Thanks great video! I've wanted to get a salt water for years but when I finally do I want to go all the way and spare no expense. This was very helpful.
Just got my first tank a month ago, a Waterbox Cube 20. Probably a combination of excitement and lack of experience to judge by, but have to say I'm thoroughly happy so far. I do wish there were more overflow cutouts, and I am about to swap out the filter socks for a media caddy that will hold filter floss, as I'm already bored of the multiple sock wash, dry & replace routine. I did not get one of their cabinets, opting instead to go with a metal framed stand intended for a 40 gallon tank. I use the extra length by placing a piece of plywood on top to create a work table for water tests, prepping frags, etc. Have to remove it after so the cat doesn't have a convenient shelf for planning attacks.
I’ve got a Waterbox 180.5 and absolutely love it. I was running my UV off my manifold, but I’ve since added a dedicated pump to make the UV more efficient. Great video and looking forward to more in this series.
A really great and fair review. This type of video helps many reefers to make more informed decision. Much harder with sponsored videos. Looks like a great tank. Love the shape and size. Most helpful video. Thank you 👍
Spot on take on the shortcomings! I am considering a Waterbox REEF 130.4 for an upgrade myself but the lack of refugium ready sump and not having an easy way to fit a filter roller is making me rethink.
I feel your spot on with the sock setup and about the pressure gauge on the pump side. However, I also feel there should be one exactly where they've placed it. Considering the force of the pump having to work when there is back up could be costly. In addition, it will allow you to work and disconnected without water leaks occurring to work the issues below. " I work on homes and work on pools. I'm new to the Salt Aquarium biz.I feel there aren't enough shut-offs and needs a line/splittter to give a redirection of water to the pump to continue the running of the tanks while the work can be done. Meaning a breakage/repair, or maintainance cleaning."
Cool 📹 Alex. Very good points you have. On a budget buy the glass for your sump already cut and de bured, cheep ish and a tube of clue for fish of course.
Good information about the tank. Our series has been completely distorted from the pandemic. We were supposed to get into introducing Corals and then how to feed and dose the new tank. There are premixed Redsea options 3 part or advanced calcium reactor.. Also Kalkwasser is usually recommended by reefers, can that be introduced while the tank has just been setup for. Few weeks abd corals are bare minimum and new. Thanks
Another great in-depth review Alex 👍, I must admit I do like the look of water box Aquarium's but for me that sump looks a nightmare, it was bad enough cutting out the baffle in the Redsea 350, let alone in a smaller area as well. I 100% agree why companies don't offer the clarisea or any other filter roller as part of a package deal, as the majority of Reefers I no all have them installed
Those details you "nit pick" would drive me nuts, for the price those should be finished proper. Even my red sea reefer does not look like that. Great review!
I absolutely love my Marine X 60.2, but have several friends who run the FRAG series. Their tanks are extremely well built IMHO. Mine just turned 1 year old a week ago and it is looking as beautiful as ever.
I have an aqua one reefsys 180. The equivalent water box was 150 more expensive if I remember correctly. I couldn't justify the price difference. It has adjustable baffles in the sump, built in filter sock holder and ato reservoir.
I have over 20 years of reef-keeping experience. Here is my take on your water box review. Gate valves are overrated, you always have to adjust them from time to time, and even with the right adjustment, it still makes noise. I used a bubble trap instead, with absolutely no noise. Aquarium and stand are high quality, but so are other brands. The sump and plumping are very nice, but nobody will see them except some reef junkies. No lid!!! if you want a lid, be ready to spend more money. So fish will jump out, trust me on that. no Auto top-off, but I do not mind. The extra outlet for the media reactor is nice, but people don't use it as often as you think. I have never used a media reactor in my 20 years of reef keeping, I could grow SPS just fine without it. A refugium chamber is nice to have, but I would never use it. You don't need it to have a successful reef tank. So overall, Waterbox is overpriced, but then people are rich...
No idea how I did it, but I managed to fit a fuge in the sump on my Aqua one 90 nano 😂 I see this tank and I have no idea what I’d do with all that room.
Just bougtht the marine x 90.3 and filling it up for an overnight leak check - lack of refugium is dissappointing and i think will take the socks out and maybe put cups in
I was looking at Waterbox and the sump was what stopped me. I even contacted them asking if they would sell a system without it, which they wouldn't. Once you have been in the hobby for a while, you know what you want on a system. At their price, I just couldn't see it being feasible.
