Red Sea AIO

Reeferdave1960 · Jan 24, 2019

Hi
I am starting to look for a new Red Sea AIO, I am thinking the S series in the 100-130 gal range.

Besides the price, is there any other drawbacks? I am familiar with AIO tanks and I know that they have there limitations but in my humble opinion they also have there place. (my living room lol)
Is there another brand that you would look at? I see people ask often what brand other than Red Sea and I don't know if it is just a cost issue or something else. I agree that they are pricey but I am doing as a one time gift for me, been a rough few years, and some retail therapy is just what I need.

Thanks for your input

Dave

SicZ06 · Jan 24, 2019

following - cheers

infinite0180 · Jan 24, 2019

Im putting together a RS reefer. I have to say the quality is great and customer service was helpful when i needed some extra hardware for the stand (i broke a few cam locks). Mine is a reefer so its got the sump. I must say the tank and stand are excellent quality. They look like a piece of artwork not a fish tank! Mines not even stocked yet and i cant help but stare at its beauty ever time i see it.

nautical_nathaniel · Jan 24, 2019

Edit: Took a look at the Red Sea website and I think you were referring to the Red Sea Max E-Series, in which case disregard the following...

AIO tanks have the sump/filtration portion attached to the rear of the tank and have limited space for equipment and such.

The Red Sea Max S-Series have a detached sump so in that sense they are not an AIO aquarium, but you do buy them as a "complete" package minus the lights, skimmer, return pump(s), etc.

The only tank Red Sea makes now that is a true AIO that I know of is the 24 gallon nano.

Other brands you can look at are Waterbox aquariums, which are very similar to Red Sea tanks. Innovative Marine also has their INT and EXT lines that are already drilled for an external sump, the only drawback is that you'd have to buy the stand, sump, plumbing and everything else sepersepar whereas the Red Sea and Waterbox tanks come with a matching stand, sump, and in some models, an ATO reservoir.

I believe ELOS makes aquarium packages like Waterbox and Red Sea too, but they may not be sold in the US yet.

Reeferdave1960 · Jan 24, 2019

nautical_nathaniel said:
Edit: Took a look at the Red Sea website and I think you were referring to the Red Sea Max E-Series, in which case disregard the following...

AIO tanks have the sump/filtration portion attached to the rear of the tank and have limited space for equipment and such.

The Red Sea Max S-Series have a detached sump so in that sense they are not an AIO aquarium, but you do buy them as a "complete" package minus the lights, skimmer, return pump(s), etc.

The only tank Red Sea makes now that is a true AIO that I know of is the 24 gallon nano.

Other brands you can look at are Waterbox aquariums, which are very similar to Red Sea tanks. Innovative Marine also has their INT and EXT lines that are already drilled for an external sump, the only drawback is that you'd have to buy the stand, sump, plumbing and everything else sepersepar whereas the Red Sea and Waterbox tanks come with a matching stand, sump, and in some models, an ATO reservoir.

I believe ELOS makes aquarium packages like Waterbox and Red Sea too, but they may not be sold in the US yet.

nautical_nathaniel
Thank you for your comments and suggestions, I like the Max-E series, I am looking at the S series. I am still not 100% sure if I will go with the E or S series, I like look of the S series and love the frame for the cabinet being metal. There is a sump in the cabinet, I have never dealt with a sump before but not overly intimidated by it if ALL the parts are there. I have recently moved to KY from NH and all my tools etc are still back in NH. I want something I can just put together add the rock and sand a bottle of Dr Tims and start cycling. I have a Biocube 32 LED back in storage in NH, I thought I would be able to get back to NH and get it by now but not so...

I am in need of a coral fix lol

thanks again

Dave

Reeferdave1960 · Jan 24, 2019

infinite0180 said:
Im putting together a RS reefer. I have to say the quality is great and customer service was helpful when i needed some extra hardware for the stand (i broke a few cam locks). Mine is a reefer so its got the sump. I must say the tank and stand are excellent quality. They look like a piece of artwork not a fish tank! Mines not even stocked yet and i cant help but stare at its beauty ever time i see it.

Infinite0180, thank you for your comments
I am glad you like your Red Sea so far and that their customer service is good, I have gotten to the point that I really try not to give my money to a company with poor customer service but I grew up in a family owned business that customer service was paramount.

Do you have a build thread? I would love to see what and how you are setting up your tank

infinite0180 · Jan 24, 2019

Reeferdave1960 said:
Infinite0180, thank you for your comments
I am glad you like your Red Sea so far and that their customer service is good, I have gotten to the point that I really try not to give my money to a company with poor customer service but I grew up in a family owned business that customer service was paramount.

