Red Sea Reefer XL 525

M

mic2315

New member
Hey everyone,
I'm new to all this and I'm thinking of getting a Red Sea Reefer XL 525. Does anyone one have a red sea? Any pros and cons to getting this verses a custom tank. The main reason I'm looking at the Red Sea is my wife loves the look of it. I like the idea of still making this tank some what custom but I'm a little worried about the sump. Help please.
Thanks
Mike
 
Well, blanket statements aside.... I've seen one of their tanks in person, looks fantastic. You pay a bit extra for the convenience of it being a plug and play, sans light. But if the wife likes the look, thats a big win.
 
In all honestly I think its tough to shell out what they ask for. I'd rather make my own stand with room for a larger sump and customizing it.
 
I have the reefer 450 and love it. Well built

I have the reefer 450 and love it. Well built

Beautiful tank. The workmanship is top-notch. The only drawback is the smaller sump and no area for a refugium. Cabinet is furniture quality and fairly easy to put together.

One piece of advice. I have a Vertex protein skimmer with the pump located on the outside of the skimmer. (fairly large footprint) If I had to do it over, I would get one of the Vertex skimmers with the pump located inside the skimmer body.
 
For the prices they charge I would want the tank made in either Europe or USA. I would rather a Reef Savvy or and Elos aquarium. Much better materials are used and better quality. If you want a tank made in China then I would just get an SC aquarium or a Cadlights. At least the price is more reflective of the Made in China . Just my opinion
 
I have my Redsea Reefer 450 running for 8 months. The only change I made was to eliminate the ATO. I switched to a Tunze osmolator and never looked back. I love this tank, quality is top notch, looks great and is dead silent. I would recommend any of the reefer series tanks.
 
Anyone with the Redsea 525XL, if you could share your experience/thoughts, would be very helpful as I am also in the same dilemma as to pick Redsea or custom tank. Please advise.
 
I got the CadLight Artisan which is very similar to the Red Sea Reefer system. I was also very disappointed in not really having room for a good refugium. So I went a bit crazy and made a 2'x2'x20" display refugium tank and bought a kitchen cabinet similar to the CadLight stand:



It's only been running for a month and the display refugium has only been running about 5 days. But I'm really enjoying the process of making the refugium more than just a tub full of chaeto. I figure in a month or so the final work of finishing the stand and all will be done and there will be a lot more in the refugium. My new RB Photon V2 for over the refugium is due today. My ongoing build thread link is in my signature below.
 
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