Positive and negative tank experiences

iannuzzelli · 12/06/2017, 12:08 PM

Good day all,

I have had fresh water tanks in the past, looking to do a reef tank and have some question about tank reliability.

I have been looking at a
Marineland 97008 120 gal (48" x 24" x 24"), 1 overflow
and
Marineland 97013 180 gal wide (72" x 24" x 24"), 2 overflows

I know bigger is better, I just list those two b/c I am undecided as to which space I'd like to occupy.

Has anybody had any experience with this tank manufacturer? Are they reliable? What do you have or would recommend?

I have also been toying with a Red Sea Reefer. My issue with that is I have cats and could see one of the little A-holes jumping into the tank. I also am unsure about the "kit" that comes with it. Are they a good quality product?

mcgyvr · 12/06/2017, 12:24 PM

In general Marineland makes "decent" products..
They are not the top of the line nor are they something that you should avoid like the plague..

In general red sea makes a "better" product vs Marineland.. (and the price follows..)

iannuzzelli · 12/06/2017, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

In general Marineland makes "decent" products..
They are not the top of the line nor are they something that you should avoid like the plague..

In general red sea makes a "better" product vs Marineland.. (and the price follows..)

What do you have? I certainly can't afford top of the line but I also can't afford to have a cheap one blow out. what would you recommend?

mcgyvr · 12/06/2017, 12:50 PM

I personally just picked up a Deep Blue Professional 80G rimless tank not too long ago and am VERY happy with it so far..
It was certainly not expensive either and I was able to get it from my local fish store for far less than its sold for online due to shipping costs I guess.

top shelf · 12/06/2017, 12:51 PM

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a marineland tank, I used a 15g as a sump without issue, granted much smaller but still good build quality. Out of the 2 you have suggested I would go with the 180. The two biggest factors being tank volume (60g is a pretty good difference towards stability) and the length of the 180. Given they have the same depth and heighth the extra length will allow you to keep a greater variety of fish. Personally I have an SCA which is similar to Red Sea in terms of offering equipment and stand but with a lower price tag. They offer a solid tank with good equipment and you can even call and get Steve to customize a tank and stand for you.

iannuzzelli · 12/06/2017, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by top shelf

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a marineland tank, I used a 15g as a sump without issue, granted much smaller but still good build quality. Out of the 2 you have suggested I would go with the 180. The two biggest factors being tank volume (60g is a pretty good difference towards stability) and the length of the 180. Given they have the same depth and heighth the extra length will allow you to keep a greater variety of fish. Personally I have an SCA which is similar to Red Sea in terms of offering equipment and stand but with a lower price tag. They offer a solid tank with good equipment and you can even call and get Steve to customize a tank and stand for you.

Thank you for the input, I'd love to go with the larger of the two but the space (and the wife) might be an issue. I should also mention I am Canadian so any Canadian suppliers would be awesome.

top shelf · 12/06/2017, 01:26 PM

Sounds like a good place to start is to talk with the wife although sometimes it's easier to ask forgiveness then permission. Decide where you would like to put your tank and pick the biggest one that will fit in that space. As for Canadian suppliers I'm sorry but can't really help you there as I live across the border.

iannuzzelli · 12/06/2017, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by top shelf

can't really help you there as I live across the border.

I won't hold that against you.

I do want to go the biggest I can for the space, I am more concerned with finding a decent manufacturer at this point. I want to avoid having a catastrophic failure

Cancun · 12/06/2017, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iannuzzelli

I won't hold that against you.

I do want to go the biggest I can for the space, I am more concerned with finding a decent manufacturer at this point. I want to avoid having a catastrophic failure

Hi there! I am not sure what your budget is.....but I have a Innovative Marine shallow reef 80. Gallon....they also make a 120 gallon shallow reef.....I am happy with them and their customer support. It is a all in one like the Red Sea...but not as expensive....and not as many bells and whistles as the Red Sea. I like the fact that it is 16 inches deep....easy to reach the sand without a ladder...

iannuzzelli · 12/06/2017, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cancun

Hi there! I am not sure what your budget is.....but I have a Innovative Marine shallow reef 80. Gallon....they also make a 120 gallon shallow reef.....I am happy with them and their customer support. It is a all in one like the Red Sea...but not as expensive....and not as many bells and whistles as the Red Sea. I like the fact that it is 16 inches deep....easy to reach the sand without a ladder...

I will have to check them out for sure! Thanks for the info

Xxero · 12/07/2017, 08:04 AM

I have a 36x18x25 Marineland 65g Reef Ready tank that's been running for about a year and a half now. It's a veeeery basic tank, but it is solid and well built.

I like the SC Aquariums tanks, as mentioned above, and it will probably be my next upgrade

http://www.scaquariums.com/category-s/101.htm

TokiHacker · 12/07/2017, 08:06 AM

my 180g marineland (although very very old) is still holding up incredibly well.

iannuzzelli · 12/07/2017, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xxero

I have a 36x18x25 Marineland 65g Reef Ready tank that's been running for about a year and a half now. It's a veeeery basic tank, but it is solid and well built.