Appreciate the review. Not sure if you know, but I'm going to be in the market in a few months. Which is the better made tank as far as craftamanship, etc? Waterbox or Red Sea?
Stay away from Waterbox i spent 5K with them and had one issue after the next. At least the aquarium itself is holding up I can't complain about that so far (got the Marine x 110.4), but they don't stand behind the products they sell. The heater would not go up above 75 degrees and the pump would turn off on its own randomly and they still didn't want to take the merch back - thank God it was a new tank. They finally took those items back after a lot of back and forth. They finally agreed to a refund but said it was a onetime courtesy - for defective products!!! I gave them a onetime courtesy by continuing to do business with them. But it didn't end there... They charged me restocking fees and I had to chase them down for my refund bc it didn't seem like they had any intentions of refunding my money and only refunded a partial amount. I just now on April 4th got the remainder of my refund when I had sent these items back to them back in February. They didn't even return my points. That was another thing I had to go back and fight for. And their mesh lids... that's another story. 130 for something I tht went straight into the trash. Do yourself a favor stay away from these folks.
Do you need a chiller for our Summers? I'm measuring the temp in my prospective room and it hits 26-28 in our spring. Any options other than a chiller?
It can get pretty hot during a heatwave but I've never used a chiller - just get a couple of fans and blow them across the water when it gets hot. Although if you're already getting that hot, you might struggle in the summer.
Lol, not even close. I'm shocked this tank even has imperfections like this. Waterbox actually the best silicone in the business, even better than red sea. Seen wayyyy more imperfections on IM tanks. Their silicone job is atrocious.
Too soon to say properly. But it looks neat and gives a nice shimmer. It's a little too blue for my liking but it's fine really. Kessils are awesome, just not very powerful.
Good evening, I am cycling my tank using TMC colony and on day 12 and can see some diatoms appearing. Just wanted to ask if I should do a water change or wait 30 days? Cheers.
If the instructions don't say, email the manufacturer - you should get a reply. But I would imagine the bacteria will be well and truly settled by then so I'd do a wc
I have been researching for about a year, before I finally decide on what tank I am going with. I’m am heading towards the DD 1200 pro due to the fuge friendly sump and the quality seems great. Do you have any experience with the DD tank at all, or do you have any better recommendations? I think i have everything pretty much researched to death, the only thing that’s getting me a little worrying is the dosing machine, is this easy to set up?
And you forgot to mention, if you sell your tank, there is zero help from waterbox once the original owner has sold it. You will not be able to purchase parts directly from them if you did not buy the tank from them
@@ReefDork Okay so you prefer Kessil over the Reefled shimmerwise. I own a A360X and just received a Popbloom RS90 (Reefled knockoff). Can't wait to compare tomorrow.
@@ReefDork Compared the Popbloom today with the Kessil. The shimmer on itself is quite nice, it's more muted than the Kessil which i like, but once used to the perfect color blending of the Kessil there is no way back. With the popbloom you'll notice the individual colors especially on the sandbed. I won't call it a strong disco effect like on other led fixtures, it's for sure not that bad, but definitely not in Kessil's ballpark. So yeah: MH > Kessil > Reefled
Waterbox has not advertised this setup as having random flow generators, 'rfgs', or 'proper rfgs' as you put it. This is an accessory that people purchase separately as needed. Including something that is clearly not included in your cart as a criticism of what you recieved is unjust. You knew that going into the purchase. You also presume that such features are universally desired. I do acknowledge that this only pertains to a small portion of your video... I felt that it deviated in charactor strongly enough from your other videos to comment. The defining characteristics of a random flow generator that you express as being the inlets in the back of the part are also incomplete. A nozzle with open ports in the back is called an eductor, which utilize the venturi effect to create additional flow over a traditional nozzle without the rear openings. A random flow generator has all of the characteristics of a venturi style educator nozzle, with the addition of veins inside of the nozzle output. These veins are what make them special and introduce the random flow ejection from the nozzle. Thank you for your content, and your wallpaper. Keep up the great work.
Did you ever make a comparison video between waterbox and red sea reefer?
I did ua-cam.com/video/kvlaCyjTZCw/v-deo.html
This is an awesome review, and I *super* love that you were as observant about the minute details as I would be.
