Red Sea FAQ

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 Max 130 & 130D both weigh around 200kg (440lbs), The Max 250 weighs approximately 350kg (770lbs) when filled with water, reef base and live rock. If you choose not to use the MAX Cabinet, 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 aquariums, 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.
If you plan to use a water chiller, ensure that there is least 10cm / 4″ of clearance behind the MAX to allow for sufficient air circulation.

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.

The exact amount will vary with the type of rock you choose. As a rule, you should add 1 kg / 2.2lb of live rock per 10 liters / 2.6 gallons of tank volume and it should occupy at least forty percent of the tank volume. For the MAX 130 & 130D this means approximately 11kg / 24lb of average density live rock For the Max 250 you should aim for around 21kg / 46lbsThe exact amount will vary with the type of rock you choose. As a rule, you should add 1 kg / 2.2lb of live rock per 10 liters / 2.6 gallons of tank volume and it should occupy at least forty percent of the tank volume.

You can set up your reef tank with or without a substrate at 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, denitrification 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.

A low level of microbubbles 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 microbubbles.

However, if you think that there are too many microbubbles in your MAX, click here to download the new MAX microbubble diagnostic tool (PDF file). This step-by-step flow chart will help you to accurately diagnose the source of your microbubbles and find the correct remedy.

Firstly, 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.

Once you’ve added live rock or fish to your MAX, it can take about an hour before the skimmer starts foaming. Start by opening the inlet valve half-way and observe what happens. After a while, you should see the top of the bubble column rise about half way up the neck of the collection cup. If the column is lower than this, open the air valve slightly; if it’s higher, close it. A little later, you should see dirt starting to collect around the top of the skimmer neck and around the outside of it.

After a day or two you should see thick, dark, gunk in the collection cup, though you’re not likely to get much more than dirt in and on the skimmer neck until your tank is properly stocked or you’ve added some new live rock. If you find the cup filling with bubbles or very watery waste, close the air valve slightly and refer to the skimmer section of the manual to see exactly how to fine-tune the foam production by using the adjustable neck on the skimmer. If there’s thick goo in the skimmer neck but none on the outside of the neck or in the cup itself, open the air valve.

If you’ve just introduced live rock, or something else that’s generated a lot of organic waste in an otherwise clean tank, you might find that after a couple of days the skimmer is no longer producing foam. This means that your water is probably clean by now. Once the skimmer is consistently producing gunk, leave it running all the time – but check it regularly to keep it in tune with changing aquarium conditions.

The dirty film is simply detritus, or dead organic matter, that has risen to the surface of the water and is held there by surface tension. Under normal conditions, surface detritus is drawn into the filtration system. However, if your MAX is filled right up to the base of the rim (i.e. so you can’t see the waterline from the outside), then the surface of the water will actually be above the level of the filter inlet grill, meaning that it does not get drawn into the filtration system. There is no easy way around this, other than to lower the water level (permanently or temporarily) so that the waterline falls to below the top of the inlet grill, or to increase surface turbulence by repositioning the powerheads.

This can be due to two reasons:
Airlock. Foreign material, such as mesh from a media bag, has been sucked in to the inlet of the powerhead and is blocking it
REMEDY: 
1. Carefully remove each powerhead from the glass partition to which it’s attached
2. Invert the powerhead body inside the water of the chamber. Shake it gently to release the airlock

Inlet tube blockage. One of the corners of the bio media mesh bag has got sucked into the inlet of the powerhead and is blocking it.
REMEDY: 
Push the bio media bag down so that its corners away from the powerhead inlet
The water temperature in the aquarium is going over 27°C / 83°F
Check the ambient temperature in the room in which MAX is installed and see the answer to the question I live in a hot climate and I’m worried my MAX will overheat below.

Due to a lack of ventilation in your room you may find that the ambient room temperature has risen or is not in sync with the temperature in the rest of the house. If possible try to reduce the ambient temperature by increasing the ventilation in the room.

Most homes and offices are heated or air conditioned to a comfortable 22–24°C / 72-76°F so the addition of the optional rear water cooling fan should be sufficient to keep the water temperature in the desired range.

For the original MAX, supplied without a rear cooling fan, Red Sea is now offering a complete fan kit which includes a cooling fan, DC power adaptor and installation instructions. The MAX 130D is supplied with this as standard, and the Max 250 has an integrated twin cooling fan unit.

The MAX hoods fans are designed to keep key electrical components cool, prolonging their life and helping to maintain a stable temperature in the aquarium. Due to the nature of the environment they are subject to wear and will periodically require replacing. Please contact your local distributor for details of replacement fan availability and installation instructions.

In long-term tests we conducted on the MAX 130 & 130D in our laboratory, the system proved 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.), some SPSs (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 giant clams (Tridacna sp.).

The MAX 250 has been designed specifically to be capable of supporting even the most delicate SPS corals, and offers no limitations other than the physical size of the aquarium.

The MAX was designed and equipped with a single clear objective: to make reefkeeping easier, more enjoyable and more successful for the beginner as well as the more experienced enthusiast. Compactness, ease-of-use and affordability were no less important design considerations than lighting and circulation performance.

Regular power compact lighting has a tube diameter of 6/8”, which is known as T6. T5 tubes haves a smaller diameter (5/8”) and produce a higher intensity output. The T5s used in the MAX are custom made power compacts that enable us to provide 55 watts of light in a smaller footprint than the equivalent (2 x 24 W) regular T5 tubes would provide. Regular power compact are often powered by magnetic ballasts, but the MAX T5 power compacts are powered by an electronic ballast to guarantee consistent high performance.