Do you have a build thread? I would love to see what and how you are setting up your tank

No build thread yet. But im hoping to make one at some point. I live in a small upstairs apartment so when i got into this hobby earlier last year i setup a used innovative marine tank in my basement. Well fast forward to thanksgiving time and my tank was being neglected all the way in the basement (out of sight out of mind) and my wife would complain i spend too much time down there. So we agreed i needed a tank up in the living room! I did not trust that old used tank in the basement let alone my living room so i decided to go big and get the reefer nano. Ive slowly been getting it going since about christmas time. Taking my time with this one. I hope to move my rock, coral, and fish up into the new tank this weekend! I origonally wanted a waterbox tank but there prices went up and the company is new. I decided i would go with red sea and im glad i did. I see myself buying a larger one someday when i own a house!

cancun · Jan 24, 2019

Hi! I just put together a Red Sea Reefer 750 XXL. So far I love it. It was a upgrade from my Innovative Marine SR80 which was a aio tank. Here is my build thread with pics....

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

Reeferdave1960 · Jan 24, 2019

cancun said:
Hi! I just put together a Red Sea Reefer 750 XXL. So far I love it. It was a upgrade from my Innovative Marine SR80 which was a aio tank. Here is my build thread with pics....

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

Thank You ! I am going it check it out now

SPR1968 · Jan 25, 2019

I have the Red Sea Max S650 which is the flagship of the Red Sea range (all size S Series of course) and there is a reason for this as it’s simply a beautiful piece of furniture in your home.

No wires pumps or anything else showing, it’s just a piece of ocean art you create with your own imagination

As you learn you can always change things but you don’t need to and the build quality is excellent. Unfortunately like everything, you get what you pay for and there not cheap

My build thread is below if you want to check it out.

As to S Series or E Series you mention, I’ve also had the E260. Would I buy it again, no, it’s to compact in the rear chamber were everything is making maintenance a real pain. The entry level S400 is far better but of course more expensive

Jamie_S · Jan 25, 2019

Hi Dave,

I jumped back into the reef hobby after a 30+ year hiatus. Have been keeping/breeding freshwater for over 40 years.

There is a sitting area in our master bedroom that had just the right amount of space for the E-260, and a shelf unit to hold supplies. My reef will be one year old next month.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-e-260-adventures.360868/

Sorry, that's the only way I know how to make a link to my build thread.

After nearly a full year I do not regret my decision to go with the RS E-260. As with most "newbies" I have had my struggles with this tank, but none of them have been due to the Red Sea product itself. I have access from both left and right sides to the back chamber, and I am pretty good about regular water changes. Like I mentioned, this tank is in our bedroom, so I have gotten creative with foam and floss to quiet down the overflow and skimmer area. Also, once all the cords are plugged into the panel underneath the cover doesn't slide back on, you will find that as a common complaint but I got over it quickly. It is also very well documented that the AI lights have terrible wi-fi connectivity, so like many others I connect to them directly from my phone as opposed to them on my local network, to make adjustments to the lighting schedule, which is pretty rare anymore.

Feel free to message me if you have any questions or concerns.

OpenOcean33 · Jan 25, 2019

Reeferdave1960 said:
Hi
I am starting to look for a new Red Sea AIO, I am thinking the S series in the 100-130 gal range.

Besides the price, is there any other drawbacks? I am familiar with AIO tanks and I know that they have there limitations but in my humble opinion they also have there place. (my living room lol)
Is there another brand that you would look at? I see people ask often what brand other than Red Sea and I don't know if it is just a cost issue or something else. I agree that they are pricey but I am doing as a one time gift for me, been a rough few years, and some retail therapy is just what I need.

Thanks for your input

Dave

Heey reeferdave,
I have a redsea max e 260 and love it. My first time in saltwater, but have done fresh water for many years. I wanted something that would also look very clean in my living room. Thats why i went with this one. Also it seemed simple for a first timer i didn't have to decided what came with it. The only trouble i have is cleaning the right back part of the sump because I placed it a little to close to the wall on that side not leaving me with a lot of room to work. I thought i could reach over the top and work on it. I couldnt im 6'2 and couldn't reach the sponges so i have to get a step ladder and wiggle around which is inconvenient. So when placing it make sure you have enough room on both sides to really work. This is only a problem if you do not do the sump upgrade. I think go for it and treat yo self !