Wait for Reefer 525XL or Elos 160?

[boozeman27]

Hi! Been on here awhile now mostly lurking and researching for a few months. Getting back into the hobby after a 10 year break. I'll start an official build thread soon, but, in the meantime, I still haven't picked a tank yet. (I have everything but tank, thank you Broadfield"). I was all set on a Reefer until just a few weeks ago when I found out they were only shipping the "deluxe" model tanks with holes drilled into the back glass to support the AI lights a deluxe reefer tank comes with. Since I have already bought a Giesemann Aurora, I certantly didn't need those holes. I also plan on removing the back glass film because I love the full glass look. The Elos tank has that look in spades! After countless conversations with Red Sea and several retailers, it looks like I need to wait til they exhaust their supply of pre-drilled tanks until I can get one non-drilled. In the meantime, I have discovered Elos and, um, wow! What a beautiful tank but way too expensive. $6800 for tank and stand. Well today I see that CoralVue has them on sale so I can now get the 160 and stand for $4700. Still not cheap and still 2x the price of the reefer. Anyone wanna chime in and sway me one way or another. Thanks in advance for helping me spend my money!

Btw, the rest of my purchased and waiting equipment list beside the Aurora is as follows:
Nyos 160 skimmer
L1 return pump
Apex 2016
ATK, still need a nice acrylic reservoir
DOS and DDR
2 WAV pumps
FMK with leak detection and flow monitors
3 Aquamaxx reactors and all the hard plumbing needed
Already built a sweet water room too.

 

[jsker]

Have you looked at the water box tanks? link

 

[boozeman27]

I will check em out.

 

[jsker]

I will check em out.

Just another choice.

 

[redtigrinus]

Nice! I have owned the reefer 525XL and I currently have an Elos 120. For the look you want the Elos is definitely much better for it. That said you wont be disappointed with either! But if your willing to wait you'll save quite a bit of money that you could use on fish and corals. You could also use that time to cure your rock (assuming you use dead rock).

Only thing I don't like about the Elos 160 is the height. It really makes it hard to get that top down view if you want that, not too mention reaching the bottom of the tank without a stool unless you're tall. Despite that I'd still pick the Elos if money was no object.

One more thing. The dimensions for the Elos 160 on CoralVue's website are wrong. The actual dimension are 63 x 22.4 x 23.6in not 63 x 31.5 x 23.6in just FYI incase you didn't know.

 

[redtigrinus]

Have you looked at the water box tanks? link

Water Box is nice, but the 2 tanks mentioned are 5ft tanks. Water Box doesn't currently have a 5ft model. If that doesn't matter then they are worth a look, but you'd still be waiting because they are pre-order only right now.

 

[jsker]

Nice! I have owned the reefer 525XL and I currently have an Elos 120. For the look you want the Elos is definitely much better for it. That said you wont be disappointed with either! But if your willing to wait you'll save quite a bit of money that you could use on fish and corals. You could also use that time to cure your rock (assuming you use dead rock).

Only thing I don't like about the Elos 160 is the height. It really makes it hard to get that top down view if you want that, not too mention reaching the bottom of the tank without a stool unless you're tall. Despite that I'd still pick the Elos if money was no object.

One more thing. The dimensions for the Elos 160 on CoralVue's website are wrong. The actual dimension are 63 x 22.4 x 23.6in not 63 x 31.5 x 23.6in just FYI incase you didn't know.

great input

 

[boozeman27]

Water Box is nice, but the 2 tanks mentioned are 5ft tanks. Water Box doesn't currently have a 5ft model. If that doesn't matter then they are worth a look, but you'd still be waiting because they are pre-order only right now.

Thanks but yes, 5' is a must.

 

[boozeman27]

Only thing I don't like about the Elos 160 is the height. It really makes it hard to get that top down view if you want that, not too mention reaching the bottom of the tank without a stool unless you're tall.

Thanks. Thats a great point.

 

[redtigrinus]

Thanks but yes, 5' is a must.

Tell me about it... I do like my Elos 120 but I miss that extra foot I had with the Reefer 525XL. If I had it to do over I would have never sold it.

If you are willing to spend Elos money, perhaps you should consider going custom. There would still be a wait but I bet it would be shorter than waiting for the 525XL and you'd get it exactly the way you want it. Miracles can usually turn a tank around pretty quick and have pricing comparable to the Elos. They can also make a stand to you're liking.

 

[Reefltx]

I have a Red Sea reefer, but I'd go Elos if I could.

 

[wmo168]

I have Elos as well,.. check the Elos America website, they have the spec. Hands down for Elos... Very nice quality tank.. amazing... RedSea is nice but Elos more amazing if you don't mind spending the money. I had one running for 6 years and no issue...

 

[boozeman27]

I have Elos as well,.. check the Elos America website, they have the spec. Hands down for Elos... Very nice quality tank.. amazing... RedSea is nice but Elos more amazing if you don't mind spending the money. I had one running for 6 years and no issue...

Do you have the side overflow on your Elos? Is it as quiet as they claim? Is it easy to clean?

 

[wmo168]

Do you have the side overflow on your Elos? Is it as quiet as they claim? Is it easy to clean?

Yes, they are always quiet, you only can hear the pump noise.. alot of people said the drainflow is noisy but it depends on how you route and angle the drain tube... The new DiamonLine series even have a dial to control the flow with your finger....

Look at these amazing Elos tank on Reefapalooza month ago... Elos America was there at the show..... they will be in NY this month too

The glass on their tank is very crystal clear, best out there...

 

[boozeman27]

Man, an Elos 160 for $4700 is hard to pass up... hmmm got some real thinking to do. A big factor is the color. the wife really wanted black and the Elos is only white. You can get black doors, but I think it looks weird with the sides still white.

 

[wmo168]

Man, an Elos 160 for $4700 is hard to pass up... hmmm got some real thinking to do. A big factor is the color. the wife really wanted black and the Elos is only white. You can get black doors, but I think it looks weird with the sides still white.

The frameless design works well with white in my opinion, the door can be different color so it pop like in orange or red. Unless you have Elos build you a custom black cabinet or have another place built it and just get the Elos tank... I understand the all black idea but then it don't showcase the nice design of the tank. I guess if you really want all black, Redsea is the only next option... The problem with Redsea is the back is entirely black as well... I like the clear view myself.... as in the ocean there is no black background when you go snorkel...

 

[wmo168]

I believe the new Elos Aluminum tank stand comes with different color and you can snap it off with magnet on each panel...

Look at this Custom Elos Orange Stand.. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/elos-aquariums.185482/

 

[boozeman27]

You can peal off the black back of the Red Sea and have it look like the Elos, except for the center overflow like this

 

[wmo168]

You can peal off the black back of the Red Sea and have it look like the Elos, except for the center overflow like this

Wow, good to know,... This something I never know... Looks amazing..

 

[pelphrey]

I have the reefer 250, really like the tank. Never had an elos tank so I can't speak on it. I'm going to keep this tank for awhile, when it is time to "upgrade" I may look at he crystalline aquariums from planet aquariums.

https://www.planetaquariums.com/crystaline