New Tank Choice Help Please - Red Sea Max E or Reefer

[JohnPH]

Hi, I am a complete novice when it comes to marine aquariums (had plenty of freshwater ones) and need some advice on choosing the right first (and hopefully long-term) tank.

I'm considering either the Red Sea Max E-260 or the Red Sea Reefer 250 Deluxe but need help deciding which would be better for me. Currently I'm leaning towards the Max E & here's my logic

The E-260 has bigger water capacity in roughly the same footprint
I like the integrated power centre (not available in the Reefer)
Return pumps are included (not included in the Reefer)
If I also purchase the optional sump kit I get an ATO and the ability to add a refugium at a later date if necessary

The cost of the E-260 plus sump kit is roughly the same as the combined price of the Reefer 250 and the Red Sea Reefer Skimmer 300 protein skimmer

Here's where I'm not so certain though. Is the protein skimmer that's included with the Max any good? Would the Reefer and a the 300 skimmer be a better quality approach? If I went with the Reefer, would I still need to purchase media baskets??

Your thoughts please!
Thanks

 

[Cwentz758]

Hi, I am a complete novice when it comes to marine aquariums (had plenty of freshwater ones) and need some advice on choosing the right first (and hopefully long-term) tank.

I'm considering either the Red Sea Max E-260 or the Red Sea Reefer 250 Deluxe but need help deciding which would be better for me. Currently I'm leaning towards the Max E & here's my logic

The E-260 has bigger water capacity in roughly the same footprint
I like the integrated power centre (not available in the Reefer)
Return pumps are included (not included in the Reefer)
If I also purchase the optional sump kit I get an ATO and the ability to add a refugium at a later date if necessary

The cost of the E-260 plus sump kit is roughly the same as the combined price of the Reefer 250 and the Red Sea Reefer Skimmer 300 protein skimmer

Here's where I'm not so certain though. Is the protein skimmer that's included with the Max any good? Would the Reefer and a the 300 skimmer be a better quality approach? If I went with the Reefer, would I still need to purchase media baskets??

Your thoughts please!
Thanks

My only thought with the reefer over the E model would be the sump. Looking at the sump
In the reefer you have more room to add or use equipment you want vs the E series having to use what comes with it. I also wouldn’t like having the sump on the back of the tank I’d rather have everything hidden under the tank.

 

[Cwentz758]

Also I think their RSK skimmer series isn’t bad, also the LED 90 lights you get a nice. The ReefBeat app works well and there’s been lots up updates since I got my lights in December

 

[JohnPH]

Hi, thanks for your thoughts. If I purchase the additional sump unit for the E wouldn't that give me the same sump as the Reefer?

 

[Cwentz758]

Hi, thanks for your thoughts. If I purchase the additional sump unit for the E wouldn't that give me the same sump as the Reefer?

From the looks of it with the upgrade it’s a different sump, looks smaller in the demo videos. Even with that upgrade then you still have that extra stuff hanging in the back of your tank. My personal preference is hiding as much hardware as possible so I would take the everything underneath the stand. But if it doesn’t bother you maybe the E series would save some money due to having pumps already with it.

 

[JohnPH]

Thanks for the input again. Now looking at the Reefer XL 300 which has exactly the same footprint as the Max E-260 but without the chamber in the back.

Can I ask another basic noob question. I've always been used to AIO tanks that have dedicated areas for filter media. With a sump-based system you have the protein skimmer in the sump but presumably you also need some kind of biological and mechanical filtration as well - do these just sit in media bags in the sump?

 

[DeniableArc]

Thanks for the input again. Now looking at the Reefer XL 300 which has exactly the same footprint as the Max E-260 but without the chamber in the back.

Can I ask another basic noob question. I've always been used to AIO tanks that have dedicated areas for filter media. With a sump-based system you have the protein skimmer in the sump but presumably you also need some kind of biological and mechanical filtration as well - do these just sit in media bags in the sump?

G’day mate! I have a reefer 250 with the RS 300 skimmer 2 Nero 5’s, 3 ai primes with diffusers. I love the whole setup but the big let down was the float valve ATO that came with it but I just fixed that with a tunze nano ATO and a 30l container which last me 2 weeks. I definitely rate the rsk 300 skimmer it’s just set and forget. As for filtration carbon dose with 4 mantis bio blocks and that keeps nitrates low with minimal dosing

 

[Cwentz758]

You can use media bags or eventually you can get a reactor for carbon. I don’t have any bio balls in mine I run a filter sock and some carbon with a skimmer. Currently have GFO in a reactor to lower some phosphate issue I had

 

[SPR1968]

My first tank was the Max E260, I had it for about 2 months before getting hooked and upgrading to the Max S650

The E260 is a very nice tank, but its very compact in the rear chamber and maintenance can be a bit of an issue, albeit you can manage.

