Red sea, waterbox, or ultum

[Midnightdragoon]

I'm looking for something safe reliable and that will last me 10-20 years. Which one is best?

 

[fishywishy]

Of the three, I would say Ultum is the best in my opinion. Red Sea might be better nowadays, but they are notorious for issues like seam failure. There’s nothing wrong with Waterbox, I just think Ultum tanks are better.


I would also recommend checking out Innovative Marine and Glass Cages. I’m not saying the brands you mentioned aren’t great tanks (except Red Sea), but if you want a tank that’s guaranteed to be high quality, these two are also great options.

 

[Bruttall]

don't walk, RUN AWAY from Red Sea.

Try this, go to top right corner of this page, Click the Magnifying Glass, Type Red Sea Fail into search field and hit enter, notice the 20+ pages of 25 threads each about RS Failures? Or click this link to a Thread I started a while back about it.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/red-sea-fail-very-harsh-but-truthful-imo.991608/

Good luck to you.

 

[Midnightdragoon]

Of the three, I would say Ultum is the best in my opinion. Red Sea might be better nowadays, but they are notorious for issues like seam failure. There’s nothing wrong with Waterbox, I just think Ultum tanks are better.


I would also recommend checking out Innovative Marine and Glass Cages. I’m not saying the brands you mentioned aren’t great tanks (except Red Sea), but if you want a tank that’s guaranteed to be high quality, these two are also great options.

Can the waterbox offer 10 years or so of reliability? I heard that the front panel on those, they float, no support like the red sea. Is that a issue?

 

[BryanM]

Following along. I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on a waterbox (I have a redsea G1).

 

[SpyC]

Can the waterbox offer 10 years or so of reliability? I heard that the front panel on those, they float, no support like the red sea. Is that a issue?

The issue with red sea is the poor stand not properly supporting the base of the tank.

 

[fishywishy]

Can the waterbox offer 10 years or so of reliability? I heard that the front panel on those, they float, no support like the red sea. Is that a issue?

I think the water box can definitely have 10+ years plus of reliability, they’re one of the best tanks on the market. The problem with Red Sea is just really bad quality and what @SpyC said.

I’ve never heard of anyone having issues with the tank itself. From what I’ve heard, the only downsides to Waterbox are their customer service, though I could be wrong, and the stand quality. While the stand can support the tank just fine, it’s not the best quality, at least based on what I’ve seen. That said, I haven’t seen one in a long time, so they might have improved by now.”

 

[Midnightdragoon]

I think the water box can definitely have 10+ years plus of reliability, they’re one of the best tanks on the market. The problem with Red Sea is just really bad quality and what @SpyC said.

I’ve never seen anyone have problems with the tank itself, the only bad things about water box are the customer service from what I’ve heard, and the bad stand. It can hold the tank just fine, it’s just that the stand is not the best quality, at least from what ive seen, but I haven’t seen one in a long time so maybe they’re better now.

What do you mean by bad quality? Do I have to worry about the stand being crushed one day due to the weight of the aquarium?

 

[IceNein]

The issue with red sea is the poor stand not properly supporting the base of the tank.

I agree that it's not the "floating panel" after thinking about it from a physics perspective, but something is definitely off. Maybe it's the quality of silicone, maybe it's their process, maybe it's the stand as you say. There are other manufacturers that have that "floating panel" and they don't seem to have the same failure rates.

 

[exnisstech]

Can the waterbox offer 10 years or so of reliability? I heard that the front panel on those, they float, no support like the red sea. Is that a issue?

I'll let you know in 9 years lol. I set up a WB LX 330.7 last march. I have two smaller redsea tanks running a 300 and 170. I probably won't buy another just because of the reported seam failures. If you really want a tank that for sure will last years go acrylic. The only reason I did not go acrylic is because I'm a clumsy oaf and I knew I would scratch it all up. Glass cages do acrylic and while I have not used their service I have talked with Joe prior to buying the WB. He was supper friendly and helpful. The only reason I did not go with glass cages was because I didn't feel like doing all the plumbing.

 

[Üter]

I'm looking for something safe reliable and that will last me 10-20 years. Which one is best?

safe and reliable I think you can drop one name off your list.

 

[fishywishy]

What do you mean by bad quality? Do I have to worry about the stand being crushed one day due to the weight of the aquarium?

