Looking for a New Tank... Red Sea?

[bluemon]

So I've had my current custom 125G for close to 12 years now, it's going strong but the dimensions are a bit wonky, the glass is scratched up and let's face it, it's a bit small.

So I went to go talk to Ali who I got the tank from 12 years ago, and learned a lot; that custom tanks are pretty darn expensive these days, that they don't make them as they used to, and that Leemar went out of business, or at least got bought out by Crystal Dynamics.

He suggested I look at the Red Sea line, specifically, the MAX S G2 line. And after looking at the dimensions, it looks like a perfect fit. Specifically the Reefer MAX S-1000 G2+ Model.

Now my question is this, Ali did tell me the front glass panel exploding issue has mostly been ironed out with these newer generations and I trust Ali 100%.

But wanted to see what you guys thought about this model, and Red Sea in general.

And it's probably cheaper and better to not get the included lights, skimmer and return pump, correct?

Also, the current tank is currently drilled to the exterior of the house where we have a fish shed; anyone have an example of a fish shed being done with the red sea? We have the sump there usually, but since this model includes the sump, maybe we will just use the outside for a water changing station with a mini sump?

 

[Tommy Ngo]

The G2 tank did got some improvements done from the G1, but still some people are still having the same issue with the seams. Red Sea may stated that there are no reports, but if you do a search you will see there are some people on the forums with the G2 having issue with it.

I personally don’t like how the new aluminum stand is designed. I had assembled the S850 G2 in the past and felt Red Sea used a smaller aluminum bars and the plastic corner bracings to cut down the cost. It didn’t feel solid when I put the tank on top of the stand. There was some lateral sway when I pushed on the tank when it was on top of the stand.

So far the tank been running for less than a year and no failure yet. IMO Red Sea should had double up the size on the aluminum bars for the stand and used metal corner bracings instead of plastic.

 

[Tommy Ngo]

Check out Innovative Marine, they locally located in Cerritos

 

[Discotu]

Are you willing to risk "Mostly ironed out"? No tank is 100% guaranteed but the failure rate of RS tanks compared to the rest of the industry is scary. I still see complaints pop up on different forums. Worst case you have a catastrophic failure (lower probability) or progressive seam failure. Sure it might covered under warranty but the trouble of swapping tanks...search the other forums. There's also a RS FB group

 

[bluemon]

Are you willing to risk "Mostly ironed out"? No tank is 100% guaranteed but the failure rate of RS tanks compared to the rest of the industry is scary. I still see complaints pop up on different forums. Worst case you have a catastrophic failure (lower probability) or progressive seam failure. Sure it might covered under warranty but the trouble of swapping tanks...search the other forums. There's also a RS FB group

no I am not, which is why I am doing my research. Did not want to risk that at all, and wasn’t sure if the failures were mostly on G1s and the G2s were okay. I did see one seam issue online but other failure stories were anecdotal so weren’t sure if they were referring to their G1

I did take a look at Waterbox as well which seem decent?

IM also looks good, but I feel like it might be to deep front and back.

anyone else have any other manufacturers they recommend?

 

[mchain275]

Check out Cade, too. AlgaeBarn is their US distributor. I replaced a Red Sea with a Cade and would buy a Cade again in a heartbeat if it met my needs re: dimensions. I think my next tank will probably be a Waterbox though based on current offerings.

 

[Dutch_Roots]

Ali, got me setup with a Redsea 850G2 and it just past the two year mark on getting wet. No issues to date and it’s been a great so far.

I wouldn’t personally go with the skimmer, lights etc from Redsea but the tank and sump configuration I’ve really liked.

The 850 and 1000 are euro braced with aluminum stands where the front of the tank is not free floating and mine at least seems solid and I’m not worried about any potential issues.

 

[drexel]

I second the Innovative Marine tanks, they're well built and come as a complete system. They usually have sales and if you're in the market, I would grab one soon before prices go up. I think they sent an email stating that May 1 might be the deadline for the current pricing. The 150ext will be my next upgrade at some point, but their other sizes look pretty damn good. A local reefer is getting the 200ext and I'm going to help set it up, so I'll have some hands on experience with it soon. I don't like any tank where the entire bottom isn't supported by the stand, for the life of me I can't understand why RS still make stands that don't support the from panel?