In the MAX 130 & 130D, regular power compacts will work in the MAX, however due to their tube diameter and overall length it will be difficult to fit them inside the hood. We strongly recommend using only the custom made MAX tubes.
The MAX 250 uses standard length 39 watt T5 linear lamps. While other makes of this type of lamp can be used, he results achievable with the MAX 250, especially with delicate corals, have been achieved using Red Sea lamps, designed specifically for the MAX.

No, the MAX Turbo Skimmer is based on the effective convergent-divergent technology reaction chamber developed for the Prizm / Prizm Pro skimmers, but here it is employed in a completely new way.

The MAX Turbo Skimmer is designed to operate as an “in-aquarium” skimmer only. The skimmer pump, featuring a new air injecting impellor design, is dedicated to the job of mixing the air and water inside the skimmer – and not pushing water through the skimmer. The skimmer pump inlet is located underneath the skimmer, so it’s constantly sucking in a mixture of new water flowing through the complete filter section and recycled water that has just exited the skimmer. The air / water ratio is such that the skimming effect is far superior to that achieved by the Prizm Pro. The pump cycles the complete volume of aquarium water 3.8 times per hour through the skimmer.

For the sake of comparison, the Prizm Pro is designed as a hang-on skimmer with a single pump that must perform the dual functions of pushing water through the skimmer and injecting the air into the system. The rating of the Prizm Pro is for cycling the aquarium water once every 2 hours, which in reality is no longer in line with our current awareness and philosophy on the role of skimming in a reef aquarium.

The Red Sea MAX has been designed to cater for different reef aquarium filtration methodologies. In factory standard guise, the MAX includes full mechanical, chemical and biological filtration, providing the ability to stock fish and invertebrates without live rock and with a high bio load. For more advanced hobbyists who follow the naturalist “Berlin” style, which relies on live rock, live sand and efficient protein skimming and circulation, the MAX allows you the option to exchange or reduce some of the filtration media, such as replacing the bio media with crushed live rock or reducing the height or density of the sponge filter material. The filter media affect the water flow through the filter system and therefore the effects of any changes in media should be monitored carefully.
Can I make changes/additions to the standard equipment?
Heater 
The MAX heater has been manufactured with a power cord that is the correct length to fit between the heater compartment and the power control center. The head of the heater has been designed so that the thermostat settings can be seen from above; and the heater’s diameter allows it to be inserted into the heater compartment. Be sure to take these points into account when selecting a replacement heater.

Powerheads 
The MAX powerheads were selected for their specific flow rate, physical dimensions and reliability. The flow rate of the pumps dictates the water flow through the entire filter system; this rate is finely balanced to ensure efficient protein skimming even when aquarium water levels drop due to evaporation. The powerheads are held in place through the smoked glass partition by custom designed adjustable outlets nozzles and the power cord length has been customized to reach the allocated outlets in the power center. If you are looking to increase the water currents within the aquarium it is best to do so by adding additional powerheads, the power cord of which can be run out of the back of the aquarium through the removable chiller access panel.

After extensive long-term testing, we found the circulation rate to be more than sufficient. We recommend that stick with the standard powerheads for the first few months of operation, giving your MAX ample time to settle and adjust to livestock levels, before adding any additional powerheads.

For optimum conditions a reef aquarium should be maintained at a stable water temperature in the range of 24-27°C / 76-81°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 temperature is steady and not sudden.

When the MAX is run-in, in an environment with a steady ambient temperature of 22°C / 72°F or below, no cooling is necessary. In an ambient temperature from 23–25°C / 73-77°F, the optional water cooling fan at the back of the aquarium will keep the aquarium water below 27°C / 81°F. If the ambient temperature is above 26°C / 78°F a water chiller of approximately 1/10 HP for Max 130/130D, and 1/6 HP for Max 250 should be used.

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. In a closed room without ventilation, the ambient temperature can slowly rise.

Click here to download and read more in “MAX 250 temperature control” PDF guide.

This is an easy operation,
• If changing a 10% system volume turn off the chiller if one is fitted (S 400 & 500 only)
• Turn off the fresh water top up water control valve,
• Turn off the skimmer aspiration pump.
• Turn off the return pump and flow pumps.
• You can now remove the old water via siphon tube to waste, at this point keep a few litres of old water.
• Replace with new water the exact volume of water removed ensure the salinity and temperature are closely matched.
• Restart the main return pump
• Leave for a few moments for the level in the sump to stabilise
• Restart the skimmer aspiration pump.
• If the level is lower than the normal running level (8” ) add some of the old saved water.
• Restart the flow pumps and restart the chiller.
• Open the freshwater top up control valve.
• Ensure that skimmer adjustments are checked frequently for approximately 1 hour after the water change, also check and adjust the fresh water auto top up.
** If only a 5% water change is performed you do not need to switch off the flow pumps as these are still subsurface.

This can be caused by a number of issues including air and water flow adjustments please refer to the separate C Skim instruction manual

This will vary from country to country depending on ambient temperatures, on average the MAX S-400 requires 300 watts the MAX S-500 400 watts and the MAX  S-650 500 watts.

Yes, there are a number of wave control devices available on the market, ensure the total wattage is not excessive, you can use a single pump switch or one of the accessory switches to power the devise.

