Red Sea MAX 130D The Complete Reef System USER MANUAL w w w. re d s e a f i s h .
Contents Preface .........................................................................................3 Quick reference setup chart.......................................................36 Introduction............................................................................1-7 Caring for the reef...........................................................38-50 Lighting..........................................................................................4 Daily reef care procedures............
List of figures Figure 1: Drip Loop........................................................................7 Figure 22: Securing the hood supports.................................19 Figure 2: MAX parts - front view without hood..........................10 Figure 23: Releasing the snap.................................................20 Figure 3: MAX parts - rear view...................................................10 Figure 24: Opening the hood to upright position..................
User Manual 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 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.
User Manual 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. and stable 22°C / 72°F.
Red Sea MAX Although mechanical filtration removes most of the fine organic material, what remains begins to decompose. Some of these organic particles, known 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.
User Manual 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 the same species or towards other species; social behavior (solitary, in couples or schools) and feeding requirements.
Red Sea MAX 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 the following: a.
User Manual 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.
Red Sea MAX 3 Parts Diagrams Filter Media Chamber & Pumps Cable Channels Outlet Nozzle Heater Work Surface Heater Chamber Front Panel (Folded Back) Lighting Control Panel Adjustable Surface Skimmer Hood Support Channel Tank Rim Smoked Glass Divide Lighting Timer Hood Cooling Vent Power Center Control Panel Control Panel Switches Figure 2: Max parts - front view Tank Base Hood Pins Cooling Fan Vent Chiller Vent Figure 3: Max parts - rear view 10 Skimmer Collection Cup Skimmer Panel
User Manual 4 Max Setup Location The Red Sea MAX reef system comprises the following: 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 must not be moved. Consider the following parameters when choosing the location. Tank weight and support The tank weighs about 200kg / 440lbs when filled with water, Reef Base and live rock.
Red Sea MAX Accessibility Unpacking the aquarium 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.
User Manual 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. Carbon filter material 1. Wash the carbon filter material under running water several times to remove residual dust. 2. Insert it into the biological filter chamber, coming to rest on top of the biological filter material. To check for leaks 1. Fill the tank to the bottom of the inner rim with fresh water.
Red Sea MAX Circulation pumps (x 2) 5. Fasten the pump's electrical cords through the cords clips and place them in the cord channel that runs the length of the aquarium's back rim, threading it through the outermost cord channel at the other end of the aquarium and out through the cord access hole. A B C D Figure 7: Circulation pump 1. Disassemble and reassemble the pumps in order to familiarize yourself with their inner parts. 2.
User Manual 4. Attach the heater securely to the wall using the suction cup provided. Protein skimmer 5. Thread the heater cord through the channel to the other end of the tank, threading it through the innermost of the three channels and out the other end through the cord access hole. Collection cup cover Cable channel cover Collection cup With the three cables from the circulation pumps and heater held in place in the cable channel, snap close the cable channel cover.
1. Disassemble the skimmer pump and inspect the components (impeller, impeller housing, inlet pipe, bayonet connector, flow valve and air pipe). 2. Reassemble the pump, ensuring that the pieces are securely attached and that the inlet and outlet are parallel to one another. 3. Ensure that the two double connectors are holding the power cord and air hose together. 4.
User Manual Over-flow box 1. Attach the Over-flow box to the filter comb by inserting the teeth at the rear of the over-flow box into the slots located towards the bottom of the filter comb. (Fig. 15) Figure 16: Attaching and positioning the over-flow box Figure 15: Attaching the integrated over-flow box 2. Slide the over-flow box 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 inches) in the upward direction.
Hood 7. Thread the hood's electrical cord through the cord access hole in the top of the tank. 8. Place the hood on top of the tank, lining up the cutout in the hood with the protein skimmer chamber in the tank. 9. Make sure that the hood fits securely around the rim of the tank; it may be necessary to adjust the position of the hood supports to do this. 10. Place the lighting control panel onto the hood. Figure 19: Positioning the lighting control panel 11.
User Manual Figure 20: Positioning the skimmer panel 12. 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. 15. 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.
Red Sea MAX thereafter to the horizontal position. Slight pressure in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 25 will be required to separate between the upper and middle legs. NOTE Figure 23: releasing the snap 17. One side at a time, push the junction of the lower and middle legs as shown in Fig. 24 and allow the hood to close slightly until it rests firmly on the supports.
User Manual Skimmer collection cup 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 foam adjuster on the right hand side and the waste collection area on the left hand side. Figure 26 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. 6.
Red Sea MAX 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. 3. Hold the power center near to the power center housing at the rear of the Max. 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 into sockets #4 and #5. 5.
User Manual Figure 31: 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 (O pressed down and the I up). Figure 33: Removing the splash cover Setting the analogue timer The timer has a 3-position switch: · I (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.
