IM vs Waterbox vs Cade vs Mariner

[X-37B]

I like the IM systems. I have an ext 170 and an ext 50. Both are nice complete systems. No issues.
Their gallons listed is off on all their systems. The 100 has a display amount of 75g's. My ext 170 is only 135g's in the display.
I would get another tomorrow if needed.

 

[nickng]

I don’t find my wb overflow/drain to be noisy at all, but I only run 3x sump->tank turnover

How sturdy are the WB stands? They look good but I havent really pushed against one of them (at least I wouldn't dare do that in the LFS haha).
I know waterbox sells their stands separately and I was thinking of buying one of their larger 6 to 7 feet long stands for a custom 250 to 300 gallon build in the future. IM no longer sellstheir stands separately AFAIK.

 

[BryanM]

How sturdy are the WB stands? They look good but I havent really pushed against one of them (at least I wouldn't dare do that in the LFS haha).
I know waterbox sells their stands separately and I was thinking of buying one of their larger 6 to 7 feet long stands for a custom 250 to 300 gallon build in the future. IM no longer sellstheir stands separately AFAIK.

I'm not one to do bump tests, but if I did it would be in the LFS ;o

That said, I think I read/watched a video this year that their stands changed a bit. I'm certainly more than happy with mine. I don't feel it wiggle at all and am certainly not worried about it in the slightest.

 

[wet_rocks_reef]

I chose my 100 INT as I loved the stand and how close I can place it to the wall with the internal overflow. 2.5 years ago i got this tank and was able to pick my own plumbing and sump.. this was a big plus. feel free to look at my build thread which documents how I upgraded. I think the Mariner is a strong option that I would be fine with, but the mariner was not around 3 years ago.

 

[Dustin07]

The only other thing about the waterbox is the adherence to a herbie drain with only two drain pipes. With the 3 drain pipe bean animal, it's very silent and I never once had to adjust the drain gate valve once it's dialed in. Not once in the approx 11 months I have had the tank. Even after water change. Previously I had plumbed my own herbie style drains and it's more sensitive to adjustments and gets noisier with very high flow rates ie ~ 1000 gph.
Also with the 3rd drain, there's the option of running the two drains like a herbie overflow but with a simple DIY convert the 3rd drain into a separate channel for plumbing a closed-loop UV that bypasses the sump.

Ah OK I had to really give this thought to understand. You're right, the plumbing on my RS is very similar to the WB. when we first got it, it was noisy. I bought a dual outlet duckbill nozel for the return (because original was shooting hard water right against forward glass and was noisy, and eventually got the drain gate dialed in to where the water flow was quiet. occasionally at WC time I might have to tinker a tiny bit but it wasn't an issue. However, I do know what you're talking about.

After talking to the eshopps and IM tech guys, I know that the silicone they use needs a cure time of 14 days or more. This is good because part of the problem with redsea stems from the silicone they use that cures a lot faster. There're discussions on this on non-english forums (german sites).

blows my mind man. we have epoxys/compounds that cure from 5 minutes to 5 days. But we would NEVER rush the process. I just can't believe the shoddy manufacturing/quality control at RS during that generation.

 

[Dustin07]

I like the IM systems. I have an ext 170 and an ext 50. Both are nice complete systems. No issues.
Their gallons listed is off on all their systems. The 100 has a display amount of 75g's. My ext 170 is only 135g's in the display.
I would get another tomorrow if needed.

I chose my 100 INT as I loved the stand and how close I can place it to the wall with the internal overflow. 2.5 years ago i got this tank and was able to pick my own plumbing and sump.. this was a big plus. feel free to look at my build thread which documents how I upgraded. I think the Mariner is a strong option that I would be fine with, but the mariner was not around 3 years ago.

