CoralDanimal
Active Member
Hello! I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on my next tank and I'd love any feedback. For context, I currently have a Red Sea Reefer 170, which is great, but I'm starting to outgrow it. I have a baby Kole tang that is now probably 3" long so I've chosen 4ft as the ideal length to make sure he/she has ample swimming space. Don't worry the Kole tang will be the only tang and all the other fish are nano tank small. As for coral, it's going to be a mixed reef with a lot of SPS. Onto the options:
Red Sea Reefer 425 XL
Anything I'm missing? Any thoughts? Any other options I should consider? In some ways, I think the RSR 300 XL (36"x22.6"x22") is actually perfect for my house which isn't very big, but I don't think those dimensions are sufficient for a Kole tang long-term
even if he's super spoiled, fat, & happy.
Red Sea Reefer 425 XL
- Dimensions: 47" long, 22" deep, 22" tall
- Volume: 88g display, 24g sump, 112g total
- Cost: $2.4k
- Pros:
- I've had two Red Sea tanks in the past and they're very solid.
- Great community support for modifications (plumbing a Clarisea) or add-ons (ClearView lid).
- Everything is pre-plumbed and the sump/stand utilization is solid.
- I need to have a white stand because of our home decor and Red Sea's white stands match well.
- Cons:
- I really wish it were 2" deeper and 2" shorter. 48"x24"x20" or 48"x24"x18" would be perfect IMO as it gives more aquascaping depth.
- I know there have been some defects with larger RSRs & bowed tanks, but I don't think it happened with the 425.
- Conclusion: Probably the most practical route. I'd have a lot of confidence with this purchase.
- Dimensions: 48" long, 24" deep, 20" tall
- Volume: 100g display, bring your own sump, 100g + sump total
- Cost: $1.3k (no sump + no stand)
- Pros:
- Perfect dimensions.
- I like the ability to buy a sump separately. Ideally I'd buy the GeoReef sump with the Clarisea plumbed in + skimmer + refugium compartment.
- Cons:
- No white stand is a real bummer. Even if I bought their stand I'd have to paint it white and I like the modern look of RSR stands more.
- I'm not sure about the wall to wall overflow. I could get the EXT 100, but then the tank would stick out from the wall a bit.
- If I got this tank, but then bought a stand separately + custom sump it would end up being more than the RSR 425.
- Conclusion: If they had a great white stand option, I'd probably get it to be honest. The dimensions, pricing, and plumbing are all ideal.
- Dimensions: 48" long, 24" deep, 16" tall
- Volume: 72g display, 30g, 105g total
- Cost: $2.2k
- Pros:
- Basically everything you get with the RSR 425 XL but 6" shorter and 2" deeper. I wish it were 18" tall, but I still like the dimensions. It'd have an almost lagoon feel to it.
- High-quality white stand is a plus.
- Cons:
- The tank will have a lot of SPS so I worry 16" just won't be high enough and the novelty of the dimensions will fade over time.
- I've seen some mixed results with their quality, but they do seem to resolve it.
- I don't like their sump layout as much as the RSR. I plan to have a skimmer + refugium + clarisea and I'd probably have to get a custom sump if I went this route.
- Conclusion: If it were 2" taller, I think I'd get it. I just think 16" is too short (yes I know it's supposed to be a frag tank) and over time I'd outgrow it. Ah so close.
- Dimensions: 48" long, 24" deep, 20" tall
- Volume: 100g display, bring your own sump, 100g + sump total
- Cost: $3.4k
- Pros:
- Perfect dimensions just like the IM INT 100.
- You can get it with everything you'd want: custom lid, panel in the stand for electronics, metal stand with magnet skin for easy access, modern white stand decor options, etc.
- Love the dual returns nozzles. Would be ideal so I could do dual return pumps for maximum redundancy.
- Cons:
- Definitely the priciest of the bunch.
- The wait time would be the longest and I've seen some threads where people who ordered from CD had serious delays.
- I saw multiple posts about the tank having issues (ex: plumbing leaks) where they had to come back and address it multiple times. Paying for plug 'n play but then having to do it yourself doesn't sound like fun. They're located in SoCal and I'm in NorCal so I'd be on my own for any fixes.
- I did see a few threads (or it could be one or two angry customers) about how they felt scammed and took them to court and that the company was facing cash flow issues. I'll be honest - this is a big turn off.
- Conclusion: If they had glowing reviews and a reasonable turnaround time from purchase -> received, I'd probably get it, but it feels like a big risk compared to Red Sea or IM or WB.
Anything I'm missing? Any thoughts? Any other options I should consider? In some ways, I think the RSR 300 XL (36"x22.6"x22") is actually perfect for my house which isn't very big, but I don't think those dimensions are sufficient for a Kole tang long-term
even if he's super spoiled, fat, & happy.
