Red Sea Max Nano, worth it?

[Titleist1964]

So I've really been eyeballing the JBJ over at BRS for 15% off. Their 20 looks good. Exactly what I want, but there's also a few upgrades needed, ATO for one, possible skimmer, just seems that as far as AIO's go the Red Sea really nails it. The price of the JBJ is very enticing but may require me throwing more money at it and seems like everywhere I look the upgrades are out of stock.

I did grab an AI Prime HD light here from another member but thinking if I went Red Sea I could always turn around and sell it. So Red Sea vs every other 20gal Cube Nano?

 

[blaxsun]

The only things I would point out is that while the AIO design is popular, it's also very proprietary - and many nano owners have had a hard time getting a different skimmer, running a UV, etc. If these aren't concerns then you're set.

I have a Red Sea Reefer with and love my tank, but this isn't to say that it doesn't have a few 'quirks' with the external sump as well (it's hard to design to please everyone).

And you can definitely sell the AI Prime. Given a choice of the Red Sea Nano over say the IM AIO tanks - get the Red Sea.

 

[Titleist1964]

The only things I would point out is that while the AIO design is popular, it's also very proprietary - and many nano owners have had a hard time getting a different skimmer, running a UV, etc. If these aren't concerns then you're set.

I have a Red Sea Reefer with and love my tank, but this isn't to say that it doesn't have a few 'quirks' with the external sump as well (it's hard to design to please everyone).

And you can definitely sell the AI Prime. Given a choice of the Red Sea Nano over say the IM AIO tanks - get the Red Sea.

So would the JBJ be out of the question? The huge amount of money saved will go towards the needed necessities to start and maintain a tank. Thanks for the input.

 

[blaxsun]

So would the JBJ be out of the question? The huge amount of money saved will go towards the needed necessities to start and maintain a tank. Thanks for the input.

I don't have any experience with the JBJ tanks (not available here in Canada), but if you're thinking of going that route get the measurements of the chambers so that you can look into what third party skimmer, accessories (etc.) you might want to add before you get the tank.

 

[Titleist1964]

I don't have any experience with the JBJ tanks (not available here in Canada), but if you're thinking of going that route get the measurements of the chambers ao that you can look into what third party skimmer, accessories (etc.) you might want to add before you get the tank.

Thanks, that makes sense.

 

[Lyss]

Depends on what you're looking to get out of it. For me, 100% worth it. I made zero upgrades to my Max Nano for the first year and when I finally did it was only the ATO. Skimmer and light are great.

 

[Titleist1964]

Depends on what you're looking to get out of it. For me, 100% worth it. I made zero upgrades to my Max Nano for the first year and when I finally did it was only the ATO. Skimmer and light are great.

What did you end up going with for an ATO? Tunze 3152?

 

[X-37B]

I have a Aquatop 20g nano cube I got used.
Chambers are small and im not going to run a skimmer.
I run 2 16HD's and tank is 100% acros.
I run a Tunze nano ato fed from a 5g bucket.

 

[Lyss]

What did you end up going with for an ATO? Tunze 3152?

I did the 55 b/c it’s more tested and felt like the safest option in terms of not failing and causing a disaster. I also know that w/in the next couple of years I’m probably going to upgrade to a larger tank, and I’ll be able to continue to get mileage out of it.

 

[Vicboihere]

I have the Red Sea Man Nano and love it, mixed reef tank.the AIO makes life easy and it’s really well built.

 

[Titleist1964]

I have the Red Sea Man Nano and love it, mixed reef tank.the AIO makes life easy and it’s really well built.

Great looking set up, like the shelf idea in the stand. I take it the stand doesn't have shelves?

 

[Titleist1964]

Well, this morning I cracked a beer, twisted the cap on a couple nips (don't judge, I just came off 8 hours of global based meetings lol) and settled in on a few YT videos I came across while Googling the Red Sea Max Nano. Is this for real? I found these Reef Builder videos based on the Red Sea max. To be honest this is the simplicity I'm looking for.

 

[Lyss]

Well, this morning I cracked a beer, twisted the cap on a couple nips (don't judge, I just came off 8 hours of global based meetings lol) and settled in on a few YT videos I came across while Googling the Red Sea Max Nano. Is this for real? I found these Reef Builder videos based on the Red Sea max. To be honest this is the simplicity I'm looking for.

