IM Nuvo or Waterbox or Red Sea

Indiana Reefin · 10/10/2018, 07:41 AM

I am having a tough time picking my next setup. These are all nice options and I like certain aspects of each setup. I will share my pros and cons for each setup and please weigh in and help me make a decision. This is for the 70-75 gallon range.

IM Nuvo 75 INT with APS stand
Price $1500
Pros:
-Herbie overflow with 2 ermengency drains. This is by far the best overflow setup of the 3 manufactures.
-APS stand, my opinion the most sound stand of the three manufactures.
-Screen top cover.
-3 side are all low iron glass.
-I get to choose my sump

Cons:
-Manufacturer has some claims of cracking tanks on their nano setups.
-The larger setups have not been out on the market long
-No ATO setup

Waterbox 100.3
Price: $1750
Pros:
Large sump
Electronic ATO
All 3 sides are low iron glass

Cons:
No screen top

Red Sea Reefer 350
Price: $1700
Pros:
-Red Sea has a great reputation
-Out of all 3 manufactures this tank has been on the market the longest

Cons:
-Small sump
-front panned is low iron the sides are not

These are all great options and price is all pretty close. I am having a hard time not leaning toward the IM but Part of me is worried that the quality doesn’t meet the Red Sea. I need help lol

kevin21 · 10/10/2018, 07:50 AM

Have heard nothing but amazing things about waterbox. I was leaning towards IM, but the dimensions of waterbox were better for me and I was more happy with a the 3 foot long 50g tank. I am getting the 50.3 waterbox. Also believe you can buy a custom lid for it as well. No worries there. I heard of IM tanks cracking as well, especially on the AIO systems.

Fourstars · 10/10/2018, 08:05 AM

So I have the red sea, and one thing that disappoints me is you can't use standard bulkheads. they have a plate on the bottom and can only use their plumbing parts which are thin walled and crack over time. I think waterbox is the same. I'm looking at an SCA tank instead.

Indiana Reefin · 10/10/2018, 09:01 AM

Thanks for all your feedback!

solitude127 · 10/10/2018, 10:26 AM

I thought all Red Sea tanks were low iron throughout the viewing panels?

Fish559 · 10/10/2018, 10:30 AM

I have an IM Nuvo 20, and I've really enjoyed it. I know you didn't ask about that specific tank, but I can speak to the IM tanks as a whole. I've been very impressed with it!

I love the RS tanks, at least the ones I've seen in stores. I didn't know about the plumbing issues, though.

Cliving1 · 10/10/2018, 11:29 AM

I have not had a red sea, but have had an IM and waterbox. To me the waterbox is leagues above IM. I have had an IM explode as well. The only issue I have with the waterbox is assembling the stand was not straightforward as the instructions were a joke. But if you have put together a few stands, you should have no problem. Also the fact that it comes all in one, except the return, was a bonus for me.

Indiana Reefin · 10/10/2018, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitude127

I thought all Red Sea tanks were low iron throughout the viewing panels?

I believe that they are not. From the ones I have seen in person the side panels have a greener tint to them.

Indiana Reefin · 10/10/2018, 11:45 AM

Thanks for all your replies. IM wasn’t even an option until I saw the plumbing and the APS stands. I am having a tough time knocking out Red Sea because I know they make a quality product. A quality product goes a long way for especially since this tank will be on a second floor. I am not concerned that a Red Sea or a Waterbox will bust a seam or crack, but I am a little concerned with IM based on some past stories from other hobbyists. I do like the sump and the plumbing for the Waterbox systems better than Red Sea. I see that Red Sea tanks have smaller sumps which isn’t a deal breaker, but having a refugium in the sump is not a option if I don’t want to make modifications to the ATO reservoir.
Buying a sump would be nice but buying a nice sump is going to cost more than $200-$250 if I don’t build it myself.

If money wasn’t an option I would end up with an Elos. But IMHO I don’t think the quality is that much higher than Red Sea.

I guess the IM is sexier but the Waterbox and the Red Sea are proven

Cliving1 · 10/10/2018, 04:28 PM

The best thing you could do (if not done already) is see them in person. You will have a better feel for the tank that way.

Indiana Reefin · 10/10/2018, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliving1

The best thing you could do (if not done already) is see them in person. You will have a better feel for the tank that way.

I 100% agree. I have seen the Red Sea and the Waterbox and person and I honestly thought they both looked great! I don’t know if I will be able to see the IM in person. A lot of my local fish stores don’t carry the larger IM tanks

Joe0813 · 10/10/2018, 08:28 PM

My wife loves the redsea 170 she has. only thing she doesn't like is how small the top off container is

Indiana Reefin · 10/10/2018, 09:14 PM

I wish one of these manufacturers were in the USA.
That would make my decision really easy. I will more than likely go with the tank that my local fish store carries so I can pick it up at a store as apposed to having one shipped. SO that pretty much leaves me with Red Sea or Waterbox for now.

