ReefReadyOrNot
New Member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2018
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 4
- What state or country do you live in
- New York
Would you select a Red Sea Reefer 170 or build your own setup using a 40 gallon breeder for the display and a 20 gallon long for the sump?
The cost difference after factoring in every piece of plumbing and equipment is at a "minor" (for this hobby) $300.
I personally like the 40 gallon breeder tank because the display is larger and a refugium would be incorporated into the sump. However, the display and stand is uglier than the Red Sea Reefer's.
At the end of the day, the decision comes down to picking a very sexy cube or building a less sexy 40 gallon breeder which has better function (12 inches of additional length, approximately ~5 more gallons of total water volume, and a larger refugium). I also have no plans of upgrading for at least a few years.
Some points to consider:
The cost difference after factoring in every piece of plumbing and equipment is at a "minor" (for this hobby) $300.
I personally like the 40 gallon breeder tank because the display is larger and a refugium would be incorporated into the sump. However, the display and stand is uglier than the Red Sea Reefer's.
At the end of the day, the decision comes down to picking a very sexy cube or building a less sexy 40 gallon breeder which has better function (12 inches of additional length, approximately ~5 more gallons of total water volume, and a larger refugium). I also have no plans of upgrading for at least a few years.
Some points to consider:
- Red Sea Reefer would use Hydra 26 HD
- 40 Breeder would use 2 x AI Prime HD
- Both tanks would use a Varios 4 return pump and 2 small powerheads for water movement
- Both tanks should be able to accomodate my desired stock list althoug the 40 breeder would probably handle the bioload better. My desired stock list is 2 clownfish, 1 flame angel, 1 midas blenny, 1 leopard wrasse, 1 firefish, 1 diamond watchman hoby, 1 anemone. The number of fish may be pushing it for the Red Sea Reefer but I've seen smaller stocking lists for the Nuvo 40 and JBJ 45 which have display dimensions similar to the Red Sea Reefer's and the Red Sea Reefer would have a sump. Corals will mainly be softies and LPS for easier maintenance.
- Installing the Red Sea Reefer is quick and easy
- Installing or building the 40 breeder system is time consuming and more laborious although I do love DIY challenge
- The 40 breeder has 12 extra inches of length, a refugium in the sump (whereas the Red Sea Reefer's refugium would be made from plumbing the ATO)
- The Red Sea tank is sexy. It is rimless with clearer glass and the stand is modern
- The 40 breeder is not sexy. The rim is a turnoff, but I think I can make a nice stand like this (credit to a person at nano-reef.com): https://imgur.com/QIhJQBZ
- This is my first saltwater tank. I've kept cichlid and planted tanks before.
