IM vs Waterbox vs Cade vs Mariner

Dustin07 · Feb 10, 2025

I've been around here a while but never post. Historically I was a RC poster, but I have a conundrum I need to pitch to a larger group. My RedSea 425XL sprung a leak about 10 days ago while I was on day 2 of an 11 day trip to costa rica, so nothing I could do, ended up being about a 95% loss of everything. my house sitters were able to get some of my prized fish to the LFS who kept them safe for me.

We are looking to replace it, most likely with any brand other than RedSea. below are my finalists and I'm wondering if anyone has a reason why they would pick one over the other. IM is currently my winner (Looking at the INT 100 system) but the thing I dislike about it, is the sump. My 425xl for all of its bad, had a lot of extra cabinet/storage space down below even with the sump installed with a skimmer, reactor, reefmat, and return pump.

1. IM
2. Waterbox
3. Mariner
4. Cade

I'd love any advice because we'd like to make our decision on a tank to replace our redsea this week, but I don't want to make the mistake of rushing into a bad scenario.... TIA!

DiscoStuart · Feb 10, 2025

Haven't owned any, but I've been digging in and researching a bunch for a tank purchase over the last month

1. IM - metal stands, I personally would have probably gotten one of these (EXT) if I could have in the UK
2. Waterbox - stands aren't as good, though still solid
3. Mariner can't speak to this brand
4. Cade seems to be everyone's top choice if the price premium doesn't bother you. metal stands. Sumps can be a bit small relative to the DT.

In the UK, I can't get IM or Waterbox - so for me it is between Cade and Nyos's Opus G2 tanks. I'm leaning toward Nyos as I can get a 4' Nyos for the same or slightly cheaper than a 3' Cade. Not a metal stand, but external overflow (which is what I'd have gone for in the IM if I could get one over here.

exnisstech · Feb 10, 2025

I only have experience with RS and WB. My newest tank is a WB 330.7 and I'm happy with it. CS has been good and responded promptly to all questions I had. Not sure about the stand comment above. Mine is made of 80/20 with black panels. I have no complaints. Maybe their smaller stands aren't as strong? Mine has only been up for 11 months so I can't comment on longevity. Its my tank thread if you want to take a look.

I did look at cade but didn't want to sacrifice swim room for that ATO reservoir built into the back.

Dustin07 · Feb 10, 2025

DiscoStuart said:
Haven't owned any, but I've been digging in and researching a bunch for a tank purchase over the last month

1. IM - metal stands, I personally would have probably gotten one of these (EXT) if I could have in the UK
2. Waterbox - stands aren't as good, though still solid
3. Mariner can't speak to this brand
4. Cade seems to be everyone's top choice if the price premium doesn't bother you. metal stands. Sumps can be a bit small relative to the DT.

In the UK, I can't get IM or Waterbox - so for me it is between Cade and Nyos's Opus G2 tanks. I'm leaning toward Nyos as I can get a 4' Nyos for the same or slightly cheaper than a 3' Cade. Not a metal stand, but external overflow (which is what I'd have gone for in the IM if I could get one over here.

exnisstech said:
I only have experience with RS and WB. My newest tank is a WB 330.7 and I'm happy with it. CS has been good and responded promptly to all questions I had. Not sure about the stand comment above. Mine is made of 80/20 with black panels. I have no complaints. Maybe their smaller stands aren't as strong? Mine has only been up for 11 months so I can't comment on longevity. Its my tank thread if you want to take a look.

I did look at cade but didn't want to sacrifice swim room for that ATO reservoir built into the back.

Right now looking at the Innovative Marine INT 100 system, and the Waterbox 110.4. Both have aluminum framed stands it appears. the IM system consumes the entire cabinet with the sump which is a major turn off for me because I utilized every inch of space in my RedSea 425xl cabinet, 2/3 was sump and the other 1/3 was storage, electrical, supplements, tools, etc....

