POLL

[Pittsford_Pets]

I was talking with a few friends and they were saying you need to spend $1800 on a Red Sea reefer to have a nice tank. I said that’s just not true, and then for the same price I can make my 40g look just as good. The question is: Is $1800 worth not having rims on a tank?

 

[Florida Sunshine]

That would be completely a matter of opinion.

 

[PiscesPower]

It's not just having a rimless tank. There are plenty of rimless tanks that cost less than the Red Sea Reefers. I bought mine because it came with pretty much everything I needed and had the esthetic I was looking for. It's a well known brand with excellent reviews and good customer service. I purchased a Deluxe model that included the AI Hydra 26 lights and the custom Red Sea mounts. It worked for me and it was well worth the cost. That doesn't mean it's better than any other. Like many things it's personal choice. I would never pay 50k for a car or truck...

 

[Patrick Fulton]

I'd say a tank can look great no matter how ugly the glass/rim is. Its all about what's living in it.

 

[pandagobyguy]

I'd say a tank can look great no matter how ugly the glass/rim is. Its all about what's living in it.

Amen.

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

Exactly what I’m saying! It’s what’s inside and if you like it then it’s a good tank. I can go get a 10g, throw in play sand, use a desk lamp, a few fake decorations, a pair of clowns, a heater, hang on back filter, and I have a nice tank. It’s what you like, not what others like that makes it a great tank.

 

[NY_Caveman]

For comparison, I spent just about $1,800 on the system I am setting up now. That includes all equipment of which I have everything I need to set it up now. It is a JBJ Rimless 30 Gallon (see the first post of the build thread in my signature if you care to see what equipment I have for the $1,800)

I looked at the Red Sea series, but found that there were areas I felt I would still need to customize and I wanted a different LED. I compared the price in an Excel spreadsheet for a few different systems and found the most inexpensive option was the one I undertook.

EDIT: I should note in fairness I bought a lot of my equipment on Black Friday and with other sales, overall, I saved about 25% off of retail in total.