Red Sea Max 130D vs. JBJ Nano Cube

[Catran]

I've had Cichlids for years but I'm dying to have a reef tank. Can anyone tell me which is best? I'm leaning towards the Red Sea Max but I know that the Nano Cube has better lighting options. But, If I get the Red Sea Max, does anyone have any recommendations for optimizing it in terms of alterations or add-on's, especially lighting?
Thanks!!

Cat

 

[Anonymous]

:welcome:

When I was buying a nano last year, I found the JBJ had much better lighting and upgrade options. I ended up going for the Solana instead, but if I were to do it again I'd go with the JBJ and buy from these guys for the upgrades including a chiller as they run hot

http://www.nanotuners.com/product_info. ... cts_id=435

 

[Catran]

Yeah, I really like the JBJ Nano, but I saw a couple of posts that bragged about the Red Sea Max, I don't know why other than 4 gallons extra. I haven't seen any offering HQI so I wondered what makes them like it over the Nano.

Catran

 

[Petsolutions]

We have had a Red Sea Max (the original version not the D)set up here in the office for about a year and a half. I can't compare it to the Nano since I haven't had a Nano set up to work with, but I can say that the Red Sea Max has been just fine and everything in it is thriving. I've been quite happy with it, and I can say one thing I really like is the switch panel on the side, and the ability to turn off the lighting and different devices individually. I also like the built in time in the hood for the lighting. Again, I haven't used the Nano so I can't tell you much about it in comparison.

 

[Catran]

Yes, I saw the Red Sea had a timer and individual switches and I'm really considering it for that reason (and I like the larger size). The only problem is the lack of lighting options. From what I've read, PC lights isn't good enough for all corals. Is that true? What can I do, can the lighing be modified?

 

[Petsolutions]

I'm not sure if there is some sort of aftermarket retrofit available or not, I know there are a lot of folks doing that sort of thing but that isn't something I've ever dealt with. I can tell you that we are keeping soft corals and LPS corals which are growing and thriving in ours under power compact. We have a candy coral and a plate coral, zoanthids, mushrooms, that sort of thing in ours. If you want to keep SPS, yeah you are right, the light would likely not be good enough for your needs.

 

[Catran]

Well, I guess I will go with the Red Sea Max 130D. I see that the reviews show that they addressed some areas of concern with the 130 like stronger powerheads, better adjustment of the protein skimmer, more LED night lights etc. After all, it's a nano and I can't expect everything (SPS's). The real point is that it fits the bill better than the BioCube and JBJ Nanocube. I also found a website called InTank that sells a lot of things for Nano's in case I need parts or to alter or add on. Thanks so much for your help. Experience really means a lot, especially when bad decisions can cost a lot of money!!
Cat