RedSea MaxE 170 Start Up

ProfessorAronnax · Jul 1, 2019

So get this-I ordered the package on June 18th. Receipt came through email and was supposed to be shipped that Friday. Never heard anything from @Bulk Reef Supply or @redsea . So I called BRS and they said all my info was correct and with the launch of the new lighting, they may have been behind. Ok cool no problem. This past Friday I get a call from BRS and they said that the tank I had ordered was not in stock at RS and I would likely receive it early July. Frustrated I call BRS back for a update this morning. I was told the tanks were in stock, but the stands were not. I've tried to call RS a couple of times and sent emails to no avail. I got back in touch with BRS and they said that it would likely be sent out the 12th....Are you serious?Thats not early July...thas the middle of the month!I suppose the majority of my anger is coming from the fact that no one could give me a straight answer or perhaps didnt want to.

I'm pretty frustrated because I have 1600 dollars sitting in limbo for a product that I dont even have!Also a bit ridiculous that BRS, knowing there is a supply issue, has kept the tank for sale on their site claiming there are 12 in stock when they are all delayed another almost 2 weeks. What should I do and what would you do/recommend? Am I being impatient or is my frustration in the right?

ProfessorAronnax · Jul 24, 2019

Okay-A month and a half after ordering and being given the run around,my tank arrived!
I'm very impressed with the overall sleekness of the tank and its features. It really is gorgeous!

The stand wasnt too bad to assemble. It took my wife and I about 45 minutes from start to finish. My supervisor in the background (Mr.Roo) was on his union mandated nap lol.

Tank on the stand. Curious if the front panel is supposed to hang over the edge to line up with the cabinet door.

Reef 90 LED. Pretty slick and took about 10 minutes to completely program.

I love the wire management system that's included!Easy to make things nice and tidy! I used different color cable ties to distinguish what is what for the Apex.

Not too shabby!

So far so good and well worth the wait! I'm in the process of building an Apex control panel for the cabinet so there will be more on that in the next few days. Goal is to have water in it starting Sunday.

And a good picture of both supervisors just because!

bar|none · Jul 25, 2019

You will love that light. I do. Following...

Taxus812 · Jul 25, 2019

"Curious if the front panel is supposed to hang over the edge to line up with the cabinet door. "

To answer your question
yup

.

Also make sure you leak check it and clean the glass before filling. I didn't lol.

ProfessorAronnax · Jul 25, 2019

Taxus812 said:
"Curious if the front panel is supposed to hang over the edge to line up with the cabinet door. "

To answer your question
yup .

Also make sure you leak check it and clean the glass before filling. I didn't lol.

Did ya have a leak?

Taxus812 · Jul 25, 2019

ProfessorAronnax said:
Did ya have a leak?

Nope but after I got al the rocks in, sand just right and started filling. I looked at my hardwood floors and said what if I have a leak ? I would be in deep dodo. Filling the tank at least once outside with the hose would provide a lot of comfort.

melanotaenia · Jul 25, 2019

looking good, curious to see how these lights are going to work out for growing corals!

ProfessorAronnax · Jul 25, 2019

Finished up the Apex panel today. I kept it fairly simple by making a false wall to fit the stand.

Started by cutting a piece of 1/2 inch MDF to match the inner dimensions of the stand. I then laid out my equipment the way I wanted and marked the holes for screws, lay out, and grommets.

So began the painting portion. I went with a matte finish to match the stand. After 4 good coats; it was on to the next!

I used 1.5 inch as well as 2.5 inch grommets for wiring and painted them Apex orange (also home depot orange).

The grommets went in to place well and I epoxyed them in. The entire panel fit really well!

Everything mounted up and ready to go! No bundle of wires to stare at!

Other than the mess I've got going on around the tank, I'm pleased with how tidy everything is looking.

Overall, I am happy with the way this is going. I made myself slow down and take my time. This paid off as the original panel design was not going to happen and the one I went with was a happy accident. There is 4 inches of clearance behind the panel for wiring and the panel pops out because of the industrial velcro I used (makes work easier in future).

This weekend, my best friend and reefing brother is coming over. Were going to leak test and complete the wiring of the system! Be ready for more pictures next week!!!

All the best!

ProfessorAronnax · Jul 25, 2019

It is also worth noting that I pre-drilled the holes for the mounting hardware of the Apex. Had I not the MDF would have chipped,split, etc...

ProfessorAronnax · Aug 26, 2019

After a while of having the tank just sit empty (that thing called life happened), I finished cleaning up and networking the controller and lights. The networking was an atrocious nightmare since I only have satellite internet and no experience with anything like this, but the brains are running!

And after a long awaited period, water is going in!!!

The RS Reef90 LED is really a plug and play light. Connect it to your home network,not necessary but will be much easier than connecting offline. For anyone who is lost- I found this link priceless:
Tank should be filled with water by this evening!

More to follow!

ProfessorAronnax · Aug 31, 2019

After what seems like forever, she is up and running! Apex is running on all cylinders, ReefBeat and the Reef90 is running the way it should, ATO is leveled out perfectly...I am happy!

Taxus812 · Aug 31, 2019

woo hoo! Glad you got it going

ProfessorAronnax · Aug 31, 2019

So my video doesn't look great in the above post, but oh well!

I love this tank! Runs dead silent! I really wanted minimal rock work so I would have plenty of room for corals to get nice and big. Plus, it really makes the overall scale appear larger.

Hard to tell but the rocks consist of three structures, none of which touch touches the others. The rocks on the bottom need to be recovered with sand, but they will only barely be visible. Putting some NPS or cespitularia down there.