Ox’s RSM 250 Max

[OxReef]

And it begins-I left the hobby in 2015 ahead of my son (and reflooring the house with a 180G isn’t easy). I setup a fluval evo nano and knew it wouldn’t be long. Picked this up used with intentions for a mixed reef after I retro leds into the hood. Cracked the plastic trim in the corner closes but likely from age/brittle-glass is fine. My 180G was mixed but before I bought the tank/house for it (yes I chose my house for tank placement/crawlspace access to garage) I had a 58G oceanic heavy SPS and loved the size so this brings back some nice memories.

Debating substrate/rock now but definitely going back to Marcos-I met him at his first Macna. Likely a combo of shelf and rubble for a foundation.

Stocking will depend on if I keep the stock hood or go topless. Couple clown/gobies/flasher wrasses depending. May tempt fate with a Pygmy angel or a Tomini tang as a throw back to one of my many tanks.

 

[OxReef]

Water and salt in along with the pumps/heater. Next is 60-80# of Fiji pink substrate and then rock/bacteria. First thing my toddler said are where are the fish. Lol

 

[civics14]

Water and salt in along with the pumps/heater. Next is 60-80# of Fiji pink substrate and then rock/bacteria. First thing my toddler said are where are the fish. Lol

I have to say... this is a different way to start a tank with water before sand and rocks. Do you not feel like you are going to deal with a massive sand storm when pouring the sand in there? Then adding rocks the water displacement you have to suction out?

 

[OxReef]

I have to say... this is a different way to start a tank with water before sand and rocks. Do you not feel like you are going to deal with a massive sand storm when pouring the sand in there? Then adding rocks the water displacement you have to suction out?

Yep-I started with the water only to get a feel for the the tank/plumbing/flow. I added in 80# of Fiji pink last night and pulled off 5g to keep aging. Nice and cloudy this morning but expected.

In my bachelor days I had more leeway to pick up larger mixing containers than 5G buckets so just directly filled the tank. Not in any rush, and in IT for one of the big four audit firms during busy season so just went this way as I’ve went before on some of my tanks. Add a son and wife and time is a luxury lol.

 

[OxReef]

Btw was going thru some old pics-this was my 180G-miss it. Pardon the basic wood-I was more for function Vs form back then.

 

[civics14]

Btw was going thru some old pics-this was my 180G-miss it. Pardon the basic wood-I was more for function Vs form back then.

Looks good. I think we all start as function to get into the hobby then as we progress we move evolve more in aesthetics. At least for me that is.

Oh, I get it with work and adding wife and kids. I have 3 young ones myself. So, any work I do on my tank is usually late into the night after the kids are in bed.

Taking your time is going to pay off in the long run.

 

[OxReef]

Looks good. I think we all start as function to get into the hobby then as we progress we move evolve more in aesthetics. At least for me that is.

Oh, I get it with work and adding wife and kids. I have 3 young ones myself. So, any work I do on my tank is usually late into the night after the kids are in bed.

Taking your time is going to pay off in the long run.

Yeah I kept mostly AIO with some smaller tanks with stands/canopies. The 180G I built from scratch (drilling it was fun). Always something.

 

[OxReef]

Picked up some rock today. Not bad at all for $100. For scale the large lay out is 4’x2’. Time to plan out aquascaping and get to building.

 

[civics14]

Picked up some rock today. Not bad at all for $100. For scale the large lay out is 4’x2’. Time to plan out aquascaping and get to building.

Great deal

 

[OxReef]

Aquascaping done!

 

[OxReef]

First pass at dry fitting. Dealing with the rock I have makes it fun but this gives me some options-want to get assessors again so giving them some caves. Likely going to add some more from the extra rock.

 

[OxReef]

Didn’t turn out how I liked but kind of like it some-the rock I have plus the tank dimensions don’t allow me much leeway but this gives me coral options with some tunnels/caves.

 

[MiggidyMike]

Can’t wait to see what else you do with it. I love this hobby because it’s art/ planning/ construction/ life. Keep us posted.


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[OxReef]

Can’t wait to see what else you do with it. I love this hobby because it’s art/ planning/ construction/ life. Keep us posted.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks! Right now it’s just the rock wall and a couple different bacteria’s in it and just moonlights. By summer time I hope I’ll be stocking.

 

[OxReef]

Rescaped-was debated rods for towers but gave it a quick go stacking and breaking pieces up. This gives me some depth and options mounting wise. Will likely pull some pieces off over time.

 

[OxReef]

non cloudy update-plus fish! 5 chromis and some capnella to test the waters literally coral wise (nano is bursting with corals lol).

 

[OxReef]

Some overdue updates-moved a pair of clowns from the nano over and picked up a couple anthias with one of my GCs from a meeting. Also 3d printed some locline with RFG for the circulation pump and waiting on a package with the adapter to run my chemtech ato. But more importantly noopsyche k7s soon to go on!

 

[OxReef]

Still have some work to do on mounting properly but loving them so far!

 

[OxReef]

Realized I’ve neglected this thread which isn’t like me (but before I was in the hobby I wasn’t a father or senior manager-adulting sucks lol). Tank is settling in well-sps growing and lps doing well.

I’m torn between removing the zoas and mounting the euphylia around the tank instead. The sandbed isn’t safe with the ping spotted watchman but all in good fun. Leather/paly/shroom rock will be coming out-either to sell or into the 40B.

Quick iPhone pic so sorry for the color balance fun.