Great coverage of these tanks! Worth noting, their newer reef tanks (Marine X I believe) have removable weirs.
Thanks for pointing that out 👌
Thanks great video! I've wanted to get a salt water for years but when I finally do I want to go all the way and spare no expense. This was very helpful.
Just got my first tank a month ago, a Waterbox Cube 20. Probably a combination of excitement and lack of experience to judge by, but have to say I'm thoroughly happy so far. I do wish there were more overflow cutouts, and I am about to swap out the filter socks for a media caddy that will hold filter floss, as I'm already bored of the multiple sock wash, dry & replace routine. I did not get one of their cabinets, opting instead to go with a metal framed stand intended for a 40 gallon tank. I use the extra length by placing a piece of plywood on top to create a work table for water tests, prepping frags, etc. Have to remove it after so the cat doesn't have a convenient shelf for planning attacks.
I’ve got a Waterbox 180.5 and absolutely love it. I was running my UV off my manifold, but I’ve since added a dedicated pump to make the UV more efficient. Great video and looking forward to more in this series.
I agree about the sump! I think they should use a sock free setup so that people can either install a roller or refugium much easier.
D-D reef pro sumps come Clarisea ready...
A really great and fair review. This type of video helps many reefers to make more informed decision. Much harder with sponsored videos. Looks like a great tank. Love the shape and size. Most helpful video. Thank you 👍
Great vid Reef Dork! Always appreciate how you see both sides with the good, the bad, and how it affects your tank and setups.
I'm not even into saltwater aquariums but I still watch this guys videos.
Spot on take on the shortcomings! I am considering a Waterbox REEF 130.4 for an upgrade myself but the lack of refugium ready sump and not having an easy way to fit a filter roller is making me rethink.
Great review, we appreciate you being part of the Waterbox Family :) Let us know if there is anyway we can help you on your journey !
Great review of the tank and whilst it is 6 v 6 it sounds like the 👍🏻 outweigh the 👎🏻. Nice one
I feel your spot on with the sock setup and about the pressure gauge on the pump side. However, I also feel there should be one exactly where they've placed it. Considering the force of the pump having to work when there is back up could be costly. In addition, it will allow you to work and disconnected without water leaks occurring to work the issues below. " I work on homes and work on pools. I'm new to the Salt Aquarium biz.I feel there aren't enough shut-offs and needs a line/splittter to give a redirection of water to the pump to continue the running of the tanks while the work can be done. Meaning a breakage/repair, or maintainance cleaning."
Cool 📹 Alex. Very good points you have. On a budget buy the glass for your sump already cut and de bured, cheep ish and a tube of clue for fish of course.
Really weird that they discontinued this aquarium í love cube shallow reef look
Good information about the tank. Our series has been completely distorted from the pandemic. We were supposed to get into introducing Corals and then how to feed and dose the new tank.
There are premixed Redsea options 3 part or advanced calcium reactor.. Also Kalkwasser is usually recommended by reefers, can that be introduced while the tank has just been setup for. Few weeks abd corals are bare minimum and new.
Thanks
Band of brothers! I think I’ve watched that series at least ten times
😅 It's sooo good!
Another great in-depth review Alex 👍, I must admit I do like the look of water box Aquarium's but for me that sump looks a nightmare, it was bad enough cutting out the baffle in the Redsea 350, let alone in a smaller area as well. I 100% agree why companies don't offer the clarisea or any other filter roller as part of a package deal, as the majority of Reefers I no all have them installed
D-D reef pro tanks come ready for a Clarisea...
Thanks for the great content look forward to a Cade comparison shortly 😉
🤤 Cade look gooood!
@@ReefDork Cade look real gooood!
Those details you "nit pick" would drive me nuts, for the price those should be finished proper. Even my red sea reefer does not look like that. Great review!
Brilliant video. I’ve seen a few American videos of Waterbox aquariums. Think I’ll stick with my RedSea Reefer for now 👍
I absolutely love my Marine X 60.2, but have several friends who run the FRAG series. Their tanks are extremely well built IMHO. Mine just turned 1 year old a week ago and it is looking as beautiful as ever.
I have an aqua one reefsys 180. The equivalent water box was 150 more expensive if I remember correctly. I couldn't justify the price difference. It has adjustable baffles in the sump, built in filter sock holder and ato reservoir.
