Red Sea Max E 170 Aquarium - White

The Red Sea Max E 170 Aquarium - White is a premium 170 litre / 45 gallon all-in-one reef aquarium system designed for hobbyists who want a clean, modern, fully integrated reef display without having to assemble lighting, filtration, skimming, circulation, cabinetry, and control hardware piece by piece.

Built as part of Red Sea’s MAX-E plug-and-play reef system line, this compact reef aquarium combines a rimless ultra-clear glass display, white marine-spec cabinet, integrated rear sump, ReefLED 90 lighting, REEF-SPEC filtration, protein skimming, dedicated circulation, hidden equipment management, and modular sump expansion potential. It is an excellent choice for aquarists who want a polished living-room-ready reef tank with serious coral-keeping capability in a manageable footprint.

Red Sea MAX E-170 White Reef System

• Complete 45 gallon reef platform: The MAX E-170 provides 170 litres of total system volume in a compact 60 cm aquarium footprint, giving reef keepers a strong balance of stability, usable aquascaping space, and manageable maintenance.
• All-in-one reef-ready design: The aquarium, cabinet, lighting, rear sump, skimmer, circulation pump, media rack, power center, and filtration components are designed to work together as a coordinated Red Sea system.
• Clean white cabinet finish: The white exterior gives the aquarium a bright, modern, furniture-style appearance that works well in contemporary homes, offices, condos, and display spaces.
• Rimless open-top presentation: The braceless, open-top aquarium design keeps the focus on the reef itself, with clean sight lines, strong top-down access, and a premium display look.
• REEF-SPEC system concept: The MAX-E platform is designed around Red Sea’s reefkeeping criteria for coral-focused lighting, filtration, circulation, and long-term aquarium stability.
• Ideal upgrade from smaller tanks: The E-170 is large enough for a more stable mixed reef while still compact enough for aquarists moving up from nano tanks or smaller all-in-one systems.

ReefLED 90 Lighting and ReefBeat Control

• Included ReefLED 90 fixture: The MAX E-170 White includes one Red Sea ReefLED 90, giving the tank a purpose-matched reef light rather than a basic aquarium light that needs to be upgraded immediately.
• Coral-focused spectrum: ReefLED 90 combines a REEF-SPEC Blue channel, white channel, and dedicated 3W moonlight channel to support coral growth, colour rendition, daytime viewing, and low-level nighttime viewing.
• Strong colour and shimmer: The ReefLED optical-glass hollow lens is designed to produce a blended spread with natural shimmer, helping the aquarium look bright, crisp, and reef-like without harsh colour separation.
• Wi-Fi app control: Lighting is controlled through Red Sea’s ReefBeat app, allowing users to set schedules, adjust intensity, use acclimation programming, simulate random clouds, and manage lunar moonlight cycles from a compatible smart device.
• Coral acclimation support: The included acclimation functions are useful when starting a new system, adding new corals, or moving livestock from lower-light aquariums into stronger reef lighting.
• Rotatable light mount: The mounted LED unit can be rotated for improved access to the rear sump, routine cleaning, aquascaping, and maintenance tasks.

Integrated REEF-SPEC Filtration

• Built-in rear sump: The MAX E-170 uses a rear filtration chamber that keeps core equipment hidden behind the display while leaving it accessible for service and adjustment.
• Surface skimming intake: Water is drawn from the aquarium surface into the rear filtration compartment, helping remove surface film and improve water clarity, gas exchange, and light penetration.
• MSK-900 protein skimmer: The included adjustable skimmer provides 900 lph / 240 gph water flow and 250 lph / 66 gph air flow, helping remove organic waste before it breaks down into excess nutrients.
• Multistage filtration layout: The rear sump combines protein skimming, mechanical filtration, carbon filtration, and dedicated space for additional chemical media as the reef’s needs change.
• Included media rack: The supplied media rack holds Red Sea REEF-SPEC Carbon and gives aquarists a clean way to add other filtration media without cluttering the display.
• Bubble trap sponge: The integrated bubble management helps reduce microbubbles from returning to the display, keeping the viewing area cleaner and more polished.
• Hidden circulation pump: A dedicated 2150 lph / 570 gph circulation pump moves water through the filtration system and back into the aquarium through the adjustable return nozzle.

Modular Sump Flexibility for Future Upgrades

• Run it simple or expand later: The MAX E-170 can be operated as a clean rear-sump all-in-one system, then upgraded later with optional in-cabinet sump conversion hardware if the reef build becomes more advanced.
• Designed for progression: The modular sump concept makes the aquarium appealing for reef keepers who want an easy start but do not want to outgrow the system as quickly as a fixed basic all-in-one tank.
• Optional in-cabinet sump path: With the proper Red Sea conversion components, the rear sump can be converted into a fully operational stand-alone in-cabinet sump arrangement for additional filtration capacity and equipment space.
• Advanced equipment planning: The system layout gives aquarists a practical path toward equipment such as a calcium reactor, upgraded filtration, or a more complex reef support system when the aquarium matures.
• Chiller-ready design: The rear sump includes planning for chiller use, including a dedicated chiller pump area and connection bracket. Chiller, pump, and external piping are sold separately.
• Power center integration: The cabinet includes a power center with seven individually switched outlets, making system control cleaner and more convenient than loose cords spread behind the aquarium.

