks They will disappear naturally giving way to patches of desirable purple pink coralline algae on the live rocks 31 32 To control this algae bloom introduce some cleaning herbivores to the new aquarium These janitors play an important long term role keeping your aquarium in good shape They help control algae remove detritus eliminate the occasional small dead fish trapped in the rockwork and scavenge for scraps of foo
46. nown as dissolved organic carbons DOCs are too small to be picked up by the protein skimmer causing build up in the water giving it a yellowish hue The chemical filtration action of active carbon essentially acts as a large chemical sponge absorbing these impurities from the water The last stage in the decomposition of organic matter is mineralization where bacteria convert organic matter into inorganic materials such as ammonia and ortho phosphate which can be harmful to the aquarium inhabitants Through the process of nitrification a special species of nitrifying bacteria converts toxic ammonia into less toxic nitrate In order to provide the bacteria with the large contact area and high flow rate it needs to develop into a colony biological filter media should be part of the filtration system The Red Sea MAX features a 4 stage reef filtration system driven by a 2400 Iph 600 gph submersible pump sufficient to circulate the entire water volume of the tank 10 times per hour At the entrance to the filtration system is a surface skimmer that takes water from the aquarium water surface where the highest concentration of waste materials is found It is designed to prevent clogging and the build up of organics maintaining the ideal water quality for a reef aquarium The system is comprised of the following Protein skimmer The turbo air injector protein skimmer provides a constant mixture of fine air bubbles 0 5 0 8mm in diamete
47. nter 22essnau 21 Figure 25 Inserting the power center 21 Figure 26 Lighting control panel 22 Figure 27 Removing the splash cover 22 Figure 28 Water enters through surface skimmer 26 Figure 29 Water flow through the Max filtration system 26 Figure 30 Maximum water level 27 Figure 31 Optimal water level 27 Figure 32 Minimum water level 28 Figure 33 Maximum and Minimum height for the TOGA UST cle ee ee 28 Figure 34 Positioning live rocks 0 31 Figure 35 Chiller pump assembjy 39 Figure 36 Chiller pump 39 Figure 37 Accessory kit assembly 40 Figure 38 Connecting the chiller pump 40 Preface Congratulations on your purchase of the Red Sea MAX The uniquely colorful and diverse underwater world of the coral reef and its inhabitants has captivated man for ages Since the early years aquatic hobbyists have tried to duplicate this wonderland in their homes focusing on the equipment and technologies required to achieve this Red Sea developed the MAX to provide a complete reef ready system so that from the beginning you can focus on the aquarium s inhabitants rather than the hardware This manual includes complete set up and operational instructions for the M
48. o dilute nutrients Biological controls Turbo and astrea snails and herbivorous fish such as blennies graze on the algae Snails tend to be both popular and effective scavengers for this purpose Feeding As you might expect the feeding and nutrition of marine life forms is one of the most important factors in keeping healthy aquarium inhabitants Fish comprise an extremely diverse group especially when it comes to diet Obviously no single food will meet the dietary needs of all aquatic species at all life stages Many attractive species like butterfly fish and mandarins rarely populate aquaria as they have special dietary requirements that can only be met in their natural environments Many fish have adapted to certain types of feeding Knowledge of these idiosyncrasies will enable you to properly select the food Feeding time offers the best opportunity to assess your fishes condition You should look for Fish that do not approach the food 42 Fish that cannot swallow or bite If you spot this second group consider changing the size of the pieces you offer Frequency Feed frequently in small quantities never let excess food accumulate and rot This beneficial method of underfeeding mirrors the situation these species encounter in the wild Food Dry foods that have been formulated for marine aquariums normally provide a complete diet for most marine fish you should however provide other sources of
49. ou should do the following 1 Test the ammonia level and pH 2 Change up to 50 of the water volume 3 Look for dead animals 4 Replace any carbon filter in use for more than two months Yellow water This usually indicates that the carbon needs replacing The yellow color results from the buildup of humic acids from decomposed algae and other substances Green water This indicates an algae outbreak it rarely occurs in marine aquaria Milky water from air bubbles See the Technical section in Troubleshooting chapter 7 for more information on micro bubbles Circulation Maintain adequate water circulation by checking that both circulation pumps are working well and are pointed in the right directions If you notice any regression in currents check the inlet pipes at the bottom of each pump and the outlet nozzles for any obstructions a UNa T NOW 8 snails crabs carbon chips etc To do so follow this procedure Turn the pumps off at the power center Lift the hood and secure the supports Remove the cable channel cover Remove the outlet nozzles from the pumps and examine each one for blockage Remove the pumps from the filter chamber Examine the inlet pipes and the impeller chamber Return the pumps to their original positions and secure the nozzles in place Turn the pumps on at the power center Protein skimmer functioning Check the foam production in the collection cup and adju
