New reef tank build, but i get mixed suggestions...

[Gargamel35]

I'm running 16 gallon reef tank for 4 years now. In this time i changed the pump, heater and lightning (to AI Illumination LED). Tank is doing fine, some corals grow, but many others don't, fishes are doing great. All in all i'm happy with this, since it's a small tank. I tried Tunze nano skimmer, but that thing was too big and loud to use.

I decided i want to go bigger with my new build. I'm asking around about different setups...and get crazy different ideas.

I want a reef system from 80 to 120 gallons. I like simple corals and fish, nothing fancy and hard to maintain.

People in my country hate every "all in one" systems there are. They also hate every tank manufacturer there is, because everything is overpriced and not good enough.
So if i want to build my reef tank according to them, i should go to glass specialist and order just the glass part of a tank and sump. Then i should go to metal frame specialist and order the right frame. Then the carpenter to work on this frame and make a cupboard. Then you need to buy equipment, tubes, etc. and that's how you get a proper reef tank. And you NEED to use T5 lights. LED is no good at all.

I understand all this. You get the dimensions you want, size you want, equipment you want and T5 lights are trusted solution for everything. But you need a lot of knowledge, you need to know a lot of people...i'm not sure if i could do this.

So i'm checking Red sea offering of MAX series and Reefer series tanks. I like MAX because it looks like a well thought out system. You get all you need in one box including tubes, etc. It looks great too. Problems with overheating are probably gone since they abandoned the lid. But what kind of equipment is really in MAX series (S max)? I worried about Hydra LED lights also...they are no T5s?

Other choice could be Reefer series. Now this one is interesting because you get tank and cupboard + sump only. You need to buy your own equipment and lights (unless you take Hydra led from Red sea). XL425 or standard Reefer 350.

DOes anyone have experience with new S MAX 400 or S MAX 500 and Reefer 350 or XL425? How are the Hydra LED lights compared to T5? How is the equipment in MAX series? Is the design of Red sea tanks clever or horrible?

Need help...

 

[mcgyvr]

Sounds like you need new friends..

red sea products are good and so are LEDs like hydras..

 

[ReefsandGeeks]

+1, that would be a fine setup. No need to spend crazy amounts of money on custom everything unless you want something out of the ordinary or if you have specialized needs like an odd size or built in tank, or anything larger than a standard size tank. For most people, that's not the case.

Red sea products are good, and I've been running LED lights over my tank for years and have nothing but good things to say about them.

 

[RobZilla04]

Red Sea tanks are sleek and modern in design IMO. They do have a high class look, and a price tag to match.

There are plenty of discussions on this forum and others regarding LED/T5 comparisons. If you are going for a simply soft tank, LED might be the way to go. You'll never have to change the bulbs. Plus they have more than enough power to keep soft coral happy and growing.

 

[billdogg]

In addition to what the others have said, building your own tank can be (is) a monumental task for anyone who hasn't done it before. I've made a couple small (10-30g) tanks that have been used as sumps, and even at that size there is little room for error. I would strongly suggest any premade tank over making your own.

As for lighting - IMHO and IME, LED's can easily supply the lighting needs for any and all corals you want to have. Yes, there are "better" and "worse" LED's. I use 2 x AI Sol blues on my 120g DT, and 2 x Kessil A360W's on my frag tank. My SPS, if anything, grow almost too fast. I have more frags than I can give away.

If it were me, I would get a standard 120g tank for the display, and a 40 breeder for the sump. Both are readily available and relatively inexpensive. If you have even basic carpentry skills and a few tools, you can easily build a very sturdy stand out of construction grade lumber (2x4's). The plans are here on RC to take the guessing out of that.

Please do more reading here and ask more questions. We are all here to help!

 

[Gargamel35]

Thank you for support.

Because i'm still not 100% sure about all in one systems, and they are very expensive, i'm also thinking about "something in between".

What do you think about his:

Aquarium: Red Sea Reefer 350. I could buy 2x AI Hydra LED lights (2x 90W) for it from Red Sea, or i could go for good T5 lights. I don't know which one yet?

Reefer 350 already has a tank, cupboard, sump, plumbing, main pump and evaporation system (only 10,5l big) but i doesn't have other electrical equipment.

So i would also need: silent skimmer, heater, another silent pump for aquarium itself. Anything else?

Good idea or bad one?

 

[nereefpat]

In addition to what the others have said, building your own tank can be (is) a monumental task for anyone who hasn't done it before.

That was my first thought.

My other opinion on these matters:

Fish tanks aren't good or bad because of the tank. They are good or bad based on what's in them.

 

[billdogg]

I am admittedly a bit biased, but I just could not justify using T5's on a new setup. LED's offer too many pluses to consider anything else IMO. When you think about adjustability, low heat, lower energy usage, and longevity they really are not even in the same league.

 

[Gargamel35]

I've noticed that Reefer 350 doesn't have return pump so i need to buy that one too.
2x 90W AI Hydra 26 LED lights are around 700$ according to Red Sea. Could i buy something equaly good for less?

 

[Scurvy Dawg]

I would recommend the Reefer Deluxe Series. Besides the high quality tank, sump and stand, the AI Hydra's are a very nice LED light. The real benefit of the deluxe is you get Red Sea's light mounting arm. It is very high quality, it's clean looking, hides the cords pretty well, and it has a hidden hinge system that allows you to move your light up and out of the way if you are doing some DT maintenance. You do have to buy your return pump though, which in my opinion, is better anyways.

 

[Gargamel35]

I'm checking all options from Red sea.

My space for aquarium is around 140cm x 58 cm +- few cm. I don't want to fill the space completly so i have these options:

1. Max E 260. For around 1900 eur i get complete system with integrated sump. I could buy sump on top of Max E for around 300 eur. Dimensions of complete system are 90cm x 57, 5 cm x 55 cm. It would fit very well.

2. Reefer 350 deluxe. For around 1700 eur i get complete system without all electronics. I need to buy it all but i can choose what to get. 120cm x 50 cm x 53 cm. Fits too.

3. Reefer xl425 deluxe. 1900 eur for the same equipment as Reefer 350. Size 120 cm x 57,5 cm x 55 cm.

Is Max E 260 too small, noisy or with bad electric equipment?

2.