RSM 250 Nano Box Retrofit

[newo11]

Hi all -

 

I thought that I would post this up as a thread to show / share my experience with Nano Box. Almost 10 months ago I picked up a used Red Sea Max 250 as an upgrade from my 28 gallon JBJ pro nanocube. Well, the glass, pumps and skimmer were in great shape, but it turns out that the light ballast was shot due to some misuse by the former owner. Having had a "pro" level LED hood on two nanocubes, and having heard about some of the great new products Dave at Nano Box was bringing out, I reached out to Dave to see what options he may have, and was very pleasantly surprised to find out that he could do a custom retrofit.

 

Some background on me. I always think this is important on any review to know a bit about the reviewer. I would still consider myself as new in the hobby, however I have been in the hobby for over 2 years now. Started with a 28 gallon nanocube HQI, upgraded to a Pro LED, added a second 28 gallon Pro LED, added a 6 gallon nanocube and then added a 4 gallon Innovative Marine Pico, and that was only in the first year of the hobby!

 

Then, I decided to consolidate down to two tanks, and kept the IM 4 gallon Pico, and picked up the RSM 250. The wife was (somewhat) happier about this! Up until about 6 months or so ago, I had always stuck with LPS or softies, but then I caught the SPS itch.....

 

As I am in Raleigh, NC, Dave was willing to come out and do the retrofit himself. He ended up spending a good part of his Sunday back in August 2013 at my house doing the retrofit. But - he listened to what I wanted and worked with me on figuring out how this was going to be done. I was very insistent that I wanted the retrofit to look as "factory" as possible, and frankly, I think Dave did an excellent job. My only regret - that the hood was shot in the first place. When you look at the pics - I could have done both T-5's and the LED's in the hood! It would have been the best of both (maybe in the future????).

 

Now, almost 10 months later, I am happy to say that I am just as happy today as I was the day I got the retrofit done. Arguably, I am happier now, as the growth that is possible under these LED's are fantastic. My tank is still in the early growing stage, as most of my sticks are (or where) 1 inch frags, but they are coming together. The storm controller is easy to use, and I pretty much have it on "set it and forget it". I played with the cloud and storm features early on, but after several months turned them off, as they were too distracting to the kids according to the Mrs. newo11.

 

Some pics at "birth":

 

 

A few more pics at birth: 8-11-13

FTS from 8-11-13

[DaveFason]

Thanks for this Owen. Make sure to post your current photos too.

 

-Dave

[newo11]

No problem Dave. Working on getting some more pics updated.

 

Progression FTS - from October 19, 2013. Please excuse the iphone pic, and this is unedited.

 

[newo11]

Long delayed updated pics

[newo11]