Trying to decide which 60+ gallon upgrade to choose. These are the tanks I’m looking at.
ProStar 90
Pros
Lower cost against Red Sea
Aluminum frame/composite stand (comes assembled)
Power center built into the cabinet
Cons
Not much info about them out there
Sump and plumbing not as good
Reefer 250
Pros
Tried and true
Better sump
Arguably one of the best plumbing systems out of a box
Known brand (I’ve also owned it before)
Cons
More expensive
Lesser quality cabinet
Reefer 300XL
Pros
Same as 250 plus larger width
Improved sump (if I got that right)
Improved cabinet against 250, but not as good as ProStar
Cons
The most expensive of all (still, drop in a bucket difference given overall cost)
JBJ 60 AIO
Pros
Great price / 100’s less
AIO includes pumps (better value overall)
No sump means no plumbing or valves that can leak
Includes a full glass canopy
Cons
AIO — no sump, limited space/access
Difficult to implement a refugium
Limited on size of skimmer
Not as clean of a look with equipment and wires sticking out of the back
As you can see, each has its strengths and weakness. I am having a really hard time deciding which way to go. Any experience with each? Which way would you go and why?
ProStar 90
Pros
Lower cost against Red Sea
Aluminum frame/composite stand (comes assembled)
Power center built into the cabinet
Cons
Not much info about them out there
Sump and plumbing not as good
Reefer 250
Pros
Tried and true
Better sump
Arguably one of the best plumbing systems out of a box
Known brand (I’ve also owned it before)
Cons
More expensive
Lesser quality cabinet
Reefer 300XL
Pros
Same as 250 plus larger width
Improved sump (if I got that right)
Improved cabinet against 250, but not as good as ProStar
Cons
The most expensive of all (still, drop in a bucket difference given overall cost)
JBJ 60 AIO
Pros
Great price / 100’s less
AIO includes pumps (better value overall)
No sump means no plumbing or valves that can leak
Includes a full glass canopy
Cons
AIO — no sump, limited space/access
Difficult to implement a refugium
Limited on size of skimmer
Not as clean of a look with equipment and wires sticking out of the back
As you can see, each has its strengths and weakness. I am having a really hard time deciding which way to go. Any experience with each? Which way would you go and why?