Redsea Max E-170 build thread

[Crapwhereaminow]

I didn’t know the reefmat would fit Did you have to mod anything?

It fits well in the cabinet and sump.

So far the biggest issue is the plug doesn’t fit under the control center cover. I’m thinking I’ll have to mount a separate power strip behind the tank to keep the clean look.

Overall it works, but it’s a little janky. Basically the reefmat bypasses the filter sock setup in the sump with what looks like a vacuum cleaner hose

 

[Crapwhereaminow]

Little update, both tanks are chugging along as they slowly cycle. It’s fun watching the changes.

The nano got diatoms BAD by the first week. Just brown gunk everywhere. They’re slowly receding.
The 170 still hasn’t hit that phase. It’s exactly a week behind the nano and still looks pristine.

Both tanks were set up with the same water, salt, copepod population, etc. The 170 has the roller filter, and copepods were added a week earlier, so I’m wondering if that is helping to keep the diatoms down.

Hopefully the next update will be livestock! (In a couple weeks)

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Can't wait to see livestock in them!

 

[Crapwhereaminow]

Both tanks have life in them!

First the Redsea. It still hasn’t hit an ugly phase, just some browning on the sand. Currently there’s a pair of clowns, two snails, a Yuma Ricordea, and a bubble tip anemone (I know the ‘nem was a risk in a new tank but it’s happy and moved immediately to the back of the rockwork).

The nano went through a dino bloom and then a bacterial bloom. Patience cleared that up and it’s looking great. Currently there’s 5 different species of macro algae and a little clump of pulsing xenia in there.

 

[Crapwhereaminow]

I don’t have the fancy orange lens filter for my phone, but I do have the next best thing. Orange sunglasses.

They work pretty decently, here’s my Yuma

 

[Sleeping Giant]

looking great

 

[Crapwhereaminow]

couldn’t pass up $20 a head

 

[Crapwhereaminow]

My first time seeing a hermit crab conga line to exchange shells. I’ve only see this behavior in documentaries before.

 

[Crapwhereaminow]

Everything’s chugging along. The Redsea is still clean, and everything is happy. Added a six line wrasse and some zoas. I also added a powerhead, which ticked off the anemone. The nano has hair algae so it got an emerald crab and a turbo snail. They’ll go in the bigger tank when the job is done.

 

[Crapwhereaminow]

Tampa Bay Saltwater live rocks for the sump. They’re so pretty and I’ve seen so many critters.

 

[Crapwhereaminow]

I invited chaos into the tank
Pros: it’s adorable, behaves with the other fish, hasn’t tasted coral, and doesn’t munch my shrimp or hermits (for now)
Cons: I have no more snails

 

[MKS]

Your tank is looking great! I have an Max E-170 and just bought the sump upgrade. Did you stick with the stock return pump or upgrade that? Thanks!