Red Sea Max 250 SPS Reef (New FTS 4-7-10!)

[dustinc]

Hello everyone! I'm starting a new build thread for my new Red Sea Max 250! I picked up the tank yesterday from a LFS and currently putting it together now. I'll be moving much of my livestock from my Solana and also weeding out some of the pieces I'm not too crazy about. I'll post a lot of pictures later today, but I will say, initially I am very impressed. The tank is very HEAVY and you can tell a lot of thought and quality went into this product. I've owned Biocube, Nanocube, and Solana and this is BY FAR the best quality all-in-one I've ever seen. I've also built my own aquarium, which is what I was planning on doing this time, but I just kept being drawn back to this aquarium. The only initial mods I'm planning isn't really a mod at all, and that is replacing the stock bulbs with 3xATI Blue+, 1xKZ Fiji Purple, 1xATI True Actinic, and 1xGE Daylight. The only other mod I'm really debating at this point is popping open the hood and running individual power cords for the lights so that I can have a dusk to dawn atmosphere, but maybe try to do the dimmable lights mod that I saw on youtube. Well enough of the blabbering, but I'll post more later.

[dmarkham]

I can not wait to see it. I looked long and hard at these tanks. It is just a little bigger then I wanted at this time. Nice looking set up.

[imcosmokramer]

congrats!!

[dustinc]

Thanks guys. Got sand, water, and rock in it today. I don't expect too much of a cycle as I moved some stuff from my solana. I'm keeping this as a very open aquascape for good SPS growth to fill in the space. Here are some pictures of some of the stuff during setup. Will post pictures tomorrow of the aquascape and tank.

[JohnOTS]

Following along, looking forward to seeing pictures.

[StevieT]

More set up pictures! I need to see the inner workings of this tank.

 

I have added you to the RSM owners super thread

[DrCooper]

Following this bad boy along! saw one of them at LFS while back and was in love

[dustinc]

More set up pictures! I need to see the inner workings of this tank.

 

I have added you to the RSM owners super thread

 

Thanks. What exactly are you wanting to see in the setup process? It was very simple getting everything together and very nicely done. There are designated tracks for your cords to run down so that they are just hanging out wherever, the back chamber are pretty big, remind me a lot of sump chambers, and quiet other than the light fans (not terribly loud, but not quiet). The only thing I'm a little skeptical of this tank is the lighting. I'm coming from an ATI t5 fixture to this one. We will see how it does!

 

Following this bad boy along! saw one of them at LFS while back and was in love

 

They are nice! At this point, definitely recommend it, but we will know for sure in a short time.

[StevieT]

I am really really interested in the rear chambers.

[Lawnman]

Kinda hard to go out and purchase this tank Stevie just to get the demisions of the back chambers. Really looking forward to watching this build. Did you purchase a chiller?

[kraqus]

This is the tank that I want to upgrade to...... eventually =)

Mo pictures!

 

 

Benny

[clownfish14]

how much in total has this tank cost you?

 

and more pics

[StevieT]

Kinda hard to go out and purchase this tank Stevie just to get the demisions of the back chambers. Really looking forward to watching this build. Did you purchase a chiller?

 

Pretty much. I have the dimensions and drawings and ideas. I just want to see if it is even possible to do since there is demand. It isn't a priority project right now I am more curious in seeing what changes Red Sea made from the 130 to 250

[dustinc]

Kinda hard to go out and purchase this tank Stevie just to get the demisions of the back chambers. Really looking forward to watching this build. Did you purchase a chiller?

 

Thanks. No i haven't purchased a chiller at this point. I'm going to give a little time and see what happens. I used to have the Nanocube HQI and everyone told me I needed a chiller and my temp never got over 80. I keep my house between 70-72 year round. I will see what my temperatures do when I start running the lights and then I will know if I need one.

 

how much in total has this tank cost you?

 

and more pics

 

Well I got the tank/stand combo for $200 less than the online price (I farm for the LFS where I got it and I'm one of his primary sources so he hooks me up when I need things like this). And the new bulbs were $135 shipped. I'm selling my Solana and equipment for it so that is money going back. After selling my Solana, ATI Sunpower, and spare equipment, I should be out about $500. The next thing I really want to do is test par readings of this light compared to my ATI to see what I'm getting, but I don't have a par meter.

 

 

Pretty much. I have the dimensions and drawings and ideas. I just want to see if it is even possible to do since there is demand. It isn't a priority project right now I am more curious in seeing what changes Red Sea made from the 130 to 250

 

As far as what I can remember about the 130, it was much like all the other AIO's with more of a chamber like feel. The 250 is much more like sump baffles. Here is a picture of what it looked like from the top when opening the box.

[dustinc]

I'm importing some pictures now of the tank this morning.

[dustinc]

Here are pictures of the tank this morning.

[funkoptimus]

Nice!! Very nice. I bought a used JBJ HQI last week. I think I might sell it and move up to a beast like this. Man it is cool looking. Congrats!

[pineo]

what are the size specs of that thing? Also what is the stock lighting?

[kraqus]

what are the size specs of that thing? Also what is the stock lighting?

 

 

Everything is available online.

 

http://www.redseamax.com/redseamax/250Temp...X_specs250.html

 

 

 

Benny

[pineo]

thanks...making me work...to lazy to google search...wow 6x39 huh? Are they individual reflectors? I couldn't tell by looking at the webpage.

 

I've never been keen on AIOs, but this looks like a quality aquarium. good luck!

[dustinc]

It is not individual reflectors. At first I was kind of bummed about that but the more I thought about it I'm actually glad. If they would have went individual it might have allowed for 4 bulbs which meant less bulb options and probably the same output. I actually have had problems with my ATI fixture having too much output with 6 bulbs causing bleaching. I think this will be just right.

[dustinc]

Quick question everyone. Should I keep my mp10 and add another mp10 or sell my mp10 and get 1 mp40. Thanks

[pineo]

It is not individual reflectors. At first I was kind of bummed about that but the more I thought about it I'm actually glad. If they would have went individual it might have allowed for 4 bulbs which meant less bulb options and probably the same output. I actually have had problems with my ATI fixture having too much output with 6 bulbs causing bleaching. I think this will be just right.

indeed, thats why I like my 6 lamp TEK, I can get lots of blue and not worry about lack of PAR.

[Lawnman]

I would get a mp 40 and sell me your MP 10 lol. I really like the scape but will probally want to make it a little taller to get that SPS closer to the top. How is the skimmer sounding. I was going to get one of these but wasn't looking forward to larger water changes.

[JohnOTS]

Looking good! Sorry if it was already asked but do you plan on more live rock?