Redsea Reefer vs Waterbox

kingkapoor · Jul 27, 2020

Finally got a house that can fit a good sized tank

Debating between Redsea reefers XXL or the waterbox PRO 220 Gallon.

I did google this before coming here and the problem Im having is the issue the store owner told me I havent seen too much of. Store owner says that red sea reefer has been having a lot of seams break and the glass panel falls off. Never had an issue with waterbox so far. What are your guys thoughts?

Sophisticated Reefer · Jul 27, 2020

DO NOT buy red Sea!

At this moment I have the seams come loose and they are not going to help me in any way!!

Letterkenny · Jul 27, 2020

kingkapoor said:
Finally got a house that can fit a good sized tank

Debating between Redsea reefers XXL or the waterbox PRO 220 Gallon.

I did google this before coming here and the problem Im having is the issue the store owner told me I havent seen too much of. Store owner says that red sea reefer has been having a lot of seams break and the glass panel falls off. Never had an issue with waterbox so far. What are your guys thoughts?

There’s a thread around here about issues with one of the Redsea XXL which was caused by the stand I believe. I was considering Red Sea and Waterbox and ultimately went with Waterbox and love it. I was looking mainly at the 425XL and wasn’t a fan of the width offered and some other non standard sizes such as with filter socks. My LFS has several Red Sea’s and warned me about some issues they have been seeing which made me ultimately go Waterbox at a different LFS as the Red Sea LFS did not sell Waterbox (but ultimately recommended it).

infinite0180 · Jul 27, 2020

I owned a red sea reefer. I wont buy another. I went with Innovative Marine this time just because it was cheaper than a Waterbox.

Perthegallon · Jul 27, 2020

Dont buy a water box I own one its trash

Arabyps · Jul 27, 2020

Perthegallon said:
Dont buy a water box I own one its trash

I own one, they are outstanding.

JoshH · Jul 27, 2020

kingkapoor said:
Finally got a house that can fit a good sized tank

Debating between Redsea reefers XXL or the waterbox PRO 220 Gallon.

I did google this before coming here and the problem Im having is the issue the store owner told me I havent seen too much of. Store owner says that red sea reefer has been having a lot of seams break and the glass panel falls off. Never had an issue with waterbox so far. What are your guys thoughts?

Congrats on the new house! Why go off the shelf so to speak? Why not go custom and get the tank of your dreams?? A tank with no compromises, exactly how you want it.

Letterkenny · Jul 27, 2020

Perthegallon said:
Dont buy a water box I own one its trash

Not sure I follow here. Mine is great.

TheGerm · Jul 27, 2020

I have had a Reefer 425XL for ~3yrs.... Tank is great, no issues with the tank so far.

I would say, just make sure you trust your LFS. My LFS (Tiki Corals in VA) actually sent the first one back, before i got to put hands on it. They called and told me another would be dropped shipped and it was a ~2wk delay.. no biggie for me, plus i trusted their judgement.

All i can say is i love mine, and i would buy another through a trusted source, but would not buy one used. Just my $0.02.

Good luck on the shopping, and i cant wait to see a Build Thread!

Billldg · Jul 27, 2020

LOL, this is going to be a Chevy vs Ford type of thread. In reality they are both great, and both have had problems at some point.

dragon99 · Jul 27, 2020

I've had a Reefer 350 (sold to upgrade), a Reefer Max Nano (running 2yrs), and a WB 7226 peninsula (running 8 months)

The WB has better plumbing and a quality gate valve (especially on larger tanks where it's not stuck at 3/4"). The WB ATO is actually a usable size whereas the Red Sea ATO is too small across the board. WB QC is lacking and you might have to drill a few holes in the stand to put it together. Support is fairly responsive, but nothing amazing.

Red Sea has had issues, but they also sell way more tanks so it's hard to judge actual failure rates.

Letterkenny · Jul 27, 2020

dragon99 said:
I've had a Reefer 350 (sold to upgrade), a Reefer Max Nano (running 2yrs), and a WB 7226 peninsula (running 8 months)

The WB has better plumbing: imperial sizing, quality gate valve (especially on larger tanks where it's not stuck at 3/4"). The WB ATO is actually a usable size whereas the Red Sea ATO is too small across the board. WB QC is lacking and you might have to drill a few holes in the stand to put it together. Support is fairly responsive, but nothing amazing.

Red Sea has had issues, but they also sell way more tanks so it's hard to judge actual failure rates.

Yea building the WB stand was awful.

Trey · Jul 27, 2020

I was considering both the Red Sea 525xl and the waterbox proreef 180.5 and ultimately decided on waterbox. I liked the foot print of the waterbox as well as the plumbing better. Availability was an issue with the redsea as well.. a quick search reveals a lot of them still seem to be out of stock.
I have not actually received the tank yet.

JoshH · Jul 27, 2020

Billldg said:
reality they are both great

But Ford is just slightly better ;Smuggrin

;Hilarious;Hilarious

Billldg · Jul 27, 2020

JoshH said:
But Ford is just slightly better ;Smuggrin ;Hilarious;Hilarious

Until you drive one, LOL!!! ;Hilarious ;Hilarious ;Hilarious

Rrwilson1223 · Jul 27, 2020

Never owned a Waterbox but heard good things.

I’ve got the RedSea 750 xxl. I happened to buy mine around the time the new stand/sumps came out. They have a reinforced piece to deal with the weight issue from before. Also added a “Y” return pipe which allows for dual return.

I’ve owned a lot of tanks and this 750 is by far the best designed. It works great and if RS ever ventures into the 300 gal plus range, I may have to consider them.

Montiman · Jul 27, 2020

I am a 750 XXL owner and I am very happy with my purchase. I was one of the people who had a tank replaced under warranty but I received good prompt service. I think the product is great given what they cost. The XXL tanks are surprisingly affordable for what they are.

I believe the Waterbox and RedSea tanks are both what I would call affordable luxury tanks. They are not true luxury aquariums but they come close at a much more reasonable price. My 750xxl cost $3,800 but I remember working at an LFS where a glass tank, furniture grade stand, and sump would easily be double that.

rob s. · Jul 27, 2020

Im new to the hobby but couldn't be happier with my WB. It's a nano 20 gallon but its super easy to take care of and the glass is clearer than any other tank I've looked thru.

Montiman · Jul 27, 2020

Defining factors for me going with RedSea over Waterbox was parts availability in my area, aesthetics (I think the stands look better on the RedSea), and the sump design.

Fishphi784 · Jul 27, 2020

I have never owned a WB, but have seen them in LFSs. I have owned 3 Red Sea tanks. I think Red Sea stands and sumps are much better quality, although the ATO is definitely too small. As others have stated, Red Sea sells a lot more tanks, so I wouldn't interpret a few more negative experiences or a few positive experiences as representing actual difference in quality. That said, all of my Red Sea tanks have been high quality with no issues. I have used Red Seas customer service to replace a door and they were great. Also, if you register your tank with Red Sea you will have a 3 year warranty.