Cleaning the sponges is best under taken when the main return pump is switched off so whilst performing a water change is the ideal time, we recommend small weekly water changes the sponges can be cleaned in freshwater as we do not really on them for biological filtration this is undertaken by the live rocks or alternative biological filtration if the S series is used as a fish only system.

check the position of the main flow valve to the sump, noise will only be heard if this is set incorrectly, the level on the sight glass should be one mark down from the top

The water level in the return pump chamber should be maintained at 8inches (20CM) this is very important, anything over 9” could cause flooding of the sump in the event of power loss.

We recommend 1 x white 1 x blue and so on, however this preference is dependent on the type of animals kept and where they are placed.

We do not recommend adding anything but R/O water to the top up tank, any precipitation of chemicals could cause a blockage in the sensitive float valve.

The overflow comb is fixed in position , this is best cleaned using a soft brush whilst the water level is low during a water change.

We recommend the Carbon is changed every 2 months at least, with a large stocking level of fish the Carbon should be changed every month

Care must be taken if the nozzle is extended, it is possible to add a 90 degree elbow so flow can be pushed down the length of the aquarium, the length of the return nozzle helps prevent any siphon back to the sump in the event of a power outage.

You can set up your reef tank with or without a substrate at 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, denitrification 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.

The best way to understand the Reef Care Program (RCP) is to read through the manuals that we provide with the products. 
There are 4 manuals to read, 1 for each of the Foundation, Algae Management, Nutrition and Coloration programs. The manuals give a simple explanation of some of the biology/chemistry of what is going on in a reef aquarium and how the various products and programs work together to maintain a vibrant reef. The manuals also give a clear recipe for dosing the supplements. There is no guesswork required as all supplementing is based on measured water parameters. 
The Foundation and Algae management programs are definitely the place to start as these are responsible for creating and maintaining overall water conditions and therefore it is probably best to start with the 500ml liquid supplements of Foundation A,B & C and NO3PO4-X. You will need the Nitrate Pro test kit and the 3 Foundation kits to dose these properly.
Depending on the corals you have in your tank you may want to implement the Nutrition and Coloration programs fairly quickly thereafter. Just for clarification the Coloration program is not a coral “paint box” but is our name for a set of 4 minor and trace element supplements that are regularly taken up by corals.

NO3PO4-X was developed specifically for saltwater systems. At this point in time we cannot make any comments about the performance or long term effects in freshwater systems.

Within a few days there should be a measurable drop in Nitrates however it takes longer for a drop in Phosphates. Over time the nitrate and phosphate reduction will balance out, achieving the levels stated in the instructions. When moving from accelerated growth to enhanced color parameters there will be a noticeable difference in the appearance of the corals within a week

We recommend maintaining minimum levels of 0.25ppm Nitrate and 0.02ppm of Phosphate. These levels are good for the Zooxanthellae and other micro-fauna however they will not support the macro algae in a refugium. The purpose of NO3PO4-X is to manage nitrate and phosphate levels without other reactors or chemical media and gives absolute control to ensure the ideal conditions for the corals.

With these values of Nitrate and Phosphate you probably already have an effective nitrate and phosphate reducing system in place. Before converting to using NO3PO4-X you will need to stop using the current system. The only exception to this general rule is, if you have a denitrtator that uses a liquid carbon source you can keep the denitrator running but use NO3PO4-X as the carbon source

NO3PO4-X will provide a controlled reduction of Nitrate and Phosphate in all marine aquariums and can be combined safely with all other methods of reef keeping. Read the NO3PO4-X instructions carefully and stop using alternative methods of Nitrate and Phosphate control.

All chemical absorbers should be removed from the water before starting to use NO3PO4-X.

Regular water changes are part of the overall water maintenance program even when all water parameters are at the optimal levels.

The Nitrate reducing bacteria colonies develop much quicker than Phosphate reducing bacteria and therefore it is just a question of time before you will see a noticeable effect on the Phosphates. In our instructions we do not even recommend checking Phosphate levels until the Nitrate drops below 1ppm and even then it is only to prevent overdosing of the NO3P04-X.

The NO3P04-X works from the first time it is added to the aquarium however it can take a few weeks for the NO3P04-X induced natural phosphate reducing process to produce a measurable reduction in the phosphate. This is a once only transition so bear with it and once removed do not return any chemical absorbers to the system.

Check that you are using the maximum dosage for the total volume of the system (i.e. 3ml per 100 liters) and that you are using a reliable test kit. If after 15 – 20 days you do not see any reduction in Nitrate please contact us directly to help identify the cause of the problem.

You will always notice a slight drop in pH values after adding the NO3P04-X especially if your pH probe is in the sump or close to where you add the NO3P04-X however after a short time the pH will return to normal. When first using NO3P04-X and until the system reaches its equilibrium the pH may be slightly lower than it was before. This is not a cause for concern.

The cloudiness / sludge are caused by excessive bacterial flocks that are caused either due to a lack of protein skimming or an excessive dose of NO3P04-X. Recalculate your aquarium volume and dosage and check that your skimmer is sufficiently aerating the water. At the first sign of cloudiness reduce your NO3P04-X dosage by 50 % until the water returns to normal clarity.

We recommend the use of good quality activated carbon as part of reef filtration and confirm that it does not affect the efficacy any of the RCP supplements. This is because activated carbon acts as a fine mechanical sponge that traps large organic molecules and then starts to adsorb negatively charged organic molecules (such a phenols) that are an end product of the decomposition of organic matter. There are no organic molecules in any of the RCP supplements that can be trapped or adsorbed by activated carbon.

