Figuring out which tank brand will work for me.

zk12345 · May 31, 2024

'm new to reef2reef, I was curious if I could get some help on picking out a tank. The red sea reefer 300 G2+ , people online say it's the worst tank brand bc the seams leak, I've read they fixed that. I was also looking at the NYOS opus 300 slim line, I'm not sure if this would work with a refugium which Is what I want for primary nitrate and phosphate reduction. And the last one the aqua forest 425 . I'm open to all suggestions, I used to be a reefer but haven't been for a long time.

tzabor10 · May 31, 2024

You can always have a HOB refugium or remote refugium. I have one of each and the benefits are great

Gumbies R Us · May 31, 2024

zk12345 said:
'm new to reef2reef, I was curious if I could get some help on picking out a tank. The red sea reefer 300 G2+ , people online say it's the worst tank brand bc the seams leak, I've read they fixed that. I was also looking at the NYOS opus 300 slim line, I'm not sure if this would work with a refugium which Is what I want for primary nitrate and phosphate reduction. And the last one the aqua forest 425 . I'm open to all suggestions, I used to be a reefer but haven't been for a long time.

The seam burst are based on the old models. The new ones (g2+) have a reinforced seam built on the front to prevent this from happening. You could also look into water box aquariums, cades, and I know Eshopps have a really nice new line of bigger tanks (I saw these down at RAP Orlando)

Reef_at_Sea · May 31, 2024

Waterbox aquariums seem very nice, i don't have any personal experience with them but whenever i would buy a new larger tank i would look at waterbox first.

zk12345 · May 31, 2024

Gumbies R Us said:
The seam burst are based on the old models. The new ones (g2+) have a reinforced seam built on the front to prevent this from happening. You could also look into water box aquariums, cades, and I know Eshopps have a really nice new line of bigger tanks (I saw these down at RAP Orlando)

I've narrowed it down to the cade reef 900 or the red sea reefer 300 G2+, I like both honestly. It all comes down room for wiring and dosers for me too, I like these bc they have the dimensions and water display volume I want as well. I need to just check these out in person but just gotta find out which shops near me have them!

zk12345 · May 31, 2024

tzabor10 said:
You can always have a HOB refugium or remote refugium. I have one of each and the benefits are great

Thanks but I'm trying to make it look as minimal possible, I don't have anywhere to run a sump down to a basement or anything either unfortunately. This tank will be right in my living room, which is why I want it to have a nice aesthetic. Having a refugium is a make or break for me, algae scrubber isn't on the list bc I want it for copepods and I don't wanna deal with more plumbing honestly.

Serpentman2024 · May 31, 2024

Like anything, everyone will have their favorites and biases. Although complete packages like Red Sea are convenient, my only reluctance is it allows less opportunity to customize. I would be less concerned about tank failures as I believe they have addressed. Their reluctance to address the issue on prior generations is another story. Long and short, I think all major tank builders have their pluses and minuses. I'm a little partial to IM but struggle with their sump configuration as the model I have only allows for a skimmer or refugium, not both.

Waters · May 31, 2024

I decided on a Cade.....I like both them and Waterbox but Waterbox has the overflows on the inside which I wanted to avoid. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

exnisstech · May 31, 2024

The built in ato reservoir on the back of the cade was a deal breaker for me when I was looking for a new tank. It takes up too much tank space IMO. I went with waterbox for my new build because the 330.7 was the exact dimensions I wanted.
I have an older reefer 170 that has been fine. I set up a reefer 300 g2 February 2023 and have been very happy. I ditched the ato reservoir and added a larger acrylic one. I bought just the tank and stand not the full redsea package.

Bruttall · May 31, 2024

Picture of the Telltale Center Brace that indicates this as an OCEANIC Aquarium. This tank is over 30 years old. Now I know Oceanic is out of business, or are they? Planet Aquariums is a Master Designer and a Master Builder formerly of OCEANIC!!

I admit I am biased having watched this tank hold water for the past 12-ish years or so I have owned it. And the guy I bought it from had it as a FOWLR for over a decade.

