Redsea Max 500

Sean · #1 08-26-2010, 04:21 PM

Has anyone seen this new unit? I'm torn, They are getting into large scale aquariums and the novelty of an ALL in one is sort of lost. The appeal to me was that everything was crammed into a small aquarium. Also the lack of customization on these units in the past have made me question why one would not go custom if space was not a problem.

I'm planning on moving into a new place and doing some research on getting a larger tank, and since my only aquarium has really been a nano cube when it comes to large scale i'm sort of lost at sea (See what i did there)

What is your guys take on this thing? I think its great for newbies but im sort of in the middle stage here. I'm also curious on why the top is open this time around.

lastlight · #2 08-26-2010, 04:35 PM

For that kind of cash you can build a nice custom setup according to your own dreams not theirs. My take on it.

Open top due to heat I imagine (if there is no chiller with the thing)

Sean · #3 08-26-2010, 04:37 PM

Does anyone know if they make water change buckets for the redsea max? I always thought it would be nifty to have custom buckets for their indvidual tank sizes that have the 10%,20%,30% water change clearly marked right on the bucket. Also thought it would be neat to have a measuring cup with sillimar information for the salt. I know every tank would be different depending on the amount of items in it but it would be kind of neat as a guideline

lastlight · #4 08-26-2010, 04:46 PM

I have what you're referring to. Mine was sold as a kit tho. First you buy and use a full bucket of salt and then purchase a permanent black marker. Combine A with B and your dreams shall come true =)

Sean · #5 08-26-2010, 04:49 PM

LOL, I guess that would work too

damtrees420 · #6 08-26-2010, 05:14 PM

7 coffee cups in a garbage can filled 3 inch from the top works out
perfect for me

BlueWorldAquatic · #7 08-27-2010, 02:33 AM

Haven't seen the wholesale price on them, but the msrp is crazy.

Ken - BWA

intarsiabox · #8 08-27-2010, 03:31 AM

I read the price will be around $3700US. The unit looks great but if this is going to be the price one could build a nice 180g custom set up with high end products for just as much or less. No denying that it is very clean and slick set up though, if money was no object...maybe.

jorjef · #9 08-27-2010, 04:02 AM

Ya think? I haven't priced much lately and these would be guesstamits on my part.

180 drilled 900.00
stand 400.00
sump 200.00
skimmer 800.00
T5 6' 1200.00
misc plumbing 300.00
timers etc 100.00

total 3900.00

Remember this is buying all new you have to compare apples to apples...For me a plug and play( and my laziness) with a nice finished look works for me... either way It is a heap of money to watch fish and corals.

intarsiabox · #10 08-28-2010, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorjef

Ya think? I haven't priced much lately and these would be guesstamits on my part.

180 drilled 900.00
stand 400.00
sump 200.00
skimmer 800.00
T5 6' 1200.00
misc plumbing 300.00
timers etc 100.00

total 3900.00

Remember this is buying all new you have to compare apples to apples...For me a plug and play( and my laziness) with a nice finished look works for me... either way It is a heap of money to watch fish and corals.

If the price I've seen is correct then yeah I think. If it's going to be $3700 in the US it'll be over four grand in Canada.

If you want to compare apples to apples the RSM 500 is 440l in the display tank and 60l in the sump. Of the 440l a lot of that space is taken up by the rear chamber so you are left with the same display area as a 90g tank. I just set up a 90g with a new reef ready tank and stand, new SWC 200 skimmer, new Hamilton 2x250W MH + T5HO + LED combo, 40g sump, 2 digital timers and plumbing for under $2100. The only thing I had to do that I wouldn't with an all in one is cut and glue some piping and silicone some baffles but I've been cutting and pasting since kindergarten so I found it pretty easy to do. I showed this to the wife and explained to her that I didn't spend $2100 but actually saved $1900 so I should have lots of money to buy corals, fish, apex controller and an MP40 or two. (I don't think she bought it)

Don't get me wrong I hope it is much cheaper as it looks great and sounds like a kick ass set up but the RSM250 was about $2000 in Canada and it didn't have a sump, much poorer skimmer and lighting and didn't have the same flow percentage or full wall overflow. RSM130 was around $1000, 250 was around $2000, 500 around $4000? To me it's a lot of money for something you don't get a say in the components that come with it, but I would still love to have one but that's not happening anytime soon.