50. out of the skimmer chamber and flow out through the pumps We strongly recommend NOT to use tap water If you are going to use it DO NOT add conditioners dechlorinators Allow the water to settle for 24 hours before to let the chlorine evaporate naturally before introducing to the MAX Warranty Red Sea Aquarium Products Limited Warranty The limited warranty sets forth all Red Sea Fish Pharm Ltd Red Sea responsibilities regarding this product There are no other express or implied warranties from Red Sea Red Sea warrants your product against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 12 months valid from the date of original purchase and will repair this product free of charge not including shipping costs with new rebuilt parts Damage to the aquarium glass or to the florescent tubes is not included The precondition for the warranty is that the stipulated set up routine is observed In the event that a problem develops with this product during or after the warranty period contact your local dealer or Red Sea at the company address indicated for details of your nearest authorized service center The warranty is extended only to the original purchaser Proof of date of purchase will be required before warranty performance is rendered This warranty only covers failures due to defects in materials or workmanship which occur during normal use It does not cover damage which occurs in shipment or failures which result from misu
51. p Heater 2400 Iph 600 gph Bio media Skimmer body Skimmer pump Pum i Filter material shelf Power Center Figure 5 Filtration chamber parts Circulation pumps The MAX 250 has 2 circulation pumps Circulation pump 1 2400 Iph 600 gph is located in the left pump chamber and circulates water through the complete filtration system Circulation pump 2 1200 Iph 300 gph is located in the right pump chamber and circulates water through the heater chiller chamber The circulation pumps are suspended in their chambers via flexible hose and hose barb elbows that hold the pumps in position on the internal glass wall Install the pumps as follows Pump 1 2400 Iph 600 gph Insert the 16mm 5 8 straight hose barb to the pump outlet and connect the flexible hose provided 2 Connect the free end of the hose to the 90 barb such that the threaded part of the 90 barb is facing forwards and the inlet of the pump is to the left 3 Make sure that the rubber washer is in position on the 90 barb 4 Lower the pump into the left pump chamber and push the thread of the 90 barb through the hole in the internal glass wall 5 Screw the large 3 part adjustable outlet nozzle onto the threaded section of the 90 barb thread until it is
52. r and water creating thick and stable foam of partially dissolved organics The MAX skimmer filters the entire water volume of the tank almost 4 times per hour with air throughput of 300 I h 75 gph Mechanical filtration The mechanical filtration media consists of a coarse sponge to trap solid particles Its position at the inlet of the filtration provides easy access for routine cleaning Activate carbon The granular activate carbon is made from highly porous phosphate free charcoal It removes any DOCs for at least two months depending on the aquarium bio load Biological media The highly porous ceramic bio media provides a huge surface area 420m2 I or 1 200 sq ft gal for nitrifying bacteria colonization Livestock The following are basic guidelines regarding livestock selection for the two main types of marine aquarium Fish Only and Mini Reef which combines reef fish with a multitude of reef invertebrates such as anemones and corals We recommend that you refer to some of the many specialist fish and invertebrate guides available in order to gain a more in depth understanding of the subject Fish only The main focus of this type of tank is the fish You should carefully study the unique characteristics of each species before deciding what and how many to stock Your chief concerns should include full size at maturity dominance and competition with other species aggressiveness toward other members of th
