I'm torn....

[lbannie]

Hi guys, haven't been on here in a while. So I have a Red Sea Max 250(65 gallon) with upgraded Steve's LEDs. I HATE them!! They are so noisy (fans/airflow) and I don't like how low the tank sits...... But I do like the aio ease of the system.
Here's my dilemma....I listed my tank for sale and had someone interested for only $600(LEDs were $800) he was looking at it and I realized I don't want to NOT have a tank.
I was thinking of building a taller stand and canopy for the red Max (we like more rustic wood look) so the tank could be higher, and maybe hide the noise of the lights

But then, I was skimming the classifieds and came across an acrylic flat back hex 105 gallon tank! It's a much taller not as deep tank(which I kinda like) but the stand and canopy is hideous. I've also never had acrylic and there are scratches (supposedly not seen when filled) The price is really great and it has sump and LEDs (not sure what kind yet)
I would want to build a different stand and canopy for this as well.

I'm not sure what Im asking here.....would you upgrade to the acrylic? Is it harder to keep clean? Better to have an actual sump instead of the aio red Max?


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[Timfish]

Having had glass and acrylic I'll stick with glass. I also prefer a sump, never liked the idea of using space inside a tank I could use for livestock for filtration equipment. I would think you could find used glass systems on Craigslist. You might also connect with local aquarists.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I've also had glass and acrylic tanks and would choose glass. Acrylic scratches too easily.

 

[lbannie]

Having had glass and acrylic I'll stick with glass. I also prefer a sump, never liked the idea of using space inside a tank I could use for livestock for filtration equipment. I would think you could find used glass systems on Craigslist. You might also connect with local aquarists.

Thanks, I already have the Red Sea max so I don't think I'd buy another tank.....although I have come across some nice ones!
That's what I'm worried about with acrylic, especially since it has quite a few scratches already


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[lbannie]

I've also had glass and acrylic tanks and would choose glass. Acrylic scratches too easily.

The acrylic tank I'm looking at already has quite a few scratches....the seller says you can't see them when filled with water.....really nice looking tank though


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[clevername]

Just have to say what everyone else says. unless i have to go bigger than my 210 gallon ill never do acrylic. Also id never do an AIO, a sump is so much easier

 

[RBU1]

I have acrylic off your careful it's no big deal. Does it scratch yes but it's worth it.

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[lbannie]

Just have to say what everyone else says. unless i have to go bigger than my 210 gallon ill never do acrylic. Also id never do an AIO, a sump is so much easier

I like the sump idea....I can't really do much in the back of my Red Sea


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[lbannie]

I have acrylic off your careful it's no big deal. Does it scratch yes but it's worth it.

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Wow! Beautiful tank!! Here's a pic of tank I'm interested in....I'd want to build a different base and canopy. Does it look too scratched?

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[RBU1]

Wow! Beautiful tank!! Here's a pic of tank I'm interested in....I'd want to build a different base and canopy. Does it look too scratched?

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Hard to tell. Mine had a lot of scratches. I hired a car detailer that I trust to buff it all out. Still had scratches but came out good.

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[lbannie]

Hard to tell. Mine had a lot of scratches. I hired a car detailer that I trust to buff it all out. Still had scratches but came out good.

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Wow! That's a monster tank! Good idea about car detailer! Thanks


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[CAPT_Dave]

I'm switching from 120g acrylic to glass,starting tomorrow. I hate acrylic and really regret it. Scratches, of course, but I simply cannot remove coralline algea from the acrylic. I scrub and scrub with the plastic "acrylic safe" scrapers, the scrapers wear out before the coralline, my arm wears out before the scrapers, I get more scratches, which algae grow in, and on it goes. There is coralline algae in every corner of the tank that simply won't scrape off with plastic scrapers, all along the sand bed, which is all scratched up from trying to get rid of it so I could actually see my acans on the substrate. Never again. Not for free.

Speaking of which, anyone want a free 120g acrylic tank with "a few" scratches and well established coralline algae? Pick up in San Diego on Saturday.


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[lbannie]

I'm switching from 120g acrylic to glass,starting tomorrow. I hate acrylic and really regret it. Scratches, of course, but I simply cannot remove coralline algea from the acrylic. I scrub and scrub with the plastic "acrylic safe" scrapers, the scrapers wear out before the coralline, my arm wears out before the scrapers, I get more scratches, which algae grow in, and on it goes. There is coralline algae in every corner of the tank that simply won't scrape off with plastic scrapers, all along the sand bed, which is all scratched up from trying to get rid of it so I could actually see my acans on the substrate. Never again. Not for free.

Speaking of which, anyone want a free 120g acrylic tank with "a few" scratches and well established coralline algae? Pick up in San Diego on Saturday.


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Thanks, I think I'm going to stick with glass.....now I'm debating keeping my Red Sea Max 250 or upgrading to a 90 or 120 RR tank....


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[RBU1]

You have to stay on top of
The tank. If
You don't clean it regularly yes coralline will build up. I have no problems. Only coralline is on my rock and overflow.


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[RBU1]

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[CAPT_Dave]

That's a really cool tank, by the way. Just beautiful.

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[lbannie]

I sold my Red Sea Max.... and bought a 90 gallon reef ready! It's coming with sump, skimmer, 2 led fixtures, vortech powerhead, rock, some fish...... sold the rsm for $600, buying new one for $900!! Good deal I think.
I miss having a big tank already. I've had a flu all evo 13.5 setup with my corals(only a few) and I put my 2 engineer gobies I couldn't part with in there. I was thinking of just keeping the tiny tank.....nah can't do it! Lol. I'll have to update with pics.
Btw, are these decent lights?

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