Red Sea MAX Installing the cooling fan 1. Remove the empty pop-out vent from the aquarium frame by depressing the two snaps that are located on the left and right sides at the back (outside) and pushing the vent out of the frame from the inside. It is easiest to do this with the hood in the raised position. 2. Hold the cooling fan with the power cable at the bottom and align it with the recess on the outside of the aquarium frame.
User Manual 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.
Red Sea MAX 2. Make sure your hands are dry. 3. Connect the MAX to the power supply. 4. Turn the lights on. 5. Direct the two pump nozzles down. 6. Activate the two circulation pumps and the skimmer pump. 7. Switch on the heater if the water temperature is below 24°C / 75°F. 8. Add 4.5kg / 9.9lbs of Red Sea Coral Pro salt to achieve a salinity of 35ppt. 9. Wait 20-30 minutes. The pump action should help the salt dissolve completely.
User Manual d b a Max c Figure 35: Water flow through the MAX filtration system There are two factors affecting the water level inside the filtration chamber: 1. Overall water volume in the system 2. Over-flow box position NOTE Over-flow box positioning should be adjusted regularly according to the water level in the aquarium.
Red Sea MAX Never let the water level drop below the min. line (Fig. 38). If the water level is near the min. line and the over-flow box positioned in its lowest stage you should add the amount of water necessary to lift the water level to its optimal position. NOTE Performance of the protein skimmer is directly related to water level in the filtration chamber. For optimal performance, the water level should always be between the max and min levels.
User Manual 4. If the foam is too dry and doesnt 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 neck and stabilize. 5. 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.
Red Sea MAX 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. Live rock Live rocks are small pieces of stony reef rubble naturally broken off from their source.
User Manual 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. 4.
Red Sea MAX 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 food that fall to the bottom or between rocks. They play an especially important role if your tank has substrate, keeping it clean and aerated.
User Manual Invertebrates To acclimatize your Livestock 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.
Red Sea MAX 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.
User Manual 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.
Red Sea MAX 6 Caring for the reef Daily reef care procedures 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.
User Manual If this occurs, you should do the following: 1. Test the ammonia level and pH. 4. Remove the outlet nozzles from the pumps and examine each one for blockage. 2. Change up to 50% of the water volume. 5. Remove the pumps from the filter chamber. 3. Look for dead animals. 6. Examine the inlet pipes and the impeller chamber. 4. Replace any carbon filter in use for more than two months. 7. Return the pumps to their original positions and secure the nozzles in place.
Red Sea MAX 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.
User Manual Slightly higher temperatures can be tolerated for short periods of time as long as the change in temperature is steady and not sudden. Monitor the temperature at least twice a day, looking for dramatic fluctuations. Avoid temperature differences of more than 2°C / 7°F during the day. During season changes and when heating or cooling the house, monitor the tank temperature more frequently, adjusting the heater as necessary. If the water temperature falls below 24°C / 76°F 1.
Red Sea MAX 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. 8. Pay attention to the drop in water level and refill the tank with freshly mixed salt water at the same salinity, pH & temp. 9. Operate the chiller according to the instructions supplied with it. Surface film buildup Look for any accumulation of surface bio-film.
User Manual 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.
Red Sea MAX Many fish have adapted to certain types of feeding. Knowledge of these idiosyncrasies will enable you to properly select the food. of single species (brine shrimp, krill) or blends. Feeding time offers the best opportunity to assess your fishes' condition. You should look for: Dried, flaked, pellets or frozen certain herbivores prefer these. Macro-algae are a natural source for these (like ulva, caulerpa or spirolina).
User Manual Check pH and alkalinity, especially if 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.
Red Sea MAX pH may drop during daylight for several reasons: Excessive CO2 Alkalinity decreases Excessive nitrification Organic matter buildup 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 (CO3) in the water.
User Manual 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.
Red Sea MAX Nitrate Cleaning 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. Since cleaning the system disrupts the inhabitants anyway, exploit the opportunity to clean thoroughly.
User Manual 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.
Red Sea MAX 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.
User Manual 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 200 kg (440lbs) when filled with water, reef base and live rock.
Red Sea MAX 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.
User Manual 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 safe for your aquarium, it will impede the skimmers efficiency for a couple of days.
Red Sea MAX Q The power heads are running but no water is passing through them. A This can be due to two reasons: 1. Airlock. During setup, small pockets of air (airlocks) can get trapped inside the impellor chamber of the powerhead, causing it to spin freely without pumping any water. REMEDY: a. Carefully remove each powerhead from the glass partition to which its attached b. Invert the powerhead body inside the water of the chamber. Shake it gently to release the airlock 2. Inlet tube blockage.
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 www.redseafish.com International Free Trade Industrial Zone Eilat 88000, Israel Tel: +972 9 956 7107 office@redseafish.co.il ENG V1 JULY / 08 Red Sea U.S.A. 18125 Ammi Trail Houston, TX 77060 Tel: 1-888-RED-SEA9 redseainfo@redseafish.