I have over 20 years of reef-keeping experience. Here is my take on your water box review. Gate valves are overrated, you always have to adjust them from time to time, and even with the right adjustment, it still makes noise. I used a bubble trap instead, with absolutely no noise. Aquarium and stand are high quality, but so are other brands. The sump and plumping are very nice, but nobody will see them except some reef junkies. No lid!!! if you want a lid, be ready to spend more money. So fish will jump out, trust me on that. no Auto top-off, but I do not mind. The extra outlet for the media reactor is nice, but people don't use it as often as you think. I have never used a media reactor in my 20 years of reef keeping, I could grow SPS just fine without it. A refugium chamber is nice to have, but I would never use it. You don't need it to have a successful reef tank. So overall, Waterbox is overpriced, but then people are rich...
No idea how I did it, but I managed to fit a fuge in the sump on my Aqua one 90 nano 😂 I see this tank and I have no idea what I’d do with all that room.
Just bougtht the marine x 90.3 and filling it up for an overnight leak check - lack of refugium is dissappointing and i think will take the socks out and maybe put cups in
I was looking at Waterbox and the sump was what stopped me. I even contacted them asking if they would sell a system without it, which they wouldn't. Once you have been in the hobby for a while, you know what you want on a system. At their price, I just couldn't see it being feasible.
This is why I'll have a custom made tank and I'll make my own stand.
How’s that going?
So. Which is best value for money. Waterbox or Red Sea.
I'll feed back when I've had it a while
@@ReefDork Appreciate it
Appreciate the review. Not sure if you know, but I'm going to be in the market in a few months. Which is the better made tank as far as craftamanship, etc? Waterbox or Red Sea?
Red Sea imo
@@ReefDork Thanks
What light is this
Red Sea ReefLED
Stay away from Waterbox i spent 5K with them and had one issue after the next. At least the aquarium itself is holding up I can't complain about that so far (got the Marine x 110.4), but they don't stand behind the products they sell. The heater would not go up above 75 degrees and the pump would turn off on its own randomly and they still didn't want to take the merch back - thank God it was a new tank. They finally took those items back after a lot of back and forth. They finally agreed to a refund but said it was a onetime courtesy - for defective products!!! I gave them a onetime courtesy by continuing to do business with them. But it didn't end there... They charged me restocking fees and I had to chase them down for my refund bc it didn't seem like they had any intentions of refunding my money and only refunded a partial amount. I just now on April 4th got the remainder of my refund when I had sent these items back to them back in February. They didn't even return my points. That was another thing I had to go back and fight for. And their mesh lids... that's another story. 130 for something I tht went straight into the trash. Do yourself a favor stay away from these folks.
tanks held together with just silicone and no frame are worthless, it will pull apart eventually, when you aren't home.
How do you like this in comparison to the Red Sea Reefer? I'm on the fence between the two brands...
Pros and cons of both - i'll do a full comparison when I've had this a bit longer...
I am still waiting for mine.............. week seven now.
Do you need a chiller for our Summers? I'm measuring the temp in my prospective room and it hits 26-28 in our spring. Any options other than a chiller?
It can get pretty hot during a heatwave but I've never used a chiller - just get a couple of fans and blow them across the water when it gets hot. Although if you're already getting that hot, you might struggle in the summer.
So they copied the reefer 170 and mad some minor improvements with gate valve at the return nozzles
Imperfections on IM tanks are about the same for anyone tank shopping
Lol, not even close. I'm shocked this tank even has imperfections like this. Waterbox actually the best silicone in the business, even better than red sea. Seen wayyyy more imperfections on IM tanks. Their silicone job is atrocious.
I'm not sure if you've touched on it before, but how do you like the red sea led? Also how do you like it versus something like a kessil?
Too soon to say properly. But it looks neat and gives a nice shimmer. It's a little too blue for my liking but it's fine really. Kessils are awesome, just not very powerful.
@@ReefDork that's surprising to hear it's too blue, I remember you saying you actually like a deep blue and that the kessil wasn't blue enough.
@@kygu I like blue in the evening, white in the day 🙂
Good evening, I am cycling my tank using TMC colony and on day 12 and can see some diatoms appearing. Just wanted to ask if I should do a water change or wait 30 days? Cheers.
