Maureen & Jon's 34g Red Sea Max

[MLazar]

Jon and I were out at BRK today and ordered a Red Sea Max 130D (thanks Johnny for giving us such a good deal). Also appreciate all the time Johnny and Amanda gave me with regard to figuring out my livestock wish list. Tank should arrive mid-week and hopefully we'll start our build thread over the weekend.

 

Jon's letting this be "my" tank, but I can't express how much I appreciate his knowledge, ideas, guidance, helpfulness, and especially patience. Thanks honey, you're the best.

[roni]

BTW, I forgot to congratulate you on the new tank! What are you going to keep?

[steveoutlaw]

Maureen - I know that the skimmer, like the Solana skimmer, is not a very good one. I got the Euro-Reef (now Reef Dynamics) skimmer for the Solana and am very impressed with the performance for such a small skimmer. Just an FYI. Good luck with the nano.

 

http://www.reefdynamics.com/RED-SEA-MAX-130-NANO-SKIMMER-p/nrs-rsm130.htm

[MLazar]

BTW, I forgot to congratulate you on the new tank! What are you going to keep?

 

 

Thanks Roni! As you know, long term I'd like to try a sea horse tank, but I have lots of reading and research to do before attempting one.

 

In the mean while I want to set up a tank that focuses on some of my favorite corals -- zoanthids, acans, mushrooms, softies, etc., that don't seem to do as well in the 120, which is SPS focused. I also want smaller fish that seem to disappear into the rock work of our larger tank. And the RSM will be on the main floor where we all tend to hang out, which will be awesome.

 

I'm inspired by Sam's (L82RISE)nano idea of keeping everything small scaled.

 

The tank should arrive at BRK tomorrow! I'm excited.

 

I bought my first livestock purchase at BRK this weekend when we ordered the tank - 3 beautiful Bartlett Anthias. They're pink and yellow, eating well (and often) and happy in Jon's 55 frag tank for now.

 

Still working on my livestock wish list.

[MLazar]

Maureen - I know that the skimmer, like the Solana skimmer, is not a very good one. I got the Euro-Reef (now Reef Dynamics) skimmer for the Solana and am very impressed with the performance for such a small skimmer. Just an FYI. Good luck with the nano.

 

http://www.reefdynamics.com/RED-SEA-MAX-130-NANO-SKIMMER-p/nrs-rsm130.htm

 

 

Thanks much for the heads up and the link.

 

We did a lot of research on the Red Sea Max and found feedback on several areas that folks have modified on the tank, but overall I think its a pretty good first tank for me. Jon is already asking if I will want the lights upgraded to LED's. (It's a blessing to be married to a WAMAS DIYer!!!!)

 

Thanks again!

 

Maureen

[BowieReefer84]

Thanks much for the heads up and the link.

 

We did a lot of research on the Red Sea Max and found feedback on several areas that folks have modified on the tank, but overall I think its a pretty good first tank for me. Jon is already asking if I will want the lights upgraded to LED's. (It's a blessing to be married to a WAMAS DIYer!!!!)

 

Thanks again!

 

Maureen

 

 

He is blessed to have a wife that likes the hobby! I don't think you will need LED's with a softy tank. I burnt (edit- melted) a bunch of soft corals when I put LED's on my biocube. Maybe some blues for "pop" but I would not go ALL led... That's just me though. I think the money/time would be spent better elsewhere.

 

Goodluck, can't wait to see pictures.

Edited August 2, 2011 by BowieReefer84

[steveoutlaw]

He is blessed to have a wife that likes the hobby! I don't think you will need LED's with a softy tank. I burnt (edit- melted) a bunch of soft corals when I put LED's on my biocube. Maybe some blues for "pop" but I would not go ALL led... That's just me though. I think the money/time would be spent better elsewhere.

 

Goodluck, can't wait to see pictures.

 

+1

 

My wife hates the hobby so I get no support.

 

I really think that with a softy/LPS tank you will be fine with the PC lighting (or did you go with T5?) I've seen some cool tanks with T12 and PC lighting that have amazing color and growth. It might be interesting to try some different color combinations with the lighting to see how things grow/pop.

[MLazar]

+1

 

My wife hates the hobby so I get no support.

 

I really think that with a softy/LPS tank you will be fine with the PC lighting (or did you go with T5?) I've seen some cool tanks with T12 and PC lighting that have amazing color and growth. It might be interesting to try some different color combinations with the lighting to see how things grow/pop.

 

 

I think the LED discussion is specific to keeping cooler temps if we go with a sea horse tank in the future. I like knowing that other DIYers here and RC have shared their modifications and experiences with the rest of us, this really is a learning/educational site.

 

I may have to borrow (read steal) some of my favorite acros from Jon's big tank, so lighting may play in sooner, but I want to set it up and get her running before we make any decsions once we see color/growth.

 

Thank again. You guys are awesome.

[MLazar]

PS - Someday I'm going to offer a training seminar to couples on how to enjoy our spouses enjoying their hobbie! How not to be resentful (even if they don't want to be involved) and much worse it could be than having a salt water coral reef hobbiest as your mate.

[steveoutlaw]

Do we have a tank yet?

[Hilary]

Congrats on the nano, Maureen! I love mine, especially since you can play with the little guys that get lost in a big tank. Can't wait to see how you set it up!

[MLazar]

Picked up stand from BRK this morning and Jon is assembling it as I type. Was in Florida visiting the folks with our daughter before she goes back to college next week, so I'm a little late getting it started.

 

We are taking pictures and will start a build thread TODAY!

 

Thanks for all the support!