Go big or go home!

[TVV]

Hi reefer experts. I have a biocube 32 running for 8 months now. To the point where I feel confident I like it and want a bigger tank. Looking at the Red Sea Max S 500 or 650. The reason I like the Red Sea Max S is because it looks awesome, comes ready to roll and seems to get good reviews. My LFS's -three, all tell me that I should build, or really let them help me build a system which in the end of the day will be superior and cheaper without wasting on replacing components that it comes with (I have Neptune Systems New APEX system which would immediately introduce some redundancy or incompatibility with the power module in the Red Sea. How do you feel about the claims made by my LFS's? How happy are those that have Red Sea aquariums with the product. I don't mind spending money, but prefer to do it once, if you get my drift. All input is appreciated, even from sponsors like BRS who build systems and sell Red Sea.

 

[lolgranny]

I think your LFS is correct. I could definitely build a system just as the Red Sea reefer for cheaper. You’d also get options on what you want for a lot of your equipment rather then getting the all in one bundle.

I don’t have a Red Sea, I’ve always build my own tanks hence my opinion.

At the end of the day if you like it, don’t want to have to deal with the whole process of picking out everything you want, designing it, and whatnot then I’d go the with complete box set. ::

 

[cancun]

Hi reefer experts. I have a biocube 32 running for 8 months now. To the point where I feel confident I like it and want a bigger tank. Looking at the Red Sea Max S 500 or 650. The reason I like the Red Sea Max S is because it looks awesome, comes ready to roll and seems to get good reviews. My LFS's -three, all tell me that I should build, or really let them help me build a system which in the end of the day will be superior and cheaper without wasting on replacing components that it comes with (I have Neptune Systems New APEX system which would immediately introduce some redundancy or incompatibility with the power module in the Red Sea. How do you feel about the claims made by my LFS's? How happy are those that have Red Sea aquariums with the product. I don't mind spending money, but prefer to do it once, if you get my drift. All input is appreciated, even from sponsors like BRS who build systems and sell Red Sea.

Hi! I had a Innovative Marine SR80 which is a 80 gallon AIO....the first of January I decided to upgrade to a Red Sea. I at first was looking at the Max S series. I was used to AIO and I never had a sump. My LFS suggested the Red Sea Reefer 750 XXL. 200 total water volume. I couldn't be happier. I will say by the time you buy the pump, skimmer, lights, etc. It probably comes out to about the same money wise depending on what you buy of course. Here is a link to my build thread. It is all done....moved live stock over....I used two of my EchoTech XR15s, and bought a third one. Also bought a second MP40 too. I am glad I went with the reefer over the max s.....also I love having a sump! I can do water changes straight from the sump instead of siphoning water out of the display etc......

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?ur...&share_tid=538349&share_fid=1020&share_type=t

 

[TVV]

Thank you. I really don't want to decide myself and do all the plumbing, stand build etc that comes with a fresh build. But having bought the "AIO" biocube 32, I had upgraded the lights, the return pump, the filter tray, added in tank refugium which as you might guess cost more than the complete system. Now I have spare parts I don't need. If the biocube 32 came with the steve's lighting, a stronger return pump, in tank refugium and media tray I would have been happy enough to pay more upfront. I was wondering if that's what I can expect from Red Sea Max S. A turn key large tank with the best equipment available from the start. It already looks cool and functionally sound, but then so did the Biocube 32.

 

[cancun]

Thank you. I really don't want to decide myself and do all the plumbing, stand build etc that comes with a fresh build. But having bought the "AIO" biocube 32, I had upgraded the lights, the return pump, the filter tray, added in tank refugium which as you might guess cost more than the complete system. Now I have spare parts I don't need. If the biocube 32 came with the steve's lighting, a stronger return pump, in tank refugium and media tray I would have been happy enough to pay more upfront. I was wondering if that's what I can expect from Red Sea Max S. A turn key large tank with the best equipment available from the start. It already looks cool and functionally sound, but then so did the Biocube 32.

Oh and I paid my LFS 650.00 to deliver the tank, build the stand, hook up the sump, and remove my old tank after I moved my live stock over. Totally worth it....no heavy lifting on my part, or hooking up the sump, it building the stand!