The Algae control test kits are calibrated to give accurate results for water within the physical parameters of seawater. The kits can be used to give a qualitative (not quantitative) result with R/O water. The colors achieved may be slightly brighter than the color scale and may have an error of approx +/- 5%. This however is more than sufficient to determine if R/O membranes need replacing.

The Reef Energy A&B will provide all of the nutritional needs of your corals however adding phytoplankton and/or zooplankton in addition to Reef Energy will not do any harm however be on the lookout for any signs of overfeeding.

Unlike the natural reef environment, the reef aquarium is an artificial environment that is constantly affected by the chemical changes that take place in the relatively small volume of seawater. Our recommended levels of Foundation Elements and salinity is based on our research that has shown that the optimal levels of the foundation elements differ according to the variety and maturity of the specific coral population.

The Reef Care program is based on supplementing according to a measured uptake of the elements and therefore we do not give any recommended average dosing instructions. As a guideline for estimating the quantity of supplements required the following are the ranges for daily elemental uptake; Calcium 5 – 30 ppm, Magnesium 1 – 5 ppm, Alkalinity 0.25 – 1 meq/L (0.7 – 2.8 dKH)

Apart from Reef Energy A&B, all supplements can be diluted. Reef Energy A&B can and should be mixed together immediately before use but cannot be kept mixed for more than a very short time. In general, the other RCP supplements should not be mixed together before use as this will cause undesirable reactions between the chemicals. The only exception to this rule is Reef Foundation A&C and Reef Colors B (calcium, magnesium and potassium) which will not have any adverse reactions if mixed together.

In general it is best not to exceed the recommended maximum daily dosages however our instruction manuals err on the side of caution. In particular, adding a large amount of concentrated magnesium supplement at one time can damage individual animals that may come into contact with the concentrated supplement before it is properly dissolved throughout the full volume of aquarium water. Multiple doses of 10ppm can be added to an aquarium during a day provided a few hours are given between doses to allow the supplement to dissolve properly.

Reef Foundation ABC+ is formulated according to the expected Foundation Element uptake of an “average” reef aquarium. In practice no 2 aquariums are identical and therefore the actual uptake will differ from the ABC+ formula however the differences will only be significant over a period of time. Using ABC+ reduces the number of supplements that need to be added on a daily basis but it is still necessary to do a weekly adjustment with all of the individual supplements to keep all of the Foundation Elements at optimal levels.

ABC+ contains both calcium and carbonates which need to dissolve in the aquarium water without causing a precipitation of calcium carbonate and therefore we do not recommend adding more than 60g of ABC+ at one time. Since the idea of this product is to make dosing easier we do not recommend using it in aquariums that would require more than the maximum single dosage. The true definition of the maximum size of aquarium should be an aquarium that has a maximum daily uptake of 9g of calcium. This definition is useless to most hobbyists so we do not use it. A well stocked 300 liter SPS aquarium with water parameters set for accelerated growth will have a daily calcium uptake of approx 9g hence the rating we give.

This can be caused by a number of issues including air and water flow adjustments please refer to the separate Skimmer instruction manual

After 6 months of normal use (8-10hrs per day), the output of any fluorescent lighting starts to decline.
This can lead to the growth of undesirable algae, and is detrimental to the health and vitality of corals.
Red Sea recommends that fluorescent tubes are replaced every 6-9 months to ensure optimum results.

A, Red Sea’s NO3 pro test kit is highly sensitive and very accurate. It is capable of detecting NO3 levels of 0.1 ppm in freshwater and sea water.
If the test kit is used to determine levels above 4 ppm, a dilution of the sample with distilled water is necessary, and therefore the quality of the water is crucial for the accuracy of the test.
It is common to think that the water coming out of a R.O. unit is pure, but the truth is that its quality depends on the rejection capabilities of the membrane and the quality of the tap water. Since most commercial membranes have a NO3 rejection rate of 95-90%, there might still be very small levels of NO3 present in the permeate water (for example, if the NO3 level at the tap water is 40 ppm, the level at the permeate will be 2 ppm at least, and this is a level that definitely affects the test). Therefore, it is recommended to pass the permeate water through DI resin which is changed frequently.

Another misconception is that the common inline TDS meters used on some R.O. systems can indicate very low levels of NO3. Unfortunately, most commercial TDS meters are not capable of detecting the influence of NO3 on the conductivity reading, and they can therefore give false readings.

Both the Reef Foundation A & C powders mix to the same concentration as the liquid equivalents. Foundation B mixes to one third of the strength of the liquid Foundation B. Therefore, you will need to add 3ml of stock solution per 100 litres/25 gallons in order to achieve an increase of 0.1 dKH.

It is normal for heat to be generated when mixing Foundation A, as it is caused by the nature of the dissolution reaction. The stock solution has brownish yellow tint due to the natural colours of the mixed elements composing the mixture.

In order to provide the most concentrated stock solution, we recommend a mixing dosage closest to the saturation limits of the components. Sometimes colloid residuals may appear in the solution but they are completely soluble when the solution is dosed to the aquarium, and are completely harmless. Mixing Foundation powders in slightly warmer water (30° C) will improve the solubility.

Yes. It is important to dose into a rapid flow area and these solids will dissolve very quickly without issue. Adding the Foundation B slowly may resolve the issue of solids forming.

No, since they will precipitate together to form insoluble CaCO₃, MgCO₃ and CaSO₄.

No. It is important that the Foundation Elements are dosed at least 10 minutes apart, in order to prevent any precipitation issues. The correct order to dose in is: Magnesium (Foundation C) then Carbonate (Foundation B) and Calcium (Foundation A)

ABC+ is not formulated for mixing with water and therefore it cannot be used as a stock solution. It should be dosed dry into a rapid water flow area.