OK so I gave IM one more look before I decide on WB.

pulling up the numbers on the IM / INT 100, I see:

• DIMS: 47.3" x 23.6" x 19.7

Which is fantastic. might be a hair tall, but the depth/width is same as the WB I like.

edit: actually I think that's Length, Width, and Height, making the INT 100 actually shorter than the other tanks, but deeper/wider/ further away from the wall. hmm...


that 19" width on the WB 110.4 is really selling me. I know it seems like a silly thing but as we split hairs more and more on these reputable brands and I think about my space constraints it sure looks good.

 

[BryanM]

OK so I gave IM one more look before I decide on WB.

pulling up the numbers on the IM / INT 100, I see:

• DIMS: 47.3" x 23.6" x 19.7

Which is fantastic. might be a hair tall, but the depth/width is same as the WB I like.

edit: actually I think that's Length, Width, and Height, making the INT 100 actually shorter than the other tanks, but deeper/wider/ further away from the wall. hmm...


that 19" width on the WB 110.4 is really selling me. I know it seems like a silly thing but as we split hairs more and more on these reputable brands and I think about my space constraints it sure looks good.

I don;t think you can make a bad decision here.... If the WB fits better, do eeeeet

 

[nickng]

OK so I gave IM one more look before I decide on WB.

pulling up the numbers on the IM / INT 100, I see:

• DIMS: 47.3" x 23.6" x 19.7

Which is fantastic. might be a hair tall, but the depth/width is same as the WB I like.

edit: actually I think that's Length, Width, and Height, making the INT 100 actually shorter than the other tanks, but deeper/wider/ further away from the wall. hmm...


that 19" width on the WB 110.4 is really selling me. I know it seems like a silly thing but as we split hairs more and more on these reputable brands and I think about my space constraints it sure looks good.

Yup, the IM 100 footprint is 47.3x23.6 and height is 19.7 inch tall. WB is the other way round

 

[Dustin07]

I don;t think you can make a bad decision here.... If the WB fits better, do eeeeet

Honestly that's the validation I think I need right now

I really don't want to make a mistake rushing into it but I have some information overload. There are a lot of options now!

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Just get the Waterbox and if you don’t like it send it to me and I’ll make good use of it.

I think you’re making this harder than it needs to be. Nothing is perfect. No matter which system you get, it will have something you wish was different. You’ve done your homework. Now add your gut feeling and just go for it. Then make the best of the situation. In 5 years you will want a new system anyways.

 

[wet_rocks_reef]

Well with my choice of sump trigger systems 34 platinum I got to fit everything in the stand of the 100 INT including a full length shelf, a 5 gallon ato and my controller board. IM made a mistake making their sump sooo big


Week

 

[Dustin07]

Just get the Waterbox and if you don’t like it send it to me and I’ll make good use of it.

I think you’re making this harder than it needs to be. Nothing is perfect. No matter which system you get, it will have something you wish was different. You’ve done your homework. Now add your gut feeling and just go for it. Then make the best of the situation. In 5 years you will want a new system anyways.

I agree with you. I have posted in a couple FB groups as well, including the WB one. Today I gave one last look at the WB 65 AIO, but realized quickly that the huge cabinet space ends up because I can't run my favorite toys like the skimmer and reactor.

I gave the 150 one more last look but I just love the footprint of the 110.4 so much more.

The only downfall I have heard is one guy hated the stand so much on his 110.4 he had one custom made for better strength/integrity. that's a little nerve wracking!

So as of right now my gut says
WB 110.4, but instead of plus, self configure to add:
2 x AI PRIME 16HD
1 x SICCE Syncra 5.0 return (likely smart upgrade from my old system)
1 x Tunge ATO since old system runs gravity fed system
1 x Mesh Lid

I'll reuse:
1 x protein skimmer
1 x reefmat 500 with modified sump
1 x tunze macro reactor

I'll sell/trade/giveaway/trash:
1 x 425xl tank
1 x RS stand/Sump
3 x 90W RS lights


sorry for the extensive breakdown. My brain is processing the flow from breaking down my entire tank, staging it to get rid of it, to replacing it with new system lol. lots to think about.

