RedSea vs Waterbox (1 Viewer)

[H-D-Fatboy-16]

If you had the chance to start over and buy either a red sea or a water box. Which would you choose and why

 

[Erin]

I’m not a fan of the stands that come with either, but if WB sold their new 145.5 as tank only, I’d buy that. Shallower, wider, and a bit longer than my current tank. Had a WB aio a few years back and they are very nice tanks.

 

[Ross tha Reefer]

I just bought an older WB and love it! I really dig the TRUE 2 filter sump system…water is drawn down through one sock and the back over a second for a true double filtration. Don’t get the point of the triggers etc that have that second sock…it just sits there and doesn’t get any action really. No experience with Red Sea tanks…

 

[H-D-Fatboy-16]

Why isn't anyone taking thr poll?

 

[Stickboy97]

I have a reefer 170 and it is a great tank. Plus, I broke several pieces when I set it up & Red Sea is local... I drove over & picked up the part I needed that day. I had a waterbox about the same size a few years ago, and it was basically the same tank. Didn't see enough of a difference to justify the increased cost.

I'm about to buy a new larger tank & honestly wouldn't buy one of these pre-packaged set-ups. They are great for small tank,s or if you are new to the hobby, but if you have experience with plumbing I'd just buy a nicer tank, have a stand built & plumb it your self.

 

[H-D-Fatboy-16]

I dont know jack about plumbing. When we buy our house im going to be setting up a 225 or a 180 rimless sapphire on 3 sides

 

[Ross tha Reefer]

Just saw the poll lol sry

 

[Reefahholic]

I’d buy a WB over RS only because RS had some stand problems a while back. For that reason…I don’t trust them even though they corrected the issue. If a company that builds tanks and stands failed to test the stands before selling them to thousands of reefers…what else have they failed to catch?

I know WB has metric plumbing and if you want to adapt to US plumbing and avoid theirs, you can find the metric adapters on BRS and plumb it yourself. However, I think most people are drawn to these tanks because they are ready to setup.

 

[Stickboy97]

I dont know jack about plumbing. When we buy our house im going to be setting up a 225 or a 180 rimless sapphire on 3 sides

I would totally look into a planet tank or something custom along those lines. For a tank that size you can go custom, save a little money, get better quality & get it exactly how you want it.

I just bought a house in Conroe, close in a month. I'll be in the market for a similarly sized tank. Unless you buy used, I would not buy a RS or WB.

 

[kris4647]

Both manufacturers have a new line that includes a much upgraded stand. The Red Sea S even has an aluminum frame stand.

I think both manufacturers have high quality tanks, it’s the stands that have been lacking.

You don’t need to know anything about plumbing for either of these.

 

[Stickboy97]

Yea the S series looks very nice, I haven't seen one in person, but @SWCRitt just started a build thread with one & it looks sweet.

 

[Seaworthy Aquatics]

I can't attest to the WB, but this RS S-1000 is amazing. The aluminum stand is solid, though mine had a small defect we were able to fix after talking to Red Sea, and the plumbing is well done and easy to set up. Hardest part was getting it in the house as it took eight people to lift the tank. I highly recommend Galactic Coral for a big install like this who has done a great job with mine.

 

[BigRick]

I have a waterbox 220... only complaint is the stand is not built to have a big sump or fuge.

 

[Shelbyreefer713]

Red sea ffw