I like the SC Aquariums tanks, as mentioned above, and it will probably be my next upgrade

http://www.scaquariums.com/category-s/101.htm

Good to know about the Marineland tank

I am trying to get a quote for a similar tank from SC. If its decent I might just go with that option

billdogg · 12/07/2017, 02:31 PM

IMHO and IME, Marineland makes a fine tank. I know of several in the 20+ year range and still going strong. Either size is nice - as mentioned above, bigger is generally better.

As for a given tank leaking - is it is on a level and planar stand, any of the major manufacturer's tanks are as safe as can be reasonably expected.

My only suggestion, really, is to get one of whatever size without drains. "Reef Ready" to them generally means it will be plumbed for 1" drains, and they will be where they want them, not necessarily where you want them. It is way too easy to drill the holes yourself where you want them to be. I prefer center overflows so that both sides of the tank are as open and unobstructed as possible. (and the tank will be less expensive)

rocsec1 · 12/07/2017, 05:38 PM

I have the 120 and wish I had the 180.i think I could much more with it then I can with the 120.

jaking · 12/07/2017, 10:02 PM

SCA tanks just as good as red Sea tanks or is it worth the price difference??

12/06/2017, 12:08 PM	#1
iannuzzelli Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 7	Positive and negative tank experiences Good day all, I have had fresh water tanks in the past, looking to do a reef tank and have some question about tank reliability. I have been looking at a Marineland 97008 120 gal (48" x 24" x 24"), 1 overflow and Marineland 97013 180 gal wide (72" x 24" x 24"), 2 overflows I know bigger is better, I just list those two b/c I am undecided as to which space I'd like to occupy. Has anybody had any experience with this tank manufacturer? Are they reliable? What do you have or would recommend? I have also been toying with a Red Sea Reefer. My issue with that is I have cats and could see one of the little A-holes jumping into the tank. I also am unsure about the "kit" that comes with it. Are they a good quality product?

12/06/2017, 12:24 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	In general Marineland makes "decent" products.. They are not the top of the line nor are they something that you should avoid like the plague.. In general red sea makes a "better" product vs Marineland.. (and the price follows..) __________________ Who me?

12/06/2017, 12:50 PM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I personally just picked up a Deep Blue Professional 80G rimless tank not too long ago and am VERY happy with it so far.. It was certainly not expensive either and I was able to get it from my local fish store for far less than its sold for online due to shipping costs I guess. __________________ Who me?

12/06/2017, 12:51 PM	#5
top shelf Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,022	I wouldn't hesitate to buy a marineland tank, I used a 15g as a sump without issue, granted much smaller but still good build quality. Out of the 2 you have suggested I would go with the 180. The two biggest factors being tank volume (60g is a pretty good difference towards stability) and the length of the 180. Given they have the same depth and heighth the extra length will allow you to keep a greater variety of fish. Personally I have an SCA which is similar to Red Sea in terms of offering equipment and stand but with a lower price tag. They offer a solid tank with good equipment and you can even call and get Steve to customize a tank and stand for you. __________________ Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it into a fruit salad. Philosophy is wondering if that means ketchup is a smoothie. Current tank info: 45g SCA Cube

12/06/2017, 01:26 PM	#7
top shelf Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,022	Sounds like a good place to start is to talk with the wife although sometimes it's easier to ask forgiveness then permission. Decide where you would like to put your tank and pick the biggest one that will fit in that space. As for Canadian suppliers I'm sorry but can't really help you there as I live across the border. __________________ Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it into a fruit salad. Philosophy is wondering if that means ketchup is a smoothie. Current tank info: 45g SCA Cube

12/07/2017, 08:04 AM	#11
Xxero Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 1,054	I have a 36x18x25 Marineland 65g Reef Ready tank that's been running for about a year and a half now. It's a veeeery basic tank, but it is solid and well built. I like the SC Aquariums tanks, as mentioned above, and it will probably be my next upgrade http://www.scaquariums.com/category-s/101.htm __________________ "You Can Lead A Gift Horse To Water... But You Can't Make Him Look In Your Mouth." Current Tank Info: 65g Mixed Reef Display - 15g Macro Algae/Refugium - 40b Sump

12/07/2017, 08:06 AM	#12
TokiHacker Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 549	my 180g marineland (although very very old) is still holding up incredibly well. __________________ 200 GAL Mixed Reef Build \| 20GAL JBJ Frag Tank \| 29GAL Chiragra Mantis Shrimp Tank

12/07/2017, 02:31 PM	#14
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	IMHO and IME, Marineland makes a fine tank. I know of several in the 20+ year range and still going strong. Either size is nice - as mentioned above, bigger is generally better. As for a given tank leaking - is it is on a level and planar stand, any of the major manufacturer's tanks are as safe as can be reasonably expected. My only suggestion, really, is to get one of whatever size without drains. "Reef Ready" to them generally means it will be plumbed for 1" drains, and they will be where they want them, not necessarily where you want them. It is way too easy to drill the holes yourself where you want them to be. I prefer center overflows so that both sides of the tank are as open and unobstructed as possible. (and the tank will be less expensive) __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

12/07/2017, 05:38 PM	#15
rocsec1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Medina oh Posts: 1,782	I have the 120 and wish I had the 180.i think I could much more with it then I can with the 120.

12/07/2017, 10:02 PM	#16
jaking Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Florence, AL Posts: 50	SCA tanks just as good as red Sea tanks or is it worth the price difference??