White Cabinet and Ultra-Clear Display Build

• Ultra-clear glass viewing: The MAX-E aquarium uses ultra-clear front and side glass panels for improved clarity, colour visibility, and display impact.
• Braceless rimless construction: The 12 mm ultra-clear glass construction supports a sleek open-top layout without bulky top bracing, giving the tank a more premium modern appearance.
• Bevelled glass edges: Smart bevelled edges contribute to the refined look and help the aquarium feel like a finished display piece rather than a basic glass box.
• White marine-spec cabinet: The cabinet is designed for marine aquarium use and provides a clean white exterior that pairs well with light walls, bright rooms, modern furniture, and minimalist decor.
• Hidden equipment presentation: The rear sump, cabinet, and rotatable sump screen help keep equipment, media, and plumbing visually controlled so the reef display remains the main focus.
• Compact premium footprint: At approximately 60 cm long, the E-170 gives reef keepers a serious display system without requiring the wall space of a larger 4 foot or 5 foot aquarium.

Red Sea Max E 170 White Specifications

• Total system water volume: 170 litres / 45 gallons.
• Display aquarium volume: 140 litres / 37 gallons.
• Rear sump volume: 30 litres / 8 gallons.
• Display dimensions: 60 cm L x 57.5 cm W x 55 cm H / 23.6 in x 22.6 in x 21.6 in, excluding light.
• Total system height: 142 cm / approximately 56 in, excluding the LED light unit.
• Glass: Rimless ultra-clear glass with 12 mm front and side panel specification from Red Sea.
• Lighting: 1 x Red Sea ReefLED 90 with 90W nominal total output.
• Lighting control: Wi-Fi control through the Red Sea ReefBeat app.
• Circulation: 1 x 2150 lph / 570 gph circulation pump.
• Protein skimmer: Red Sea MSK-900 adjustable protein skimmer.
• Skimmer performance: 900 lph / 240 gph water flow and 250 lph / 66 gph air flow.
• Filtration: Rear sump with surface skimmer, skimmer chamber, media rack, carbon filtration, mechanical filtration, and bubble trap sponge.
• Power center: 7 individually switched outlets for system components and accessories.
• Cabinet colour: White exterior.

Application Notes for Reef Keepers

• Best use: Designed for saltwater reef aquariums, mixed reef displays, coral-focused systems, and aquarists wanting a premium all-in-one reef aquarium with a clean furniture-style finish.
• Livestock planning: The 45 gallon system volume supports a more stable reef than many smaller nano aquariums, but livestock should still be chosen carefully around swimming space, compatibility, adult size, and nutrient load.
• Mixed reef potential: The included ReefLED 90, REEF-SPEC filtration, and skimmer make the system suitable for carefully planned soft coral, LPS, and mixed reef aquariums.
• SPS planning: Higher-demand SPS layouts require appropriate flow planning, nutrient control, stable alkalinity and calcium, and careful coral placement under the ReefLED 90.
• ReefMat planning: ReefMat 500 use is modification-dependent, so roller filter upgrades should be planned before purchase if automatic mechanical filtration is part of the intended build.
• Not included: Livestock, rock, sand, salt, heater, test kits, wavemakers, dosing equipment, optional sump conversion kit, chiller, external chiller piping, and additional filtration upgrades are sold separately.

Red Sea MAX-E Series Product Video

Setup and Installation Notes

• Plan the location carefully: Place the aquarium on a level, structurally suitable surface with access to power, water-change space, and enough room for service behind and around the system.
• Follow the Red Sea manual: Assemble the cabinet, aquarium, rear sump components, protein skimmer, circulation pump, power center, return nozzle, media rack, and lighting according to Red Sea’s instructions.
• Check level before filling: Confirm the cabinet and aquarium are level before adding water, rock, or sand, as an uneven installation can create stress on the glass and cabinet.
• Leak and function test: Before adding livestock, confirm the rear sump, skimmer, pump, surface skimmer, return nozzle, power center, and water path are operating correctly.
• Use proper reef water: Fill with properly mixed saltwater or suitable natural seawater, and use RO/DI water for evaporation top-off and salt mixing.
• Use lighting acclimation: Start new corals gradually under the ReefLED 90 using acclimation settings to reduce stress from sudden changes in light intensity.
• Cycle before stocking: Establish stable biological filtration before adding fish or corals, then stock slowly to avoid nutrient spikes and stability problems.

What’s Included

• Red Sea MAX E-170 rimless glass aquarium in white configuration
• White marine-spec cabinet
• Integrated rear sump filtration system
• Red Sea ReefLED 90 lighting system
• Red Sea MSK-900 adjustable protein skimmer
• 2150 lph / 570 gph circulation pump
• Surface skimmer
• Multidirectional return nozzle
• Media rack
• Bubble trap sponge
• Red Sea REEF-SPEC Carbon
• Chiller connection bracket / fittings
• Integrated power center with 7 individually switched outlets

Shipping Notes

• To avoid delays, please order Red Sea aquariums by themselves. If you are wishing to order multiple things, please place two separate orders: one for the aquarium and one for the rest of your products.
• Please call for a shipping quote if ordering from NWT, YK, or NUN.
• All Red Sea aquariums are brought in and shipped out on an as-ordered basis. The average turn-around time to ship an aquarium to you is two business days, except where noted below.
• All shipments outside of the Vancouver area are shipped via trucking company with residential and power tailgate delivery, and are fully insured.
• Tanks ordered within BC and, in some circumstances, Alberta may take an extra 5-10 business days to process. Systems ordered from Alberta and east of there usually ship within two business days direct from the distributor in Ontario.
• If you are ordering for pick-up from our store, please select in-store pickup to avoid delivery charges. You will be notified when the tank arrives, usually within 5-10 business days.
• Red Sea Max S Series aquariums are always special order and will take from 3-6 weeks to ship.
• Please note the freight company is only responsible for getting the aquarium to the destination address and off-loading it. They are not responsible for carrying it inside.
• All freight charges have been greatly subsidized to help you get up and running with your new Red Sea system.