Ordered Red Sea Reefer 350 ... debated 425 XL

[TinyChocobo]

I was up most of the night working due to some unplanned issues at work. While up I was debating the Red Sea Reefer 350 vs 425 XL.

I settled on the 350 as it’s $300 cheaper and the 425 XL is only 2.6” in width deeper. (15 gallons more) for $300.

I still have time to change to a 425 XL but will I miss those 3 inches I wonder. Decisions decisions.

I think I’ll be fine with 73 gallons and 20 inches width over 22.6.

I’m coming from a 29 gallon at 30 x 12 so 47 x 20 and 47 x 22.6 would both be huge upgrades.

Is it worth $300 more?

 

[HotRocks]

Coming from the guy who has the 750XXL, well worth the 300! Bigger is always better IMO. I do love the red sea product though, either way you go they are great tanks, super easy to set up, and maintain!

 

[PanchoG]

I have S-500, go for the 425 XL! those inches a worthwhile in aquascaping and room for corals.

 

[boozeman27]

I agree with @PanchoG , that extra width really helps with aquascaping. You will have more room for growth while still leaving extra space for glass cleaning magnets etc...

 

[TinyChocobo]

My return pump is a Reef Octopus VarioS-4 rated at 1056 GPH and has a 3/4” barb or 1” Pipe output so it should handle the 1” hose on the 425 XL I think but it seems I’ll have to make a 1” pipe to 1” barb adapter?

 

[TinyChocobo]

Called BRS and upgraded to the 425 XL. Also ordered 100 pounds of dry pukani.

 

[4FordFamily]

Called BRS and upgraded to the 425 XL. Also ordered 100 pounds of dry pukani.

Great choice!

 

[jp_75]

ordered xl 425 sunday! even thought about bigger but can't spend more $$ for equipment! trying to use what i have .....

 

[Hulley]

You'll appreciate the extra room in the sump area as well, every little bit helps.

 

[TinyChocobo]

ordered xl 425 sunday! even thought about bigger but can't spend more $$ for equipment! trying to use what i have .....

In theory I could have done a Red Sea Reefer XXL 750 - and I have room for the tank/stand but not for everything I'd need to properly maintain it [like water storage, etc].

At some point down the road when I have a house I hope to set something that large up - but for now 88 Gallons is HUGE compared to my 29 gallon I've had for a couple of years now. I absolutely love my 29 and 88 gallons seems like a dream come true . I have a 75 Gallon fresh water that I always look towards when I'm messing with the 29 and I think, 'Man I'd love that to be a salt tank.' .

You'll appreciate the extra room in the sump area as well, every little bit helps.

I have a separate 10 gallon ATO reservoir that I'm probably going to put in the right portion of the cabinet so I'm thinking I'm going to turn the built-in ATO container into a refugium at some point. For now I'm just going to set everything up as-intended out of the box and get familiar/used to it - and will add/adjust/make changes down the road as I have time and money to do so .

 

[kswan]

I was looking at the 350 and xl 425 too. Ended up settling on the xl 425. Really happy so far.

 

[kswan]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-to-the-hobby-reefer-425-xl-on-the-way.299672/

Here is my build if you are interested.

 

[PanchoG]

Called BRS and upgraded to the 425 XL. Also ordered 100 pounds of dry pukani.

Good choice!

 

[TinyChocobo]

BRS shipped me 110 pounds of Pukani - at least according to the tracking. Tank won't ship as near as I understand until Friday. Not sure where Red Sea ships tanks from.

 

[Cherub]

I was up most of the night working due to some unplanned issues at work. While up I was debating the Red Sea Reefer 350 vs 425 XL.

I settled on the 350 as it’s $300 cheaper and the 425 XL is only 2.6” in width deeper. (15 gallons more) for $300.

I still have time to change to a 425 XL but will I miss those 3 inches I wonder. Decisions decisions.

I think I’ll be fine with 73 gallons and 20 inches width over 22.6.

I’m coming from a 29 gallon at 30 x 12 so 47 x 20 and 47 x 22.6 would both be huge upgrades.

Is it worth $300 more?

the sump is bigger too isn't it?

 

[TinyChocobo]

I'm stressing a tiny bit about getting this big heavy tank into my office. It's me and one other guy here - hopefully we'll be able to manage .

 

[tnc112105]

Not gonna lie - it's heavy.

 

[Philt56]

My return pump is a Reef Octopus VarioS-4 rated at 1056 GPH and has a 3/4” barb or 1” Pipe output so it should handle the 1” hose on the 425 XL I think but it seems I’ll have to make a 1” pipe to 1” barb adapter?

I just got the 425, it has 3/4” barb for the return pipe. I bought 3/4” ID silicone hose from amazon. Nice and flexible, no kinks.

 

[Philt56]

I was debating 350 vs 425 too and everyone said the same thing about the extra space. The only thing is the spot I have it makes it stick out more in room than I’d like, like close to the walking path. But I probably would have have the 350 in the same place just with more space behind it and the wall.

I cut out a piece of cardboard with the same floor print to judge how it would fit.

 

[TinyChocobo]

Not gonna lie - it's heavy.

I don't think the weight itself is going to be a big deal but honestly - it's bulky and that is what has me more concerned.

I just got the 425, it has 3/4” barb for the return pipe. I bought 3/4” ID silicone hose from amazon. Nice and flexible, no kinks.

The site says "3/4” threaded hose barb – Pipe Int. Dia 25mm (1”)" which didn't make much sense to me. BRS told me on the phone that the hose that comes with it should hook up to my VarioS-4 without an issue.

I was debating 350 vs 425 too and everyone said the same thing about the extra space. The only thing is the spot I have it makes it stick out more in room than I’d like, like close to the walking path. But I probably would have have the 350 in the same place just with more space behind it and the wall.

I cut out a piece of cardboard with the same floor print to judge how it would fit.

In this case the room I'm putting it in is like 30x30 and I'm putting it up against the far wall - I have room for a much larger tank - but just didn't want to drop that much both on the tank as well as everything I'd need to get it up and running [bigger skimmer, bigger return pump, more live rock, etc].