Red Sea Max Owners Club

[donna53w]

Kent: We kept our first salt water tank in the early 80's ... and it was a changing hobby with some new gadgetry, better lighting, simple airstone skimmers, hang on back filters (like Aquaclears), cannister filters, sand filters, and trickle filters with plastic bio balls. We had 1 or 2 of everything!! We used the regular type of florescent lights used in fresh water tanks. Crushed oyster shell was our substrate, too. We also had dead, white coral for decoration .. if this got an unsightly coating of algae, I would clean it in bleach water!!! We did have glass & silicone sealant ... things had come a long way!! It was a period of much discussion, invention & experimentation. (Some things never do change .) We had a 50g tank and housed a Lunar Wrasse, a Yellow Tang, clown goby and .... I don't remember. But just the thought of keeping those first 2 in that size of tank, now makes me shudder. They did live and we kept that set up for 3 years! Oh & fish were hugely expensive!!!

 

[NaCl+H2O Fish]

BOY... do I remember!

BOY... do I remember!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12796006#post12796006 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by donna53w
Kent: We kept our first salt water tank in the early 80's ... and it was a changing hobby with some new gadgetry, better lighting, simple airstone skimmers, hang on back filters (like Aquaclears), cannister filters, sand filters, and trickle filters with plastic bio balls. We had 1 or 2 of everything!! We used the regular type of florescent lights used in fresh water tanks. Crushed oyster shell was our substrate, too. We also had dead, white coral for decoration .. if this got an unsightly coating of algae, I would clean it in bleach water!!! We did have glass & silicone sealant ... things had come a long way!! It was a period of much discussion, invention & experimentation. (Some things never do change .) We had a 50g tank and housed a Lunar Wrasse, a Yellow Tang, clown goby and .... I don't remember. But just the thought of keeping those first 2 in that size of tank, now makes me shudder. They did live and we kept that set up for 3 years! Oh & fish were hugely expensive!!!

Donna - That's why I stepped away from the hobby in the mid-80's! The trend was LARGE tanks with wet/dry filters in the cabinet underneath! VERY EXPENSIVE! It was the size and all-in-one RSM and it's ability to support live corals that got me to take the plunge once again.... DAMMIT! :lol:

Kent a.k.a. NaCl+H2O Fish

 

[mbdave]

Hi Donna,
We love San Diego also,"who wouldnt?" The mod is only on paper now, but it is a mod for the whole tank that I could not perform with livestock in it. I'm going back to OH in Sept to get my stuff, "tools" and plan on starting it when I return to CA. I hope it will look good and be effective, "we'll see"

 

[mbdave]

My first SW tank was in the 80's it had a undergravel filter with PH's for more circ in the UG. While in Guam I had a few tanks still with that old tech. that was in the 90's. They had fish pairs in them though never any inverts. For just fish holding I would still use a WD.

 

[mbdave]

My first SW tank was in the 80's it had a undergravel filter with PH's for more circ in the UG. While in Guam I had a few tanks still with that old tech. that was in the 90's. They had fish pairs in them though never any inverts. For just fish holding I would still use a WD.

 

[Timberwerks]

After talking with my wife we have decided to go with the RSM. It will take some extra time to save up a few more dollars though for this set up.
My LFS has the tank, stand and kit for $999.99. I see the same set up online for $799.00. Where did you owners purchase yours? I like the fact of buying local but at $200.00 more I may just buy online. What worries me though is getting a tank with damage. If you bought online did your tank arrive in good shape?
Who did you buy from? PM me if you can't post link here.

Thanks,
Dale

 

[Burbs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12797196#post12797196 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Timberwerks
After talking with my wife we have decided to go with the RSM. It will take some extra time to save up a few more dollars though for this set up.
My LFS has the tank, stand and kit for $999.99. I see the same set up online for $799.00. Where did you owners purchase yours? I like the fact of buying local but at $200.00 more I may just buy online. What worries me though is getting a tank with damage. If you bought online did your tank arrive in good shape?
Who did you buy from? PM me if you can't post link here.