This is the normal color of the liquid. The color of the aquarium water quickly returns to normal.

No. Shake the Reef Energy and allow it to settle. A small amount of mould will cause no harm and it comes from active bacterial flocks. However if the product smells of rotten eggs this is an indication it has decomposed it should then be discarded.

Yes. These are protein flocks. Ensure Reef Energy A is shaken before dosing.

keep the main bottles in the refrigerator and fill small bottles with enough Reef Energy for a day or two’s dosage. Keep these in a cool dark place, below 20°C if possible.

No. While Reef Energy can be mixed just prior to dosing, it should not be mixed for storage, as there will be an interaction between the two Reef Energy products rendering them ineffective.

No. Reef Energy is a complete coral food and can be dosed in to any type of system at our recommended levels. However significant over-dosing can increase the NO₃ and PO₄ levels leading to excessive algae growth and a bio-film covering live rocks.

While Reef Energy supplies the total nutritional requirements of corals, you may wish continue target-feed specific corals. However, care must be taken not to over-feed.

The contraction of LPS corals after feeding is a common event, especially if they have already absorbed enough food. The coral starts to contract in order to reduce photosynthetic activity and use its available energy in the transportation of the food molecules through the entire colony, during which time it stops feeding and contracts.
The difference in colors is due to changes in the actual location of the zooxanthellae within inside the soft tissue during the transition from feeding to food transport and also related enzymatic activity during these processes.

Yes. It is easy to dose Coral Colors based on the calcium uptake. If you are replenishing your depleted calcium levels using Red Sea’s Reef Foundation A, there is a simple formula to dose Coral colors. For every 10ml of Reef Foundation A dosed, simply dose 1ml of each Colour A,B,C & D.

Yes. If you have any calcium uptake in your aquarium you should dose Coral Colors, in order to replenish other minor and trace elements.

No, it is important to dose all Coral Colors in a balanced ratio to calcium uptake to replenish all minor and trace elements. This prevents unbalanced physiological activity that may lead to reduction in pigment formation, and bleaching.

No. Corals Colors come in four different types A, B, C & D and it is important they are not mixed, in order to prevent any interaction between the elements and to ensure that each group can be adjusted singly if necessary.

Yes

No, your test kit is not faulty.
The iron cycle is a very complex in the marine environment and it can be found in many chemicals forms, from free ions through inorganic and organic molecules up to large colloids connected to metals. This “soup” of chemicals increases the probability of spontaneous reactions, causing elements to spontaneously switch between phases.
These changes are enhanced and controlled by many factors such as salinity, pH but mostly by changes in alkalinity and the amount of organics and colloids in the water.

In a closed system such as an aquarium where there is often a high organic load and many dissolved organic colloids, the amount of free iron could be very small although the total iron could be very high. Usually this situation will lead to a darkening of the corals due to growth in the zooxanthellae population, and an outbreak of phytoplankton and other macro algae, even though you may measure zero levels of iron. On the other hand, in very pure saltwater most iron will be present as free-iron ions which can be toxic.
After a few minutes from the time you add the iron (Coral Colors C) to the aquarium you will probably measure levels around 0.05 ppm. This may last for several hours before it drops to zero (usually within 24 hrs). The reason for this is that the iron may have precipitated or bonded to organics substances.
The use of the Iron Test within Red Sea’s Coral Colors Test Kit will ensure that Iron is not over- dosed as long as the iron is still in free form. However the test will not detect iron which is not in its free form, and therefore a zero reading should be treated carefully as any overdose will cause stress to corals.

No, The Red Sea Iron test kit is designed to monitor Iron levels when dosing Coral Colors C, where iron levels are above normal seawater levels. Iron levels in seawater are in the region of 0.0005ppm. In Red Sea salt the level is 0.001ppm. Both these values are lower than the detection level of the test kit so the result will be shown as zero.

No! Such methods will interfere with the natural proliferation of de-nitrifying bacteria and PAB communities.

Yes, we actively recommend using dosing pumps. It is however important not to leave the cap off as this can cause evaporation. You can modify the bottle top by simply drilling two holes in the cap, one suitable for tubing the other for an inverted air non-return valve.

NO₃:PO₄-X enhances denitrifying and PAB (Phosphate Accumulating Bacteria) proliferation and activity.
It is essential to use an efficient protein skimmer in order to remove bacterial matter from the water column, as failing to do so may cause turbidity. In order to achieve optimal results please ensure the following guidelines:
• Ensure your skimmer is turned on and adjusted to produce wet foam.
• Ensure that the dosage is accurate, based on the true volume of the aquarium (and sump if used), taking into consideration displacement caused by rock and substrate.
• Dose according to accurate nitrate measurements, such as those provided by Red Sea’s Nitrate Pro Test Kit.
If you still experience slight cloudiness, reduce the dosage by 50% daily until the cloudiness clears. Cloudiness should dissipate after 1-2 days. Ensure you monitor the=nitrate content closely, and adjust the NO₃:PO₄-X dosage accordingly.
If livestock starts to show any signs of distress, perform an immediate water change of 25%, and monitor livestock behaviour closely, providing further partial water changes if necessary.

Yes, over a period of dosing NO₃:PO₄-X the skimate color may vary from dark green at first, then changing to tea color and subsequently turning bright green before reverting to a tea color. This is a transition period caused by nutrient changes within the system.

