View Full Version : RSM to noisy?
I have read some reports that the RSM 250 aquarium brings with it a fair bit of background noise. Has anyone found this to be the case? I'm planning on having it in my lounge so background noise from the tank cetainly wouldn't be ideal. Many thanks. Ben
Hi flyboy , cant really comment on the 250 but I found that with my 130 it was almost silent , EXCEPT for the skimmer , which although loud had a simple answer ON/OFF swith .That sounds a bit of a smartass comment but Im not trying to be, I dont think any plug and play system will be truly 100% perfect for everybody but Ive been delighted with my 130 , I just got a tunze skimmer as the stock skimmer was getting louder and needing a new pump but it has worked fine for over 3 years. I think the new max250 have an upgraded skimmer which Im guessing is them listening to customer feedback . Any system you get will have some issues but red sea tanks (i find ) really good , and the 250 looks the dogs ******* espicially in white.
Hi Flyboy, I agree with John73.
I have a RSM 250 a 130 and a work in progress 72 x 30 x 28.
The 250 is currently in my lounge which is a good size room approximately 12m x 8m in an “L” shape. I could not in all honestly say the 250 is quiet.
On setting the 250 up the skimmer sounded like a jet engine and no matter what tweaks I made reduced the noise. Eventually Steve at Arcadia sent me a new skimmer pump which has resolved this nuisance considerably. So far I have replaced the skimmer pump, pump no1 and the hood fans in an attempt to reduce rattles, drumming and general noise. (The tank is not yet six months old) After all the above replacements the tank is not silent or even quiet.
The term “Plug and play reef” is a little misleading also as I have felt obliged to purchase a chillier due to being unable to maintain a stable temperature and this in turn makes a lot of noise when it’s running. I also have a Vortec MP40 to improve the flow around the tank and this is far from quiet, then there is the top up unit which pipes up now and again.
THE RSM 250 is a beautiful looking tank and I have to say everything is doing very well inside but the overall all result is not what I expected or wanted. I’m unable to simply sit and enjoy the tank without being aware of the noise its making which is not what I wanted. This may be the case with plug and play systems in general. I’m sure I will encounter some things in my newsetup that may compromise my silent running (I’ve just ordered a wave box and I’m sure this will cause a bit of gurgling) but I honestly believe this path will bring me closer to the perfection I’m seeking.
I’m currently just setting up a replacement tank to my RSM 250 which is a 72 x 30 x 28 (L, H, W) complete with remote sump. The new tank will have more space, a bigger water volume and most of all run very very quite. I’ve purchased (second hand)a six foot luminarie complete with 3 x 250MH, T5’s and moon lights, Deltec skimmer, Tunze power heads etc all for less that I paid for the RSM 250. Admittedly it’s going to take some work to match the furniture aesthetics of the RSM but in terms of what I’m looking for its going to be a winner.
My advice to you is to look at the space you have available for your tank and if it’s at all possible plan to locate a sump outside of your living space or in the cabinet below so you can keep the noise, smells and water spills better contained.
Having said all of that if your still hell bent on a RSM 250 let me know as I will be selling mine within the next few weeks.
Cheers
Andrew
Andrew
Very interesting read, l'm currently in the process of setting up my RSM250, have been stopped in my tracks whilst l await skimmer and no 1 circ pumps due to heat issues, it's only been 3 weeks.
I also am looking to have the tank as quiet as possibe, it's difficult. I've been trying to get the size of the 4 hood fans as they're next on my list to replace. Are the 4 internal fans the same size as the 2 rear fans? 2 rear ones are 60x60x15, l'm also trying to find out the db levels of the fans that come with the tank, l hope to buy quieter ones. When you changed the hood fans did it make any difference to noise levels? l connected the 2 rear fans up to a remote power source, they were very quiet, it's only when they're clipped into the confines of the hood that they're noisey.
Mike
Hi Mike,
I think all the hood fans are the same size, I didn’t measure them as Intetpet sent me them directly. The fans look to be the same as used in computer cases so I guess you can do a straight replacement with some better quality silent ones.
The RSM 250 hood makes a lot of noise and heat with the lights and fans going especially upon start up, occasionally they hood fans will “scream” for a good few minutes when they first turn on (I’ve seen this with pc fans also and believe it’s due to impeller imbalance). The replacement fans scream less but still produce a background noise.
I bought the 250 believing it was a quality product but I feel it has fallen short of my expectations. Maybe my expectations are unrealistic but I’m sat here next to the second hand 6ft metal halide light unit which must be a few years old and it’s truly silent.
Having said that it rattles for a couple of minutes when they first switch but once warmed up it is truly silent and because it is not in a hood the heat (which is considerable) rises away from the tank.
I know I’m not making a like for like comparison and I don’t want to sound as if I’m damming the RSM because I’m not but I guess the people who are drawn to the RSM 250 and part with the lump of money have expectations that need to be realised.
I know it was my choice to add a chillier and a top up system but again the concept of plug and play reef somewhat of implies simplicity? Red Sea says the tank should operate at 4c above ambient temperature but I personally think this is a little on the low side.
I’ve experienced other problems with the 250 in its short life. The skimmer can and has on several occasions gone bonkers. I’ve come home to find smelly skim pushing the top flap open and spilling over into the tank. I read an article about a guy who experienced the same problem but the excess skim entered the hood and tripped his fuse box causing a blackout including the complete 250 system!
I regularly get salt residue building up on the outer rim of the tank which at best is a cleaning chore and at worst a potential hazard to adjacent furnishings.
Please don’t think I’m a RSM hater because I’m not but I now understand the confusion I felt from people upon first telling them I had purchased a RSM, I was expecting a reaction of envy rather than the he’ll learn vibes I received.
To conclude the RSM 250 is aesthetically stunning with its sleek black cabinet and curved edges, technically it may be brilliant I don’t feel qualified to say other than almost everything I’ve introduced into it has appeared to prosper.
Where it falls apart in my opinion is the anticipation of what you’re buying as the system on the whole and an enhancement to your living space and here it fails on many levels. This is where my disappointment has been maximised. My wife is a level headed patient woman who loves looking at the tank, trawling fish stores at the weekend etc but cannot live with the negative distraction it brings to our living space and I agree with her.
If you look on here at the RSM Members section you will see many people modifying their systems in an attempt to overcome the problems the stock equipment creates so I don’t think it’s just my expectations that have been left wanting.
Andrew
Thanks for that, here entirely what you're saying.
After buying my 250 l'm obviously going to give it a chance. I enquired to RSM Europe about what pumps l should have with my new tank before l picked it up, l didn't want to be burdened at the first hurdle with the problem pumps. Regardless l had received no reply from Red Sea come the day l had to pick up the tank, the shop here in Norway had no idea what pumps l should have or if there'd been any issues with any of the pumps. Of course my tank ( bought 04/12/09 ) had the problem pumps, as l said previously l'm still waiting for the replacements, they have been sent, currently in Norwegian Customs:-(.
I shall give it my damndest with this tank, l have no intention of fitting a chiller ( in Norway! ), if it is too noisey and runs too hot l'll sell it, it was bought as plug in and play........... As you've said, introducing a chiller will be even more noise.
Mike
Hi Mike,
I wish you all the best with it and all the joys of reef keeping.
Regards
Andrew
Andrew / Mike,
Many thanks for your detailed responses and sharing your thoughts. I am certainly reconsidering the RSM as it apperas the background noise may be just to intrusive for my lounge.
Rgds
Ben
I think the noise level is subjective in that what you find acceptable others dont. Try and find a local shop that has one running and see for yourself, but yes a noisey skimmer can take some of the pleasure out of a new tank .
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