Thanks,
Dale

Im about to buy my RSM aswell and i found it for a great price here but i showed it to me LFS and the owner matched the price. Try getting your LFS to match the price. Wont hurt to ask.

 

[Reefmack]

Here's an even lower price on the RSM - $739.95 delivered. It's where I got mine:

RSM

I just noticed that the 3 headed green Duncan I got a few weeks ago has already sprouted 4 new little heads - amazing!

 

[NaCl+H2O Fish]

RSM Pricing

RSM Pricing

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12797319#post12797319 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Burbs
Im about to buy my RSM aswell and i found it for a great price here but i showed it to me LFS and the owner matched the price. Try getting your LFS to match the price. Wont hurt to ask.

Burbs - Great advice for Timberwerks! The RSM is EXTREMELY well packed, but considered an overweight shipment. Generally shipped on a pallet by Fedex Ground. Your link to Tempe, AZ is probably cheaper than Reefmack's because shipping is included. If you can get your LFS to match the price then the only penalty will be local sales tax.

I have also had success calling internet vendors and asking them to MATCH a better price from ANOTHER internet vendor. They want your business folks! Happy Reefing!
Kent NaCl+H2O Fish

 

[Reefmack]

Timberwerks, Burbs - if you deal with an lfs, in addition to considering the amount of tax buying locally, try to be sure you're getting the newest model, with the latest mods by Red Sea. The newer models I believe have some yellow sticker on the box that says that it includes the additional cooling fan for the back. Many times purchasing locally can get you a tank that isn't the newest model. Most, if not all of the online suppliers have the tank shipped FedEx ground direct from Red Sea in Texas. Since most ship the tank free, that extra tax can be a fair amount to consider - in my state the tax would be over $50.

 

[dxtr]

naCl+H2O - I miss the times in C-bus aslo, although I lived in Davie and pembroke pines for 3 years. How's teh housing market down there. I almost moved back there until i found out what insurance and mortages were going to cost me...

I remember using an undergravel filter...<shudders> =)

 

[dxtr]

Timpber- I just orderd my RSM from a marineand reef dot com and it is being shipped via ups free. $750.00 for everything. I'll let you know how it arrives.

 

[Timberwerks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12798683#post12798683 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefmack
Timberwerks, Burbs - if you deal with an lfs, in addition to considering the amount of tax buying locally, try to be sure you're getting the newest model, with the latest mods by Red Sea. The newer models I believe have some yellow sticker on the box that says that it includes the additional cooling fan for the back. Many times purchasing locally can get you a tank that isn't the newest model. Most, if not all of the online suppliers have the tank shipped FedEx ground direct from Red Sea in Texas. Since most ship the tank free, that extra tax can be a fair amount to consider - in my state the tax would be over $50.

Thanks for that info. I was back to the LFS today and they said they could not match internet price. When I'm ready I'll order online.

Is the start up kit included worth using? Is there enough substrate included or should I plan on buying more or a different kind?

Thanks,

 

[Timberwerks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12798784#post12798784 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dxtr
Timpber- I just orderd my RSM from a marineand reef dot com and it is being shipped via ups free. $750.00 for everything. I'll let you know how it arrives.

Thanks, hopefully all will arrive in great shape and ready to go.

Dale

 

[NaCl+H2O Fish]

Housing Market in S. FL.

Housing Market in S. FL.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12798752#post12798752 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dxtr
naCl+H2O - I miss the times in C-bus also, although I lived in Davie and pembroke pines for 3 years. How's the housing market down there. I almost moved back there until i found out what insurance and mortgages were going to cost me...
I remember using an undergravel filter...<shudders> =)

dxtr - I only wish I was more "liquid" right now.... because I could scoop up some bargains from foreclosures! Governor Crist has done a nice job and increased the "Homestead Exemption" for the primary residence. Moving from one residence to another means a dramatic increase in property taxes unless you can purchase at 50 cents on the dollar. Insurance is capped by the state but expensive!
Condos are over built and a BARGAIN.... 25 cents on the dollar!
Kent a.k.a. NaCl+H2O Fish

 

[Reefmack]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12798788#post12798788 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Timberwerks
Thanks for that info. I was back to the LFS today and they said they could not match internet price. When I'm ready I'll order online.