Joe0813 · 10/11/2018, 09:12 PM

best bet is just go stare at them both and just go over it top to bottom and pick out things you like better between the two

Indiana Reefin · 10/12/2018, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe0813

best bet is just go stare at them both and just go over it top to bottom and pick out things you like better between the two

This what I’ll probably end up doing

kevin.st · 10/16/2018, 03:19 PM

I have a red sea max and I won't go this route again because I have replaced so much of the original setup.

Indiana Reefin · 10/17/2018, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin.st

I have a red sea max and I won't go this route again because I have replaced so much of the original setup.

What have you replaced?

Justintegra · 10/17/2018, 01:11 PM

i live in the South Bend area and unfortunately there is NOWHERE around here that I can go see all of these tanks setup. I'm debating between the exact same brands for my next big tank next year (48 or 60 inch)

kevin.st · 10/17/2018, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana Reefin

What have you replaced?

To be clear, my tank is the older version with T5's instead of Hydra's.

I have replaced return pump, skimmer, lights, removed the built in powerheads and added 2 mp40's. That's at least $2k right there.

I wish I would have just pieced together my own setup.

kevin.st · 10/17/2018, 03:18 PM

I also scratched the S out of the glass with a flipper. So, maybe I am still bothered by that. haha.

Indiana Reefin · 10/17/2018, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin.st

To be clear, my tank is the older version with T5's instead of Hydra's.

I have replaced return pump, skimmer, lights, removed the built in powerheads and added 2 mp40's. That's at least $2k right there.

I wish I would have just pieced together my own setup.

That stinks!
Well the reefer series only includes:
Tank
Sump
Stand
ATO

The Red Sea like has come a long way imho

Indiana Reefin · 10/17/2018, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justintegra

i live in the South Bend area and unfortunately there is NOWHERE around here that I can go see all of these tanks setup. I'm debating between the exact same brands for my next big tank next year (48 or 60 inch)

If you are willing to drive a couple of hours go the Ark in Merrillville, IN. They have Waterbox and Red Sea

Justintegra · 10/17/2018, 05:52 PM

Yea, I make it to the ark every 2 months or so to get something or the other. I haven't seen water box, but they only seem to ever have one red sea set up, and it's usually the 250 or if you are lucky, the 350. I'd like to see a 525xl, for instance.

Indiana Reefin · 10/17/2018, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justintegra

Yea, I make it to the ark every 2 months or so to get something or the other. I haven't seen water box, but they only seem to ever have one red sea set up, and it's usually the 250 or if you are lucky, the 350. I'd like to see a 525xl, for instance.

Hmm. I have seen Waterbox there before. The largest setup I saw there was a 350.

I am actually considering a 250 now. I didn’t realize the 350 was 4 ft long. I’ll have to check the wall I am putting this setup on, but I believe 3’ will fit better. Plus the 250 is $400 cheaper than the Waterbox 100.3, and I don’t think the extra 14 gallons is worth that.

So I am leaning towards the Red Sea 250 or 350 at the moment. I would like to consider the IM but I think the Red Sea and Waterbox are a notch above for quality

Szar · 10/18/2018, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana Reefin

So I am leaning towards the Red Sea 250 or 350 at the moment. I would like to consider the IM but I think the Red Sea and Waterbox are a notch above for quality

Go with the biggest option you can physically squeeze in, i'm kicking me self in the butt for not going for the 450 and settling for the 250.

Visually unless the wall is really short and the tank will takes the majority of it, it will look small. I'm really not liking the the 250s dimensions.

350 seems much nicer aesthetically to me. May sound silly, but take two large towels and fold em to more or less their animations and see what fits the wall better or lol (iv done it) cut out dimension in a piece of paper and use your cell flashlight to project the size of the tank onto the wall.

10/10/2018, 07:41 AM	#1
Indiana Reefin Garrett Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 847	IM Nuvo or Waterbox or Red Sea I am having a tough time picking my next setup. These are all nice options and I like certain aspects of each setup. I will share my pros and cons for each setup and please weigh in and help me make a decision. This is for the 70-75 gallon range. IM Nuvo 75 INT with APS stand Price $1500 Pros: -Herbie overflow with 2 ermengency drains. This is by far the best overflow setup of the 3 manufactures. -APS stand, my opinion the most sound stand of the three manufactures. -Screen top cover. -3 side are all low iron glass. -I get to choose my sump Cons: -Manufacturer has some claims of cracking tanks on their nano setups. -The larger setups have not been out on the market long -No ATO setup Waterbox 100.3 Price: $1750 Pros: Large sump Electronic ATO All 3 sides are low iron glass Cons: No screen top Red Sea Reefer 350 Price: $1700 Pros: -Red Sea has a great reputation -Out of all 3 manufactures this tank has been on the market the longest Cons: -Small sump -front panned is low iron the sides are not These are all great options and price is all pretty close. I am having a hard time not leaning toward the IM but Part of me is worried that the quality doesn’t meet the Red Sea. I need help lol

