Salt Creeper
New member
I just wanted to share my RSM500 build because I was unable to find many build threads or reviews on this tank when I was doing research prior to purchase.
I went in to my LFS and told them that I was looking to get the best tank available that would be under a ton in weight due to being in a second floor apartment. I was told that if Im willing to open my wallet wide enough the Red Sea Max S500 is the best all in one aquarium available in that size range. So I placed an order that day for a white RSM500. This is a 500 liter all in one tank with a stand, sump, circulation chamber, lighting and skimmer in one package. I understand that I spent more than the sum of the parts for this system but I just liked how everything fit together flawlessly and seemed to be designed to work together. It comes with a 10 bulb t5 light with individual reflectors, a red sea c-skim 1800 skimmer, 3 500gph circulation pumps and gravity fed ato system with resivour built into the display tank.
Things I did/purchased to prepare for the build...
3 month cure/cycle on BRS reef saver + marine pure media
4 bags of fiji pink
2 bags of special grade
1 mp40qd
2 brs dosing pumps
brs dual reactor for carbon and gfo
jbj artica 1/4hp chiller
Finnex 300w HMO digital heater
reef octopus br110 biopellet reactor
emperor aquatics 40w UV
red sea coral pro salt
20 socks
I ordered the tank on march 17 and recieved the tank on the 24th of april. That is a very short waiting period for this tank. I've heard of people waiting six months for the max and reefer series tanks. I lucked out!
Pictures of set up...
Fish on Day 4. Very controversial but I believe very little cycle is required if you have already cycled over half of your surface area for a few months before setting up the tank as I did. I cycled about 100,000 sq ft of rock and marine pure cermedia for 3 months before I set up the aquarium. Never had an ammonia spike or nitrate spike in the tank. A month later and all corals and fish are in excellent health.
First coral day 9
I'll post updates as I get the uv and biopellets set up. I'll be sure to let you guys know if I lose any livestock as this is the first time I have tried this precycle method that I mentioned. day 30ish no issues yet!
General review of this tank
Pros
Well designed everything works together with plenty of room to customize
Great sump set up
modern stand/tank/light appearance
excellent lighting unit 10 t5 individual reflectors
great build quality on glass. clear, clean silicone, great overflow design
filter sock holders built into sump
good return pump 1850 gph
quiet enough
cons
light too bright?
odd size 51x28x28
wait time - I consider myself lucky for waiting only a month and a half
price - $4749 for white (I got my lfs to do $4499 + 100 store credit)
Skimmer that comes with it's not great. Not bad but does not match price tag
I went in to my LFS and told them that I was looking to get the best tank available that would be under a ton in weight due to being in a second floor apartment. I was told that if Im willing to open my wallet wide enough the Red Sea Max S500 is the best all in one aquarium available in that size range. So I placed an order that day for a white RSM500. This is a 500 liter all in one tank with a stand, sump, circulation chamber, lighting and skimmer in one package. I understand that I spent more than the sum of the parts for this system but I just liked how everything fit together flawlessly and seemed to be designed to work together. It comes with a 10 bulb t5 light with individual reflectors, a red sea c-skim 1800 skimmer, 3 500gph circulation pumps and gravity fed ato system with resivour built into the display tank.
Things I did/purchased to prepare for the build...
3 month cure/cycle on BRS reef saver + marine pure media
4 bags of fiji pink
2 bags of special grade
1 mp40qd
2 brs dosing pumps
brs dual reactor for carbon and gfo
jbj artica 1/4hp chiller
Finnex 300w HMO digital heater
reef octopus br110 biopellet reactor
emperor aquatics 40w UV
red sea coral pro salt
20 socks
I ordered the tank on march 17 and recieved the tank on the 24th of april. That is a very short waiting period for this tank. I've heard of people waiting six months for the max and reefer series tanks. I lucked out!
Pictures of set up...
Fish on Day 4. Very controversial but I believe very little cycle is required if you have already cycled over half of your surface area for a few months before setting up the tank as I did. I cycled about 100,000 sq ft of rock and marine pure cermedia for 3 months before I set up the aquarium. Never had an ammonia spike or nitrate spike in the tank. A month later and all corals and fish are in excellent health.
First coral day 9
I'll post updates as I get the uv and biopellets set up. I'll be sure to let you guys know if I lose any livestock as this is the first time I have tried this precycle method that I mentioned. day 30ish no issues yet!
General review of this tank
Pros
Well designed everything works together with plenty of room to customize
Great sump set up
modern stand/tank/light appearance
excellent lighting unit 10 t5 individual reflectors
great build quality on glass. clear, clean silicone, great overflow design
filter sock holders built into sump
good return pump 1850 gph
quiet enough
cons
light too bright?
odd size 51x28x28
wait time - I consider myself lucky for waiting only a month and a half
price - $4749 for white (I got my lfs to do $4499 + 100 store credit)
Skimmer that comes with it's not great. Not bad but does not match price tag