 

[Dustin07]

Well with my choice of sump trigger systems 34 platinum I got to fit everything in the stand of the 100 INT including a full length shelf, a 5 gallon ato and my controller board. IM made a mistake making their sump sooo big


Week

It's a fantastic looking system. I JUST did the same thing with the ribbon led lighting in my cabinet like 2 weeks before my crash, lol.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

I agree with you. I have posted in a couple FB groups as well, including the WB one. Today I gave one last look at the WB 65 AIO, but realized quickly that the huge cabinet space ends up because I can't run my favorite toys like the skimmer and reactor.

I gave the 150 one more last look but I just love the footprint of the 110.4 so much more.

The only downfall I have heard is one guy hated the stand so much on his 110.4 he had one custom made for better strength/integrity. that's a little nerve wracking!

So as of right now my gut says
WB 110.4, but instead of plus, self configure to add:
2 x AI PRIME 16HD
1 x SICCE Syncra 5.0 return (likely smart upgrade from my old system)
1 x Tunge ATO since old system runs gravity fed system
1 x Mesh Lid

I'll reuse:
1 x protein skimmer
1 x reefmat 500 with modified sump
1 x tunze macro reactor

I'll sell/trade/giveaway/trash:
1 x 425xl tank
1 x RS stand/Sump
3 x 90W RS lights


sorry for the extensive breakdown. My brain is processing the flow from breaking down my entire tank, staging it to get rid of it, to replacing it with new system lol. lots to think about.

The stands are solid. They are just not bougie like CADE. But I don’t think integrity has ever been a concern with their stands. Many people have Waterbox and I’ve not heard of stand failer.

I would bypass the plus as well. I like adding my own equipment.

 

[Dustin07]

I think my last question for you all might be control box. Since my RS came with power supply already installed as you can kind of see here (red switches, labeled), I need to figure that out and am all ears for advice. WB offers a control box add-on at purchasing but as far as I can tell its just an empty box? I'll still need to add my own power strip. so I'm confused on the purpose of an empty control box I guess.

The stands are solid. They are just not bougie like CADE. But I don’t think integrity has ever been a concern with their stands. Many people have Waterbox and I’ve not heard of stand failer.

hey as long as it's not wobbly I'm happy!

 

[nickng]

The stands are solid. They are just not bougie like CADE. But I don’t think integrity has ever been a concern with their stands. Many people have Waterbox and I’ve not heard of stand failer.

I would bypass the plus as well. I like adding my own equipment.

I’ve seen the water box stands with aluminum frame. Looks fantastic and I think they are solid. Granted I didn’t shove or lean against it but there’s no wobble when opening and closing the cabinet doors.

 

[buruskeee]

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?

You still need the same distance from the wall - EXT is the way to go because it doesn't kill your internal flow.

Also, IM get's my vote - best bang for buck and all their newer tanks beyond 3ft are eurobraced.

Whatever you choose, make sure it's braced.

 

[Dustin07]

You still need the same distance from the wall - EXT is the way to go because it doesn't kill your internal flow.

Also, IM get's my vote - best bang for buck and all their newer tanks beyond 3ft are eurobraced.

Whatever you choose, make sure it's braced.

I'm not seeing a ton of options in the eurobraced market, and it seems WB doesn't do it for the smaller tanks under 200gallons, just their LX line. (I reached out to customer service to chat about it)

 

[buruskeee]

I'm not seeing a ton of options in the eurobraced market, and it seems WB doesn't do it for the smaller tanks under 200gallons, just their LX line. (I reached out to customer service to chat about it)

This is why I'd go IM. Also, IM is priced better.

 

[Dustin07]

This is why I'd go IM. Also, IM is priced better.

How can I verify that? I do see one spot on their website that all made to order tanks are eurobraced. How can I confirm the 100s are? (I also have a message into their customer service but haven't heard back)

NUVO EXT Reef Ready Aquariums | Innovative Marine

External overflow reef ready aquariums. Using the "Herbie/Bean Animal” drain system for double/triple safety redundancy. 50 to 240 Gallons.

www.innovative-marine.com

is that what I'm seeing here on the seam lines?