 

[TVV]

Hi! I had a Innovative Marine SR80 which is a 80 gallon AIO....the first of January I decided to upgrade to a Red Sea. I at first was looking at the Max S series. I was used to AIO and I never had a sump. My LFS suggested the Red Sea Reefer 750 XXL. 200 total water volume. I couldn't be happier. I will say by the time you buy the pump, skimmer, lights, etc. It probably comes out to about the same money wise depending on what you buy of course. Here is a link to my build thread. It is all done....moved live stock over....I used two of my EchoTech XR15s, and bought a third one. Also bought a second MP40 too. I am glad I went with the reefer over the max s.....also I love having a sump! I can do water changes straight from the sump instead of siphoning water out of the display etc......

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?ur...&share_tid=538349&share_fid=1020&share_type=t

Great! Why are you glad you went with the reefer over the Max S? Was it because you already had invested in parts that you could move over to it? Or is there another reason? Thank you for your input.

 

[lolgranny]

Great! Why are you glad you went with the reefer over the Max S? Was it because you already had invested in parts that you could move over to it? Or is there another reason? Thank you for your input.

I think there is a Red Sea thread out there. You should post in there and get some thoughts too

 

[cancun]

Great! Why are you glad you went with the reefer over the Max S? Was it because you already had invested in parts that you could move over to it? Or is there another reason? Thank you for your input.

Yea that was part of it, because I already had 2 EchoTech XR15s that we're only a couple of years old. My SR80 was up and running for 5 years. I had a Biocube 29 before that for a year before I made that upgrade. They didn't have a 32 then...lol...also for the money to have 200 gallons instead of 175 gallons played a roll. Another thing and my husband brought this up ( this is my hobby and I take care of the tank, but he does the electrical stuff, and taking apart skimmers and pumps....he he) is that you can pick the manufacturer of the pump and skimmer and buy it. So if something goes wrong or you need replacement parts after the warranty it might be easier to find those. That was his thoughts. I absolutely love it. I am totally impressed with the quality of the Red Sea Reefer!

 

[TVV]

Yea that was part of it, because I already had 2 EchoTech XR15s that we're only a couple of years old. My SR80 was up and running for 5 years. I had a Biocube 29 before that for a year before I made that upgrade. They didn't have a 32 then...lol...also for the money to have 200 gallons instead of 175 gallons played a roll. Another thing and my husband brought this up ( this is my hobby and I take care of the tank, but he does the electrical stuff, and taking apart skimmers and pumps....he he) is that you can pick the manufacturer of the pump and skimmer and buy it. So if something goes wrong or you need replacement parts after the warranty it might be easier to find those. That was his thoughts. I absolutely love it. I am totally impressed with the quality of the Red Sea Reefer!

My wife won't do anything on the aquarium so I am disadvantaged...LOL. Thank you for the helpful input.

 

[TVV]

I think there is a Red Sea thread out there. You should post in there and get some thoughts too

Thanks. What is the easiest way to find that thread?

 

[TVV]

I think there is a Red Sea thread out there. You should post in there and get some thoughts too

NVM I found the thread with the search box. thanks. New input welcomed. Nearly 6000 worth listening to expert opinions.

 

[cancun]

My wife won't do anything on the aquarium so I am disadvantaged...LOL. Thank you for the helpful input.

LOL! Yea my husband won't do anything involving the tank itself....but he does help me when it is time to take the pump or skimmer apart for routine maintenance! I claim if I take it apart I might not get it back together right! LOL! It worked! [emoji23]

 

[TVV]

LOL! Yea my husband won't do anything involving the tank itself....but he does help me when it is time to take the pump or skimmer apart for routine maintenance! I claim if I take it apart I might not get it back together right! LOL! It worked! [emoji23]

Just think of all the money you saved him. Ha Ha great idea but won't work with sweetie!

 

[JDtimk]

Hi reefer experts. I have a biocube 32 running for 8 months now. To the point where I feel confident I like it and want a bigger tank. Looking at the Red Sea Max S 500 or 650. The reason I like the Red Sea Max S is because it looks awesome, comes ready to roll and seems to get good reviews. My LFS's -three, all tell me that I should build, or really let them help me build a system which in the end of the day will be superior and cheaper without wasting on replacing components that it comes with (I have Neptune Systems New APEX system which would immediately introduce some redundancy or incompatibility with the power module in the Red Sea. How do you feel about the claims made by my LFS's? How happy are those that have Red Sea aquariums with the product. I don't mind spending money, but prefer to do it once, if you get my drift. All input is appreciated, even from sponsors like BRS who build systems and sell Red Sea.