No, the stand is built very sturdily. However, on the one I saw, the doors were a bit wobbly and not properly aligned, along with a few other minor issues. It’s not a big deal overall, but if you’re paying over $1,000 for a tank, I’d expect it to be perfect. Also that was a while ago so they might be better now.

 

[SpyC]

I agree that it's not the "floating panel" after thinking about it from a physics perspective, but something is definitely off. Maybe it's the quality of silicone, maybe it's their process, maybe it's the stand as you say. There are other manufacturers that have that "floating panel" and they don't seem to have the same failure rates.

People have shared videos of them being able to place paper or other objects between the top of the stand and bottom pane. This occurs because the center of the stand is sagging.

There are other posts where the sides alsp blow out, but the most common is the bottome center failing

 

[BryanM]

I'll let you know in 9 years lol. I set up a WB LX 330.7 last march. I have two smaller redsea tanks running a 300 and 170. I probably won't buy another just because of the reported seam failures. If you really want a tank that for sure will last years go acrylic. The only reason I did not go acrylic is because I'm a clumsy oaf and I knew I would scratch it all up. Glass cages do acrylic and while I have not used their service I have talked with Joe prior to buying the WB. He was supper friendly and helpful. The only reason I did not go with glass cages was because I didn't feel like doing all the plumbing.

I love everything I've seen about Glass Cages... I just don't need custom IMO.

Also, WB, has updated their stands somewhat recently. I'm still strongly leaning in that direction. Likely will place an order next week (I have to wrap my head around what I need to do to migrate, but thats a different thread!)

 

[exnisstech]

I love everything I've seen about Glass Cages... I just don't need custom IMO.

Also, WB, has updated their stands somewhat recently. I'm still strongly leaning in that direction. Likely will place an order next week (I have to wrap my head around what I need to do to migrate, but thats a different thread!)

I wonder if the stand issues are thier smaller tanks? My 330.7 has a nice sturdy 80/20 stand with skins.

As to migrating if it's all possible to keep your current tank running I would do that. It made my transfer so much more relaxing. Not everyone can do that tho. I was placing mine on a different wall.

 

[BryanM]

I wonder if the stand issues are thier smaller tanks? My 330.7 has a nice sturdy 80/20 stand with skins.

As to migrating if it's all possible to keep your current tank running I would do that. It made my transfer so much more relaxing. Not everyone can do that tho. I was placing mine on a different wall.

I wish I could. I cannot. that's my problem. The current tank is in the perfect place, and the wall has two extra feet to give, so it will be an upgrade. But its an in place migration. UGH is an understatement.

 

[Midnightdragoon]

I love everything I've seen about Glass Cages... I just don't need custom IMO.

Also, WB, has updated their stands somewhat recently. I'm still strongly leaning in that direction. Likely will place an order next week (I have to wrap my head around what I need to do to migrate, but thats a different thread!)

I saw a ultum.... I love it but don't love the price... At all. The waterbox 110....looks like it may be a great tank but I'm not sure. The sump.. It has room for a skimmer, but no room for a refugium?

 

[Fury808]

I'm looking for something safe reliable and that will last me 10-20 years. Which one is best?

I bought a UNS R60 recently. The refugium lid had a slight imperfection in it. One filter sock had some minor damage. I wrote them and explained that I wasn't asking for a replacement because this was very minor. I just wanted to let them know for quality control purposes.

They wrote back within 24 hours, thanked me, and asked for my address. They sent out a new lid, a new filter sock, AND A REFUGIUM LIGHT.

I have emailed them several times with technical questions. Every single time, they respond within 24 hours. Their response is detailed and helpful. If I have additional questions, they respond quickly and in detail.

I buy exclusively UNS products because of their commitment to quality and customer service. They go above and beyond.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

No, the stand is built very sturdily. However, on the one I saw, the doors were a bit wobbly and not properly aligned, along with a few other minor issues. It’s not a big deal overall, but if you’re paying over $1,000 for a tank, I’d expect it to be perfect. Also that was a while ago so they might be better now.

My waterbox doors are not wobbly but they do not all align no matter what I do. It drives me nuts. Everything else I love about it.

Also look at the eshopps mariners. I hear they are built like tanks.