Red Sea Max S 650 Newbie Build Thread

[CJMichalik]

I've been using this forum for some research and have decided to give back. My wife and I have had "fish tanks" but nothing close to what we are about to take on.

Being completely new to the reef tank hobby and jumping in with a large 170 gal build, I figured my experience might help someone else in the same position.

Maybe someone can prevent me from following through with mistakes before I make them, so I figured I would start with the very early stuff.

So, here it goes.

My Plan
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As the title suggests, we are putting in the Red Sea Max S650 tank. I've ordered that along with a lot of things I figured that I would need. I intent to utilize "The Package" from TBS once I get the tank set up.

I've posted my order list from marine depot below and if anyone sees the list and notices something missing please let me know.

I know the Red Sea setup is "all inclusive", but is there something that I need that isn't included? I've been reading about the ATO, I presume I don't need that? I read about these APEX controllers, does the Red Sea monitor vitals and such that the APEX can do?

Other things I plan to create that you might see evidence of below are a bulk RO/DI batching system and a quarantine tank re-purposing some old tank from storage.

Anyway, here is the order list. More details to come as things progress.

RS40072 Red Sea Max S-Series 650 LED Complete Reef System 175 Gallons - White 1 $6,199.00
HN98100 Hanna Instruments Checker Plus pH Tester 1 $40.00
HN1411 Hanna Instruments Digital Seawater Refractometer 1 $175.00
RS21510 Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro Ca/Alk/Mg Multi Test Kit 1 $50.99
RS21520 Red Sea Algae Control Multi NO3/PO4 Test Kit 1 $50.99
SF1127 Salifert Nitrite Test Kit 1 $11.86
SF1111 Salifert Ammonia Test Kit 1 $13.99
SF1119 Salifert Copper Test Kit 1 $16.97
HG11200 Marina Floating Thermometer 2 $3.98
WB13305 Won Brothers HT 300 Titanium Heating Element 1 $48.99
JB3515 JBJ 36 Inch Aquascraper 4-in-1 Cleaning Kit 1 $20.99
4F54601 Flipper Regular Aquarium Algae Magnet Cleaner 1 $39.99
ES09505 Coralife Aqua Gloves (One Pair Shoulder Length Protective Gloves) 1 $19.99
AP5211 API Safe & Easy Aquarium Cleaner 8oz 1 $6.99
RS4215 Red Sea Coral Pro Salt Mix 175gal - Bucket 2 $145.98
DN1121 Danner Supreme Aqua-Mag 3 Water Pump 1 $69.99
SP12219 SpectraPure® MaxCap RO/DI System w/ Manual Flush - 180 GPD 1 $403.99

 

[CJMichalik]

The only update I have right now is that my tank finally arrived. I was disappointed to find out that the "white" in the Red Sea stands has a green tint to it. I kept thinking that there must be a film on it and I could peel it off to reveal a pretty white, but that didn't happen.

Construction of the frame was tedious but simple and the result it quite sturdy.

I'll get some photos once it is assembled to try to best show what this "white" looks like.

 

[BoredChairman]

Interested to hear how it turned out? Do you like the Red Sea setup? Did it assemble relatively easily? Anything you have upgraded, replaced, added to the pre-packaged system?

 

[Optionman]

i have the white RS 650 set-up. i dont know what green tint you're referring to.

 

[StinkinTuna]

Just finished cycling my rsms 650. Also got it in white. Should not have any green tint to it. I don't remember mine having a film on the cabinet pieces but if you are sure there is not then call cust. Service about it (they are very responsive and have always answered my emails within 24 hrs.).

Definitely should be nothing remotely green on the cabinet.

 

[10Seconds]

Not sure what equipment came with the complete system, but as a newbie the ATO will help tremendously in keeping your salt levels constant. I wouldnt be without an ATO.

If money isnt an Issue then the Apex controllers are great. I have one on both my tanks now. I can monitor them as i travel etc. if you are tapped out for the moment, it can wait but does make life easier.