During the initial weeks of dosing NO_₃:PO_₄-X you will see a lot of bacterial activity due to the increase in populations of many different species of bacteria, growth of algae can be due to nutrient release, this is normal, this is a transition period for your aquarium and this algae growth will quickly subside.

There are many reasons which can create an outbreak of cyanobacteria or “Red Slime”, even in systems with very low nitrate and phosphate levels.

Cyano are the only life forms in the reef aquarium that can fix dissolved atmospheric nitrogen. Therefore unlike other algae types they do not need nitrate or ammonia making them the strongest micro-organism even in low nutrient type systems.

In order to inhibit the outbreak of cyanobacteria a proper ratio between P:N must be maintained, and therefore raising the NO₃ to at least 0.25ppm can help in correcting the balance of cyano bacteria in the aquarium. Poor protein skimming can also result in cyano bacteria. However, stable dKH value, good flow within the aquarium and good quality lighting at the correct colour temperature can help keep cyano bacteria at bay.

NO₃:PO₄-X reduces PO₄ levels by enhancing the proliferation and activity of PHA’s bacteria. When the bacterial population proliferates, bacterial flocks released to the water column are then taken out by the skimmer and therefore phosphates are stripped out of the system. Insufficient skimming will not strip enough bacteria out of the water and PO₄ may be released back to the system. Proper skimmer should have a water throughput of at least 3X system volume per hour and at most 1:3 air to water ratio for optimal skimming.

It is also important to understand the PO₄ cycle in the marine environment. During the reduction of PO₄ from the water column, PO₄ that was trapped as CaPO₄ in the live rocks and substrate, starts to leach out and the process may take between 3-4 months until the entire system strip itself from all PO₄ deposits.

No, it is important to continue dosing NO₃:PO₄-X but at a reduced dosage. Zero levels of NO₃ are not recommended as this can be detrimental to some animals. We advise a reduction of the NO₃:PO₄-X dosage by 50% and regular monitoring of NO₃ levels.If after 7 days you still have a zero reading, reduce the NO₃:PO₄-X dosage by a further 50% and dose Reef Energy A & B at the low-nutrient rate to prevent your corals from starving.

If livestock starts to show any signs of distress, perform an immediate water change of 25%, and monitor livestock behaviour closely. Conduct further partial water changes if necessary.

Download the Instructions for converting to NO3:PO4-X from PO4 and NO3 absorbers and sulfur based de-nitrators from our Download center>>

The batch numbers are currently on a small label attached to the outside of the packaging as shown here

Some buckets have a second batch number label on the inside of the lid.

Unfortunately, some batch code labels have become detached during transportation and therefore you will not be able to get a MyBatch™ analysis for this specific product.

Check the batch number.

MyBatch™ is available for all batch codes where the 5^th number from the right is 5 or larger

On some of the batch codes the first digit is either missing or not clear. The number should have the values of 0, 1, 2 or 3. If you are unable to determine the value of the missing 1^st digit you will not be able to receive the MyBatch™ analysis.

Red Sea’s QC laboratory uses the most sophisticated analytical instruments including ICP-OES for elemental analysis, spectrophotometers and automatic potentiometric titrators. All of the tests carried out in the lab have a maximum measuring mistake up to 1%.

Salt samples are mixed with DI (deionized) water. Coral Pro is adjusted to a salinity of 35ppt and Red Sea Salt is adjusted to a salinity of 35.5ppt.

The MyBatch™ analysis shows the exact parameters of the sample that was tested in our QC laboratory and guarantees that the full batch will be within the parameters written on the package. Due to the natural variance in the homogeneity of the salt mix throughout the batch, the results of your mix will vary from the MyBatch™ analysis results however they should all be in the acceptable range for each parameter. For more information see the section on preparation of seawater for analysis.

Testing results outside of the guaranteed parameters are most likely due to the salinity, preparation of the water sample or the limitations of the accuracy/resolution of the testing.

Salinity: MyBatch analysis relates to salt mixed to a salinity of exactly 35 ppt (mg/L) for Coral Pro salt and 35.5 ppt (mg/L) for Red Sea salt. If the salinity of the test sample is not exactly 35 or 35.5ppt the test results should be adjusted accordingly.

Preparation: Use of a refractometer not calibrated specifically for seawater will result in an error in the salinity measurement. For laboratory analysis DI (deionized) water should be used for preparing the saltwater sample and not distilled or RO water. The salt within the package must be well mixed before taking the sample. Sample size for mixing must be at least 500g. For more information see the section on preparation of seawater for analysis.

Testing: All test kits indicate the resolution of the test (the actual levels that it claims to detect) however this is not the same thing as its accuracy as all tests have a built in deviation due to the limitations of the chemistry. For example, a calcium titration kit may have a scale indicating a measurement to a resolution of 5 ppm but have a built in accuracy due to the chemistry of 10 ppm.

Even advanced equipment such as ICP-OES, spectrometers, IC etc. as used by professional laboratories can result in measuring differences. This is due to different methods of detection, quality assurance, detection limits and standardization requirements and the overall experience and knowledge of sea water analysis of each laboratory.

In any case were the results shows a deviation of more than 5 % from the acceptable range please contact us at MyBatchSupport for further investigation.

