BioCube 32 or Red Sea Reefer 170

[wolffpackone]

I've always wanted a salt water reef aquarium growing up and could never afford one until now. When I first started looking at tanks, the BioCube 32 LED was the first that caught my eye. On doing more research, people say that you'll eventually outgrow it and reach its limitations within 6 months to 1 year and will be looking to upgrade the lights and having to mod it.

This got me searching and I came across the Red Sea Reefer 170 with a Radion XR30 Pro and thought it was more up my alley. The initial cost would be substantially more than the BioCube, but I feel that I'd always have a use for it as it could be a frag tank later. Because I live in an apartment, I don't think I could go much bigger. I want some easy to coral with color and movement and some basic fish. I know the BioCube will be fine to accomplish that, but I don't know what I'll want to do in the future(a mandarin dragonet would be cool down the line, but I figure I'd need a refugium with a good pod population for that). The guys at the LFS said to just get the BioCube as it fits my needs now and will be less of a hassle.

The question is, if I can afford the Red Sea Reefer with a Radion XR30 Pro, should I splurge on my first tank, or ease into the hobby with a lower cost set up, and then worry about it later?

 

[lacrosseboss18]

I think it depends on how invested you think you’ll be in the hobby. If your just dipping your toes in the water I would go with the biocube. If you think this is going to be a hobby your going to be into I would go with the reefer 170. I think the 170 is a super sexy setup.
It allows for more features, space... it will last you longer and allow you more options in my opinion.
Skimmer, filter socks, larger area for reactors. Lighting esp the Radion XR30w would grow anything. Only complaint about the reefer is the ATO is kind of a joke. You’ll most likely upgrade to a larger one so you won’t be able to keep it under the tank but rather on the side of the tank.

I personally wouldn’t say this is apples to apples these 2 tanks. I feel like the reefer will give you much more options.
As far as cost maybe do a spread sheet and compare the 2. The reefer will come in at a much higher price point. Def worth it I. My opinion over the biocube. I’ve had both tanks.

 

[Ranjib]

Red Sea. I own a biocube, I love it but won’t recommend One. I had to get rid of hood, upgrade lighting etc. if I could do over and have the budget , I’ll go with Red Sea (or even IM) , kessil combo. Having a sump will also make an enormous difference

 

[Ranjib]

The tank volume argument , to me is not a deal breaker. I see even folks with 180g setup lamenting about bigger tanks (for fish mostly ). So , that’s a classic reef tank dilemma. If you make proper expectation setting with yourself , and instead focus on what all you can do in limited space, you will not feel bad later. I live in an apartment , and I am happy with my biocube after 2 n half years . In fact I went with two other pico tanks later, and I love them. I have to control my choices regarding fishes. And place corals judiciously, but I never feel like getting a bigger tank would have better. In fact, I think it would be harder on me due to cost and maintenance.

 

[mjlash22]

I agree withe comment above...Red Sea if you think this is going to more of a long term hobby that you will want to get creative with and want the ability to more easily change out components/equipment.

 

[wolffpackone]

I live in a refurbished 100 year old loft and I have no idea how much weight my floors can hold. Was planning on putting it in the corner of brick walls. I’ll probably be moving in 3 years or so, so I don’t really want a much larger aquarium. I figured this size was large enough to be more stable and small enough to fit my needs at this time.

Are there any other options other than those 2 people would recommend? Also, is the Radion XR30w overkill for this size tank or appropriate? Thanks for all your responses so far!

 

[HumboldtReefer85]

I purchased a BioCube32 last summer. If I was looking to buy a similar sized tank now, I would be going with this one- https://waterboxaquariums.com/product/waterbox-platinum-40-1-white/

I think there is a code to get the price down to $699.

 

[Jesterrace]

A Radion would be overkill for that tank unless you are looking at some really hard to grow corals. A Single AI Prime HD will generally get the job done on a smaller tank. As for the Mandarin, I don't recommend it as you won't be able to stick in enough live rock to support a sustainable breeding pod population and you will go broke and have a dead fish to boot. It's not so much of the tank size as having enough rock to support a large breeding pod population.

 

[HumboldtReefer85]

Here's that code- https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/typo-in-email.354347/

 

[mjlash22]

The xr 30 would more than likely be overkill but a xr15 would work fine.

 

[pdt7361]

Before you commit to the Red Sea, you should check out the Waterbox tanks.

https://waterboxaquariums.com/shop/

 

[wolffpackone]

I purchased a BioCube32 last summer. If I was looking to buy a similar sized tank now, I would be going with this one- https://waterboxaquariums.com/product/waterbox-platinum-40-1-white/

I think there is a code to get the price down to $699.

This would be awesome if the display tank was a bit bigger!

 

[wolffpackone]

After careful thought, I think I've decided on the RS Reefer 170. I think I'm going to go with the Deluxe edition that comes with the Hydra 26 HD.

 

[mjlash22]

After careful thought, I think I've decided on the RS Reefer 170. I think I'm going to go with the Deluxe edition that comes with the Hydra 26 HD.

Very nice choice!

 

[Scurvy]

Good choice of the Reefer... i have a BC32 and Reefer 250. Both nice tanks but after all the upgrades i know id have been happier with a 2nd smaller reefer. Best of luck with your new system!

 

[LanM]

Coupon code for the waterbox has been deactivated, I had to check....temptation.. Both are beautiful tanks.

 

[voiceinthedesert]

For a beginner, I'd do a BioCube, regardless of how invested you think you're gonna be. It took me a year to add a single coral to my first saltwater tank and then two more to add any kind of SPS. Reefing is complicated and nuanced and you will discover you like certain things and don't care for others. In the meantime, I wouldn't spend the money on a setup like RedSea. That's more of a "OK, I know what I'm doing and this is the special project I want to do next" kind of tank.

 

[jayala12]

I have a biocube with a xr15 pro and it rocks . I like a challenge so I went smaller with my reef.

 

[wolffpackone]

How does this setup look?

Tank: Red Sea Reefer 170 Deluxe
Sump: Included with the RS Reefer
Light: Hydra 26 HD (Included as the deluxe edition of the Reefer)
Pump: Sicce Silent 2.0
Heater: Sicce Scuba 200w
Powerhead: Vortech MP10
Protein Skimmer: Bubble Magus Curve 5
Sand: 40 pounds Fiji pink
Rock: 34 pounds reef saver
Filter media: Chemipure blue
ATO: Stock for now, will eventually build a separate cabinet for a larger reservoir and replace it with a Tunze Osmolator
Water will be bought from the LFS for now until I have a RO/DI system running

 

[mjlash22]

How does this setup look?

Tank: Red Sea Reefer 170 Deluxe
Sump: Included with the RS Reefer
Light: Hydra 26 HD (Included as the deluxe edition of the Reefer)
Pump: Sicce Silent 2.0
Heater: Sicce Scuba 200w
Powerhead: Vortech MP10
Protein Skimmer: Bubble Magus Curve 5
Sand: 40 pounds Fiji pink
Rock: 34 pounds reef saver
Filter media: Chemipure blue
ATO: Stock for now, will eventually build a separate cabinet for a larger reservoir and replace it with a Tunze Osmolator
Water will be bought from the LFS for now until I have a RO/DI system running

Looks like a great start!