Who build the best aquariums and stands

[LPS Bum]

This will make some people's heads explode, but I've had zero problems with my Red Sea Reefer 625 XXL. But it's a gen 2, with the center bracing and the armored corners. Gen 1s have been a nightmare. Not saying they make the best stuff, but it's been perfect since I set it up more than 2 years ago.

 

[alindell]

This will make some people's heads explode, but I've had zero problems with my Red Sea Reefer 625 XXL. But it's a gen 2, with the center bracing and the armored corners. Gen 1s have been a nightmare. Not saying they make the best stuff, but it's been perfect since I set it up more than 2 years ago.

I've got the same tank except v3 and a center brace. No problems but I don't feel confident in it. I want my stand to feel like an immovable block that would take a bulldozer to push over

 

[LPS Bum]

I've got the same tank except v3 and a center brace. No problems but I don't feel confident in it. I want my stand to feel like an immovable block that would take a bulldozer to push over

Mine feels pretty darn solid. It doesn't wobble one bit when I clean the glass, do my water changes, etc. I leveled the tank when I first set it up 2 years ago, and checked again recently. Nothing has changed. So far, it's been great.

 

[Oldreefer44]

If money is no object then Reef Savvy or Custom Aquariums
Next level down - Glass Cages

I went with Custom because Reef Savvy was booked out for 9 months and the look of the stand was important to me. They build a lot of commercial systems and are great to work with. If you are looking at a large system. 180 gal. or larger make sure the stand has a metal frame.

 

[JTP424]

We just put together our waterbox stand and I’m surprised people say they wobble. We double checked and tightened every screw and bolt and this thing is hardcore with thick aluminum bars. I feel totally secure with it. I think a lot of complaints on this type of thing come from people who build things wrong.

What size did you guys get?

 

[stE25wy14]

I find it difficult to believe a tank & stand manufactured in China would be the absolute best on the market

ok, here is where big tank manufactures make tanks:
Red Sea: china
waterbox: china
planet: texas
aqueon: wisconson
fluval: us, England, France, Germany, Italy, malaysia
glass cages: tennesse
IM: cali
JBJ: us
NYOS: germany
noopsyche(trustworthy light manufacture): china
AF: poland
Maxspect: china
and ya wanna know what the most trusted/most purchased tank manufactures are? the ones made in china XD
just cause they are made in china, doesn't mean they are bad(well, except Red Sea, that's different) but waterbox makes exceptional tanks, and im betting, that if you did deeper, most of these companies use Chinese sourced materials
all of these are the most trusted IMO, Red Sea and waterbox were just a good example

 

[areefer01]

So this has been discussed before, but now 2025 has come and it's a new year for reefing. Who would you recommend builds the strongest, safest, and high quality aquariums and stands?

There is no best. Best is for sports.

My opinion is that there are a couple custom builders that fellow hobbyist share there experiences with here and on other platforms. I don't think you can go wrong with any of those. There are also standard offerings as noted here that one can buy via online retail or LFS. You get what you pay for and limited. Meaning you get what the design offeres and nothing more.

If one is looking at the big picture as it relates to size and longevity then custom is the correct choice. You will pay more but you get the piece of mind that it was properly engineered to meet both criteria. A successful reef will last a very, very, long time. You want the build to match.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

glasscages does

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

So, I bought my 180g aquarium with this in mind. Not just the stand, but the warranty on the tank as well. Buying a large tank is fun, but most companies are only offering a warranty that just covers the period to where you finally get the tank the way you like it (2-3 years).

I actually went with Aqueon, who provides a LIFETIME warranty on the tank itself, and you can use any "aquarium appropriate stand" which is up to them to decide, but any manufacturer that is labelled for aquariums is just fine.

Now I sleep fine because i'm not worried about the tank leaking at all.

And just because something is expensive, doesn't mean it's the best option out there.

May I ask if this is a reef ready drilled tank? Lifetime warranty speaks volumes. Thats impressive.

 

[ZoWhat]

I personally know a person heavily involved in the reef industry.

they told me straight up to buy an aquarium that is made in the US and trucked to you or your LFS.

any overseas tank builder is

1) going to use lower quality materials bc to compete with US builders they have to account for major shipping costs. if an overseas company is building freight costs into a competitive offer, by nature they will have to cut corners on material and craftsmanship.