Stay away from RED SEA, the fact that there is a GEN2 speaks volumes, these forums are full of horror stories from REDSEA and them fighting with owners over warranty. In fact if you search RED SEA FAIL you will find a thread I started about that brand.

This is a 96inch x 31 inch x 24 inch 300g tank!! Good luck you in whatever ya decide!!

zk12345 · May 31, 2024

exnisstech said:
The built in ato reservoir on the back of the cade was a deal breaker for me when I was looking for a new tank. It takes up too much tank space IMO. I went with waterbox for my new build because the 330.7 was the exact dimensions I wanted.
I have an older reefer 170 that has been fine. I set up a reefer 300 g2 February 2023 and have been very happy. I ditched the ato reservoir and added a larger acrylic one. I bought just the tank and stand not the full redsea package.

They came out with the new ato resevoiyjug that is 10 gallons and works perfect for the red sea ATO. I just like how their stuff looks, I'm gonna just get their tank and stand then maybe rollermat. You think two radion gen 6 pros would work for spread on that tank? Hopefully I'm not asking to much questions in here, just trying to get the best option .

exnisstech said:
The built in ato reservoir on the back of the cade was a deal breaker for me when I was looking for a new tank. It takes up too much tank space IMO. I went with waterbox for my new build because the 330.7 was the exact dimensions I wanted.
I have an older reefer 170 that has been fine. I set up a reefer 300 g2 February 2023 and have been very happy. I ditched the ato reservoir and added a larger acrylic one. I bought just the tank and stand not the full redsea package.

exnisstech · May 31, 2024

zk12345 said:
They came out with the new ato resevoiyjug that is 10 gallons and works perfect for the red sea ATO. I just like how their stuff looks, I'm gonna just get their tank and stand then maybe rollermat. You think two radion gen 6 pros would work for spread on that tank? Hopefully I'm not asking to much questions in here, just trying to get the best option .

No problem with questions. I'm not a fan of radions so I can't comment on them. I'm running a reefbreeders photon 32 on my reefer 300. I know redsea has had their share of issues but I do like the look of thier stuff. I would have bought my new tank from them but I had my mind made up I wanted 30 inch depth front to back and they didn't offer anything. I did add the reefmat 500 and their 2 head doser to my 300. I use a lot of apps since I don't run controllers and the reefbeat app is one of my favorites.

Big E · May 31, 2024

Serpentman2024 said:
Like anything, everyone will have their favorites and biases. Although complete packages like Red Sea are convenient, my only reluctance is it allows less opportunity to customize. I would be less concerned about tank failures as I believe they have addressed. Their reluctance to address the issue on prior generations is another story. Long and short, I think all major tank builders have their pluses and minuses. I'm a little partial to IM but struggle with their sump configuration as the model I have only allows for a skimmer or refugium, not both.

Welcome back!! Good to see you getting back into the hobby

Serpentman2024 · May 31, 2024

Big E said:
Welcome back!! Good to see you getting back into the hobby

Thanks Ed! Good to be back! Glad to see you're still around!

zk12345 · May 31, 2024

Bruttall said:
Picture of the Telltale Center Brace that indicates this as an OCEANIC Aquarium. This tank is over 30 years old. Now I know Oceanic is out of business, or are they? Planet Aquariums is a Master Designer and a Master Builder formerly of OCEANIC!!

I admit I am biased having watched this tank hold water for the past 12-ish years or so I have owned it. And the guy I bought it from had it as a FOWLR for over a decade.

Stay away from RED SEA, the fact that there is a GEN2 speaks volumes, these forums are full of horror stories from REDSEA and them fighting with owners over warranty. In fact if you search RED SEA FAIL you will find a thread I started about that brand.

This is a 96inch x 31 inch x 24 inch 300g tank!! Good luck you in whatever ya decide!!

Nice tank man, I checked out the thread and wow that is scary. Not sure I'd want to deal with a company like that, the NYOS is probably

Big E said:
Welcome back!! Good to see you getting back into the hobby

Thank you, I've just been moving a lot but I'm finally settled down now. I've decided on getting the NYOS opus 300 slim line and getting a Clearwater algae scrubber v2 on it. I never had SPS and want to do some difficult stuff this time.