Red Sea G2 Series Build Quality

[jake296]

Hi,

Looking at buying one of the Red Sea G2 tanks shortly. 625 is a perfect fit in terms of size and water volume for what I’m looking for however..

Any reviews on how the build quality is? Is there a noticeable improvement in the silicone?

It’s the tank I’m leaning towards but I have that fear in the back of my mind of silicone failure after reading the countless threads on the G1 models.

 

[TX_REEF]

I have a 350 G2 for 9 months now, no issues. The glass is thick and the interior silicone seams are protected with plastic as well. to be 100% honest though, if I knew about the g1 failures before buying this, I would have gone with a different brand. I'm not a fan of the stand either, it took forever to build and at the end of the day is made of cheap melamine type boards coated with epoxy. I trust the 2x4 stand I made myself for my frag tank more. The gravity fed ATO system is also annoying. The reservoir is too small and the drain line clogs constantly. Overall, reefers are great looking systems but for the price I wouldn't buy again.

 

[jake296]

Thanks for the feedback. This could end up being a last minute switch to WB.

 

[Naturalreef]

I have a 350 G2 for 9 months now, no issues. The glass is thick and the interior silicone seams are protected with plastic as well. to be 100% honest though, if I knew about the g1 failures before buying this, I would have gone with a different brand. I'm not a fan of the stand either, it took forever to build and at the end of the day is made of cheap melamine type boards coated with epoxy. I trust the 2x4 stand I made myself for my frag tank more. The gravity fed ATO system is also annoying. The reservoir is too small and the drain line clogs constantly. Overall, reefers are great looking systems but for the price I wouldn't buy again.

I thought the G2 moving forward has plywood stands now?

 

[TX_REEF]

I thought the G2 moving forward has plywood stands now?

I honestly don't know, it's some sort of sheet "lumber" coated with epoxy, which I simply don't trust as much as a true frame.

 

[Master of Cloak]

Thanks for the feedback. This could end up being a last minute switch to WB.

WB has metal stands for around the same price. Easy decision in my opinion

 

[Master of Cloak]

WB has metal stands for around the same price. Easy decision in my opinion

WB 180.5 is $100 cheaper. No reason for redsea to charge 4k for a tank with a cheap stand. Get the WB.

 

[jake296]

Equivalent sized floorprint setup from waterbox would be the Infinia reef 190.5. Have to admit the more I look at it and read, the more inviting it becomes..

 

[jake296]

WB 180.5 is $100 cheaper. No reason for redsea to charge 4k for a tank with a cheap stand. Get the WB.

Agreed

 

[DrkNMighty]

Another option could be a Cade tank.

 

[jake296]

Another option could be a Cade tank.

I honestly know very little about them. Only been in the hobby for a couple of years and have done your typical Max nano start. Heard a lot about waterbox and Red Sea, as for Cade very little.

Do you have good experience with them?

 

[ThaBeast]

All of the aforementioned units are chinese manufactured. For a little more money you could probably purchase a custom american built tank

 

[TX_REEF]

I should have looked at waterbox, now I'm drooling at this system. I was simply smitten by the reefer i saw at my LFS and went all in with no research

PENINSULA 4820 - Waterbox

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

 

[jake296]

I should have looked at waterbox, now I'm drooling at this system. I was simply smitten by the reefer i saw at my LFS and went all in with no research

PENINSULA 4820 - Waterbox

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

Haha! Thank god for this forum. I’m dropping the reefer, I’ll spend a tiny bit more and get the waterbox. Instantly see a difference in reviews, just a better quality aquarium it seems. But good luck with your reefer!

 

[Naturalreef]

I should have looked at waterbox, now I'm drooling at this system. I was simply smitten by the reefer i saw at my LFS and went all in with no research

PENINSULA 4820 - Waterbox

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

While the Waterbox is sweet, the G2 Red Sea really is nice imo. I have the 200xl G2 along with the reefmat, reefled, Reefwave. I really like the quality and how everything compliments each other.

 

[DrkNMighty]

I honestly know very little about them. Only been in the hobby for a couple of years and have done your typical Max nano start. Heard a lot about waterbox and Red Sea, as for Cade very little.

Do you have good experience with them?

I purchased a used one about 3 months ago and no issues with it so far. Plumbed together and setup nicely. Also a big fan of the aluminum and glass stand. Built in power switches on the side is also a plus.

 

[merkmerk73]

How did it go?

I admit that I'm easily persuaded by the slick styling and design of the Red Sea stuff.

Their actual products are very hit-or-miss - I like the ATO a lot (although their warranty people had to replace a sensor failure recently), but I think their return pumps are noisy and undesirable for that reason, etc.