53. rty percent of the tank volume For the MAX this means approximately 24kg 53lb of average density live rock 49 Q Should I use substrate Technical issues A You can set up your reef tank with or without a substrate at Q The water temperature in the aquarium is going over 50 the bottom We recommend using substrate ideally an Aragonite based substrate as it helps keep the water chemistry balanced As Aragonite dissolves slowly in water it releases calcium ions and carbonates that help maintain proper pH and alkalinity for good coral growth In an established tank when the substrate matures it takes on the characteristics of live sand inhabited by millions of microorganisms These creatures promote a successful aquarium aiding the biological filtration processes of nitrification de nitrification and the consumption decomposition of uneaten food The substrate also provides a natural habitat for small worms and crustaceans that help clean the tank from detritus and play a major role in the delicate ecosystem s food chain We recommend using Red Sea Reef Base Q How much substrate should use A We recommend a substrate base of at least 5 7 cm 2 2 7 in depth 27 C 81 F Monitor the ambient temperature in the room over a 24 hour period It is important to consider the ventilation in the room where the MAX is to be kept as the hood is fan cooled and expels the heat generated from the light tubes into the room
54. se abuse neglect improper installation operation mishandling misapplication alteration modification or service by anyone other than an authorized Red Sea service center Red Sea shall not be liable for incidental or consequential damages resulting from the use of this product or arising out of any breach of this warranty All express and implied warranties including the warranties of saleability and fitness for particular purpose are limited to the applicable warranty period set forth above These statements do not affect the statutory rights of the consumer USA Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts so the above exclusion or limitations may not apply 53 KARed Sea www redseafish com Red Sea U S A 18125 Ammi Trail Houston TX 77060 Tel 1 888 RED SEA9 redseainfo redseafish com Red Sea Europe ZA de la St Denis F 27130 Verneuil s Avre France Tel 33 2 32 37 71 37 info redseaeurope com Red Sea Deutschland Hauptstrasse 37 40699 Erkrath Tel 49 2104 175 888 info redseafish de ENG V2 April 09
55. sh is secondary as they complete the reef ecosystem picture The most important aspect in choosing fish is their compatibility with or aggressiveness toward delicate invertebrates Since the free swimming space in a mini reef tank with it corals and live rocks is less than that of a fish only tank the total number of fish inhabiting it will be less We recommend that you keep fish from the smaller species most of the species listed in the previous section are also suitable for mini reef set ups In long term tests the MAX has proven capable of supporting all soft corals Sarcophyton sp Lobophytum sp Sinularia sp Xenia Cladiella sp etc all LPSs Large Polyp Scleractinia like Euphyllia sp Plerogyra sp Nemenzophyllia sp Trachphyllia sp Caulestra sp etc and all SPS Small Polyp Scleractinia such as Stylophora sp and Seriatopora sea anemones all types of crustacean cleaner shrimps peppermint shrimps hermit crabs scarlet hermit crabs sea stars and all giant clams Tridacna sp 2 Safety PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS DANGER To avoid possible electric shock special care should be taken when handling a wet aquarium For each of the following situations do not attempt repairs yourself return the appliance to an authorized service facility for service or discard the appliance WARNING To guard against injury basic safety precautions should be observed including t
56. st the height of the foam adjuster and the air flow valve as required to get stable dry foam As a general rule opening the air flow valve produces more bubbles closing it produces less bubbles Opening the air valve all the way may cause the skimmer to over skim producing a lot of watery foam See the Technical section in Troubleshooting chapter 7 for more information on skimmer adjustment and fine tuning Proper skimmer functioning should be among your chief reef care concerns Therefore get into the habit of emptying the collection cup daily The skimmer chamber should have a constant 37 38 movement of air bubbles throughout If the water in the chamber becomes clear and the skimmed material production decreases over time i e more than a week with regular feeding first check the setting of the foam adjuster and the air valve flow and then check the skimmer pump and air line intake for clogging To check the skimmer pump carry out the following procedure 1 Turn off the skimmer pump at the power center 2 Open the skimmer panel 3 Disconnect the collection cup from the skimmer body 4 Remove the mechanical filter materials on top of the pump 5 Slowly lift the skimmer body removing it from the chamber 6 Gently pull the pump off the skimmer body and return the skimmer to the chamber 7 Open the impeller housing and check for calcium buildup damage to the impeller or the presence of foreign objects 8 To
57. stall or store the appliance where it will be exposed to the weather or to temperatures below freezing point h Make sure an appliance mounted on a tank is securely installed before operating it i Read and observe all the important notices on the appliance NOTE A cord rated for less amperes or watts than the appliance rating may overheat Care should be taken to arrange the cord so that it cannot be tripped over or pulled accidentaly Figure 1 Drip Loop 3 Parts diagrams Cooling fan housing Fine polishing filter Work surface Skimmer Panel Skimmer collection cup Left pump chamber ais Surface skimmer shutter Front panel Lighting control panel folded back Cable channel Skimmer Switches Large outlet nozzle Heater chamber Lighting timer Hood support Right pump chamber channel Hood Tank frame Internal glass wall cooling vent Small outlet nozzle Control panel Power center switches Control panel Figure 2 MAX parts front view Accessory kit Hinge pins Water cooling fans Figure 3 MAX parts rear view 4 MAX Setup The Red Sea MAX aquarium system comprises the following p a AAN 7 protein skimmer 8 2400 Iph 600 gph circulation pump 1 Bubble trap foam 2 Mechanical pre filter 3 skimmer collection cup 4 heater 9 fine filter cartridge 5 1200 Iph
