New Elos Diamond vs Red Sea Reefer PLEASE HELP ME CHOOSE

[T206]

Dear Reef Central Members,

Elos has expanded their line which I am considering. It is a full system with a special down flow that is adjustable all the way up to something insane like 2900/GPH all the while being completely silent. IT also has the new Diamond Glass, even better than my starphire glass but more scratch resistant. 92% light transmission and 99% color rendering transparency.

The other option is the red sea reefer 170 in white. The advantage here is its about $565 cheaper and the tank is slightly bigger which I like. Also comes with sump, ATO etc. The Elos on the other hand comes with its own digits DC adjustable return pump, skimmer, auto top off.

I've attached pictures. Please visit these links as they explain the features better than I can. The Elos I'm considering purchasing has WAY more technology. Digital eye for the top off instead of the flapper thing like on the red sea. Cast your vote for which you like better please! Keep in mind I am would probably be upgrading the sumps on both system.

http://www.elosamerica.com/diamond/diamond.html

http://www.elosamerica.com/2015-10-1...di-detail.html

http://www.redseafish.com/aquarium-systems/reefer/

[ELOSAmerica]

@T206
We do not speak any of the same system.
we can not compare the prices between the two aquariums.
the ELOS is doing 100% diamond glass of the same thickness on all 4 sides, drain the quiet is just amazing .and can possibly be the only source brewing in the tank, as the case we can add a pump to coral Type SPS.
the Redsea are ELOS look like .. on a lower surface with a depth slightly, less volume because it has all in the volumes, tank, filter, ATO reserve.
Then, the ELOS is sold full or empty the choice of each, but the material originally installed, no change will have to be , with the DC pump and ATO Digital.and good Skimmer.
Then we like ELOS or not but the comparison is not really in the advantage of RedSea Reefers.
I hope its can help you in your's choice.
françois

[snorvich]

I find Elos quality to be superb.

[Fringe09]

Apologize for hijacking this thread. This is for françois at ELOS.

The following link is not in English. Is the 200XL available to be purchased in the U.S.?

http://www.elosamerica.com/2015-10-1...xl-detail.html

I'm really interested in it and curious to know what comes with the purchase.

Thank you

[fatcat777]

Honestly it's not even a close comparison. ELOS hands down.

[Cliving1]

I was talked out of red Sea by my lfs 2 weeks ago. The owner brought up the quality of the lights, and skimmer and then asked me how much I would pay for 21 gallons. $800 was not my answer.

[eshtog]

I have been extremely happy with my Red Sea Reefer 525XL. One advantage I think the Red Sea has is that they have a bigger presence in the USA then ELOS.

[roostertech]

I love the glass on the ELOS, I'm curious how that lower return pipe is implemented. Sounds like asking for back siphon flood.

But man the price ...

Elos 100 - 75g is close to 4k
Reefer 350 - 73g is 1.5k

If money is not a concern I guess Elos.

[Kentech5]

Originally Posted by roostertech

I love the glass on the ELOS, I'm curious how that lower return pipe is implemented. Sounds like asking for back siphon flood.

But man the price ...

Elos 100 - 75g is close to 4k
Reefer 350 - 73g is 1.5k

If money is not a concern I guess Elos.

In d2mini's thread I think he mentioned that the lower return loops up and connects with the upper return so the siphon breaks.

[h3dgehog]

Originally Posted by T206

Dear Reef Central Members,

Elos has expanded their line which I am considering. It is a full system with a special down flow that is adjustable all the way up to something insane like 2900/GPH all the while being completely silent. IT also has the new Diamond Glass, even better than my starphire glass but more scratch resistant. 92% light transmission and 99% color rendering transparency.

The other option is the red sea reefer 170 in white. The advantage here is its about $565 cheaper and the tank is slightly bigger which I like. Also comes with sump, ATO etc. The Elos on the other hand comes with its own digits DC adjustable return pump, skimmer, auto top off.