Your 330 would be too big for me. the 110.4 is a bit smaller than my RS that failed, but the 150.4 is a tiny bit bigger... I might have to take some measurements. that might be the solution. although again, the sump is consuming the full cabinet...

Do you guys know the difference between the EXT and INT series of IM tanks?

Dustin07 · Feb 10, 2025

oh I see, it's external overflow vs internal overflow. tough call. I'd think internal would be better to get a tighter fit to the wall on the back of the tank?

BryanM · Feb 10, 2025

I think all of those offerings are solid.

I went from RedSea to Waterbox, and I love it. Infinia 230.6.

jhadaway · Feb 10, 2025

I have had 2 waterbox models, the latest running is a 100.3. I don't have a bad word to day about them. Everything has been solid. So much so I bought a 235 custom from them that's sitting in my garage now. The custom buying experience was great with them too. You just need to catch them on sale. I looked at IM but I didn't like the sumps and didn't want to mess with a custom sump and fit it to the IM. Also height is a real consideration if you plan on Acro's. I think the IM was only 22". External overflow is also a real consideration. Good Luck!

KStatefan · Feb 10, 2025

I have the 100 EXT but that is all I looked at. I purchased just the tank. If I was looking to day I would add UNS to your list.

Dustin07 · Feb 10, 2025

BryanM said:
I think all of those offerings are solid.

I went from RedSea to Waterbox, and I love it. Infinia 230.6.

so you're thinking at the end of the day from the brands I listed, I could safely base my decision off the dimensions and sump solution I prefer?

jhadaway said:
External overflow is also a real consideration. Good Luck!

Can you elaborate on your thoughts there? I had someone else say they liked external because it forced the tank out far enough to add the lights, but with my RS, I installed the lights then backed the tank up to a reasonable distance so for me, internal seems really attractive...

jhadaway · Feb 10, 2025

Dustin07 said:
so you're thinking at the end of the day from the brands I listed, I could safely base my decision off the dimensions and sump solution I prefer?

Can you elaborate on your thoughts there? I had someone else say they liked external because it forced the tank out far enough to add the lights, but with my RS, I installed the lights then backed the tank up to a reasonable distance so for me, internal seems really attractive...

Both of my waterbox tanks have internal overflows. When you set up your rockscape you have to consider how the water will move from side to side with the bump out of the overflow. You need a few inches to make sure you can keep detritus from settling behind everything. Putting a wave pump on a side inevitably hits and deflects a lot of the water movement (Especially gyres). For me, once my SPS started to take off it got really tough to keep the flow going. I was tucking in little tunze powerheads and it became a pain to get them out and clean them. The external overflow gives you a straight shot across the back. It also gives the fish a nice race track if you leave space on the sides. You can also use a gyre mounted perpendicular and push a wall of water across the back. My custom waterbox has an external overflow. It's the main reason I did a custom.
Ordering the custom tank with 10% off and getting an Alufab stand was comparable to the stock model of the same size. I'm doing an in-wall tank so I didn't need the stand skinned.

BryanM · Feb 10, 2025

Dustin07 said:
so you're thinking at the end of the day from the brands I listed, I could safely base my decision off the dimensions and sump solution I prefer?

Can you elaborate on your thoughts there? I had someone else say they liked external because it forced the tank out far enough to add the lights, but with my RS, I installed the lights then backed the tank up to a reasonable distance so for me, internal seems really attractive...

Correct, all four of those brands are solid.

If I had room for an external overflow I'd probably do that to keep the inside of the tank cleaner looking and not have the overflow box blocking flow. But that external overflow takes up some room, and it just would not work in my house.

exnisstech · Feb 10, 2025

Dustin07 said:
Your 330 would be too big for me. the 110.4 is a bit smaller than my RS that failed, but the 150.4 is a tiny bit bigger... I might have to take some measurements. that might be the solution. although again, the sump is consuming the full cabinet...