58. t A well ventilated room with moderate light is the best place to position the aquarium Unpacking the aquarium Please read this section carefully before proceeding Note that the empty aquarium weighs approximately 38kg 84lbs two people are required to lift it To unpack the aquarium 1 Remove the protective packaging from around the hood 2 Remove the hinge pins from either side of the hood opening and set aside 3 Holding your hand under the hood from the middle of the opening lift the hood and gently place it aside for later assembly 4 Remove the light tubes cardboard box and packaging materials from inside the tank 5 With one person positioned at either side of the tank grasp the aquarium s top rim and lift it gently out of the box and onto a flat surface 6 Open the inner cardboard box and remove all of the parts 7 Read the Pre operating instructions 11 5 Pre operating instructions Before installing a new aquarium it is advisable to inspect it for leaks to make sure that no damage has occurred during transport To check for leaks 1 Fill the tank to the bottom of the inner rim with fresh water Wait for 15 minutes and inspect for any signs of leakage 2 Siphon the water from the tank to empty it NOTE Do not try to move the aquarium with any water inside 12 Assembly Bubble trap Carbon Mechanical 1200 Iph 300 gph foam filter material Pump Polishing filter Collection cu
59. t of figures Eigure1 DriP E00P 2 22 ee 7 Figure 2 MAX parts front view 8 Figure 3 MAX parts rear view 9 Figure 4 MAX contents eeennnenenn 10 Figure 5 Filtration chamber parts 12 Figure 6 Left circulation pump assemb 13 Figure 7 Cable channel cover oooo 14 Figure 8 Protein skimmer parts eeeoo 14 Figure 9 Protein skimmer assemby 15 Figure 10 Inserting the protein skimmer 15 Figure 11 Inserting the heater ooooo 16 Figure 12 Inserting the mechanical filter 16 Figure 13 Carbon and biological filter materials 16 Figure 14 Fine polishing filter 17 Figure 15 Installing the fine polishing filter 17 Figure 16 Opening the transparent lens 18 Figure 17 Hood suppofts eeeeeeen 18 Figure 18 Attaching the skimmer panel 18 Figure 19 Securing the hood support 18 Figure 20 Securing the hood support 19 Figure 21 Assembling the foam adjuster 20 Figure 22 Attaching the skimmer collection cup 20 Figure 23 Attaching the the air intake tube 20 Figure 24 Power ce
60. ter Kit With the addition of the recommended quantity of live rock see next section the depth of your Reef Base substrate should reach the recommended minimum depth of 5cm 2 Red Sea Reef Base provides an ideal substrate for all marine fish and invertebrate aquaria It consists of naturally occurring reef sand spheres mixed with aragonite coral chips and comes pre washed and impurity free The spheres highly porous calcareous shells of simple protozoa foraminifers provide a large surface area for bacteria colonization and offer multiple other benefits to marine aquaria the porosity of the spheres provides an excellent media for both aerobic nitrifying and anaerobic denitrifying biological filtration The high buffering capacity of natural aragonite the most dissolvable form of calcium carbonate helps to maintain natural stable levels of pH in the aquarium Washing the substrate Although Red Sea Reef Base has already been washed prior to shipping we recommend repeating the process before use 1 Rinse the substrate thoroughly under running water 2 Spread it evenly on the tank bottom 3 Note the change in water level as a result remove excess water and store it for later use 29 30 Live rock Live rocks are small pieces of stony reef rubble naturally broken off from their source The main advantage of these porous aragonite based rocks lies in their colonization by large amounts of beneficial bacteria and o
61. the calcium and carbonate as the corals remove them from the water To determine proper dosage for these treatments monitor the calcium and alkalinity using test kits Magnesium Magnesium s primary importance lies in its effect on the alkalinity calcium balance in reef aquaria Some corals and coralline algae deplete magnesium by absorbing it into their growing skeletons Seawater and reef aquarium water ideally have calcium carbonate at super saturation levels This naturally causes calcium to precipitate out of solution forming crystals Magnesium binds to these crystals effectively blocking their surface and preventing further growth that would otherwise pull more calcium out of the solution This helps keep calcium and alkalinity at natural levels You should maintain magnesium levels of 1200 1400ppm We recommend using Red Sea Success Magnesium supplement to bring the concentration up to par Phosphate Inorganic orthophosphate occurs in aquaria in several chemical forms H PO H PO HPO and PO 3 Most test kits measure this form of phosphate it will typically accumulate in reef aquaria These phosphates enter the aquarium with food added water and some methods of calcium and alkalinity supplementation If allowed to accumulate above natural levels phosphates can present two problems Calcification inhibition Algae growth For these reasons keep the phosphate below 0 03ppm To accomplish this incorporate perio