Is the start up kit included worth using? Is there enough substrate included or should I plan on buying more or a different kind?

Thanks,

Mixed opinions on the start up kit. I got one, but quickly found that hydrometers are no match for the accuracy of a refractometer, so that was replaced within a few weeks. The Red Sea test kit isn't the greatest - especially the alkalinity test - that one leaves a lot to be desired. I did use the Reef Base aragonite and that's been my only substrate. I do need to add more though as the aragonite eventually gets used up as it buffers the tank. I have a new bag but haven't got to adding any yet. And I did, and still often do, use the Red Sea Coral Pro salt. I suppose the kit is worth it to get you started, and then you can replace some tests, and buy a refractometer as you get the time & money.

 

[dxtr]

+1 on Reefmack above. I started this hobby with a hydrometer and quickly got a refractometer as the hydro is so inaccurate. Also invest in better test kits. IMO the starter kit is just that. A starter kit. One thig you'll learn about this hobby is that there are endless Better equipment, livestokc, mods, etc to doing something.

I actually have 2 seperate types of test kits for all the basic tests (alk, ph, trate, trites, amonia) one are the strips from the dr's foster and smith. Surprisingly accurate. The other is the liquid/test tube test kits. (can't remmeber name of it).

Substrate - up to you really on how deep you want your sand bed, and what livestock you plan on keeping.

Good Luck!

 

[Brent F]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12791584#post12791584 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefmack
Brent - thanks for the explanation. Terrible experience that I'm sure you won't let happen again. I guess you folks avoided the flood situation that was threatening not too long ago? Did they ever find and arrest anyone that was poisoning the animals in the zoo up there?

The flooding only lasted a couple days. The cycling trails flooded but there was very little property damage. There is still a lot of snow in the mountains so we could have flooding in July.

Latest I heard on the zoo is all but one ray are now dead and they suspect they will never know the cause. Toxicology results are expected back mid July and they are now saying they don't believe the deaths were due to an added toxin.

 

[Brent F]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12791813#post12791813 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dxtr
All - is anyone keeping clams under teh stock lights? I have yet to keep clams in my 6+ years of this obsessions, and am curious if the lighting is not only sufficient, but adequate for clams to thrive.

There are 5 different species of clams available. This is my opinion, others may disagree. The species, in descending light needs:

Crocea
Adult size 5 inches; annual growth ½ inch
RSM suitable: NO â€"œ requires more light than is provided by stock lights. Keep under Metal Halide only.

Maxima
Adult size 8 inches; annual growth 1 inch
RSM suitable: NO â€"œ requires more light than is provided by stock lights. Keep under Metal Halide (and possibly a lot of T5's). Some people say you can keep a Maxima at the very top under stock lighting but my belief is they would slowly starve. One might survive but won't thrive.

Derasa Adult size 12 inches; annual growth 2 1/2 inches
RSM suitable: YES â€"œ Can be kept near the top of a RSM.

Squamosa Adult size 14 inches; annual growth 2 1/2 inches
RSM suitable: YES â€"œ Can be kept near the top of a RSM.

Gigas Adult size 20 inches (max 50 inches in wild); annual growth 3 - 4 inches
RSM suitable: NO â€"œ Could be kept under RSM lighting but would quickly outgrow the tank

In summary, my first recommendation would be a Derasa and second choice would be a Squamosa. Here are some pictures of a Squamosa I have which would be suitable for a RSM if kept near the top. The small clam at teh bottom right of the first picture is a Maxima.

 

[NaCl+H2O Fish]

dxtr - What did I tell you.... Brent F is our resident GURU of clams!!!
Kent a.k.a. NaCl+H2O Fish