red sea or Waterbox

Reefs anonymous · May 27, 2018

JoshH said:
More than likely maintained by an employee who doesn't care about spilling water all over it day in and day out cause the store owns it though.

Press wood is press wood. Possibly an employee who don’t care, but even if it’s yours and you are OCD, it will eventually get wet , swollen, and break apart. Real wood won’t do that even if you’re lazy, and better yet aluminum won’t do that either.

JoshH · May 27, 2018

Reefs anonymous said:
Press wood is press wood. Possibly an employee who don’t care, but even if it’s yours and you are OCD, it will eventually get wet , swollen, and break apart. Real wood won’t do that even if you’re lazy, and better yet aluminum won’t do that either.

Real wood can and will still rot. Even if you seal it and maintain it properly. I've had my red sea tank for 2 years with 0 stand issues. Others have had them for MUCH, MUCH longer with no issues. To say they are garbage is a horrible misrepresentation of what they are. Yes wood is better, steel is better than wood and aluminum is even better than that but at the end of the day it comes down to maintaining it and realizing it's limitations.

Reefs anonymous · May 27, 2018

JoshH said:
Real wood can and will still rot. Even if you seal it and maintain it properly. I've had my red sea tank for 2 years with 0 stand issues. Others have had them for MUCH, MUCH longer with no issues. To say they are garbage is a horrible misrepresentation of what they are. Yes wood is better, steel is better than wood and aluminum is even better than that but at the end of the day it comes down to maintaining it and realizing it's limitations.

Yes, i agree real wood will rot, in a couple decade or longer with extremely bad or no care. Press wood, you’ll get a few years. The stand is only as good as its weakest link and they put the press wood at the very bottom of the tank where it will definitely get wet. Why not just make the entire stand of press wood then? Every aquarium will have some water accident, have high humidity in the stand and over time the press wood will be affected. If it were real wood, you’ll probably break down the tank way before the stand would breaks down. That stand would have been much better served if it were all wood. You also stated others having the stand much much longer, thought these came out in 2015? https://reefbuilders.com/2014/11/19/red-sea-reefer-tanks-pricing-early-2015-delivery-date/

JoshH · May 27, 2018

Reefs anonymous said:
You also stated others having the stand much much longer, thought these came out in 2015?

Red Sea has been using the press board in other series for MUCH longer, Max 130 & 250 series being the more obvious. The Reefer series are just the newest models but the materials haven't changed. I do agree it should be made of ply, BUT the press does serve it's purpose and has for some time.

Reefs anonymous · May 27, 2018

Guess I’m just a sloppy reefer and will get my stand wet. I was considering the Red Sea series until I went to the lfs and was surprised by the swelling. At that point, I lost interest in the brand considering what I had faced with my other stand.

JoshH · May 27, 2018

Reefs anonymous said:
Guess I’m just a sloppy reefer and will get my stand wet. I was considering the Red Sea series until I went to the lfs and was surprised by the swelling. At that point, I lost interest in the brand considering what I had faced with my other stand.

Lol I think we're all sloppy reefers. I just planned with that in mind, I knew the stand was press board so I caulked all the corners and any screw holes as well as leaving room around the sump for proper ventilation so any spills dry quickly. All my plumbing has easily accessible unions so I can remove the sump quickly if I have a larger spill. I think it's just a matter of being aware of the draw backs with each material and being prepared for them.

Zotch · May 27, 2018

If I spill water I can just wipe it up? Problem solved?

Reefs anonymous · May 27, 2018

Reefs anonymous said:
Guess I’m just a sloppy reefer and will get my stand wet. I was considering the Red Sea series until I went to the lfs and was surprised by the swelling. At that point, I lost interest in the brand considering what I had faced with my other stand.

I decided and bought a piece of “real” furniture made from “real” wood, then reinforced it for the weight of water. This is what I ended up with.

Reefs anonymous · May 27, 2018

JoshH said:
Lol I think we're all sloppy reefers. I just planned with that in mind, I knew the stand was press board so I caulked all the corners and any screw holes as well as leaving room around the sump for proper ventilation so any spills dry quickly. All my plumbing has easily accessible unions so I can remove the sump quickly if I have a larger spill. I think it's just a matter of being aware of the draw backs with each material and being prepared for them.

