Red Sea or Waterbox

[HC_79]

Looking at getting back into building out a marine tank. I’m leaning towards the Red Sea Max series and maybe Waterbox. The issue I see is that both tanks are lidless. Marine tanks I’ve had in the past have always had a unique smell to them but everything has remained within the tank and cabinet. I’m worried the lidless tanks will make the house smell like an aquarium. Can people share their experiences on these tanks regarding the smell the omit when set up in the house.

 

[Peace River]

#WelcometoR2R! The lidless tank may result in jumping fish, but the smell would likely come from the sump (especially the skimmer) rather than the tank itself. IMO both the waterbox and the red sea tanks would be solid choices. Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[hoytoyed]

Check out Cade aquariums too.

 

[davidcalgary29]

You have the option of getting a clearview lid with the composite inserts if you want a solid lid for these tanks.

I grew up by a tropical ocean, and no aquarium should be nearly as stinky as the shore at low tide. Aquariums tend to smell like the sea (as they should), and the smell should not be unpleasant. If it is, then something's died in it, and whatever that was should be removed.

 

[Titleist1964]

IM comes with a lid I believe.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

I have 3 lidless tanks. No bad smell. If I get that ocean smell it’s a bonus.

2 biggest drawbacks: fish jumping out which to me is a huge deal and greater amount of fresh water replacement due to evaporation.

I have the first generation Red Sea, a Waterbox and a Cade. The Cade shines in the stand department. But with respect to overall wow factor and elegance, nothing touches the Waterbox. My next tank will either be another Waterbox or custom. Hope this helps.

 

[ekandler]

I have a Red Sea and know plenty of people with them, never heard of or been around one that has a smell. Mine doesn’t smell at all. Maybe it’s a question of stagnant water vs flowing water? Any tank with good surface agitation shouldn’t have a musky smell to it I wouldn’t think.

Red Sea sells a net top you can add to prevent fish from jumping, or there are other more expensive acrylic options for lids.

 

[davidcalgary29]

Chaeto does stink, unlike any of the other macro I cultivate. If you have enough, and it's partially exposed the air, I suppose it could add an unpleasant funk to the air.

Skimmate is the worst, but I just cut out carbon sponge/mesh and put it over the holes above the collection chamber, and that took care of the problem.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Niether. Go custom.
D

 

[jimfish98]

Waterbox. Too many horror stories with Red Sea tanks splitting and stand failures is why I avoided them and stuck with WB. The smell off a reef/SW tank is so much better than a FW tank. Most smell will come from the sump and I hang carbon bags for the house in there and it covers most smells unless you leave the lid off your protein skimmer. Lid wise, I did a DIY kit from the LFS and it worked well. Switch to one of the fancy acrylic lids and would never spend that money again, stick to the cheap one that just keeps fish from jumping out.