WATERBOX 330.7 pros & cons?

[ajaj137]

I am looking to upgrade my tank from a Red Sea 525 G2 to a WATERBOX 330.7 and would like some feedback on pros and cons of the tanks from any of you who may have it. What do you love about it? What do you hate about it? Do you wish you would’ve gone a different direction and chose a different tank? I saw they recently sent out emails that they were going to increase the cost of the tanks… I would like some feedback before I pull the trigger.

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

@exnisstech thoughts?

 

[exnisstech]

I've had my 330.7 up and running for about 15 months now. I really have no complaints. It's my first large complete system so I don't have anything to compare too. I had a reefer 170 that failed and have a 300 running that I'm keeping an eye on. I'm done with redsea tanks.
My other larger systems were standard tanks with diy plumbing and diy sump. When I decided to upgrade my 180g to the 330.7 it was mainly because it had the foot print I wanted. I wanted a 7ft tank with 30" front to back depth and WB fit that requirement. I looked at cade but with the built in ATO reservoir on the back it wasted too much space so I passed. WB support was good when I had questions. I'm not a big fan of the check valve on the return line because I don't trust them but the sump can handle the full volume that drains when the return is off so if it fails its not an issue.
The stand is taller than I wanted but it isn't a complaint. The only way i could have gotten a shorter stand on a big tank wouid have been to go custom and I just wasn't up to the DIY plumbing so I compromised.

The large single piece 1/2" euro brace is really nice at keeping water from splashing over the sides when feeding or cleaning glass. It comes with ok mesh lids but I'm running open top. The tank is a beast at over 600lbs empty so plan on hiring someone to set it unless you have some strong friends. I opted for curb side delivery but I have a tractor with forks so I was able to unload it directly from the freight truck. I paid a moving company to set the tank.

I wish I would have plumbed a fleece roller in before I set the tank. I don't do well crawling around on the floor so I'm not up to plumbing one now. Its an old guy thing not a knock on the sump.
The sumps fits my needs fine. I run mesh socks that are easy to clean. The second chamber is set up in the large configuration and packed full of live rock and runs as a cryptic fuge. Skimmer and a floating Santa Monica surf 2X ATS are in the 3rd chamber. I run a jebao DCP 15000 return.
The stand is solid with the 80/20 frame. Negative - The slots on the 80/20 used for the stand are non standard and typical t slot bolts will not fit. I found this out when I went to mount my light bracket to the stand. I suppose I could have reached out to WB but I just pulled a few bolts from the stand to use then ground down the heads on some standard bolts I bought to replace them. Not a big deal but something to keep in mind if you plan on attaching anything to the stand.
Feel free to reach out if you have any particular questions and I'll do my best to answer them.

EDIT: There are a few other 330.7 build threads here on R2R that you may want to check out.

 

[ajaj137]

I've had my 330.7 up and running for about 15 months now. I really have no complaints. It's my first large complete system so I don't have anything to compare too. I had a reefer 170 that failed and have a 300 running that I'm keeping an eye on. I'm done with redsea tanks.
My other larger systems were standard tanks with diy plumbing and diy sump. When I decided to upgrade my 180g to the 330.7 it was mainly because it had the foot print I wanted. I wanted a 7ft tank with 30" front to back depth and WB fit that requirement. I looked at cade but with the built in ATO reservoir on the back it wasted too much space so I passed. WB support was good when I had questions. I'm not a big fan of the check valve on the return line because I don't trust them but the sump can handle the full volume that drains when the return is off so if it fails its not an issue.
The stand is taller than I wanted but it isn't a complaint. The only way i could have gotten a shorter stand on a big tank wouid have been to go custom and I just wasn't up to the DIY plumbing so I compromised.

The large single piece 1/2" euro brace is really nice at keeping water from splashing over the sides when feeding or cleaning glass. It comes with ok mesh lids but I'm running open top. The tank is a beast at over 600lbs empty so plan on hiring someone to set it unless you have some strong friends. I opted for curb side delivery but I have a tractor with forks so I was able to unload it directly from the freight truck. I paid a moving company to set the tank.

I wish I would have plumbed a fleece roller in before I set the tank. I don't do well crawling around on the floor so I'm not up to plumbing one now. Its an old guy thing not a knock on the sump.
The sumps fits my needs fine. I run mesh socks that are easy to clean. The second chamber is set up in the large configuration and packed full of live rock and runs as a cryptic fuge. Skimmer and a floating Santa Monica surf 2X ATS are in the 3rd chamber. I run a jebao DCP 15000 return.
The stand is solid with the 80/20 frame. Negative - The slots on the 80/20 used for the stand are non standard and typical t slot bolts will not fit. I found this out when I went to mount my light bracket to the stand. I suppose I could have reached out to WB but I just pulled a few bolts from the stand to use then ground down the heads on some standard bolts I bought to replace them. Not a big deal but something to keep in mind if you plan on attaching anything to the stand.
Feel free to reach out if you have any particular questions and I'll do my best to answer them.

EDIT: There are a few other 330.7 build threads here on R2R that you may want to check out.

I appreciate the feedback, the tank looks even bigger from that POV lol I am wanting to connect a roller mat however I’m not sure what the best way of doing do would be? I understand the return lines into the sump is in a dual configuration? So you would have to T them together or have 2 roller mats given enough space is available… when you purchased your tank did you opt for the separate 5 year warranty? I was definitely going to…

 

[Luisn17]

I appreciate the feedback, the tank looks even bigger from that POV lol I am wanting to connect a roller mat however I’m not sure what the best way of doing do would be? I understand the return lines into the sump is in a dual configuration? So you would have to T them together or have 2 roller mats given enough space is available… when you purchased your tank did you opt for the separate 5 year warranty? I was definitely going to…

Hey,

Not sure if you purchased your tank, but yes, you need to join the lines like I did. There is another built with someone who routed one line to the back and one to the back of the rollermat. Is not a bad process. This is what I did on mine.

I can tell you works perfectly and the rolls last me about 30-40 days. I will never run a tank without a rollermat again. I did not purchase an extended warranty. This tank is build like a tank because of the euro brace.

 

[ajaj137]

That looks awesome thank you!

 

[Raptor72]

Did you get your questions answered? I’m running the same tank if you want to check out my build thread.

 

[AUSXMD]

I have the 230 but I assume the plumbing, stand, ect. are the same. I had to do a mod to the emergency drain. It was not high enough and water going down to the sump would make a lot of noise splashing in that. It was a very easy mod. Only other complaint is the doors have magnets in them to keep them shut. It's a press in and the door pops open. The magnets stopped working so Im using velcro. Not a huge deal, but annoying when spending that amount of money. Ive had mine now about 3 years, so maybe those issues have been fixed. I know the e-drain/weir issue was a common one. Other than those two things, I love it. And now wish I'd gone with a bigger tank, but that's always the case. They are beautiful tanks. I had a RedSea before this and it was one issue after another. Hope this helps.
Scott

 

[TBSB2019]

Raptor and I both have roller mats on ours. Check both tank builds. He went one route, I went another. They both work great. I have been running over a year and have no complaints what so ever to the point we are going to upgrade our 180 to a 330.7 in the near future. Feel free to reach out if you have questions.

 

[BryanM]

I have a 230.6 and love everything about it, except equipment space (electronics, etc) is quite limited in the cabinet.