I get it. I was going bigger for my fish and was not willing to go less than 30" front to back depth which is another reason I went WB. If I remember correctly it was the only one I could find with the foot print I wanted. I almost went custom but decided I just didn't feel like doing the DIY involved.

Dustin07 · Feb 10, 2025

Looks like IM specs are MUCH deeper (width) than my current 425xl... the redsea is only spec'd at like 23" wide. (from front glass to back wall).

the EXT IM models are 3ft...

INT appears to be the same:

Waterbox 110.4 dims are only 20" wide, although the tank is about 25 gallons small in overall volume:

the 150.4 is 25.3" wide which would be less than IM, but 3" wider than I have now. It's also an increase of about 20 gallons overall.

So as of right now the only downfall I see to the waterbox is that I'm not crazy about the sump setup, even though its likely better than my redsea. But maybe dropping size a tiny bit to the 110.4 is the way to go.

Waterbox 110.4 is .2" longer, 3" less wide, and height is about the same.. If I can make that width work in my spot... could be a solution.

I just double checked my specs on the 425xl as well. it states total system volume of 112 gallons vs waterbox at 105.5 gallons so it's actually very close, except that doesn't include my 8 gallon ATO.

Display in RS is 88 gallons vs 79.6 gallons on the WB.
Total volume 112g vs 105g

as of right now I'm leaning towards Waterbox Marine 110.4 system. I'll see if I can find some youtube reviews to get a better visual on the sump layout. I want to keep my skimmer, macro reactor, and reefmat if possible. I'm also seeing potential storage space, unless i'm mistaken and need that for R/O ATO etc.

BryanM · Feb 10, 2025

I like the sump in my 230.6... It is cramped for controller/equipment space however.

In my current iteration I've also gone with just an algae turf scrubber for filtration. No reefmat, no skimmer... And fairly soon I will be removing the filter socks. So very simplified filtration.

TastesLikeChicken · Feb 10, 2025

I have Waterbox and CADE. The CADE stand is nicer but I like the Waterbox aquarium much better! My next tank will be a Waterbox again.

DiscoStuart · Feb 10, 2025

DiscoStuart said:
2. Waterbox - stands aren't as good, though still solid

Looks like I'm an idiot going too quickly from memory - sorry! unfortunately I can't edit my post! they DO have metal stands.

Dustin07 · Feb 10, 2025

BryanM said:
I like the sump in my 230.6... It is cramped for controller/equipment space however.

In my current iteration I've also gone with just an algae turf scrubber for filtration. No reefmat, no skimmer... And fairly soon I will be removing the filter socks. So very simplified filtration.

I'd love to see a picture of your cabinet/sump setup. this is mine, you cant see but behind the reefmat I also fit in a macro reactor. it was all cramped, but effecient. what this picture doesn't show, is on the right of all this, was a storage area where I had the power controller, a 2 shelf system for supplements and tools, fragging etc.

TastesLikeChicken said:
I have Waterbox and CADE. The CADE stand is nicer but I like the Waterbox aquarium much better! My next tank will be a Waterbox again.

DiscoStuart said:
Looks like I'm an idiot going too quickly from memory - sorry! unfortunately I can't edit my post! they DO have metal stands.

thanks guys, I'm taking these all as +1 votes for the waterbox. Right now leaning towards the 110.4 system since it's very close to what I had. I'm going to take measurements when I get home to verify but I think it could be an improvement overall for my situation.

It appears there is a little room in the cabinet for some storage space on the waterbox 110.4. this could be optimal for me. So my next question will be:

Do I reuse my gear (redsea 90w lights, reefmat, skimmer, reactor, 2 Neros although I'm not sure if they're burnt out yet or still good) or do I spend the money on the fully loaded Marine X 110.4 PLUS edition which comes with everything below, and simply liquidate my entire redsea setup? I'd probably still keep my algae reactor.

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