Which to buy???

summitwynds

summitwynds

Member
Im torn between the Red Sea Max, the Cadlight 34 or the JBJ Nano 28 HQI.

This will be my first reef tank. Ive had freshwater for decades and the past 4 years planted & discus tanks.

I would prefer not to mod anything, not right away and only if really neccessary.

I would appreciate pros and cons of each from people who have had experience. These are my thoughts from what I have researched. My biggest question is do they have comparable internal "guts" as each other?? (Filter, protein skimmer,

Red Sea Max : nice, clean look with the canopy. Not the best lighting. Got a timer for lights and led lights - Just one cord - heater included - $618.99 includes shipping
http://www.redseamax.com/redseamax/index.html

Cadlight Signature Series : gets hot with a MH, but with the open top that should help some. The website says it comes with a cooling unit, or you wont need one (??) not too sure on that - comes w/ UV sterilizer - has Metal Halide and 2 24 w bulbs. not crazy about all the cords and the look of the lighting on top $694.99 w/about $35 for shipping
http://www.cadlights.com/product_info.php?products_id=116

JBJ 28 HQI: nice, clean look with the canopy - probably would need a chiller with this one even w/4 fans. It has 2 powerheads and a wavemaker - $499 plus shipping
http://www.jbjlighting.com/prod_28g_nano.html

Any comments, suggestions or ideas are welcomed, also if anyone knows of places with better prices, let me know.
 
Ive heard a lot of negative things recently about the cadlight not sure specifically about what though. So you may want to check all of the reviews for each. Thats what I did
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10977821#post10977821 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Alivin44
Ive heard a lot of negative things recently about the cadlight not sure specifically about what though. So you may want to check all of the reviews for each. Thats what I did
Click to expand...

I read quite a few of them.... still haven't ruled them out yet. It does seem to have some features the other 2 don't have.
 
I've got to admit that I am leaning towards a Red Sea, I real was impressed with it at my LFS. My LFS has not had a Red Sea product in the store in years due to poor quality and bad customer service. However he brought this in and has had a lot of luck with it. Having said all of that the JGJ hqi is also interesting.
 
Im so confused.... They all have their good points and weaknesses! What tech features do I need or not need?? I think if the Red Sea Max had better lighting it might clinch the deal... well, it doesn't so... I have to consider the other two which have MH.

A store about an hour away is getting in a Red Sea Max. Its alot more $$ than I can get it online (even with shipping), but I might take a ride up there and see it and get more "reef info". Most likely I will be buying some supplies from them so it will be good to see what they have available.

I have 3 books on order from Amazon about Reef keeping, so Im not it any rush. I want to make the right decision.
 
Ok, this might be a really stupid question... I know I will get the answer when my reef books come in... but what are the advantages or reasons to have a refugium?

I believe out of my 3 preferences only the cadlight has one.
 
Since it is your first tank, I would pick the RSM.
Because:

- You will not need intense lighting (usually needed by hard to keep animals, not for beginners)
- You will need the extra volume to mitigate your mistakes.

I made an in-depth review of the RSM, here: http://rsmreefers.com/mod2.htm

HTH
Laurent
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10979076#post10979076 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LaurentSeattle
Since it is your first tank, I would pick the RSM.
Because:

- You will not need intense lighting (usually needed by hard to keep animals, not for beginners)
- You will need the extra volume to mitigate your mistakes.

I made an in-depth review of the RSM, here: http://rsmreefers.com/mod2.htm

HTH
Laurent
Click to expand...

Thanks Laurent, I read your article this morning.... the Bad, Ugly and Irritating is what has made me consider other brands. I have not ruled the RSM out, just checking out all options and their owners opinions. Im going to look at an RSM at a nearby LFS and interested in hearing all opinions and views.
 
I would rule out the cadlights just because the shipping can lead to all kinds of mistakes. I hear the customer service is great. But do you really want to call them because your lights aren't turning on, or because the tank is cracked, or the back chambers are not straight. Yes those are all complaints I read in the Cadlights thread. I was set on getting it until I read that entire thread. I think you should too.

I would consider the RSM, it has a alot of built in mods that you would think of doing, and quite frankly the lights are good enough for most LPS and softies. You just couldn't keep clams or sps.

The JBJ is nice, and if you were more advanced and wanted such lighting I would definately say go that route. However, you'll probably have to get a chiller to cool the tank with that lighting. So add on another few hundred bucks. You'll probably want either a 1/15 or a 1/20, around $350 - $400.

I like the MH lighting even though I don't keep sps, because the shimmer effect. Sooo sweet. :D

Take your time.....
 
The Cadlights tank is terrible. Read on nano-reef.com for more information. You'll need a chiller with either the JBJ or the RSM. I have the RSM, I might buy a JBJ just to compare the two. You can get the RSM with stand for $650 shipped if you look around. You need to decide if you REALLY need Metal Halide lighting. The RSM has T5's, which are pretty darn good. A lot of people keep clams with the stock lights, check the threads.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10980229#post10980229 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tylt33
You'll need a chiller with either the JBJ or the RSM.
Click to expand...

Not true for everyone.

It all depends on the average climate of where you live, where you plan to install the tank, the type of your little abode (dorm, apartment, high rise, basement, etc...), and maybe a number of other things... Such as how you heat/chill your residence.

Personnaly I live in a high rise apartment building in a rainy (but temperate) city and I do not need a chiller and I do not need a heater either...

Of course, the problem is different for a house in Orange County or a basement in North Yukon.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10980229#post10980229 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tylt33
The Cadlights tank is terrible.
Click to expand...

They will fix the bugs, just like Red Sea and others did. But this might take time.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10980229#post10980229 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tylt33
A lot of people keep clams with the stock lights...
Click to expand...

Very true... See RSMReefers.com galleries. Many RSM owners do successfully keep clams with the stock lights!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10979650#post10979650 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by imsqueak
I have 2 clams in my RSM and they are very happy (2" and 7"). I tried easy sps and didnt make it.
Click to expand...

They'll live, but I don't believe they'll thrive. Just my opinion.
 
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