I remember seeing those. Def for real. This is my first ever marine aquarium and I honestly think this tank has contributed a lot to my success. I also live in a small space and wasn’t even sure I’d be able to find something small that would fit in my space and still be capable of looking like the kind of show tank I’d envisioned. You do need to test more frequently b/c of the smaller volume of water, and I skim relatively wet so I need to add a bit of saltwater to the ATO. But I remember the reef builders max nano had a glass top and didn’t even use the ATO it came with.

 

[Titleist1964]

I remember seeing those. Def for real. This is my first ever marine aquarium and I honestly think this tank has contributed a lot to my success. I also live in a small space and wasn’t even sure I’d be able to find something small that would fit in my space and still be capable of looking like the kind of show tank I’d envisioned. You do need to test more frequently b/c of the smaller volume of water, and I skim relatively wet so I need to add a bit of saltwater to the ATO. But I remember the reef builders max nano had a glass top and didn’t even use the ATO it came with.

I'm so close to making the purchase of the RED SEA Max Nano.

 

[Vicboihere]

I built the stand to fit it conceals most of the wires and has x2 shelf’s for the dosing equipment.

 

[Vicboihere]

What I'm running with my Max Nano:
- Digital Combo pH & Temperature Meter, Aquarium Thermometer pH Monitor with Automatic Calibration Function for Fish Tank Hydroponics Aquaculture Laboratory (pH/Temperature Meter)
- Eheim 3614090 Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater 100Wx2
- hygger Mini Wave Maker Magnetic DC Powerhead with LED Display Controller for Saltwater Tank, 1600 GPH Aquarium Water Circulation Pump 3 to 25 Gallon x2
- Inkbird ITC-306A WiFi Aquarium Temperature Controller 1100W Double Sockets for Fish Tank Terrarium with Dual Aquarium Probe
- Acryli Made Liquid Storage Bucket 3 Rooms 4.5 Liters, Working with Dosing Pump
- Soft Tube Fixture Holder for Dosing Pump Air Pump (4 Tubes) Acrylic Made
- Aquarium Choice dosing tubing for Saltwater dosing Pump and Dosing Pump Reservoir Container
- Jebao Programmable Auto Dosing Pump DP-4

I did the MicroBacter Star XLM & Ammonia 7 day cycle https://www.brightwellaquatics.com/products/microbacter-start-xlm.php. I then introduced one fish after the ammonia dropped, 2 weeks after added 3 more fish. I currently have 4 x SPS 3 x LPS 5 x softies. My birds nest is growing like crazy! Dosing daily Alk/Cal/Mag/Bacter7

Figuring out flow in my tank was key & the light schedule, I can post it if you do buy the Nano. If you want to attempt mixed tank you will need a higher shelf for SPS, that way softies / LPS on the bottom don't get cooked & you have high PAR for both. (100/150 PAR for softies / LPS on the bottom, 250+ for the SPS)

 

[kad1979]

I have been and out of the hobby since 1994 (when I was around 14 years old). Just got back into the game with a Red Sea Max Nano. Did tons of research and for me the AIO and simplicity and reviews is what sold me.

Closing in on three weeks of getting her wet.

Seriously amazed (mainly not having to cycle by chucking in a dead shrimp and waiting...and waiting...and waiting, LOL). Of course that has nothing to to with the tank.

I am not going to be dosing and plan on a fairly light bio load.

Worth the money IMO.

 

[Titleist1964]

I am not going to be dosing and plan on a fairly light bio load.

Worth the money IMO.

This is exactly what I'm planning on, a CUC, 2 clowns and easy to keep corals, softies & LPS, once I learn what the difference is lol. I know I don't want SPS corals, and have NO intentions to go bigger in the future.

I was curious about saltwater make up. Is this just as easy to buy from the LPS or make your own? My budget will get shot out the window if I do go with the Max Nano, but I also know there'll be no need for upgrades anytime soon.
I need test kit, salinity checker, heater, temp sensor and of course rocks and sand. Thanks for the help.

 

[MtnDewMan]

I got the Red Sea Max Nano. It's a nice tank but if I were to do it over again I would likely get a Waterbox cube or something. I ended up replacing the light and skimmer on my Max Nano, which I could have done from the start with a Waterbox. Live and learn though.

 

[Titleist1964]

I got the Red Sea Max Nano. It's a nice tank but if I were to do it over again I would likely get a Waterbox cube or something. I ended up replacing the light and skimmer on my Max Nano, which I could have done from the start with a Waterbox. Live and learn though.

I ended up going with a JBJ, $460 tank and stand. Nice tank, stand is a lil to be desired tho. But it holds the tank.