Getting back in

DeepSeaReefer7 · Aug 27, 2019

well its been about 3 years since i had a tank of any kind besides my step sons 26 gallon gold fish setup
he loves it, i find it boring. anyways i have a few setups on my map and wanted your suggestions because Im sure things have changed. first tank i am interested is a red sea max 250 complete setup fish, corals, everything. i know the max series is an older model but wanted to get some feed back on the capabilities of the tank pros, cons. or should i find a full tank setup with a sump, i found under tank sump setups easier to maintain but louder than the AIO
I also like to mention i dont know anything about T5 bulbs so any advice on those as well would be great
Thanks guys!

COreef8 · Aug 27, 2019

Well welcome back to the hobby!

The max tanks are good if you just want to jump back in with minimal work in equipment research and selection, but most people opt for the reefer series instead so they can pick their own equipment. Red sea currently has the Max E series and S series, one has a sump below and one has chambers built in to the back, but you can still add a sump on to that one if you want. You do lose some tank depth with the chambers in the back of the tank though.

With the new overflow designs being used in Red Sea tanks (and pretty much all retail tank setups now), the overflow is silent, so the noise issue in AIO vs tanks with a sump is not really a problem anymore. I think having a sump make maintenance easier too, but the E series tanks without the sump are definitely simple.

The best thing that I can recommend since you're getting back into the hobby now, is check out BRSTV on you tube. They have created so many videos in the last 3 years that basically teach you everything you need to know to get back up to speed. Their 52 weeks of reefing series can bring anyone from 0 to "reef competent" as quickly as possible, and it addresses all of your questions.

DeepSeaReefer7 · Aug 27, 2019

COreef8 said:
Well welcome back to the hobby!

The max tanks are good if you just want to jump back in with minimal work in equipment research and selection, but most people opt for the reefer series instead so they can pick their own equipment. Red sea currently has the Max E series and S series, one has a sump below and one has chambers built in to the back, but you can still add a sump on to that one if you want. You do lose some tank depth with the chambers in the back of the tank though.

With the new overflow designs being used in Red Sea tanks (and pretty much all retail tank setups now), the overflow is silent, so the noise issue in AIO vs tanks with a sump is not really a problem anymore. I think having a sump make maintenance easier too, but the E series tanks without the sump are definitely simple.

The best thing that I can recommend since you're getting back into the hobby now, is check out BRSTV on you tube. They have created so many videos in the last 3 years that basically teach you everything you need to know to get back up to speed. Their 52 weeks of reefing series can bring anyone from 0 to "reef competent" as quickly as possible, and it addresses all of your questions.

Im going super budget which we all know is very dumb, but that red sea max is complete mature tank setup for $800 which is hard to ignore just getting back in haha.

COreef8 · Aug 27, 2019

DeepSeaReefer7 said:
Im going super budget which we all know is very dumb, but that red sea max is complete mature tank setup for $800 which is hard to ignore just getting back in haha.

I don't blame you and it's definitely not dumb. There are only a handful of people here who can surpass reasonable budgeting when setting up a tank. If you're setting up on a budget then the AIO tanks are definitely the way to go.

If you're looking at a mature setup then you might be talking about the Red Sea Max 130D or 250. I almost went with one of those, but I got a killer deal on a Reefer 525 that I couldn't pass up. The 130D and 250 I think have some heat dissipation issues common with hooded tanks that I'd check into if that is the model you're looking at. If it's a rimless Red Sea design, then I don't think you'd have any regrets.

resortez · Aug 27, 2019

DeepSeaReefer7 · Aug 27, 2019

COreef8 said:
I don't blame you and it's definitely not dumb. There are only a handful of people here who can surpass reasonable budgeting when setting up a tank. If you're setting up on a budget then the AIO tanks are definitely the way to go.

If you're looking at a mature setup then you might be talking about the Red Sea Max 130D or 250. I almost went with one of those, but I got a killer deal on a Reefer 525 that I couldn't pass up. The 130D and 250 I think have some heat dissipation issues common with hooded tanks that I'd check into if that is the model you're looking at. If it's a rimless Red Sea design, then I don't think you'd have any regrets.

Yes the guy on the facebook aquatic forum with the 2 red sea 130 and 250
my plans were to get the 250 and eventually retrofit a LED setup or go hoodless with a led box.
and just trade out some of the fish that were in there for my preferred fish.
i want to keep this under 1k and this is looking like the best option. with out having to buy a tiny tank