New Tanks I'm Considering

toddfuji · Apr 10, 2019

Hi All, I'm new to R2R and I found it while researching different saltwater tanks & equipment. I am new to the aquarium world and have never had a saltwater tank. I've been doing research for the last few months and have begun to make plans for my new aquarium. I am hoping I can make most of my decisions in the next few months before I begin to buy everything.

I am hoping to get a nice tank the family can enjoy that will sit in our family room. I am hoping to do a mostly fish tank (some clowns, a goby, a tang, a a few others and a cleanup crew along with some anenemies and a handful of easier corals.

I'm not sure how well the clip of my spreadsheet will post, but it includes a breakdown of tanks, equipment and prices. I want to set myself up for success but I do not want to spend too, too much to get going. Ideally I'd like to have some good quality equipment but nothing over-the-top.

I am leaning towards to the two lesser expensive tanks, the WB Marine 70.3 and the Red Sea Max E-260 (AIO). Has anybody checked these tanks out? There are a few forums on here which have a few comments on them but not too much else.

If anybody has any suggestions or input by all means let me know. Thanks!

Ludders · Apr 10, 2019

Welcome to R2R.

If I could give you once piece of advice, it would be to go for something with a sump.

toddfuji · Apr 10, 2019

Thanks for the response Ludders. I was afraid people would say to go for the cabinet sumps, that pumps up the price a bit.

Billldg · Apr 10, 2019

Welcome to R2R!!! The bigger the water volumn the better. I also am a big supporter of multiple smaller heaters than 1 big one. Maybe 2 150w heaters vs 1 300w heater for redundancy.

toddfuji · Apr 10, 2019

The AB Marine 70.3 has a hybrid type cabinet sump with the filter bags up top and the sump down below. Any thoughts on this setup?

Ludders · Apr 10, 2019

Billldg said:
Welcome to R2R!!! The bigger the water volumn the better. I also am a big supporter of multiple smaller heaters than 1 big one. Maybe 2 150w heaters vs 1 300w heater for redundancy.

I was just looking at the spreadsheet thinking exactly the same.
I use a separate controller by DD which has a chiller function (not used), with aqua medic titanium heater.

Crabs McJones · Apr 10, 2019

Welcome to R2R!

Medic58 · Apr 10, 2019

Go as big as you can handle,buy the best equipment the first time around and you will never regret it.

Hitman · Apr 10, 2019

Welcome to R2R !!!

toddfuji · Apr 10, 2019

Thanks for they hey-ho's everybody! Glad to be here.

Retro Reefer · Apr 10, 2019

Ludders · Apr 10, 2019

toddfuji said:
The AB Marine 70.3 has a hybrid type cabinet sump with the filter bags up top and the sump down below. Any thoughts on this setup?

that works

dbl · Apr 10, 2019

Welcome to R2R and your new reefing family.

ilyad · Apr 10, 2019

Welcome. I would also highly suggest a sump. My first tank did not have a sump and I quickly learned that to be a huge deal. All my tanks since have had a sump and I will never go otherwise. As to your tank selections, I would also echo getting the biggest one that you can afford/fit comfortably. You'll always run out of room

Finally, check on RedSea ones again, I believe they are either now or very shortly starting to ship with new lights they just came out with. That may effect your choice, potentially.

MaiReef · Apr 10, 2019

Welcome to R2R! Go with the Waterbox Marine, but for $700 I would change the lights to https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-ultra-reef-lights/44-105-ultra-34.html Save yourself $100 and get imo better lighting.

toddfuji · Apr 10, 2019

So, it sounds like nobody is in favor of the AIO; and the other four are more preferred in the long run. I only included the AIO for ease of ordering (all big items are included), so I assumed it would be an easier process getting started. I guess it's between RS Reefer 250 and WB Reef 100.3.

MaiReef · Apr 10, 2019

100.3, you won't regret getting as big as your space and wallet provide.

toddfuji · Apr 10, 2019

Those sBox Ultra lights look pretty diesel! Are the AL Prime HD's not good? Seems like people liked them.

MaiReef · Apr 10, 2019

toddfuji said:
Those sBox Ultra lights look pretty diesel! Are the AL Prime HD's not good? Seems like people liked them.

Some people like them, but they look dim to me and they are high off the tank so if you are looking from a lower vantage point in a living room they are in your eyes a bit.

MnFish1 · Apr 10, 2019

toddfuji said:
Hi All, I'm new to R2R and I found it while researching different saltwater tanks & equipment. I am new to the aquarium world and have never had a saltwater tank. I've been doing research for the last few months and have begun to make plans for my new aquarium. I am hoping I can make most of my decisions in the next few months before I begin to buy everything.

I am hoping to get a nice tank the family can enjoy that will sit in our family room. I am hoping to do a mostly fish tank (some clowns, a goby, a tang, a a few others and a cleanup crew along with some anenemies and a handful of easier corals.

I'm not sure how well the clip of my spreadsheet will post, but it includes a breakdown of tanks, equipment and prices. I want to set myself up for success but I do not want to spend too, too much to get going. Ideally I'd like to have some good quality equipment but nothing over-the-top.

I am leaning towards to the two lesser expensive tanks, the WB Marine 70.3 and the Red Sea Max E-260 (AIO). Has anybody checked these tanks out? There are a few forums on here which have a few comments on them but not too much else.

If anybody has any suggestions or input by all means let me know. Thanks!

I have Red Sea tanks - they are high quality.

I would not base the size on the initial cost' - but rather what you can afford to keep going forward. (and what would look good in your house). IMHO the smaller tank will be harder to maintain and the larger tank is not that much more expensive (comparing redsea to redsea). The larger tank will help you avoid the problem many here have had - where after 2 years - they are selling the old tank and buying a bigger one. The con - with the bigger one - you need more space, you will pay more for salt, a little more for electricity, and more for fish, and coral to 'fill it'. But in the long run thats what I would recommend.

PS - search the forums for 'Waterbox' and 'Redsea' and check the vendor forums - to see what others have experienced.

PPS EDIT - GET A SUMP