red sea or Waterbox

[Ubergroover]

After a bit of negotiation the wife gave me the go ahead for a bigger tank. Was thinking of a red sea xxl625 tank , the 525 or the Waterbox 134. Can anyone who owns any of the brands give me the great points and not so great points of their systems?

 

[Broadfield]

The Waterbox is brand new, so there is zero feedback on them. They are priced exactly the same, as an equivalent Red Sea Reefer, so cost is not an issue. Red Sea is a VERY well proven company... especially the Reefer series line of tanks. You can click on the Reefer series thread I started, in my signature, and see all of the happy customers. The Waterbox looks promising, but it has a huge hill to climb to compete with Red Sea. Note: The Red Sea 425 would be the equivalent size to the Waterbox 135.4. Ignore the gallon size on the Red Sea... they take into account the displacement of the overflow, the glass thickness and the water line. So the Red Sea gallon rating is always going to be less than other companies, even though the dimensions may be the same. If you are comparing to the Waterbox, only compare actual tank dimensions of each tank. On a side note, Waterbox started a thread comparing their 135.4 and the Red Sea 525... I did not have a very good impression of them as they made a ton of innacurate comparisons about the Red Sea Reefer line. That thread is located here if you want to check it out:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/waterbox-platinum-135-4-vs-red-sea-reefer-xl-525.328714/

NOTE: none of the tanks you posted are all-in-one tanks. I noticed that you posted this question in the All-In-One forum, so just wanted to make sure you weren't actually looking for in AIO.

 

[jsker]

Look at the Aqua box also. Great tank, with less cost

 

[Cherub]

Red sea all the way. I have a xxl 625. Check my build thread. It has feedback on it. My biggest complaint xs the sump. Still an awesome tank and I do not regret going with it.

 

[Ubergroover]

The Waterbox is brand new, so there is zero feedback on them. They are priced exactly the same, as an equivalent Red Sea Reefer so cost is not an issue. Red Sea is a VERY well proven company... especially the Reefer series line of tanks. You can click on the Reefer series thread I started, in my signature, and see all of the happy customers. The Waterbox looks promising, but it has a huge hill to climb to compete with Red Sea. Note: The Red Sea 425 would be the equivalent size to the Waterbox 135.4. Ignore the gallon size on the Red Sea... they take into account the displacement of the overflow, the glass thickness and the water line. So the Red Sea gallon rating is always going to be less than other companies, even though the dimensions may be the same. If you are comparing to the Waterbox, only compare actual tank dimensions of each tank. On a side note, Waterbox started a thread comparing their 135.4 and the Red Sea 525... I did not have a very good impression of them as they made a ton of innacurate comparisons about the Red Sea Reefer line. That thread is located here if you want to check it out:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/waterbox-platinum-135-4-vs-red-sea-reefer-xl-525.328714/

NOTE: none of the tanks you posted are all-in-one tanks. I noticed that you posted this question in the All-In-One forum, so just wanted to make sure you weren't actually looking for in AIO.

I saw that..I have been investigating the Red Sea line quite heavily. And truth be told, Im leaning that way. However trying to be a smart buyer I need to consider everything. I know Red Sea is proven, no doubt there. But before I pull the trigger, I wanted to hear from other owners. there may be something I don't want and I may just go the drilled tank route. But the Red Sea tanks are beautiful and would look great in my den....I saw one in a LFS and looked it up and down, impressive.

 

[Ubergroover]

Red sea all the way. I have a xxl 625. Check my build thread. It has feedback on it. My biggest complaint xs the sump. Still an awesome tank and I do not regret going with it.

Link?

 

[Cherub]

Link?

Its my signature

 

[Ubergroover]

Its my signature

Whoops missed that one....Duh

 

[Ubergroover]

Red sea all the way. I have a xxl 625. Check my build thread. It has feedback on it. My biggest complaint xs the sump. Still an awesome tank and I do not regret going with it.

