Is Red Sea worth it?

[Propane]

It seems that most people like their Red Sea products but I was curious if I would be paying for a name instead of getting more tank for the same initial cost. I’m also concerned that they use proprietary sizes and I would be stuck using their products only. I like the idea of an AIO but are they as a good as sump systems. I’m trying to stay under 4K as this will be my first tank.

 

[rsumner]

I think there are more players in the market now that would still allow you to stay in budget and not deal with the PITA aspects of the Red Sea. I have a 525 but I’ve done a TON of work on it over the years to make it the way I want. The Reefer is a pretty good platform to get up and running if you don’t want to spend months planning a custom build.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

I have a RS system and like it. Thing about this hobby, like most others, is that one will inevitably change things as they progress. As a starting point it can be nice to have a packaged system that’s pretty much turn key. RS is not the only option out there, other manufactures have similar products. Most are priced very similarly. Sump vs AIO is subjective. AIOs are just that, all in one. Modifying, or upgrading certain components later on (like filtration, skimmer, algae scrubber, calcium reactor, etc) will not be easy to do. Sump systems can easily be adapted to pretty much everything you can throw at them, I won’t say one is better than the other, but if you feel like you will grow with the hobby, I would point you to the sumped versions. People like Cade, Waterbox, RS, IM, etc. There are choices available. Budget and personal preference really. I believe they are all good.

edit. As far as proprietary sizes. Adaptors to convert their metric plumbing are available. Some other packaged tanks manufactures use metric fittings as well.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I own a RSR250 That I was given for free.

I own a few other tanks, and have made my own.

I would absolutely Not pay for the name. The tank is nice... Just Nice. The sump Sucks, proprietary connectors, built-in ATO is junk, the overflow piping is a disaster to clean. The finish on the stand doesn't adhere well and needs touched up way too often for my liking.

 

[Tamberav]

I had a red sea tank... I was not that impressed. It isn't bad.. but not great.

Pretty much what @Lost in the Sauce said.... stupid huge overflow, junk ATO, the valve to adjust flow was TERRIBLE. So much you could find write ups on how to change the plumbing over. Sump was hard to clean. Poor air flow in stand so hinges rust.

If I was going for a set up like this, I would be taking a closer look at CADE.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

I had a red sea tank... I was not that impressed. It isn't bad.. but not great.

Pretty much what @Lost in the Sauce said.... stupid huge overflow, junk ATO, the valve to adjust flow was TERRIBLE. So much you could find write ups on how to change the plumbing over. Sump was hard to clean. Poor air flow in stand so hinges rust.

If I was going for a set up like this, I would be taking a closer look at CADE.

+1 Had RS 625xl. It was decent but swapped over to CADE and you can definitely see the difference in build quality and thoughtfulness with the plumbing placement.

 

[nhendrix]

Check out Glasscages.com I diy my sump and stand on a 240g so tank sump stand under 3k

 

[Jedi Knghit]

You'll find a wide variety of opinions around here. I've had my 350 for close to three years. Overall, I am happy with it, and being my first real tank, it easy to setup and get running. My only complaints are the lack of leveling feet on a 4ft stand, but once the tank was setup it isn't an issue, and the drain valve is a constant annoyance. I will likely change it at some point.

I have seen a few other complaints from other users over time, including the built in ATO, seams on some of the larger tanks had issues, and the metric plumbing are the most common. Personally, I have not had an issue with the ATO, but don't expect it to hold enough water to last a week. It may not be ideal size, but it is included and you do not need to purchase a reseviour and ATO system in addition to the everything else you need to setup a tank.

Red Sea released newer models that may alleviate some of these issues. They added leveling feet on the 350. They changed the drain valve on all model. Bulkhead adapter kits to switch to standard plumbing sizes if you wish to customize your plumbing. Stands and seams have been reinforced.

Before picking a tank, I'd look through some build threads for any of systems you are considering to see what issues people have run into and if they have any complaints.

 

[Tamberav]

Oh the ATO on mine became brittle. The little plastic part where the glass is drilled and it just broke off which makes it good that the reservoir is small as it works by gravity. Also since it’s gravity, technically it will all drain if the float valve somehow gets stuck open.

Just to clarify why I hated the ATO. A regular one seems much safer as most have several safe guards (two switches, turn off after 10 min run time and alarm, etc).

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

I have a RS xl 300 I like it for what it is and fits my space plus I got a good price. Cade wasn’t an option here in the US at the time or else i would have one.

 

[davidcalgary29]

I think that they can be a pretty good purchase if you're buying a used (but sound) tank because they're so popular; you can often buy them for thirty cents (or less) on the dollar, which is what I did. It's just impossible to find Cade or Waterbox builds in the second-hand market here, so the choice between a $6-800 RSR350 or a $3000 Waterbox 110.4 isn't as close as you'd think.

There's also something to be said about the fact that the problems with Red Sea builds are widely known, as it's a great help when looking for potential problems with an individual tank, and fixes and mods are widely available.

 

[Lavey29]

Buy once cry once

 

[undermind]

This is unfortunately just one of those impossible questions. Opinions will vary and if you “kind of want” a Red Sea, you'll see enough to support that, and vice versa.

Also, most every complaint mentioned here is outdated. Leveling feet are included, the plumbing is now US ready, and the ATO? You don't have to use it. Most manufacturers don't even include one.

 

[Huynhter_Soldier]

It all depends really on what you want out of a tank. Of course Red Sea is a good tank, but so is IM, Reef Savvy, Waterbox Cade, Elos or Planet Aquarium. It's all on what you want in the tank and the quality glass, overflow etc. If you want an AIO I'd definitely go with an IM. With 4g though to do a real build is kind of hard unless you slowly piece it all together and search for the used stuff you exactly want plus the tank size etc.