Reefrats
Active Member
Hi! I want to get into the hobby and need some help selecting my first reef tank - my early 50th bday present from my hubby and son. We are wrapping up some home renovations and I have the spot prepped and almost ready.
I really like the dimensions of the Red Sea Max S-400 - biggest I can reasonably fit 41” long and we like the 61” total height - but I want a refugium and there is no room for one. My husband likes the retro style tank band around the top and the light bar but those are not decision making factors. I also need a chiller, as I am in FL and we keep the house relatively warm. I plumbed my spot for a RO filter and drain line so I don’t need an ATO. I’m starting to think the chiller needs to go in the closet on the other side of the wall with the RO filter.
Yesterday we looked at the waterbox and I really like it! I can use the ATO reservoir for a refugium. I like that everything is glass and seems accessible. It is 3” shorter than the RS S400 and the display tank is 1” shorter 24” vs 25” but it seems to have other benefits. Also when you walk in the front door you will see the side of the tank (so I’m hoping for one powerhead on the other side like a peninsula tank) and the RS S400 is 27.5” including the trim, while the WB 100.3 is only 24” wide.
I really like the waterbox but I keep going back to the dimensions of the RS S-400 size wise. I have 55” from a new cabinet to the edge of a doorframe (door is opening towards the tank) and I keep trying to fit a 48” long tank there but it would just be too big . I keep trying to convince hubby and me that we can fit the WB 130.4 there - room for a dosing station in the cabinet and bigger overall tank and sump and wow!
The waterbox 100.3 sump 25.4 g which is almost twice the volume of the RS S400 sump 13 g and I want SPS corals so I think that’s important. The WB 100.3 total volume is 97.2 g, and the RS S400 total volume is 106 g. I know I get to select equipment on the WB and the S-400 comes with everything. I’m not sure how difficult it is to upgrade S-400 components over time or if you’re stuck with Red Sea replacement parts - from what I have read there is flexibility.
I welcome any recommendations. I’ve also considered the Red Sea Reefer 250 but it is only 65 total gallons, 3” shorter than the WB - which is 3” shorter than the RS S400. I know maintenance is easier with a shorter tank but we really want taller and I will be on a stool anyway. Anything else I should consider - besides custom? Everything I read seems split on WB vs RS. Thanks!!!
I really like the dimensions of the Red Sea Max S-400 - biggest I can reasonably fit 41” long and we like the 61” total height - but I want a refugium and there is no room for one. My husband likes the retro style tank band around the top and the light bar but those are not decision making factors. I also need a chiller, as I am in FL and we keep the house relatively warm. I plumbed my spot for a RO filter and drain line so I don’t need an ATO. I’m starting to think the chiller needs to go in the closet on the other side of the wall with the RO filter.
Yesterday we looked at the waterbox and I really like it! I can use the ATO reservoir for a refugium. I like that everything is glass and seems accessible. It is 3” shorter than the RS S400 and the display tank is 1” shorter 24” vs 25” but it seems to have other benefits. Also when you walk in the front door you will see the side of the tank (so I’m hoping for one powerhead on the other side like a peninsula tank) and the RS S400 is 27.5” including the trim, while the WB 100.3 is only 24” wide.
I really like the waterbox but I keep going back to the dimensions of the RS S-400 size wise. I have 55” from a new cabinet to the edge of a doorframe (door is opening towards the tank) and I keep trying to fit a 48” long tank there but it would just be too big . I keep trying to convince hubby and me that we can fit the WB 130.4 there - room for a dosing station in the cabinet and bigger overall tank and sump and wow!
The waterbox 100.3 sump 25.4 g which is almost twice the volume of the RS S400 sump 13 g and I want SPS corals so I think that’s important. The WB 100.3 total volume is 97.2 g, and the RS S400 total volume is 106 g. I know I get to select equipment on the WB and the S-400 comes with everything. I’m not sure how difficult it is to upgrade S-400 components over time or if you’re stuck with Red Sea replacement parts - from what I have read there is flexibility.
I welcome any recommendations. I’ve also considered the Red Sea Reefer 250 but it is only 65 total gallons, 3” shorter than the WB - which is 3” shorter than the RS S400. I know maintenance is easier with a shorter tank but we really want taller and I will be on a stool anyway. Anything else I should consider - besides custom? Everything I read seems split on WB vs RS. Thanks!!!
plenty of custom manufacturers out there that can make exactly what will work for you