62. ther micro organisms including nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria macro algae sponges worms and other invertebrates These organisms help maintain healthy water parameters and establish the natural food chains Live rock also has great aesthetic appeal As a rule you should add 1kg 2 2lbs of live rock per 10 liters 2 6 gallons of tank volume The exact amount will vary with the type of rock you choose but it should occupy at least 40 percent of the tank volume For the MAX 250 this means approximately 24 kg 53 Ibs of average density live rock The rock s viability when you receive it depends on several factors namely harvesting shipping and pre purchase maintenance Unfortunately much of the live rock sold today requires a curing process to rid it of the organisms that died during shipping and to reseed it with living beneficial ones Signs of whitish gray film on newly purchased rocks indicate that the live organisms have died and must be cured or cycled Your live rock must be fully cured before you can add any fish or invertebrates to the aquarium We therefore strongly recommend that you purchase your live rock from a reputable dealer or to perform the cycle process yourself inside the MAX If you have purchased cured live rocks or live rocks from a mature aquarium you can skip the next section Cycle The curing process which initiates the biological processes such as the nitrogen cycle and the recolonization of mi
63. ure is steady and not sudden Monitor the temperature at least twice a day looking for dramatic fluctuations The easiest and safest method of maintaining a stable temperature year round is to use both a heater and chiller with thermostatic control The MAX250 is supplied with a thermostatically controlled heater and is designed for the easy addition of a chiller installing a chiller is described in the next section Avoid temperature differences of more than 2 C 3 5 F during any 24 hour period Monitor the tank temperature more frequently during season changes and when heating or cooling the house The MAX is a closed top aquarium which significantly reduces the natural evaporation of water however it also reduces the cooling effect that is a natural part of the evaporation process The water cooling fans located at the back of the aquarium can be used to induce evaporation cooling of the aquarium water however to be effective the water level in the filter compartment must be maintained between the minimum and optimum levels In a well ventilated room with a stable ambient temperature of approximately 21 C 70 F it should be possible to maintain the water temperature within the required range by using the water cooling fans however above this temperature a chiller may be necessary Note The air flow of the water cooling fans will add slightly to the overall noise level of the aquarium In ambient temperatures of 23 C 73 5 F an
64. ure the supports 2 Adjust the position of the surface skimmer shutter so that the top of the shutter is 2cm 0 8 below the water surface 3 Pay attention to the water level in the filtration chamber and adjust the surface skimmer shutter as necessary Algae blooms Look for any signs of algae blooms green filamentous cyanobacteria or diatoms Both desirable and undesirable algae will thrive in your tank which provides the perfect conditions for growth water light nitrogen and phosphates Algae control techniques range from preventive to biological mechanical physical and chemical Different algae serve different functions At the basic level they serve as biological indicators giving you signs of overall system health The algae in the system generally include the following types Diatoms These ubiquitous single celled algae prove mostly beneficial in nutrient cycling out competing undesirable organisms They appear at the first stages of the cycle period as described in the previous chapter Though they may appear as a brownish film on tank walls live rocks and gravel diatoms rarely cause problems in marine aquaria They proliferate under high silicate conditions they consume the silicate and reduce its level Blue green cyanobacteria These organisms actually appear dark red to the naked eye Closely related to bacteria these algae often constitute the scum on polluted poorly aerated or circulated over
