Plug & Play Reef Aquarium recommendations?

[MdReef]

I have been looking extensively at the Red Sea Max S-Series 172 gallon plug and play reef aquariums. How do the seasoned SW experts view this as a viable option to start with?

 

[Mr. E Wrasse]

Welcome! And If I were you id start out with something a little smaller if this is your first tank. Maybe a red sea max 250 (65 g)

 

[MdReef]

Thank you, years back I did have a successful 45 gallon sw tank. I had to sell it due to multiple moves, and this go around I have decided to go for a reef tank. I understand the larger the tank, the more stable the tank.

 

[mainereefer]

the bigger the better. but I dont like plug and play!

building your own system lets you get used to your equipment and how it works saving you allot of time ,trouble, and $$$. this will let you spend the saved $$ on livestock!

 

[mainereefer]

also you can customize it the way you want

 

[bucksfan1976]

I love the red sea max tanks....

 

[MdReef]

The obviouse question.....do I really save money wit the Red Sea Max ? Does it have top of the line equipement? Or could I do better choosing a piece-by-piece build? I figured the Red Sea would be an effortlessly way to go with great equipement.

 

[bucksfan1976]

Well from seeing them up close on several occasions I think the one thing is that great with them is how they assemble and how its 100% plug and play. They have made them very user friendly. I mean its really up to you. You have to think this is a $5299-$5499 tank how much are you gonna have in everything if you do it seperately. You probably would save yourself some money however from what i know you save yourself a huge headache because they provide everything you need.

 

[mainereefer]

if you got the cash go for it. I'm just thinking you could have one heck of a setup for the 5k-6k with top of the line equipment

better skimmer, lights, sump, pumps.......

 

[Mr. E Wrasse]

Thank you, years back I did have a successful 45 gallon sw tank. I had to sell it due to multiple moves, and this go around I have decided to go for a reef tank. I understand the larger the tank, the more stable the tank.

Oh if you have a past then you should be fine and yes the larger the tank, the more stable it is for sure