Decisions, decisions...Red Sea/Waterbox

Solrock Reefing · Oct 10, 2020

Guys, I need some help. I've read so many threads with mixed reviews on Red Sea Reefer aquariums. So here I am in love with the Red Sea Reefer 525xl. The dimensions and water volume is exactly what I'm looking for. But then you read about the seals coming apart on the front glass panels, which was very disappointing. But then I started thinking of the volume of tanks they sell. Every company has a bad batch, no? Should I just go Waterbox? I like Waterbox but for the length of the tank I'd have to step up to the 180.5. I want a 5ft long long solid reliable aquarium that I can keep for many years. What do you guys think? Or recommend?

Peace River · Oct 11, 2020

#WelcometoR2R!!! You may find a range of opinions on tanks, but IMO I think that both of these companies make great tanks.

#WaterBox #Redsea

daddi-o · Oct 11, 2020

I think you're thinking about all the right things. Take that with a grain of salt being that I'm a noob.

I went back and forth on both companies for quite a while. I finally settled on RSR 350 based on 3 things: cost, dimension and LFS availability. From what I've read, though, I don't think you can make a wrong decision.

Even with the new cheaper Marine X line from Waterbox, the Reefer was cheaper (ask LFS for THEIR price - mine was lower than MAP). The Reefer 350 is about 20" wide, and an extra couple inches on the WB Reef series would have encroached on our living area too much (me, wife, kid in 1200 sqft apartment). I am already happy I bought through the LFS - I was missing some of the rubber screw covers for the Reefer stand. Instead of dealing with Red Sea, I just called my LFS and they gave me the parts I was missing.

I do think that the WB Reef line probably has a nicer cabinet than my 350 (the XL line might be on par with WB Reef), and that I've heard mostly good things about WB support - not so much with RS support.

As far as the failing tanks, there horror stories for both companies. I've found more horror stores for RS, but I agree with you - they probably sell a lot more than WB does, so who knows about failures per unit sold . . .

Peace River · Oct 11, 2020

daddi-o said:
I think you're thinking about all the right things. Take that with a grain of salt being that I'm a noob.

I went back and forth on both companies for quite a while. I finally settled on RSR 350 based on 3 things: cost, dimension and LFS availability. From what I've read, though, I don't think you can make a wrong decision.

Even with the new cheaper Marine X line from Waterbox, the Reefer was cheaper (ask LFS for THEIR price - mine was lower than MAP). The Reefer 350 is about 20" wide, and an extra couple inches on the WB Reef series would have encroached on our living area too much (me, wife, kid in 1200 sqft apartment). I am already happy I bought through the LFS - I was missing some of the rubber screw covers for the Reefer stand. Instead of dealing with Red Sea, I just called my LFS and they gave me the parts I was missing.

I do think that the WB Reef line probably has a nicer cabinet than my 350 (the XL line might be on par with WB Reef), and that I've heard mostly good things about WB support - not so much with RS support.

As far as the failing tanks, there horror stories for both companies. I've found more horror stores for RS, but I agree with you - they probably sell a lot more than WB does, so who knows about failures per unit sold . . .

Great point about Waterbox support! I have met several of their customer service staff and their customer service manager - they are truly good people!

Solrock Reefing · Nov 20, 2020

Alright so I'm updating the thread. I went with the Waterbox 130.4. I think for the space budget it worked perfectly. I took advantage of the Waterboc Blue Friday deals. Let the fun begin!

muggle reefer · Nov 20, 2020

Although smaller, I went with waterbed 100.3. I am really impressed with how well built their cabinet is. I think in a big tank their plumbing is better than red sea first impression. As far as glass, I suspect they are both awesome.

Solrock Reefing · Nov 20, 2020

muggle reefer said:
Although smaller, I went with waterbed 100.3. I am really impressed with how well built their cabinet is. I think in a big tank their plumbing is better than red sea first impression. As far as glass, I suspect they are both awesome.

The 100.3 is great looking tank. Do you have a build thread on here? I just started one for my 130.4. I can definitely use all the advice I can get. I'm not new to saltwater tanks but I am to reefing.

hannernanner · Nov 20, 2020

Solrock106 said:
Alright so I'm updating the thread. I went with the Waterbox 130.4. I think for the space budget it worked perfectly. I took advantage of the Waterboc Blue Friday deals. Let the fun begin!

I went with the same tank, same Blue Friday deal, cheers!

hotdrop · Nov 20, 2020

Yeah overall happy with wb the cabinet has held the smaller ones are drilled AIO so the back chamber is a nussance that’s my biggest complaint

Solrock Reefing · Nov 20, 2020

hannernanner said:
I went with the same tank, same Blue Friday deal, cheers!

That's awesome, have you received your tank yet?

KWT · Nov 21, 2020

I just received my Waterbox 100.3 yesterday, but won’t get to til after thanksgiving. I want the new 270.6 they came out with on blue Friday. That is sometime next year.

muggle reefer · Nov 21, 2020

Solrock106 said:
The 100.3 is great looking tank. Do you have a build thread on here? I just started one for my 130.4. I can definitely use all the advice I can get. I'm not new to saltwater tanks but I am to reefing.

I just started one, I am currently adding water to the tank and installing our electronics. Have next batch of water running through RODI right now.

Dr. Jim · Nov 21, 2020

If the Red Sea Reefer comes with green tubing, I would suggest testing it for tin (via soak in RO/DI and ICP test).....or replace it with some other tubing. It caused a 9-month nightmare for me.

Solrock Reefing · Nov 21, 2020

muggle reefer said:
I just started one, I am currently adding water to the tank and installing our electronics. Have next batch of water running through RODI right now.

Best of luck with the build