Red Sea MAX 34g all-in-1

GrandeGixxer · 01-22-2007, 04:57 PM

Who has one or has seen 1 set up? I am thinking about getting 1, but want some opinions first. I have never liked being a guinea pig.

keyozoxmfc · 01-22-2007, 08:10 PM

theres always a first time for everything =) but that is totally out of my range..600 bucks!! the aquamedic nano wave is cool too like that red sea

**CarmieJo** · 01-23-2007, 01:05 AM

GrandeGixxer,

to TR.

GrandeGixxer · 01-23-2007, 09:52 PM

Thanks, my original plan got scrapped due to limited funding, so I think I am going to go with the Max, I wish it had true T5 lghting with individual reflectors. It seems like every one of these all in 1 tanks are nice, but they all miss the mark in 1 place or another. I have been out of reefing for about 4 years and when I left, I never really liked the PC lights. Their actinics are just junk! Under the 110w of PC in the Max, I am not sure if I could keep any SPS or clams, which is mostly what I want to keep. I have attached the file to my original plan which was going to be made out of Starphire glass.

keyozoxmfc · 01-23-2007, 09:59 PM

ohh well that doesnt look all that expensive...that MAX tank is like 500 or 600 bucks right?

GrandeGixxer · 01-24-2007, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keyozoxmfc

ohh well that doesnt look all that expensive...that MAX tank is like 500 or 600 bucks right?

The MAX is $600. For me to do my custom project, I would spend over $1,000 before I even put water in it. One of these days I will do something better. For now, I guess the MAX will have to suffuce. Hopefully there is a way to do a 4x24 T5 retro in it.

iglowce · 01-24-2007, 01:13 AM

iono. just my own opinion. i like to put things together myself. i always end up spending more but i like to be able to personalize things. just like how i built my pc.. dang over 2 grands. but hey it lasts long and up till this date, i dun even feel the need to replace it...

GrandeGixxer · 01-25-2007, 08:22 PM

I like to DIY also, but when on a budget, you gotta make do. think the MAX looks really nice. I just wish it had T5 lights with individual reflectors. Hopefully they will fit in there without too much hacking.

texone2007 · 03-05-2007, 07:48 AM

I have one of these tanks
Had it just over a week now only think is one of the circulation pumps was not working and getting a new one was difficult they are the SP 980 models.
The circulation is good, and the protein skimmer has been hard at work since switch on.
The lighting is great my Friend has had one of these for a while and has clams in it that are doing great, some sound can be heard from the cooling fans but you get used to it after a while.I will post some pictures of my tank when the brown diatom bloom has disipated off the glass.
All in all in my opinon its a great system doesn't take up much space, nice and stylish to look at worth every penny.

**Seahorsedreams** · 03-05-2007, 11:05 AM

I was not impressed with it. I'm still amazed that a panel of reefers and tank building people can't get it together to put out a superior product. No offense to any all-in-one people (I have 2 of them) but Geesh!

So, let's start.

The box states the lighting is T5, not the PCs that are inside! That should have been fixed before they released the product and shows a lack of attention to detail... a quality one does not look for when looking to buy a tank.

Why the heck is everything in the back visible! Is there a need of a see-though smoke colored back. Ew... ugly.... I don't need to be seeing media or heater in the back of my tank.

There is two pumps running this thing then why could they not put them on each side of the tank!!! Both the outlets are right next to each other and the overflow is on the other side.

No separate light switch so you can do dusk/dawn effects. It's All on, All off.... didn't the other cubes address and fix this eons ago? They need to keep up with the times and learn from others mistakes.

It's great that a skimmer is included... I guess. When is the last time you saw a thread where someone was looking for a skimmer recommendation and a responder said "Oh Ya!! Get a Red Sea... they are awesome!". So ya, there is a skimmer but it's not one most would actually buy to put in their tank if they had the choice.

And what's with the testing center being on the lid of the tank? I don't like that idea at all. None of those chemicals should be sitting on top of your tank ... that is just totally ridiculous and is irresponsible to be encouraging the practice by the presence of that design.

And funny it only "holds" their swing arm dealy on the lid.

We were looking to buy one if we liked what we saw. Greg needs an office tank and on paper it looked great. In person.... well let's just say we walked away. Not worth it at all.

I like the hinges to the lid.

**Seahorsedreams** · 03-05-2007, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texone2007

I The lighting is great my Friend has had one of these for a while and has clams in it that are doing great

How long has your friend had it and what kind of clams? I assume it was released in the UK before it was released here.

texone2007 · 03-05-2007, 07:59 PM

He has had it since the beginning of january it was cheaper for him to export it from germany than it was to buy here in the uk.
He had to get rid of his other System and all the water and media he had from that got transferred into the RSM.
The clams he has in it are 1x Hippopus clam and 1x Crocea clam.
and Seahorsedreams the lighting i have in the system are 2 x 55 watt T5 power compacts, it does state that they are PCs on their website i think

**Seahorsedreams** · 03-05-2007, 08:26 PM

On the boxes here it states T5s but inside they are PCs.

texone2007 · 03-05-2007, 10:42 PM

Hmmmm very Odd
I have just looked on the website and it does say they are T5 compacts
it also says it on my box too.
Maybe they changed the packaging slighty for the UK Market.
The system was available in the US before it was here in the UK.
Looking at some retailers websites for the US some have had it since November and December.

keyozoxmfc · 03-05-2007, 10:51 PM

uhh T5 PCs?? whats that? isnt there a difference there? cause wouldnt 110 watts of T5 have a much higher out put than 110 of PC lighting?

texone2007 · 03-05-2007, 10:55 PM

Red sea Max bulbs.jpgHeres A picture of the lights you get