I've attached pictures. Please visit these links as they explain the features better than I can. The Elos I'm considering purchasing has WAY more technology. Digital eye for the top off instead of the flapper thing like on the red sea. Cast your vote for which you like better please! Keep in mind I am would probably be upgrading the sumps on both system.

http://www.elosamerica.com/diamond/diamond.html

http://www.elosamerica.com/2015-10-1...di-detail.html

http://www.redseafish.com/aquarium-systems/reefer/

I own the Elos Midi Diamond line and I can tell you tha tthe quality is phenomenal. Everyone has different preferences, but I for one agree with the Elos philosophy that it is not only the beauty of what's inside the tank but the tank itself that also matters.

However, regarding the comment made below by Elosamerica, I wanted to make a correction, which is from my own experience actually owning the Midi Diamond. The diamond glass is ONLY ON THE FRONT for the Elos Midi. This is in contrast to what ElosAmerica alluded to in his comment below. If it is true that even the Midi should have all four sides with diamond glass, then I may need to contact Elos about my tank...

Originally Posted by ELOSAmerica

@T206
We do not speak any of the same system.
we can not compare the prices between the two aquariums.
the ELOS is doing 100% diamond glass of the same thickness on all 4 sides, drain the quiet is just amazing .and can possibly be the only source brewing in the tank, as the case we can add a pump to coral Type SPS.
the Redsea are ELOS look like .. on a lower surface with a depth slightly, less volume because it has all in the volumes, tank, filter, ATO reserve.
Then, the ELOS is sold full or empty the choice of each, but the material originally installed, no change will have to be , with the DC pump and ATO Digital.and good Skimmer.
Then we like ELOS or not but the comparison is not really in the advantage of RedSea Reefers.
I hope its can help you in your's choice.
françois

[d2mini]

Funny, I just posted this blog post this morning.

http://www.everydayreef.com/blog/201...los-experience

If you are going to upgrade the sump, order just the tank and stand.

[top shelf]

Something to think about, maybe another option for you. I think this will be my next tank personally.

http://www.scaquariums.com/mobile/Pr...de=SCA-50GPNPb

There is this option as well http://www.scaquariums.com/mobile/Pr...=SCA-50GPNPECO
They have much larger systems as well.

[TheOtherDB]

I started my first reef tank in the mid 80s, a 65 gallon acrylic with a sparse population, 100 pounds of live rock and about two years in, I swore I'd never do it again. It consumed my life to keep it presentable and the life inside it, healthy.

Two years ago, I ended up with a pico tank that started with a damsel and a few rocks. I cringed the whole time I was setting it up, and wrestled with the man in me head that kept asking, "what are you doing?"

The pico still took some work, but at 5 gallons, it was nearly as easy as dipping a coffee cup in a couple of times and then filling back up with some freshly brewed sea water. The damsel was healthy, happy and ate like a small aquatic pig.

The tank evolved over time.

I risked a small Zoanthid colony, added an AI Prime and a better HOB filter and a couple more small live rocks.

Nothing fancy, mostly relying on religious water changes and a little bit of manual housekeeping ... the tank did pretty well and my wife and I were hooked on finding new life crawling out of the small pores in the rocks, and the range of animals that were available in our local fish store.

After about a year, I blasted my way all the way up to 10 gallons, and dropped a 5 gallon refuge in the back. WOOHOO! Now I could add more stuff ... a clown, more zoas ... maybe a hardy LPS ... yeah, that's it! It was a beautiful little tank! For a while ...

Algae started to haunt me, the glass would cloud over in a day ... memories of time past, the ugly life sucking rectangle of ocean I had in my living-room back in the 80s loomed larger than one would expect from a mere 10 gallon tank. *sigh*

The tank was still healthy, and the animals continued to do well, but it began to take more and more work to keep it aesthetically appealing. The joy was abating.

The sales guy at our fish store had shown me a RedSea Reefer they'd just gotten in a week or so prior. He showed me all kinds of cool stuff about the tank ... and last March I, in a moment of insanity, bought the 170 liter system, spending more money than was wise, and began to set it up, moving the contents of my little pico into what must have seemed massive to the things that had eyes and brains.

It's December now, and I have this to say about the RedSea system I set up some 9 months ago: "It is, without question, the most trouble free, labor limited, aesthetically beautiful and sophisticated tank I have ever owned." I absolutely love it! It is well stocked with very healthy and quickly growing SPS, LPS, Zoas, 'shrooms, a small flower anemone, 5 small fish, shrimp, snails, an urchin ... all doing "swimmingly" well.

