Reef Builders - The Source for Reef Keeping Information

gimmito · #1 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 02:23 AM

Hey Guys,

I just aquired a red sea max (via trade for a vortech pump) and I was wondering who else owned one ? What are your experience with it ? Have you done any modding to it (lights, skimmer, etc.).

RyanG · #2 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 09:12 AM

I own one and love it. I haven't modding anything on it yet, but overall is a good unit. The only problem I have is the fans tend to make a lot of noise on startup...haven't taken it apart to find out why yet.

gimmito · #3 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 09:56 AM

I heard red sea took care of that problem with new fans... Mine came with 2 brand new ones.

RyanG · #4 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 02:37 PM

Jim, did you get the stand? I was thinking about buying that

gimmito · #5 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 06:24 PM

Ryan,

It came with the stand.

RyanG · #6 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 09:17 AM

ohh, did you buy it new or slightly used?

gimmito · #7 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 11:18 PM

Slightly used (4 months old). He had it for sale on rc for $450, the only thing is it's the gray color.

On another note, it came with the base sand by red sea and is sitting in a couple of inches of water. I plan on setting it up this weekend...do you think it will not go through another cycle ?

Taras1 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 12:06 PM

IMHO, you probably will have to let it cycle, though not for as long as a new tank. Some of the sand will probably have gone anaerobic and possibly toxic. I had a done something similar with a sump and the first week things got really rank.

gimmito · #9 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 04:48 PM

Tristan,
I see a lot of life still (pods, mini brittle stars), that's why I was hoping it was still good. Sumps usually have a lot more detritus, etc.

How's that skimmer of yours ?

tpk212 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-03-2008, 11:48 PM

hey guys! finally some people with rsm's! i hav been looking into getting one but havnt really talked with that many people who hav one! r they any good or r u better off going with components?
and do u guys hav any photos u could post?

gimmito · #11 (**permalink**) 11-04-2008, 12:41 AM

They are very good all in one's and I would recommend one.
A few things to be aware of:

1) The lights are pc/T5 hibrid and are not IMO strong enough for sps corals. There are after market upgrades offered for other nano cubes, but I have yet to see one for the rsm. I do keep a rbta in the upper half of my tank though.

2) The skimmer is not the best and I upgraded mine to a tunze 9002 with a modified collection cup by Steve T. I also have a media tray from him for carbon and phosphate removal media.

3) I use one of the stock pumps provided by red sea and use a vortech pump for the other side for some serious random flow.

tpk212 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-04-2008, 09:00 AM

well thanx for the advice as i hav had alot of people tell me otherwise about the red sea max! im just not sure! do u think that maybe a larger tank would be the way to go for a beginer like me or would the max be fine? im really only looking to put
1 percula clown
1 flame angel
1gold belly damsel
1 striped dotty back
1 maxima clam
1 red line cleaner shrimp
3 dwarf hermit crabs
3 trochus snails

in a rsm if i get one? or do u think thats a bad choice in fish? or do u hav any suggestions?
thanx again!

gimmito · #13 (**permalink**) 11-04-2008, 10:54 AM

Sounds like you will have a semi-aggressive tank with the damsel & dottyback. You would have to keep your clam in the upper part of the rsm...I did not want to chance it personally. IMO I would go with the biggest tank you can afford and keep...a 55 or 75 gal gives you more room for error.

tpk212 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-04-2008, 08:13 PM

thats the problem! u see i really do want to get into marine as i hav been into fresh water fish for a few yrs now! and i love them! but wat if i dont like the marine side of things! then i would hav spent all this money for nothing! thats y i was kind of leaning to the red sea max as its got everthing in it and its a good price for wat u get!
do u hav any fish ideas instead of the damsel and the dottyback as i want to go for a friendly reef tank!
thanx

gimmito · #15 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 01:43 AM

I usually recommend folks new to the hobby to buy an established setup
from someone getting out of the hobby. Ebay, Craigslist, & local reef clubs are great resources for hobbyist. As for your fish list, it would be hard to recommend one fish over another. The only problem with any nano is you are seriously limited in your fish load. I would atleast go with a 75 gal, that way you could keep a tang for example an keep excess algae in check. I would recommend reading reef fishes by Scott W. Michael and checking out wetwebmedia.com

Happy Reefing !