1. Always use clean non-toxic utensils for the mixing.
2. Due to possible stratification of the salt during transportation, the complete package of salt should be mixed together before the sample is taken for dissolving in water.
3. To produce seawater with a salinity of 35ppt for Coral Pro or 35.5ppt for Red Sea Salt prepare 534.8g of salt.
4. Prepare 14 liters of deionized (DI) water at a temperature of approximately 20C/68F. While RO water is good for seawater used for reef aquariums it is not sufficient for accurate analysis. Note: R.O. water with TDS levels of above 20 ppm may indicate the presence of some elements such as Ca, Mg and HCO₃ that will affect the test results.  The presence of NO₃ and PO₄ in levels below 1 mg/L has no significant influence on TDS measurements. Therefore, both NO₃ and PO₄ might be present in a detectable concentration, even when the TDS readings are very low.
5. Add about 13.7 liters of the DI water to the mixing vessel and add a small submersible pump to keep the water moving. Add the salt sample to the water slowly and continue mixing for no more than 2 hours. Do not aerate the water during the mixing.
6. When all of the salt is dissolved raise the temperature of the saltwater to 25C. Add additional DI water to reach a total volume of 14 liters of mixed seawater at 25C. Note: Adding the weighed sample of salt to a volume of 14 L of DI water will result in a seawater with a salinity lower than 35 ppt. This will cause a reduction of 1-1.5% in the measured parameters ( 4-6 mg/L of Ca, 12-16 mg/L of Mg and – 0.3 meq/L of Alkalinity).
7. Check the salinity of the mixed seawater with a refractometer specifically designed for measuring sea water salinity (such as Red Sea refractometers) or conductivity meter or high precision hydrometer with temperature measurements for accurate conversion from S.G. to Salinity. Make sure that the test equipment is properly calibrated before use. Note: Refractometers designed for brine may have ±1 ppt mistake that is equal to ±3% error in each parameter test results.

ReefLED FAQ

ReefWave FAQ

Ensure that you are using the skimmer in saltwater at the correct specific gravity. Freshwater cannot be efficiently skimmed using a protein skimmer.

If your skimmer is new, clean it with fresh water and rinse thoroughly with hot water. Allow the skimmer to run for 48 hours to remove any harmless residues from the production process. These materials are safe for your aquarium but impede the skimmer’s ability to foam efficiently for a couple of days.

All skimmers release some air bubbles to the sump and therefore it is best to have a bubble trap between the skimmer chamber and the return pump. If your skimmer is new allow a few days for the skimmer to settle in.

Tip: You might be getting micro bubbles if you are using tap water with water conditioners or natural seawater. Many conditioners/impurities found in natural seawater increase the surface tension of the water and cause a small proportion of the bubbles to escape the skimmer chamber.

Rotating the regulator in the “Minus” direction lowers the foaming point in the neck to produce a drier foam.

Tip: Production of an excessive amount of weak, watery foam is also referred to as over-skimming. This often indicates the presence of chemical substances that need to be removed by the skimmer. Many water conditioners/impurities found in natural seawater increase the surface tension of the water and cause serious over-skimming.

Tip: If you are using natural seawater, you should be aware that most seawater today contains traces of pollutants, e.g. phenols, carbohydrates, oils, etc.

Therefore, natural seawater is not recommended for use in reef aquaria. We strongly recommend NOT using tap water. If you intend to use it, however, DO NOT add conditioners/de-chlorinators. Instead, allow the water to settle for 24 hours for the chlorine to evaporate naturally before introducing it to the aquarium.

Tip: Some brands of synthetic salt contain binding substances, such as EDTA, that increases surface tension and causes over-skimming.

TIP: In the event of the collection cup overflowing due to over skimming simply open the collection cup drain hose valve and allow the water (wet skimate) to flow back into the sump until foam production becomes stable. Remember to close the valve once foam production is stabilized.

Check for blockages in the silencer, air tube or venturi. If the problem persists, clean the skimmer pump.

Check that the water level in the skimmer chamber of your sump is as recommended. Try raising or lowering the water level by approximately 12mm (1/2”). Check that the water outlet on the bottom of the skimmer has not become blocked. Clean the skimmer pump.

Ensure the pump is securely installed in the pump holder and the rubber vibration isolator supplied is present. If this does not resolve the issue clean the skimmer pump and check for damage to the impellor.

There may be water trapped in the silencer. Remove the drain plug and let out any accumulated water. Remember to return the plug.

This may be due to the addition of impurities in the water from products such as coral glue/epoxy, fish and coral food/nutrition, or aquarium medication. It is good practice to turn off the skimmer for about 1 hour after feedings. For one-off events see answer to “My skimmer is producing a lot of weak, watery foam”

This is to be expected due to the water level rising in the sump. To prevent this from occurring switch off the skimmer pump whenever you switch off your return pump.

Check that the skimmer is has been assembled correctly and that there is no damage to pump or impellor. Check that the skimmer is not touching a wall of the sump or other equipment. Your new Reefer skimmer will probably have a much higher air intake than your previous skimmers and as a result, may appear to be slightly noisier. Skimmers can take a few days to settle in.

Check that the power cord is plugged in or try another outlet. If the problem persists then disassemble the skimmer pump to inspect for blockage and damages.

The REEFER Skimmer is manufactured from custom molded parts that use a range of quality plastic engineering materials such as Acrylic, ABS and others that have been selected according to the requirements of each part.
For example the body and collection cup that need a high level of transparency are injected from Acrylic.
The base that needs a high level of strength and precision are injected from ABS.
It should be noted that Acrylic tubes and sheets are extruded from the same raw materials that are used for injected parts, the difference is that they need to undergo secondary processing and are limited in their forms according to the capabilities of the secondary processing equipment. This type of processing is normally employed to avoid a large initial investment in tooling and when only small quantities are to be produced.