What do you not like about the sump

 

[jtietz]

What do you not like about the sump

If your going larger is there a reason your sticking with a AIO. And not running a sump. A sump might make it easier, more stable, and prolong the fun of upgrading and adding more equipment in the future.

 

[Broadfield]

If your going larger is there a reason your sticking with a AIO. And not running a sump. A sump might make it easier, more stable, and prolong the fun of upgrading and adding more equipment in the future.

None of theses tanks are AIO... they all have sumps.

 

[Scubafrog]

None of theses tanks are AIO... they all have sumps.

I agree with you on this as it has bugged me in the past.

I think there is some confusion on this forum category. I think some people interpret "All In One" as meaning a complete aquarium package to purchase (tank, stand, sump, etc.). Everything in one package.

Whereas the industry refers to "All In One" as an aquarium with overflow and chambers in the rear of the display tank for housing pumps, media, media baskets, etc.

Waterbox does offer some All-In-One aquariums in 10, 20, 30 Shallow, 30 Classic, and 50 gallons.

I have seen the Waterbox Platinum Series aquariums at my LFS (Reef Rack) and the owner currently has one. They are nice and appear to be on par with the Red Sea Reefer but haven't been around long enough to have a proven track record as Broadfield pointed out.

One positive, I believe, for the Waterbox over the RSR would be the ability to use standard filter socks. Please verify though.

 

[LoneStarReef]

Check out Planet Aquariums too. Great tanks. Really impressed with mine. I have a build thread if you want more info and pics.

 

[Thle009]

So what did you decide to go with? I'm shopping for mine. LOL.

 

[Ubergroover]

red sea 750 xxl

 

[Reefs anonymous]

Went to a Lfs and saw the Red Sea stand starting to get water logged and the cross member wood that supports the shelf that the sump sits on starting to swell from water damage. I thought the stand was suppose to be marine grade? I suppose it is but the cross member wood is press wood. The stand is garbage imho. That display tank is probably less than 2 years old and the stand is falling apart.

 

[Ubergroover]

Went to a Lfs and saw the Red Sea stand starting to get water logged and the cross member wood that supports the shelf that the sump sits on starting to swell from water damage. I thought the stand was suppose to be marine grade? I suppose it is but the cross member wood is press wood. The stand is garbage imho. That display tank is probably less than 2 years old and the stand is falling apart.

I am about to move so when I put it together in my new place I will keep this in mind and make a new piece if I need to...Thanks!

 

[Reefs anonymous]

I am about to move so when I put it together in my new place I will keep this in mind and make a new piece if I need to...Thanks!

That’s definitely a good idea. I once had a oceanic tech tank on their oceanic tech stand that started to bulge from water swelling the press wood. It started happening about the same time the tank began to mature (1-2 years). I was afraid the entire stand would collapse or that the tank would shatter from sitting on an uneven surface. Had to tear the tank down and start over. I vowed I’d never put another tank on a stand that have any press wood ever again. That was a lot of work, stress, and had to spend a lot of money to get “stuff” to store and support the stock while I waited to build a “real” stand.

 

[JoshH]

I am about to move so when I put it together in my new place I will keep this in mind and make a new piece if I need to...Thanks!

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.

 

[Reefcowboy]

I wouldt go with the reefer. Dot get me wrong, nice tank, but the internal overflow is a huge PITA. Creates deadspots, makes it hard to aquascape the center of the tank, and visually unappealing. The Reefer sump is tight in space and with all mods most owers do to it, by the time you are done It would have been cheaper to go with a custom sump to properly fit all your own equipment.

I know it is not a option as you might be wanting to just get something set but long term you will wish to have gotten a tank, stand and sump to your taste separately. The reefer stand is pressed wood, go with a real wood custom stand for peace of mind.

I got myself an SCA rimless 150 predrilled for a synergy overflow box and the tank itself is the same quality of the reefer, actually better as all sides are 15mm thick(reefer only front and rear). Check them out for prices as they are very affordable.