2) freight handling from overseas is brutal on delicate aquariums. overseas aquariums are SLAMMED into cargo containers,handled very roughly. God know how much weight is on top of them or shifting and pounding from side to side as it BOUNCES wave to wave across the Pacific Ocean

they told me to ALWAYS buy from US builders that truck their aquariums to a place where you can take delivery

Buy US made products, worth it

.

 

[alindell]

There is no best. Best is for sports.

My opinion is that there are a couple custom builders that fellow hobbyist share there experiences with here and on other platforms. I don't think you can go wrong with any of those. There are also standard offerings as noted here that one can buy via online retail or LFS. You get what you pay for and limited. Meaning you get what the design offeres and nothing more.

If one is looking at the big picture as it relates to size and longevity then custom is the correct choice. You will pay more but you get the piece of mind that it was properly engineered to meet both criteria. A successful reef will last a very, very, long time. You want the build to match.

Good points. I like that

 

[alindell]

What do you guys think about planet aquariums? I've heard good things

 

[ZoWhat]

What do you guys think about planet aquariums? I've heard good things

Great glass.
Great material.
Great modern designs.

....only negative is their black silicone is a little sloppy inside the tank.... meaning rough edges.... areas of excess "glob". not a fine finished look.

probably by design bc once the silicone has the glass set, they don't want to wipe away excess silicone.

some see this as sloppy, I see it as "leave it alone" and let the silicone seal itself.

plus...who's looking at seals when you have a dramatic reef popping your eyes out with how great their glass is.

Immaterial imo

if I were to buy a new tank, Planet is #1 on my list (comes from two outside expert opinions also)

.

 

[paraletho]

What do you guys think about planet aquariums? I've heard good things

I just purchased a Crystal Dynamics custom 96”x 36” x 32” on a metal stand. I had seen the LFS owners system and his experiences with it. It was hard to get Planet to reply and commit due to backlog. 3 months after installation they were bought out by Planet. So apparently Planet trusted their build as they picked up all warranties. I would go with Planet if you can wait that long. This system was an inwall build in a public ISD so timing was crucial.

 

[paraletho]

Great glass.
Great material.
Great modern designs.

....only negative is their black silicone is a little sloppy inside the tank.... meaning rough edges.... areas of excess "glob". not a fine finished look.

probably by design bc once the silicone has the glass set, they don't want to wipe away excess silicone.

some see this as sloppy, I see it as "leave it alone" and let the silicone seal itself.

plus...who's looking at seals when you have a dramatic reef popping your eyes out with how great their glass is.

Immaterial imo

if I were to buy a new tank, Planet is #1 on my list (comes from two outside expert opinions also)

.

I had the internal corner guards from Crystal and I love it. Maybe Planet will start offering this.

 

[BZOFIQ]

check out this guy and his videos, flawless!

tankme usa. – We Specialize Only in Custom Glass Aquariums Systems, with the Most Detailed Craftsmanship and Refined Quality…

tankmeusa.com

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I personally know a person heavily involved in the reef industry.

they told me straight up to buy an aquarium that is made in the US and trucked to you or your LFS.

any overseas tank builder is

1) going to use lower quality materials bc to compete with US builders they have to account for major shipping costs. if an overseas company is building freight costs into a competitive offer, by nature they will have to cut corners on material and craftsmanship.

2) freight handling from overseas is brutal on delicate aquariums. overseas aquariums are SLAMMED into cargo containers,handled very roughly. God know how much weight is on top of them or shifting and pounding from side to side as it BOUNCES wave to wave across the Pacific Ocean

they told me to ALWAYS buy from US builders that truck their aquariums to a place where you can take delivery

Buy US made products, worth it

.

Eh, not so sure about that one.

 

[PizzaIan339]

Not sure about tank but I am building the stand custom with some buddies.

 

[w00hz]

I am somewhat new to saltwater but I like Ultum Nature Sytems on the freshwater side. I've purchased their 20 gal UNS 90LA Dual AIO.

Once I have space for a bigger setup I think I will be looking into their R Line of Full Reef System tank, cabinet, and built-in sump combo. Looks easy to set up and it matches my aesthetics.

 

[Pntbll687]

May I ask if this is a reef ready drilled tank? Lifetime warranty speaks volumes. Thats impressive.

It is drilled. They were still running their custom drilling program at the time, so it’s a single overflow, peninsula style