To find the right skimmer for your Red Sea aquarium check out our compatibility chart

Approximately 85% of the Corals’ diet comes from the zooxanthellae algae, whose photosynthetic activity provides the corals mainly with carbohydrates and several fatty and amino acids.

However, corals need to obtain their remaining nutritional demands (such as vitamins and other nutritional compounds) from other sources.

These vitamins and compounds are obtained from dissolved organic matter (DOM) that is in the surrounding water and are absorbed via the Corals’ soft tissue. Therefore, additional feeding is required as it provides the 15% DOM nutrition that is not provided by the zooxanthellae.

Reef Energy AB+ is a comprehensive coral diet in a single formula, designed for easy consumption of its vital carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids and vitamins. Due to the increasing popularity of automatic dosing, we have found a way to enable the nutrients to remain unrefrigerated and unstirred for up to one week, without reducing their efficacy.

Reef Energy AB+ is also an improved version of the original two-part formula as it provides a faster growth rate and has a minimal over-skimming effect in addition to being suitable for automated dosing.

For more in-depth info: https://g1.redseafish.com/coral-nutrition-program/reef-energy-plus/

No. Reef Energy A&B should be kept refrigerated, to prevent spoilage of the nutritional components (e.g. amino acids, fatty acids and vitamins).

Yes. Reef Energy AB+ can remain unrefrigerated up to one week, without reducing the efficacy of the vital amino acids, fatty acids and vitamins.

Only a one-week supply should be put in the dosing container at a time, any remaining Reef Energy AB+ should be refrigerated.

All amino acids, fatty acids and vitamins that are prepared in a liquid form and open to the air will lose their efficacy if not properly refrigerated, unless the solution contains preservatives that will harm microbial fauna in the aquarium and increase PO₄ levels.

To enable automated dosing, Energy AB+ contains a small quantity of carefully selected preservatives that will maintain the efficacy of the active ingredients unrefrigerated for a limited time period of 1 week, without having a negative effect on the reef aquarium’s eco-system. In light of this it is essential to keep opened bottles of Energy AB+ refrigerated.

Yes, this is the liquid’s normal color. The water color should return to normal within minutes.

Contraction of LPS corals after feeding is common, especially if they have already absorbed enough food. The coral contracts in order to reduce photosynthetic activity, maximizing its energy-use for the transportation of the food molecules throughout the entire colony.

We strongly recommend that Reef Energy is dosed every day, as this will reduce stress on the corals, promote a stable growth and vibrant coloration

The following are our recommended starting quantities for averagely stock tanks however the actual dose should be adjusted over time according to your visual observations of the corals and NO₃ and PO₄ levels as described in the product instructions.

Mixed reef, SPS frags – 4 ml per 100 l (25 Gal).

SPS dominant – 8 ml per 100 l (25 Gal).

ULNS – 12 ml per 100 l (25 Gal).

Reef Energy is absorbed through the coral’s soft tissue and does not rely on the corals capturing it. Therefore, any time is optimal, preferably when you can sit back and enjoy the show.

Reef Energy supplies all the nutrients your corals need, but you may continue target-feeding specific corals, assuming you are careful not to overfeed them.

Several studies have shown that corals – although passive and immobile – can capture marine micro-zooplankton. However, none of these studies have shown that they feed on phytoplankton or non-marine zooplankton (e.g. Artemia sallina nauply, Brachionus plicatilis rotifers).

Since corals cannot digest the cellulose walls of phytoplankton, feeding corals with Nanochloropsis, Isochrysis, Tetraselmis or any other commercial phytoplankton will not provide any nutritional value.

Reef Energy contains a comprehensive coral diet that can be dosed in parallel with NO₃:PO₄-X without the need to wait for the recommended nitrate levels.

However, excessive over-dosing is to be avoided, as increased NO₃ & PO₄ levels can result in unwanted algae growth and/or a biofilm covering the live rocks.

Every single component of Reef Energy AB+ is utilized by the corals for their metabolic processes (e.g., protein production and soft tissue regeneration), thereby leaving no unnecessary organic material that can raise the NO₃ & PO₄ levels.

However, since the recommended dosage of Reef Energy+ is based on an average population per aquarium volume, some nutrient buildup may occur until the correct dosage for the specific system is established. In such case the dosage should be reduced by 25%.

We do not recommend freezing Reef Energy, as it will damage some of the active ingredients in the formula.

Over skimming with Reef Energy AB+ is normally a sign of over-dosing.

Firstly, confirm that you have calculated the correct dose for the actual water volume in your tank. The dosing instructions assume that your aquarium is fully stocked with corals.

If the aquarium is not fully stocked, reduce the dosage.

If leaving the skimmer off for an additional 15 to 20 minutes prevents the over-skimming, this confirms that you have indeed been over-dosing (this is no reason for alarm, unless the over-dosing has been excessive).

If this procedure does not solve the over-skimming, please contact us for further assistance.

One of the causes of HLLE syndrome in fish relates to Vitamin deficiency (mainly A and D). Soaking fish food for several minutes in Reef Energy AB+ (prior to feeding), will increase vitamin uptake for the fish, therefore assisting them in the recovery process.

Absolutely. The KH/Alkalinity supplement contains a mixture of carbonates and bicarbonates which are harvested by a natural process. The dark particles you see are simply small quantities of raw material (insoluble CaCO₃ and MgCO₃). These are inert and harmless particles, and the product is completely safe for use.