JBJ HQI 28G VS Red sea max 34G

[jalemboo]

Originally Posted by superg3

I have a 3mth old JBJ 28g. I was in the same toss up. I liked the fact that the JBJ has better lighting. I keep a very happy clam and a couple sps that seem to be doin' well. However I really liked the size of the red sea max and the wires are much MUCH more neatly tucked away. I got my tank and stand for seven brown bills which was less than what I could get a RSM for. As far as the skimmer goes, I get about 1/2 a cup every week. Everything seems to be doing fine, so I won't be upgrading it. The only upgrade I'd like to add is some atinic lighting.

It's currenlty stocked with
xenia, 2x frogspawns, lots of zoa, 2x sps coral, 3 kinds of mushrooms, huge torch coral, and some candycane

Clam, cleaner shrimp, yellow & six line wrasse, pair of clowns, striped damsel, sea urchin, crabs and snails.

can i see a picture of your tank?

[noirsphynx]

I like the look of the rsm. Some of the reefers over on nanoreef will ship their hoods out to nanocustoms.com and have them modified with an hqi . This however is costly.

[jalemboo]

Yes, to upgrade to HQI 150W is around $500......

Whats the time way to get rid of the algae hairs? i saw 1 or 2 last week and now is up to 10 little one.. tried sucking them out but no luck, i also tried to pick'em, but no luck too.

[Snaz]

The all in one forum on nano-reef.com has lots of threads comparing these two AIO. Have a gander over there before you make any decision.

[VFX]

How about the Solana? At 34g bigger than the JBL, comes with choice of t5, 150 hqi or even a 250w Sunpod. Cheaper than a hqi modded RSM too.

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[Palster]

Originally Posted by VFX

How about the Solana? At 34g bigger than the JBL, comes with choice of t5, 150 hqi or even a 250w Sunpod. Cheaper than a hqi modded RSM too.

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I like the Solana myself but my wife is not too crazy about the appearance. The Solana is definately a different concept with the disco ball like MH pendant. I have also heard that the stock skimmer on the Solana is quite decent. Like karazy said earlier in this thread there really is no better tank overall as they each have their own pros and cons. Since we are putting this in our living room I am kind of leaning towards the RSM since my wife and I think it is the nicest looking and we probably will not be keeping SPS corals anyways.

[VFX]

I hear ya about the disco ball. You can always order one with the Sunpod instead. That way you could go for a 250w hqi.

The stand is rubbish though!

I agree that the RSM looks nicest though.

[sitandwatch]

I have had my RSM for about a month.

1) I really like the look
2) So far the lights are fineI don't "Plan" to do much with sps but I would like a clam
3) I am having skimmer issues that that is being replaced in the upcoming week
4) I am already thinking about my next tank
5) My wife likes it and that is the most important thing see number 4

As a new person to the hobby I don't regret my buy and would buy one again but get the 130D version or move up to the 250.

Brian

[bauder1986]

JBJ - great lighting options which gives you more options for coral
RSM - Poor lighting options, not to many coral options
Solana - Tanks are beautiful, leaves more room for upgrades (Lights, hang on skimmer, hang-on refugium)
Cadlight - Simple design, you pick your lighting, stands are crap.

No matter what, stock skimmers that come with nanos just dont cut it. You will almost always have to replace and upgrade the stock skimmer.

Its just a matter of budget, taste in tank styles, and what you want to grow in your nano that will make your decision in which tank you want. They all have different pros and cons for each person, its just a matter of which one suits your needs and desires.

[fraggalrock]

How are you finding the rsm for heating issues? I have had to turn my heater right of because it gets over 82 finally now I am about 77 to 78.I am running the fan as well and leave the skimmer hatch up for airfllow.