The skimmer works, as does everything else, but there not much else you can change or anything as you progress and learn in the hobby.

I would probably summarise by saying for a beginner it’s a good tank, but once you learn and progress in the hobby you may want to upgrade. The reefers are more flexible Long term. But you also might be more than happy with it, as it’s well built etc

 

[Bob The Reefer]

My first tank was the Max E260, I had it for about 2 months before getting hooked and upgrading to the Max S650

The E260 is a very nice tank, but its very compact in the rear chamber and maintenance can be a bit of an issue, albeit you can manage.

The skimmer works, as does everything else, but there not much else you can change or anything as you progress and learn in the hobby.

I would probably summarise by saying for a beginner it’s a good tank, but once you learn and progress in the hobby you may want to upgrade. The reefers are more flexible Long term. But you also might be more than happy with it, as it’s well built etc

This ...

Go down the reefer route ... long term a better bet ... and get the biggest one you can house/afford

 

[JohnPH]

Thanks all. Def going to go with the Reefer XL 300. Looking at the pictures of people's sumps I realise how much I have to learn!

 

[Tamberav]

Thanks for the input again. Now looking at the Reefer XL 300 which has exactly the same footprint as the Max E-260 but without the chamber in the back.

Can I ask another basic noob question. I've always been used to AIO tanks that have dedicated areas for filter media. With a sump-based system you have the protein skimmer in the sump but presumably you also need some kind of biological and mechanical filtration as well - do these just sit in media bags in the sump?

You don't need biological filtration. You can use if if you want between a baffle but live rock can do all that.

A filter sock provides mechanical filtration.

I don't use any media in my AIOs or my sump tanks except socks or floss (and a skimmer).

 

[JohnPH]

OK so Bubble Magus Curve 5 skimmer or the Red Sea Reefer Skimmer 300. Big difference in price between the two so the Bubble Magus is on my list unless anyone can persuade me otherwise

 

[Bob The Reefer]

OK so Bubble Magus Curve 5 skimmer or the Red Sea Reefer Skimmer 300. Big difference in price between the two so the Bubble Magus is on my list unless anyone can persuade me otherwise

I had variable success with 2 different skimmers until settling for a Red Sea one - look carefully at the depth of water in the sump and assess any height adjustment that might be needed. I wouldn't go back to another brand having had a Red Sea skimmer - if that helps?

 

[JohnPH]

Thanks that's useful to know. In the UK the Red Sea 300 is about £240 versus about £110 for the Bubble Magus so big difference but I guess it's better to get the one that is going to work the best from the start

 

[Bob The Reefer]

Thanks that's useful to know. In the UK the Red Sea 300 is about £240 versus about £110 for the Bubble Magus so big difference but I guess it's better to get the one that is going to work the best from the start

Don't forget to use the My Reefer thingy on the Red Sea website to generate a discount voucher .....

 

[GaryM1966]

Thanks that's useful to know. In the UK the Red Sea 300 is about £240 versus about £110 for the Bubble Magus so big difference but I guess it's better to get the one that is going to work the best from the start

I just got the RSK 300 2 weeks ago and its fantastic, no rocket science trying to get settings right and off it goes about its business, only thing I needed to do was have it at its correct height in the water, my water level was 10 inches in my sump and recommended for the skimmer is 6-8 so I raised it to about 7 and its great.

 

[GaryM1966]

I had variable success with 2 different skimmers until settling for a Red Sea one - look carefully at the depth of water in the sump and assess any height adjustment that might be needed. I wouldn't go back to another brand having had a Red Sea skimmer - if that helps?

Sorry Bob, I just completely agreed with you sorry for the repeat

 

[JohnPH]

Don't forget to use the My Reefer thingy on the Red Sea website to generate a discount voucher

Sounds interesting. Can't see anything obvious on the site to generate a discount code - can you point me in the right direction? Thanks

 

[Bob The Reefer]

Sounds interesting. Can't see anything obvious on the site to generate a discount code - can you point me in the right direction? Thanks

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