Red Sea = Lexus, Elos = Tesla, etc.?

freeblackfish · Sep 17, 2019

I'm new to the different brands of aquariums. I'm trying to understand the landscape. Could someone please explain their positions in the marketplace by comparing them to various car brands' positions in the US market?

After a bit of research, I have some sense that Red Sea is comparable to Lexus: mass high-end, with entry high-end models, all the way up to quite high-end, but nothing particularly bespoke about them. Does that sound correct?

What is Elos comparable to? It seems more focused on cutting-edge tech and R&D. Is it comparable to Tesla? What about Innovative Marine?

Further downmarket, what are Marina and Fluval comparable to? Aqueon? Etc.

I'm not so concerned about countries of origin (e.g., Red Sea seems to have some relation to Europe, but I'm fine comparing them to Lexus) — just their comparable car brands with reference to the US market (i.e., I know that Mercedes is perceived differently in the EU).

Thanks!

ELOSAmerica · Sep 25, 2019

hello . to be exact ELOS = Lamborghini more than Tesla .

if we go for Car comparing .. i usualy said Lambo for describe my ELOS aquarium .

TheHarold · Sep 25, 2019

For custom, Reef Savvy and Elos seem to be on top
Then Planet Aquariums and Miracles
Red Sea and Waterbox are pretty identical, but they dont do custom.

freeblackfish · Sep 25, 2019

Thanks! That's definitely positioned Elos in my mind. So is Red Sea indeed comparable to Lexus? Popular, mass luxury, limited customization?

mta_morrow · Sep 25, 2019

ELOSAmerica said:
hello . to be exact ELOS = Lamborghini more than Tesla . if we go for Car comparing .. i usualy said Lambo for describe my ELOS aquarium .

Didn’t realize you were this close!

vetteguy53081 · Sep 25, 2019

Elos - Ferrari
Red sea- Cadillac
Water box - volkswagen

User1 · Sep 25, 2019

I don't get the tank and car reference. Maybe just me I guess because I don't see quality tied to any car name be it Ford or Ferrari.

And yes, I'm a former car guy. I tracked my 89 Mustang LX and more recently my 2015 GT/PP Mustang be it closed track or HPED. Never once saw a Ferrari although last year I did see a Ford GT. Go figure.

freeblackfish · Sep 25, 2019

saf1 said:
I don't get the tank and car reference. Maybe just me I guess because I don't see quality tied to any car name be it Ford or Ferrari.

And yes, I'm a former car guy. I tracked my 89 Mustang LX and more recently my 2015 GT/PP Mustang be it closed track or HPED. Never once saw a Ferrari although last year I did see a Ford GT. Go figure.

Oh, I'm definitely not talking about actual quality. I meant brand positioning: if quality comes into it, it's going to be merely perceived quality. Thanks!

freeblackfish · Sep 25, 2019

vetteguy53081 said:
Elos - Ferrari
Red sea- Cadillac
Water box - volkswagen

I'm of a generation that's generally not super familiar with Cadillac, apart from the Escalades that carry around celebrities

User1 · Sep 25, 2019

freeblackfish said:
Oh, I'm definitely not talking about actual quality. I meant brand positioning: if quality comes into it, it's going to be merely perceived quality. Thanks!

Brand. Got it. They do have brand images for sure. I guess I need more coffee

Daniel@R2R · Sep 25, 2019

This is a very interesting topic. Following!

Opus · Sep 25, 2019

I would rather have a Planet Aquarium tank over an Elos.

LARedstickreefer · Sep 25, 2019

What’s the equivalent to Porsche?

Black Pearl · Sep 25, 2019

Reef Savvy = Maybach

Ross Petersen · Sep 25, 2019

I'd check out Crystal Dynamic Aquariums as well as Crystal Reef Aquatics in the US if you are looking for custom at a reasonable price. The tanks will be more robustly build (e.g., euro-bracing), cut to the shape you want, and built on a metal stand with framing of your choice. Red Sea Tanks, by contrast, are build on a synthetic something stand with an epoxy resin. They are pretty - but don't soak them in water.

Crystal Dynamic and Crystal Reef Aquatics (and other custom companies) will also put an ABS or other insert at the bottom of the glass to protect the tank.

To me, after having done months of research... it's a no-brainer... if you know what you want, or trust an expert to pick good for you given a budget, go with these guys (or the likes).

The price differential wouldn't be much over a Red Sea either.

I don't know cars much but I'd put the aforementioned companies in the likes of a Tesla. Durable, built for simplicity and performance... and they integrate the new goodies (e.g., roller filters, wicked and functional sumps, etc.).

I have zero affiliation with either of the companies.

If you want easy plug and play and no decisions, Red Sea is the Honda Civic. A fantastic starter option.

Mikeht11 · Sep 25, 2019

vetteguy53081 said:
Elos - Ferrari
Red sea- Cadillac
Water box - volkswagen

Is Volkswagen or Cadillac the better of the 2? Haha. Im not impressed by red sea and I’ve never seen a waterbox in person. Cadillac is also very unimpressive unless powered by an LS platform and well volkswagon is........... i’ll stop. Wouldn’t want to offend anyones vehicle choice.

MURedhawk · Sep 25, 2019

I would rank Waterbox more in line with a modern new revolutionary car like a Tesla.
New company - Tesla very new company and so is Waterbox.
Waterbox - Tesla-like glass, modern design, open frame and open to modification - less like a Volkswagen which is more like a German Ford.

I bought a Waterbox 100.3 and am testing it out. It has great visuals with Star-fire glass and is easy to maintain and I really like it after 1 year. I have had reef tanks for almost 7 years and upgraded with same corals/fish etc after a tank breach (long story and not a Waterbox). Testing has been going well so far and I do have several “add ons” to the tank. It is sort of like owning a Tesla or picking chocolate out of a box. Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get. Hopefully the Waterbox turns out great and does not create a flood in our home.

Overall, this is a tough question since so much tech is added on to our systems and this can make a simple tank turn into a a fancy tank.
Kia, Ford, Chevy, Volvo, Lexus, Mercedes, Range Rover, Lamborghini, Maserati, etc.
Are you getting equipment that is going to last or a tank that is going to last?
Hopefully, we all our getting both things that work and last, but we often do not know.
Great starter discussion.

CoralReefer2110 · Sep 26, 2019

Okay so I absolutely 100% don't want to offend anyone. Nor do I want to come off in any way other than humorous. When comparing brand loyalty I cannot think of two topics (short of Coke and Pepsi) more ready for a fun/contentious debate than automobiles and aquariums. That said, we are all here and love our tanks and many of us also love cars so why not play along - remember, just for fun here gang....to my lambo loving friends I must respectfully disagree.....lol

I've got my vote in for my two fav's:
I've got my ReefSavvy tank and the car situation, well you know.....