 

[Tangwich]

I will also recommend IM..all the IM tanks I have had have been great...here's a dark horse...look into Mode aquariums..i have one and love it. Great build quality and runs super silent. They are also locally based in Ontario.

 

[joseserrano]

I’ve installed a few aqua forest tanks. Well made, the stand comes mostly built, and sump included with them.

 

[bluemon]

Ali, got me setup with a Redsea 850G2 and it just past the two year mark on getting wet. No issues to date and it’s been a great so far.

I wouldn’t personally go with the skimmer, lights etc from Redsea but the tank and sump configuration I’ve really liked.

The 850 and 1000 are euro braced with aluminum stands where the front of the tank is not free floating and mine at least seems solid and I’m not worried about any potential issues.

Shame the upgrade is gonna be in a few months at the earliest. The prices right now look very good!

It seems at the size I want, the real contenders are going to be IM or WaterBox. The Red Sea also has the right price but still a bit wary about the whole quality control issues. Thank you all. Please keep the suggestions coming

 

[Jimbo327]

CDA is out of business, so there isn't any real local custom tank builders anymore...which is a big shame. I like how the IM looks and their dimensions. Before you commit to a RS, I would do more research if their new aluminum stand is holding up and check out how sturdy they are. Also, if they are still doing the whole floating front glass, which I'm not a big fan of because I rather have it supported.

 

[Dooly]

I would say based on what I've seen with customers tanks, that the RS 850 and S1000 tanks are of high quality and haven't seen any type of issues with them that the smaller ones run into.
Most of these tanks are made in china (waterbox, RS, IM) and each have their pros and cons.
I'd look into a local custom acrylic, or maybe hit up glasscages if you're set on glass. I'd also recommend visio custom as I run them and they're made local, but they're not 'high-end'

 

[bluemon]

CDA is out of business, so there isn't any real local custom tank builders anymore...which is a big shame. I like how the IM looks and their dimensions. Before you commit to a RS, I would do more research if their new aluminum stand is holding up and check out how sturdy they are. Also, if they are still doing the whole floating front glass, which I'm not a big fan of because I rather have it supported.

I believe they have a eurobrace built in so it's not wholly floating on its own, but people seem very divded on this issue as we can see on this thread even. Ali did mention that there aren't any custom builders indeed. He has to contact someone in Texas.

I would say based on what I've seen with customers tanks, that the RS 850 and S1000 tanks are of high quality and haven't seen any type of issues with them that the smaller ones run into.
Most of these tanks are made in china (waterbox, RS, IM) and each have their pros and cons.
I'd look into a local custom acrylic, or maybe hit up glasscages if you're set on glass. I'd also recommend visio custom as I run them and they're made local, but they're not 'high-end'

That's good to hear.

I do want to avoid acrylic because they scratch a bit more easily, and I do hate to accidentally scratch a pane up. I will look into them as well, Thank you

 

[Discotu]

its counter intuitive but supporting the bottom of the front panel probably doesn't do much. Water pressure wants to push the front panel outwards so unless you have a rim (like oldschool tanks) that holds the front panel it doesn't help. Yes, the weight of the front panel plays a factor but the silicone seal is enough to hold it in place. I think the biggest factor in seams failing starts with the stand. Old Elos tanks suffered the same because of stand issues. Any flexing /twisting on the bottom panel puts shear stress on the seams and over time can cause them to fail. That's why i always add a foam pad between the tank bottom and stand. There could be other contributing factors as well but on their own would be very sporadic. Remember glass does flex so if the bottom panel isn't supported well it can flex downward. I have seen a RS tank in person that failed in the front bottom seam. The way tanks are assembled the bottom panel applies shear load on the seam if it flexes down VS tensile when water pressure pushes out on the front panel, latter being stronger. Longer the span (width) of tank the more support you need. I think the main issue with the old RS tanks was lack of support between the doors.

If I ever upgrade I'll would do euro brace AND bottom brace for added strength.

 

[AlphalClownFish]

Too many redsea tanks have failed and once a company messes up like that then I no longer feel comfortable to buy from them no matter the improvements. I'd go for Innovative Marine or CADE or the new UNS reef lines look so good