My wife and I are back to getting much more enjoyment back out than work we need to put in. An hour, sometimes two and voila, it's off to the fish store to see what else lives in the small saltwater ponds in Greeley, CO.

I can't speak for any of the other systems in the thread above, but for me, RedSea has managed to put into their Reefer systems all the bits in near perfect harmony that I have been, until now, unable to coordinate sufficiently to have what I would call successful.

Having about filled the small 170, I now have my eyes set on the RedSea Max 650 S. It IS Christmas, after all ... and I deserve it!

db
~

[GoVols]

Elos are beautiful tanks. With all things considered I prefer the Red Sea Reefer. I don't care for Coravue's service that much. I have an older RSM S400. Counting the aluminum frame it's hard to beat. I don't care for the new Hydra hd 26 leds on the newer models and replaced factory skimmer to a Bubble King.

Red Sea has great customer service too. In the end it's about part availability and customer service your going to deal with. For the price Elos is lacking in stand materials and quality. The RSM S Series Frame and stands are awesome.

Have you seen the new Red Sea Peninsula?

If I were to go all out and pay for shipping it would have to be a Reef Savvy tank.

Unless Elos has changed it's over flow then I always heard it noisy.

Plan on adding a Reefer Nano next spring.

JMO.

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by GoVols

Elos are beautiful tanks. With all things considered I prefer the Red Sea Reefer. I don't care for Coravue's service that much. I have an older RSM S400. Counting the aluminum frame it's hard to beat. I don't care for the new Hydra hd 26 leds on the newer models and replaced factory skimmer to a Bubble King.

Red Sea has great customer service too. In the end it's about part availability and customer service your going to deal with. For the price Elos is lacking in stand materials and quality. The RSM S Series Frame and stands are awesome.

Have you seen the new Red Sea Peninsula?

If I were to go all out and pay for shipping it would have to be a Reef Savvy tank.

Unless Elos has changed it's over flow then I always heard it noisy.

Plan on adding a Reefer Nano next spring.

JMO.

Read the link in my post above.
The overflow is the farthest thing from noisy.
I also disagree with you on the quality of their current systems.

I like the red sea's and considered them.
I just didn't like their dimensions.

[GoVols]

Thanks for the link.
They finally built a quiet overflow. Elos makes some beautiful tanks. The cabinet and frame build is still nothing to compare to the S Series factory aluminum frame, panels and PVC flooring. I have the merlot color and looks like a factory metallic Ferrari paint job. Even waxed the panels. (Can't get this color anymore)

I'd love to have the new Midi but after the newness wore off I'd wish I'd paid for the Nano Reefer.

Elos makes as close to custom as it gets or even better when it shows their QC and silicone standards.

Reef Savvy is top gun but a year wait and shipping cost is crazy. You'd be better off renting a U-hual and picking it up.

I'd still go Red Sea Reefer but that's JMO.

[T206]

Originally Posted by Fringe09

Apologize for hijacking this thread. This is for françois at ELOS.

The following link is not in English. Is the 200XL available to be purchased in the U.S.?

http://www.elosamerica.com/2015-10-1...xl-detail.html

I'm really interested in it and curious to know what comes with the purchase.

Thank you

I can put you in contact with one of my associates if you want to purchase that system.

[CrayolaViolence]

Hasn't there been issues lately with Elos USA not being able to honor warranties due to change ups in distributors or something? I seem to remember some people who had tank issues and have no one to contact due to distribution changes.

[Alma Knack]

So, which one did you purchase T206?

[Tripod1404]

This would ultimately comes down how much you are wiling to spent. For anybody who is familiar with cars, it is like asking ferrari 458 vs nissan GTR. You would get about the same performance from both. One looks better and has a "name/brand" value. But also for one parts come from Italy and are expensive, and if it breaks, it might be hard to find a "mechanic" that can fix it. For other, not so much.

If money is not an issue; Elos hands down. But aside from that, at a lower budget you can get a reefer, and buy your own lights, skimmer, etc and get every piece equipment apex has. You would probably not have diamond glass and silent overflow (although reefer overflows are not noisy IMO) but in the end you would have more equipment on your tank.