10/10/2018, 07:50 AM	#2
kevin21 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 2,208	Have heard nothing but amazing things about waterbox. I was leaning towards IM, but the dimensions of waterbox were better for me and I was more happy with a the 3 foot long 50g tank. I am getting the 50.3 waterbox. Also believe you can buy a custom lid for it as well. No worries there. I heard of IM tanks cracking as well, especially on the AIO systems. __________________ Kevin Current Tank Info: Waterbox 50g, Tunze 9004 dc skimmer, Vortech mp10, Kessil ap700

10/10/2018, 10:26 AM	#5
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	I thought all Red Sea tanks were low iron throughout the viewing panels? __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

10/10/2018, 08:28 PM	#12
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	My wife loves the redsea 170 she has. only thing she doesn't like is how small the top off container is __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef

10/11/2018, 09:12 PM	#14
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	best bet is just go stare at them both and just go over it top to bottom and pick out things you like better between the two __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef

10/10/2018, 08:05 AM	#3
Fourstars Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Third rock Posts: 291	So I have the red sea, and one thing that disappoints me is you can't use standard bulkheads. they have a plate on the bottom and can only use their plumbing parts which are thin walled and crack over time. I think waterbox is the same. I'm looking at an SCA tank instead.

10/10/2018, 09:01 AM	#4
Indiana Reefin Garrett Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 847	Thanks for all your feedback!

10/10/2018, 10:30 AM	#6
Fish559 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 129	I have an IM Nuvo 20, and I've really enjoyed it. I know you didn't ask about that specific tank, but I can speak to the IM tanks as a whole. I've been very impressed with it! I love the RS tanks, at least the ones I've seen in stores. I didn't know about the plumbing issues, though.

10/10/2018, 11:29 AM	#7
Cliving1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 1,923	I have not had a red sea, but have had an IM and waterbox. To me the waterbox is leagues above IM. I have had an IM explode as well. The only issue I have with the waterbox is assembling the stand was not straightforward as the instructions were a joke. But if you have put together a few stands, you should have no problem. Also the fact that it comes all in one, except the return, was a bonus for me.

10/10/2018, 11:45 AM	#9
Indiana Reefin Garrett Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 847	Thanks for all your replies. IM wasn’t even an option until I saw the plumbing and the APS stands. I am having a tough time knocking out Red Sea because I know they make a quality product. A quality product goes a long way for especially since this tank will be on a second floor. I am not concerned that a Red Sea or a Waterbox will bust a seam or crack, but I am a little concerned with IM based on some past stories from other hobbyists. I do like the sump and the plumbing for the Waterbox systems better than Red Sea. I see that Red Sea tanks have smaller sumps which isn’t a deal breaker, but having a refugium in the sump is not a option if I don’t want to make modifications to the ATO reservoir. Buying a sump would be nice but buying a nice sump is going to cost more than $200-$250 if I don’t build it myself. If money wasn’t an option I would end up with an Elos. But IMHO I don’t think the quality is that much higher than Red Sea. I guess the IM is sexier but the Waterbox and the Red Sea are proven

10/10/2018, 04:28 PM	#10
Cliving1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 1,923	The best thing you could do (if not done already) is see them in person. You will have a better feel for the tank that way.

10/10/2018, 09:14 PM	#13
Indiana Reefin Garrett Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 847	I wish one of these manufacturers were in the USA. That would make my decision really easy. I will more than likely go with the tank that my local fish store carries so I can pick it up at a store as apposed to having one shipped. SO that pretty much leaves me with Red Sea or Waterbox for now.

10/16/2018, 03:19 PM	#16
kevin.st Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 151	I have a red sea max and I won't go this route again because I have replaced so much of the original setup.

10/17/2018, 01:11 PM	#18
Justintegra Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 109	i live in the South Bend area and unfortunately there is NOWHERE around here that I can go see all of these tanks setup. I'm debating between the exact same brands for my next big tank next year (48 or 60 inch)

10/17/2018, 03:18 PM	#20
kevin.st Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 151	I also scratched the S out of the glass with a flipper. So, maybe I am still bothered by that. haha.

10/17/2018, 05:52 PM	#23
Justintegra Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 109	Yea, I make it to the ark every 2 months or so to get something or the other. I haven't seen water box, but they only seem to ever have one red sea set up, and it's usually the 250 or if you are lucky, the 350. I'd like to see a 525xl, for instance.