Red Sea Max 130

TAB · #1 03-28-2010, 05:38 PM

Anyone have any personal info on these guys? From what I have read they are great set ups, but just want some real feed back.

viperfish · #2 03-28-2010, 05:46 PM

I had one for a while. Much better than the Biocube (I have owned both). You can't beat the build quality. I love nano tanks (some would argue that this is a nano) but I keep filling them up so quickly. If I were to do the RSM again I would pop the lid off and go with MH lighting, swap the skimmer out for a Deltec or Tunze, then you have the perfect cube.

ponokareefer · #3 03-28-2010, 10:40 PM

I picked up a used RSM130 last year from a fellow canreefer, and am wishing I would have waited to buy a similiar sized tank setup instead. They look great, but there are some mods that I would like to make now, but do to their already finished look, are difficult to do. For one, the skimmer is very poor, the lighting is okay, the return pumps tend to produce a certain amount of micro bubbles in the system, and you need to add a sump to have a refugium. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of nice features, but for the price, you could get a pretty nice setup if you added all the pieces separately, and wouldn't have to worry about upgrading from a crappy skimmer.
You can pay even more, and upgrade to a decent skimmer, the Tunze 9002, but then it sticks out the back lid, or you have to do mods for the lid.

sitandwatch · #4 03-29-2010, 01:35 AM

I have had the 130 for the last year and really like it, just plug and play.

I have made a few changes, I added extra tubing to the return pumps to reduce micro bubble, added a Tunze 9002 with a new skimmer cup to keep the top closed and a media rack.

I do agree that a person could for the same or a little more money build one from scratch but it would not look as finished and would not be plug and play.

The best value is to get a used one for $500 - $600 bucks you can not go wrong.

viperfish · #5 03-29-2010, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitandwatch

I have had the 130 for the last year and really like it, just plug and play.

I have made a few changes, I added extra tubing to the return pumps to reduce micro bubble, added a Tunze 9002 with a new skimmer cup to keep the top closed and a media rack.

I do agree that a person could for the same or a little more money build one from scratch but it would not look as finished and would not be plug and play.

The best value is to get a used one for $500 - $600 bucks you can not go wrong.

You can't go wrong with the RSM. In its stock condition, it makes for a very nice piece of furniture. The skimmer and mechanical filtration works if the bioload is kept low and it's cleaned regularly. If a guy set it up with Zeo or biopellets now that would be cool. With the small volume the additives would last forever.

TAB · #6 03-29-2010, 03:51 AM

I am picking it up for $450 and it already has a skimmer and light upgrade, so I think its worth it. Just want something small for my first sw experience.

Felix · #7 03-29-2010, 04:09 AM

well I like mine and my clowns and flasher wrasse seem to be happy. Felix

TAB · #8 03-29-2010, 02:35 PM

Thanks everyone.