JBJ 28g HQI vs RedSea Max 130

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Monsterdave

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Dec 29, 2008
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Have any owned either of these setups? I'm sure there are quite a few who have JBJ, but I havent heard much about the RSM.

Any opinions on either? My current plan is to pick up the 28g HQI.
 
Red Sea is built a little better, I like the power strip/timers built in, but only has compact floro lights which is a major drawback. JBJ has a MH light which is great, but the built in skimmer is worthless IMO. If I had to pick one I would definately pick the JBJ over the Red Sea if I just wanted something that I didn't have to mess with/upgrade. If I didn't mind ripping apart a brand new nano to make it better then I would pick the Red Sea and the first thing I would do is rip the hood off or retro fit it with a MH light.
 
I've been trying to do some reading and it doesnt seem that too many people are satisfied with the RSM lighting. I figure it'd be smarter to buy the JBJ and buy a skimmer then spend more on the RSM and have to upgrade the lighting.

Also, for both of these, I've heard heat is an issue, and a chiller is out of the budget at the moment. I thought I saw someone with an HQI that had modified the lid to sit a bit higher kind of like a viper, but unlike the viper, you still have MH.

What about a nanotuner fan mod, how much would that help with heat on a JBJ?
 
You are correct, heat is definately and issue on the JBJ. If room temp gets above 80 degrees your tank is probably going to go above 84 if the lid of left closed. The fan mods are great and would definately recommend any method that works for you to mod the hood for more airflow/fans. I don't like lifting the hoods on nanos because it makes it so easy for fish to jump out.
 
The hood lift seems like it would do a lot of good, BUT, my roommates would def flip at the smell of dead fish while I'm at work a mysterious cleaner walking around the house.

I got good living arangements I can't screw up :)

I know that eventually I will have to purchase a chiller and pump. But until then, what about a hood lift with a nice looking DIY screen cover? High temps is my main concern at the moment.

I plan on purchasing around 35 lbs of LR, hopefully I can get it aquascaped good, I've seen a lot of people only go with 28-30, but I dont wanna short change my chances at having better water quality.
 
I would probably try to figure a way to use a dremel and cut out a couple small squares in the hood and place small computer fans in there, like fans that would go on a video card/cpu. One on each side of the light, one pushes in cold air/one pulls out hot air. Just a thought since I haven't done anything like that to a nano, but I don't see why it wouldn't work and wouldn't cost much to do.

The hood is hinged on the back so if you open it then it opens at an angle which isn't too good if you want to vent it that way because the light then shines into your face. If you unhinge the hood and just raise the entire thing a few inches, then your going to need something to be a spacer between the hood that is study enough to hold the hood without worry of falling. I am trying to figure out in my head how you could even do that.. lift the hood up to allow airflow, but still be sturdy enough to support the hood AND be enough to stop fish from jumping out and also not blind you. I am picturing a JBJ in a bedroom.. and if that is the case, if you raise the hood up and were to lay on your bed, your going to have the light shining in your face, not a pleasant thought.
 
He just bought the stand off legs that go to a coralife floro fixture. You can find those stand offs like he used for under $10 most fish places.

You could somehow rig a screen around the outside of that light, but not over the top of the tank because you will be blocking too much light.. at that point you lose the benefits of the MH. Maybe make an eggcrate boarder around the lip of the tank after you raise the hood, and also wrap the eggcrate in plastic screen door material.
 
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