I decided and bought a piece of “real” furniture made from “real” wood, then reinforced it for the weight of water. This is what I ended up with

Zotch · May 27, 2018

Reefs anonymous said:
I decided and bought a piece of “real” furniture made from “real” wood, then reinforced it for the weight of water. This is what I ended up with

We get it. You have some agenda against tank manufactures like Red Sea and WaterBox, Can you give it a rest?

Reefs anonymous · May 27, 2018

Zotch said:
We get it. You have some agenda against tank manufactures like Red Sea and WaterBox, Can you give it a rest?

Lol, you’re funny! Why would I care, they haven’t done anything to me.

Ubergroover · May 28, 2018

@Reefs anonymous I totally get your concern on pressboard. However what I planned on doing after your tip, was to take the part (or parts) in question, draw a blueprint of the part. Then transfer to master cam (cnc program) and remanufacture out of a material of my choice. Being in a engineering department where I work has its perks..LOL. I still prefer the red sea however cheapening the product with a substandard material in order to cut cost is the way of the world today. Like you, you customize your own ( and it looks great! BTW) so will I. I appreciate the heads up on it..

Reefs anonymous · May 28, 2018

Ubergroover said:
@Reefs anonymous I totally get your concern on pressboard. However what I planned on doing after your tip, was to take the part (or parts) in question, draw a blueprint of the part. Then transfer to master cam (cnc program) and remanufacture out of a material of my choice. Being in a engineering department where I work has its perks..LOL. I still prefer the red sea however cheapening the product with a substandard material in order to cut cost is the way of the world today. Like you, you customize your own ( and it looks great! BTW) so will I. I appreciate the heads up on it..

Thanks, I actually like the Red Sea aquarium ALOT. Just wish the stand was made of solid wood even if they had to adjust the price to make their margin.

Ubergroover · May 28, 2018

Agreed!

siggy · May 28, 2018

Ubergroover said:
red sea 750 xxl

Nice choice

Willy315 · May 28, 2018

Per the website the XL and XXL are plywood.

"The new REEFER™ XXL models are 65cm (25.6″) wide and 60cm (23.6″) high and are available in 150cm (59″) long/625 liter (166 gal) capacity or 180cm (71″) long/750 liter (200 gal). They are constructed using 19mm (3/4″) ultra-clear glass and sit on extra durable HPL coated plywood Marine Spec cabinets for greater water resistance. The feet are fully adjustable for perfect levelling on any surface."

JoshH · May 28, 2018

Willy315 said:
Per the website the XL and XXL are plywood.

"The new REEFER™ XXL models are 65cm (25.6″) wide and 60cm (23.6″) high and are available in 150cm (59″) long/625 liter (166 gal) capacity or 180cm (71″) long/750 liter (200 gal). They are constructed using 19mm (3/4″) ultra-clear glass and sit on extra durable HPL coated plywood Marine Spec cabinets for greater water resistance. The feet are fully adjustable for perfect levelling on any surface."

I was going to mention this but it's only with there XXL Models so doesn't apply every where but most certainly with the 750.

bckey · Jan 26, 2019

Innovative Marine has 75 and 100 gallon int or ext tanks that come with aluminum stands.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/nuvo-ext-100-aquarium-with-black-aps-stand-innovative-marine.html

Marcus_Alexander · Jan 26, 2019

I have the Red Sea Reefer 350 and I generally love it. I will admit that I am in the process of re-doing all the plumbing under the tank. As I have grown in the hobby I wanted to change the sump around. The Red Sea stock set up does not have much to offer there. I am really into the refugim and I still wanted a protein skimmer so I'll be getting a TS-26 from synergy reef. Thanks to @Broadfield and @Kryssie I know what I need to do so. Just need everything to come in. I'll be posting a build thread next Saturday. All in all I love the look of the tank. So I would say go with the red sea and prepare to mod it up as you see fit. Oh one last thing, I did not like the ATO that came with the tank. That's another story though.