All in one tanks

Alwmh4 · Dec 3, 2014

I'm looking at getting another tank. Looking at Red Sea s series. The sr 80 and cad lights artisans. Wondered opinions on sump in bottom vs the compartment in back of tank. Which is better, easier, practical, etc? Red Sea is speaking bc of space for chiller and top off water compartment in back but my concern is the equipment that comes with it and it's quality. I want a neat and organized system. My concern for the refugium in the back of a tank as with sr 80 is if people get aggravated with lack of space for any equipment typically used in keeping chemistry maintained in a tank

choff · Dec 3, 2014

I own a RSM 650 and in contact with many many owners and just about all have replaced the skimmer. It's difficult to tune, difficult to clean and it's loud. The lights are also an issue. The 10x t5s burn very hot and almost require the need for a chiller. They are rolling out an led option some time in 2015.

Otherwise the tank design and stand are beautiful. The built in ATO underneath the CTC overflow is great. The 650 sump is plenty large to add a lot of reactors etc. The 500 is OK and the 400 looks like it has zero extra space.

There is no quality concern at all with this RS product and their CS is top notch. I've had my tank for 2.5 years and I've had 1 of the 4 rear power heads fail in that time and they even replaced it free of charge when after my warranty was up.

There is another reefer board, not quite as large as this one that I think has the majority of RS owners posting on it. I don't know board rules, but to be safe pm and I can point you to a large RS population if you wish to read through some other build threads or get some other opinions.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 3, 2014

I've never used an all in one tank, and don't know much about them, so I'll move this to a different forum for better responses.

aqua1dude · Dec 4, 2014

Check out the new Red Sea Reefer series. Red Sea has released some basic details and they are supposed to be releasing videos and more details soon. It appears to be a semi All In One rimless tank. You have to add lighting and some things like a pump and skimmer. I'm not 100% sure on those things but that appears to be the case. They are supposed to start selling them in February. I know a few people that have the RSM series tanks and they look great. Their is another online forum has a Red Sea section with tons of pictures and information from RSM owners.

RAD Aquatics! · Dec 5, 2014

Personally, I only like AIOs for nano aquariums. If you're going bigger than 40 gallons, you really aught to have the sump too.

aqua1dude · Dec 5, 2014

The new Red Sea AIOs have sumps.

kingclam52 · Dec 5, 2014

I have the S-500 and all I can say is what a system simply love it, It is built very well the only thing I did do to it was change out the skimmer I added a Vertex Omega 180I which I like much better that Is my 2 cents.

Alwmh4 · Dec 5, 2014

Kingclam....I've heard from some people that there may be a heat problem with the s series bc of all the t5s. Are you having this issue? The skimmer issue is all over... Not sure why Red Sea doesn't do something about that with all the complaints.

I think I'd like a sumo but one that is very roomy. I know I want everything predrilled for plumping. And I really just want everything nice, unlike my nano that has a nest of wires velcroed all over my cabinet