Tank Need help deciding

[pgooden]

Need some help deciding between Waterbox, RedSea & Cade.

I am looking for a 4 ft. Tank for a reef setup. I am coming from a RedSea Reefer 250 but I sold literally everything off before we moved so I am starting 100% empty handed. I always felt like the 3ft of the Reefer was limiting as far as livestock I could get. I want to run a rollermat of some kind and would love to have at least some kind of refugium as it seems that tanks that have one just seem to do better. It needs to be able to store everything under the aquarium as the wall it will be on is only about 51”. I will likely have a controller along with dosing pumps etc… under the tank. Would love to have an aluminum stand from a weight and strength perspective over wood.

The aquariums I am looking at:
Cade 1200 S2 ~$4K - really like everything about it, stand is awesome, love the auto-top off and plumbing and electrical rack on the side. Just seems to be topnotch except…the price.
Cade 900 S2 - ~$3k - This is more my price point Same features as the 1200 but only 3 ft length and doesn’t have the space for a refugium
Waterbox 130.4 ~$3k great size. Wooden Stand, no refugium, no electrical rack like the Cades and would have to remove the filter sock section to get a rollermat to work
Waterbox Infinia 125.3 ~$3k - again, only 3ft but has aluminum stand, electrical rack and refugium so similar to the Cade 900 S2
RedSea Reefer 425 G2+ - ~$3k - Wood stand, not sure if it has the refugium or not, electrical rack is an add on but has the room for it.

Honestly, if money were no object, I would go for the Cade 1200 in a heartbeat. Just a really beautiful tank IMO. However, I have been to this rodeo before and the costs are going to escalate quickly as it is with lights, skimmer, control…. I am drawn to the RedSea from a value perspective but I have a little bit of “been there done that” and while I had absolutely no problems with my OG Reefer 250, it seems there have been quite a few complaints about seam issues and I just don’t know if those have been worked out. The 5 year warranty is nice but doesn’t do anything if you have 90 Gal of water on your floor.

So looking for thoughts and opinions to help me decide.
Thanks for sharing!

 

[Uncle99]

It’s a grand more for what you want.
You’ll be happier that way.
It’s only your first $1000, many more to come over the years.
It will be around for many many years.
Make yourself happy.

 

[pgooden]

It’s a grand more for what you want.
You’ll be happier that way.
It’s only your first $1000, many more to come over the years.
It will be around for many many years.
Make yourself happy.

So true about the cash…people think boats are a money pit…

 

[TheHunterYall]

Why not innovative marine?

 

[pgooden]

Why not innovative marine?

I haven’t really considered them <shrug>. My first tank was actually an IM 20 long that was a good tank for several years until the false wall detached from the sides and collapsed. I’ve always thought of them as nano tank manufacturers but I guess that has changed. While the stand is nice and aluminum, I’m not that in love with the colors I saw on BRS website. As you can see, I am somewhat indecisive so having to pick a sump on top of picking the tank etc…might be the end of me. I will hit their website and take another look.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

Why not innovative marine?

They have some made to order tanks and stands for 40% off. I have been thinking of the 170 ext.

 

[pgooden]

Any thoughts or knowledge about RedSea’s quality issues? Was that a bump in the road they are past with the new G2+ or, still an issue?

 

[Trizz]

Need some help deciding between Waterbox, RedSea & Cade.

I am looking for a 4 ft. Tank for a reef setup. I am coming from a RedSea Reefer 250 but I sold literally everything off before we moved so I am starting 100% empty handed. I always felt like the 3ft of the Reefer was limiting as far as livestock I could get. I want to run a rollermat of some kind and would love to have at least some kind of refugium as it seems that tanks that have one just seem to do better. It needs to be able to store everything under the aquarium as the wall it will be on is only about 51”. I will likely have a controller along with dosing pumps etc… under the tank. Would love to have an aluminum stand from a weight and strength perspective over wood.

The aquariums I am looking at:
Cade 1200 S2 ~$4K - really like everything about it, stand is awesome, love the auto-top off and plumbing and electrical rack on the side. Just seems to be topnotch except…the price.
Cade 900 S2 - ~$3k - This is more my price point Same features as the 1200 but only 3 ft length and doesn’t have the space for a refugium
Waterbox 130.4 ~$3k great size. Wooden Stand, no refugium, no electrical rack like the Cades and would have to remove the filter sock section to get a rollermat to work
Waterbox Infinia 125.3 ~$3k - again, only 3ft but has aluminum stand, electrical rack and refugium so similar to the Cade 900 S2
RedSea Reefer 425 G2+ - ~$3k - Wood stand, not sure if it has the refugium or not, electrical rack is an add on but has the room for it.

Honestly, if money were no object, I would go for the Cade 1200 in a heartbeat. Just a really beautiful tank IMO. However, I have been to this rodeo before and the costs are going to escalate quickly as it is with lights, skimmer, control…. I am drawn to the RedSea from a value perspective but I have a little bit of “been there done that” and while I had absolutely no problems with my OG Reefer 250, it seems there have been quite a few complaints about seam issues and I just don’t know if those have been worked out. The 5 year warranty is nice but doesn’t do anything if you have 90 Gal of water on your floor.

So looking for thoughts and opinions to help me decide.
Thanks for sharing!

Buy the cade without a doubt

 

[Sapo]

Need some help deciding between Waterbox, RedSea & Cade.

The aquariums I am looking at:
Cade 1200 S2 ~$4K - really like everything about it, stand is awesome, love the auto-top off and plumbing and electrical rack on the side. Just seems to be topnotch except…the price.
Cade 900 S2 - ~$3k - This is more my price point Same features as the 1200 but only 3 ft length and doesn’t have the space for a refugium
Waterbox 130.4 ~$3k great size. Wooden Stand, no refugium, no electrical rack like the Cades and would have to remove the filter sock section to get a rollermat to work
Waterbox Infinia 125.3 ~$3k - again, only 3ft but has aluminum stand, electrical rack and refugium so similar to the Cade 900 S2
RedSea Reefer 425 G2+ - ~$3k - Wood stand, not sure if it has the refugium or not, electrical rack is an add on but has the room for it.

Did you ever decide? I'm in a similar boat, but also looking at the AF605 and Infinia Reef 150.4. I'm leaning towards the Aqua Forest. Just missed Algae Barn having 15% back in store credit on the Cade's.

 

[MartinM]

I'm trying to decide between Waterbox and Giesemann personally, it doesn't seem like anyone else makes custom sizes (I'm looking for 240x45x55cm thereabouts).

 

[MartinM]

Buy the cade without a doubt

Such limited sizes and no custom options

 

[blaxsun]

Such limited sizes and no custom options

Get the Cade.

 

[MartinM]

Get the Cade.

They'd be a strong contender if they made custom sizes and a white background was available for them.

 

[blaxsun]

They'd be a strong contender if they made custom sizes and a white background was available for them.

From what you indicate you have 51" to play with. The Cade S2 1200 is 47", so how much more customization do you need?