If the instructions don't say, email the manufacturer - you should get a reply. But I would imagine the bacteria will be well and truly settled by then so I'd do a wc
@@ReefDork Thanks for taking the time to reply 👍
I just ordered a AIO 65.4. How long do they take to get to UK?
No idea I'm afraid - this one was in stock when I bought it...
I have been researching for about a year, before I finally decide on what tank I am going with. I’m am heading towards the DD 1200 pro due to the fuge friendly sump and the quality seems great. Do you have any experience with the DD tank at all, or do you have any better recommendations? I think i have everything pretty much researched to death, the only thing that’s getting me a little worrying is the dosing machine, is this easy to set up?
Dosers are dead easy. Check out the ReefPro review on FishPalace today - I like the look of them 👍
Thanks mate. Looks pretty straightforward. What about the roller mat filters, do you have any experience with them at all?
I ! wish model is ? Marine x or Frag ? How many galons ?
Thanks
Frag 55.2 - about 40gs after displacement
@@ReefDork beautiful tank ! Thanks
Hello! What tank is this?
Waterbox Frag 55.2
And you forgot to mention, if you sell your tank, there is zero help from waterbox once the original owner has sold it. You will not be able to purchase parts directly from them if you did not buy the tank from them
is that 2x2x2?
Yes but 16 inches tall
Is it me or does the reefled has the closest shimmer to metal halid?
In my opinion, it goes... the sun, halides, Kessil, ReefLED.
@@ReefDork Okay so you prefer Kessil over the Reefled shimmerwise. I own a A360X and just received a Popbloom RS90 (Reefled knockoff). Can't wait to compare tomorrow.
@@ReefDork Compared the Popbloom today with the Kessil. The shimmer on itself is quite nice, it's more muted than the Kessil which i like, but once used to the perfect color blending of the Kessil there is no way back. With the popbloom you'll notice the individual colors especially on the sandbed. I won't call it a strong disco effect like on other led fixtures, it's for sure not that bad, but definitely not in Kessil's ballpark.
So yeah: MH > Kessil > Reefled
I saw a review that these tanks scratch very easily… is this true?
Not on mine, no...
That tank turn over is running through your sump ?
Yep
@@ReefDork what tank turn over is through your sump ?
@@kickassaz oh. No idea - probably around 1,000lph 🤷♂️
Is this on a second floor?
Yep
@@ReefDork I’ve been thinking about getting the marine x 60 and was worried about the weight on the second floor
I've said it many times, waterbox is a marketing company
i want one, sadly the 60.2 i want is not available right now...... TAKE MY MONEY!!!!!!
Isn't the amount of rock u use very small ?
It's about as much as I can fit in with my plans
@@ReefDork i see now , would you make a vodeo explaining that please ?
I kinda wish I bought a water box tank instead of Red Sea because of their plumbing 😞 too late now lol 😂
Yeah it is good. Nothing wrong with Red Sea tanks mind!
water box has better plumbing and don't leak like the new redsea reefers.
Do yourselves a favour and add a pipe clip to those downpipes so they can't move when using the valve.
Waterbox has not advertised this setup as having random flow generators, 'rfgs', or 'proper rfgs' as you put it. This is an accessory that people purchase separately as needed.
Including something that is clearly not included in your cart as a criticism of what you recieved is unjust. You knew that going into the purchase. You also presume that such features are universally desired.
I do acknowledge that this only pertains to a small portion of your video... I felt that it deviated in charactor strongly enough from your other videos to comment.
The defining characteristics of a random flow generator that you express as being the inlets in the back of the part are also incomplete.
A nozzle with open ports in the back is called an eductor, which utilize the venturi effect to create additional flow over a traditional nozzle without the rear openings.
A random flow generator has all of the characteristics of a venturi style educator nozzle, with the addition of veins inside of the nozzle output. These veins are what make them special and introduce the random flow ejection from the nozzle.
Thank you for your content, and your wallpaper. Keep up the great work.
That wall paper bro has to go lol should do a coral reef wrap on the wall......
They can’t sell eductor RFG’s because Vivid Aquatics has that patented.
Interesting, thanks 👍
I experienced HORRIBLE customer service.
😔
Be warned if you have carpeted floors you can NOT open the cabinet doors. The doors go all the way down to the floor very bad design.
I have carpets and no problem with the door...
@@ReefDork guess good for you I do
Cheap build no thanks I'll stick to red sea 900 xxxl