I think it depends on your reefing personality and goals for the system.
If you value someone else setting it up and not having to figure out what works best and why, then i think you will probably be happy long term with an all in one system.
If you want the best system you can set up because maybe you have specific goals like growing lots of acropora really well, or just love the engineering challenge and want to learn how everything works, then you should just build the system from scratch.
Not to say you can't also grow acros perfectly fine in an all in one, just saying that many people that set challenging reefing goals, have the reefing personality of wanting to design everything to do with their system, whether that is to optimize the performance or DIY and save money.
I know i enjoy designing the system and maybe enjoy the gadgets and engineering challenge almost as much as the coral and fish.

 

[cancun]

Just think of all the money you saved him. Ha Ha great idea but won't work with sweetie!

LOL! Probably not! [emoji23]

 

[TVV]

I think it depends on your reefing personality and goals for the system.
If you value someone else setting it up and not having to figure out what works best and why, then i think you will probably be happy long term with an all in one system.
If you want the best system you can set up because maybe you have specific goals like growing lots of acropora really well, or just love the engineering challenge and want to learn how everything works, then you should just build the system from scratch.
Not to say you can't also grow acros perfectly fine in an all in one, just saying that many people that set challenging reefing goals, have the reefing personality of wanting to design everything to do with their system, whether that is to optimize the performance or DIY and save money.
I know i enjoy designing the system and maybe enjoy the gadgets and engineering challenge almost as much as the coral and fish.

Great thoughts and input. I don't want to be limited on what I can put in the tank save livestock incompatibilities of course. I am an engineer by trade and do enough of that on a daily basis. However, I am not an aquarium expert by any means even though my chosen academic path started with marine science. In the last 10 years, the reefing community has progressed to a knowledge level above scientist that require marine species for science and medical uses. This is a fact that biologist and scientist admit in that they reach out to the reefing community for aid in setting up their systems for sustained growth of their subject species that they need to experiment with in their respective areas of expertise. Long story short, I want an awesome, complete mixed reef in my house and think that it would take way too long with way too much research to match what progress has been made by those that have accepted the quest to design a low maintenance, highly successful system that closely emulates the oceans and its reefs. I even read about a guy that had an SW aquarium set up for 17 years without ever doing a water change! Top off yes, dosing probably, but no water changes due to having a natural system that once established, maintained itself. Is it true? Only he and his friends know for sure. In Hawaii, there is a hotel with a man made lagoon filled with fish and corals of all types. It has its own sandy beach. Absolutely beautiful. I think it relies on influx of sea water as it is situated by the ocean. Big enough for small boats, swimming and snorkeling. That's what I want but I'll settle for an 100+ gallons of low maintenance, close to self sustaining reef. Is that the Red Sea Max S? I don't know.

 

[Vahanyos]

All in ones are cool and all - but I personally liked a sump set up way better. Get the Red Sea with a sump you’ll like it more I promise you. Not many opportunities with an all in one - at least not as much if you go with a setup with a sump.

Quality product for sure tho

 

[TVV]

All in ones are cool and all - but I personally liked a sump set up way better. Get the Red Sea with a sump you’ll like it more I promise you. Not many opportunities with an all in one - at least not as much if you go with a setup with a sump.

Quality product for sure tho

That's what I'm getting at. Perhaps in using AIO I was misleading. The Red Sea Max S has a sump and much more maybe what I should have said is all inclusive. The quiz was is what is included rated highly or should one let LFS experts build one to their liking?

 

[Vahanyos]

That's what I'm getting at. Perhaps in using AIO I was misleading. The Red Sea Max S has a sump and much more maybe what I should have said is all inclusive. The quiz was is what is included rated highly or should one let LFS experts build one to their liking?

Ah - my mistake. Honestly, looking at the new Red Sea S series tanks... they come with sufficient LED lighting that will grow pretty much anything. I am not sure about the protein skimmers as I've never used one, but it will definitely be sufficient enough. Maybe based on your setup you MIGHT need to upgrade... but again that all depends on what direction you plan to go with the tank.

Will it be good for a turn key operation? Definitely. Will it match all YOUR needs? Only YOU will be able to answer that

 

[TVV]

Ah - my mistake. Honestly, looking at the new Red Sea S series tanks... they come with sufficient LED lighting that will grow pretty much anything. I am not sure about the protein skimmers as I've never used one, but it will definitely be sufficient enough. Maybe based on your setup you MIGHT need to upgrade... but again that all depends on what direction you plan to go with the tank.

Will it be good for a turn key operation? Definitely. Will it match all YOUR needs? Only YOU will be able to answer that

Thank you. Calling out to brs too. They sell red sea and build awesome tanks with great ideas. Hope they chime in