65. with an ambient room temperature at a comfortable and stable 22 C 72 F In warmer climates or where the ambient room temperature is above the maximum recommended use the water cooling fan and or add a chiller to the system Filtration Coral reefs develop and flourish only in ocean areas with clear unpolluted and sediment free water that allows adequate light penetration Keeping the reef s delicate creatures in a closed system requires special attention to water quality by maintaining parameters within the narrow range that supports life The aquarium s main pollutant results from the decomposition of organic matter in the ecosystem An efficient filtration system removes the coarse pollutants from the aquarium before they are converted into toxic agents which usually exist in a dissolved form and are more difficult to remove A filtration system is made up of a number of elements each performing complimentary tasks The heart of a reef filtration system is the protein skimmer which removes the vast majority of the wastes produced by the aquarium inhabitants as well as thoroughly oxygenating the water Mechanical filtration removes the large organic substances such as dead fish and plant matter excess food and sediment from the water column and moves it to a user accessible location Although mechanical filtration removes most of the fine organic material what remains begins to decompose Some of these organic particles k
66. y be necessary to adjust the position of the hood supports to do this 3 Place the lighting control panel onto the hood 4 Hold the skimmer panel in the open position over the skimmer chamber lining up its hinge holes with those of the hood Figure 18 Attaching the skimmer panel 5 Insert the hood pins that you removed for unpacking attaching both the skimmer panel and the lighting control panel to the hood The panels should open and close easily with the pins securing the hinge Figure 19 Securing the hood supports Securing the hood and switching between the 3 opening positions 1 Make sure you have the 2 upper hood support pins at the ready and fold back the front of the hood 2 With one hand raise the hood approximately to a 30 angle and hold it open in this position 3 With your free hand snap the upper and middle legs of the hood supports together on both sides and position the hole at the top of the upper leg in the recess provided in the hood Insert the upper support pins to connect the supports to the hood some force might be required Fig 20 Do not use any tools like a pliers or hammer to perform this operation If you experience difficulty check the alignment of the pins with the hole and try again 4 To raise the hood to the fully open position raise the hood and push the joint between the lower and middle legs as shown below Leal ey
67. y down the filter media chamber 3 Insert the biological media to the bottom of the chamber and replace the shelf 4 Wash the carbon filter material under running water several times to remove residual dust 5 Lay the bag of carbon on the shelf in the f media chamber z ii i Figure 13 Carbon and biological filter medias NOTE During the first 3 days after set up the carbon may float and release air bubbles that were trapped inside its pores It is recommended to soak it in water for 24 72 hr before usage Fine polishing mechanical filter NOTE The fine polishing filter pads are composed of very dense acrylic wool that is used for trapping micro particles and therefore blocks very quickly The polishing filter should only be used as required to polish the water particularly after heavy maintenance activity that may cause many fine particles to become suspended in the water When in use the filter pads must be washed every 2 3 days and replaced once every 2 weeks Keep an eye on water level in the left pump chamber whenever you use the polishing pads 1 Disassemble and reassemble the polishing filter in order to familiarize yourself with the parts 2 Insert the fine polishing mechanical filter body to its slot on the top frame between the filter media chamber and the left pump chamber Figure 14 Fine polishing mechanical filter assembly
68. y of pure water Since the density of a liquid varies with temperature so does specific gravity The specific gravity of seawater at 35ppt and 25 C 77 F is 1 026 The desired range for a marine aquarium is 1 022 to 1 028 Use a hydrometer to estimate the salinity and specific gravity The freshwater source Although municipal tap water is readily available you should avoid using it in your reef aquarium Tap water is not pure and contains elements detrimental to the aquarium inhabitants such as chlorine fluoride and metals It also contains nitrates phosphates and silicate the major nutrients for noxious algae We strongly recommend using reverse osmosis RO or distilled water Note If you must use tap water do not treat it with conditioners such as de chlorinators as they introduce undesirable chemicals into the carefully balanced seawater and may interfere with the performance of the protein skimmer It is recommended to aerate stir the tap water for 24 hr before usage Red Sea Coral Pro The Red Sea MAX Starter Kit includes Red Sea Coral Pro salt Coral Pro was formulated specifically for reef aquaria based on the natural salt harvested through solar evaporation of water from the Red Sea It is enriched with refined minerals to replicate natural seawater but with higher calcium levels 450ppm balanced alkalinity and pH to benefit your corals The salt is designed specifically for reverse osmosis RO water or soft

Red Sea Max 250 User Manual

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