Red Sea Max 130D upgrades

[XavierZ06]

What's up R2R?

Back in the game after a ~4 year hiatus and I'm jumping into a RSM130 since I'm still in an apartment. My question is about whether or not my equipment list will physically fit on this tank.

Looking at a Radion XR30 Pro with the mounting arm (since I can't hang it) and I am not sure the mount will work with the all-in-one tank. Anyone have this same setup?

If it matters, I'll be running an in-tank media basket and a Tunze 9001 skimmer.

Any experience would be appreciated!

Thanks all.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I would think it would work. @Broadfield is the guy I go to with Red Sea questions. He can probably help.

 

[Broadfield]

Unfortunately I'm not too familiar with the Max 130D... being that it's an older model of tank. So I assume you are going hoodless? If so, can you post a couple of quick pics with the hood off... focusing on the top, back part of the tank where the arm would potentially mount. Even if this doesn't work, you can always do an aluminum wall/back of stand mount. I think that it looks much better than a tank mount anyway. Something like this:

 

[JoshH]

If you like the look of the hood you could go for a nanobox or steves LED retrofit for the RSM 130, only about 2/3s the price of a radion and you're not sacrificing the looks of the tank, just a thought. :) I have the RSM C130 and aside from mounting in the hood as mentioned below you could go rimless, this wouldn't be possible on the C130 as the stock skimmer is pretty much in the middle of the tank(If you wanted to keep it that is). But should work for you.

I found my Intank media basket to be rather loose fitting on my C130, not sure if you would have the same issue or not.

 

[spiraling]

I mounted my xr15 inside the hood. Its a bit close to the water, but works fine if you keep the hood. You could do that with the xr30 as well. There are several older threads over on reefsanctuary about turning the 130D into a rimless aquarium. Essentially you can take the hood off, and remove the rim, although that takes some patience. I recall most people also got the cover for the back to hide the skimmer and whatnot. I believe intank makes that as well. Then you could use an arm or other mounting for the light.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

I mounted my xr15 inside the hood. Its a bit close to the water, but works fine if you keep the hood. You could do that with the xr30 as well. There are several older threads over on reefsanctuary about turning the 130D into a rimless aquarium. Essentially you can take the hood off, and remove the rim, although that takes some patience. I recall most people also got the cover for the back to hide the skimmer and whatnot. I believe intank makes that as well. Then you could use an arm or other mounting for the light.

That doesn't restrict the air flow of the light too much, does it?

 

[spiraling]

That doesn't restrict the air flow of the light too much, does it?

haha I hope not!
there is a fan in the hood to help air movement, but mine was so noisy I got rid of it. There are side vents on each side of the hood and with the light on I can feel a bit of airflow through them. With that small of tank I only run my light on about 40% max, so it doesn't seem to heat up.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

haha I hope not!
there is a fan in the hood to help air movement, but mine was so noisy I got rid of it. There are side vents on each side of the hood and with the light on I can feel a bit of airflow through them. With that small of tank I only run my light on about 40% max, so it doesn't seem to heat up.

Okay, that would be my main concern with such a setup, I'd also be worried about stale air over the aquarium but if the Radion's fan is moving air through the hood it's probably okay.

 

[spiraling]

Okay, that would be my main concern with such a setup, I'd also be worried about stale air over the aquarium but if the Radion's fan is moving air through the hood it's probably okay.

The lid is enclosed by design, so you would get 'stale air' either way. On that model you can get a cooling fan at the back, which I use in summer. With the skimmer running I think you get pretty good water/air exchange.

@Ninjaskillzs - red sea did an upgrade to that tank where they switched the two return pumps for one. You might want to look into it since the old pumps fail. They did my upgrade for free, and I bought the tank used. You should consider an ATO if you don't have one. (I have the tunze) and if you are trying for SPS then you will need powerhead(s). I have one mp10 and with the return I've been able to grow SPS.