Whats your thought on Red Sea MAX 250 65-gallon Reef Aquarium System

[ukeka1sttimer]

Hello all,

I am very new to saltwater:question:, Ive been doing some research on tanks and wanted to know whats peoples thoughts were on the Red Sea Max 250 65g Reef Aquarium system as a starter or 1st timer set up?

I was concidering getting a Marineland Saltwater,Bio-cube or a Aqua pod but from what I hear a larger tank is better overall ?

As this will be a signifigant investment I thought the Red sea max offered more of a complete and well thought out set up?

though I am not nearly ready to get fish as I am not well versed in all that is required yet. I wanted to get a proper aquarium set up 1st.

Any assistance or advice would be welcommed as I am a beginner.:mrgreen:


thanks in advance

 

[14 gallon nanocube]

go 65 gallon reef ready with a sump you will be much happier in the long run

 

[markymark]

whats your price range? ;) I would say for starting into this hobby it would be a good choice, kinda pricey to me. My personal opinion is a drilled tank with wet dry/refrigerium
allows for a better protein skimmer addition. I would shop around and see what you like best :) Patience is a virtue in this Hobby.

mark

 

[little_fish]

I do hope you dont mean tomorrow the 1st ;)

But there are several people on here that have the red sea tanks, and i think they like them very well. But also like others have mentioned, starting with just a regular old tank can be great. I really think its a personal choice.

If you are interesting in all included tanks, i think you might like to look through this article: https://www.livingreefs.com/aio-tanks-t31682.html

But here are some really great articles to read about setting up a tank, and the basics on keep any marine tank.
https://www.livingreefs.com/cycling-tank-adding-fish-and-corals-t26452.html
https://www.livingreefs.com/do-your-research-first-t26793.html
https://www.livingreefs.com/water-chemistry-t31270.html
https://www.livingreefs.com/ideal-books-reef-keepers-t19535.html
https://www.livingreefs.com/basic-equipment-list-t19611.html
https://www.livingreefs.com/why-using-tap-water-bad-idea-t19865.html
https://www.livingreefs.com/marine-aquarium-disasters-and-prevent-them-t20514.html

And last but not least, Hello and Welcome to the Reef! We are happy you here so we can help you set up dream reef!

 

[Smitty]

Welcome to the site...those are some nice systems.

 

[dcantucson]

I have loved my smaller Red Sea Max and have wanted to upgrade ever since the newer size came. They are pricy, but if you have the money, then I'd go for it! They are great systems, IMO.

 

[BL1]

Those RSM tanks are very very nice but, for the money you could set up a larger tank. But, if you like the All in one tanks then the RSM can't be beat.

 

[Pwny]

go glass imo :P

 

[BL1]

go glass imo :P

The RSMs are glass.

 

[dcantucson]

They are all glass!

 

[Pwny]

o i didt think they were :P

 

[Aquatic]

The only thing I have against the RSM is the lighting option. It contains T5 Power Compact lighting. That doesn't mean the lighting is T5. It means that the power compact light tubes are the size of T5 tubes. If I got one, i'd be tempted to mod the lighting on it to something a bit stronger.

Other than that, it's a solid system!

 

[dcantucson]

I think it produces around 4 watts per gallon if I remember right... which should be enough for most corals.

 

[BL1]

The only thing I have against the RSM is the lighting option. It contains T5 Power Compact lighting. That doesn't mean the lighting is T5. It means that the power compact light tubes are the size of T5 tubes. If I got one, i'd be tempted to mod the lighting on it to something a bit stronger.

Other than that, it's a solid system!

They are T5 lighting, they use 36" 39w T5 bulbs. I don't understand why they say T5 power compact but, the bulbs in the 250 are T5s.

 

[ukeka1sttimer]

Thanks guys for the replies .. More Questions,

Sump ?? Is it needed for the red sea tank?? If so .. Does that mean the Org tank will have to be modified? I have NO IDEA how you go about that?? .. Also are there custom sumps available to buy? ... I saw something about a MegaFlow 3 Sump ?? Might this be a good option for the red sea max?? I will be researching this later

Ok now Another question

Live Rock ... Were is the best place to get them ??

Starter Fish What is good for a newb???

Chiller- is this something thats needed ??

Live sand ?? Whats the best kind ?? what should I be looking for in quaility ?

Ok ... I know its random and Im throwning thing out there :frustrat:... I appreciate the helpful replies :)

Again thanks inadvance .. :D

 

[BL1]

You don't need a sump for the RSM tanks, they are built into the back of the tank. Live Rock - Tampa Bay Saltwater Aquacultured Live Rock and Aquarium Fish: Tropical Freshwater Fish and Saltwater Fish for Home Aquariums are both good places to get live rock from. If you'd like to try and save some money you can buy dry rock from places like Marco Rocks The finest aquarium rock available and seed it with a few pieces of live rock. You shouldn't need a chiller, most people don't. You don't need live sand either, buy dry sand and your live rock will eventually make it live. A dry aragonite based sand is te best. As far as starter fish, look around Aquarium Fish: Tropical Freshwater Fish and Saltwater Fish for Home Aquariums and see what fish interest you.