Red Sea Reefer 200 G3+ XL (42 Gallons) with ReefATO+

Red Sea Reefer 200 G3+ XL

The Red Sea Reefer 200 G3+ XL is a sophisticated, all-in-one reef platform with a 42-gallon display area, designed to deliver professional-grade performance, quiet operation, and durability in a compact form factor. This G3+ iteration builds upon the original series' reputation by introducing several significant improvements: thicker, rimless, ultra-clear glass; a reinforced marine-spec plywood cabinet; enhanced water management; glue-free, ready-to-assemble plumbing; a ReefMat-compatible sump; and an extended warranty plan. The result is a premium, stylish, quiet, and highly scalable system capable of meeting the demands of a living room, condo, or professional environment where aesthetics and ease of use are as important as technical performance.

The ultra-clear, beveled glass tank rests on a marine-grade, laminated, water-resistant cabinet with adjustable feet for stable positioning on any surface. Pre-assembled plumbing simplifies installation and reduces the risk of errors, while the downpipe system is designed for quiet operation, with precise flow control and an emergency overflow to prevent noise, turbulence, and instability. These enhancements ensure a virtually silent experience with consistent flow and reduced maintenance.

The technical core of the system is the REEF-SPEC sump, which integrates:

Mechanical filtration with compartment for micron filters and media cups, limiting the entry of debris towards the return pump.

Adjustable height skimmer chamber , allowing adjustment of nutrient processing conditions according to the chosen skimmer and water level.

Bubble trap , which improves the clarity and stability of the flow in the system.

Integrated top-off reverse osmosis water tank for easy management of evaporation and salinity variations.

In addition, the mechanical compartment is plug-and-play, ready for ReefMat 500 or 1200, without modification, enabling high-level automated filtration to reduce maintenance, stabilize water, and prolong tank clarity. This is a major benefit for owners looking to optimize maintenance time while increasing their system's capacity to handle organic load.

Dimensions and volumes

Display volume: 42 gallons
Total system volume: 53 gallons
Sump volume: 11 gallons
Tray dimensions: 24 × 22.6 × 21 inches
Approximate total height with furniture: 54 inches

This format remains compact, but the technical space is sufficient to accommodate additional equipment such as chiller, reactor, controller or advanced modules, without sacrificing aesthetics or ease of access for maintenance.

Optimal use and use cases

SPS, LPS or mixed projects: stable and versatile base, suitable for many types of corals and configurations.
High-end residential installation: quiet operation and understated look, ideal for living room or office.
For experienced aquarists: allows for gradual upgrades, flow optimization, addition of accessories, roller filters, or smart modules depending on budget and ambition.
Shops and storefronts: neat design, simplified maintenance, sufficient volume for demonstrations or displays.

Differentiating advantages compared to previous generations

Increased robustness and finish: thicker glass, reinforced furniture, reliable supports.
Controlled flow and noise: silent descent, precise regulation, overflow integration.
Advanced compatibility: ReefMat without modification, additional filtration and equipment solutions ready to use.
Extended warranty: possibility of extension, adding a layer of peace of mind for a long-term investment.

This system is therefore more than just an aquarium: it is a technological, aesthetic and sustainable platform, designed to operate a high-end reef with a minimum of compromise, while leaving the user free to adjust the parameters, the filtration, the robotic filtration, or the modules according to their real needs and evolution.

Recommended equipment for a Red Sea Reefer G3+ 200 XL

Budget-friendly option — reliable, quick to install

1) Main circulation pump — ReefWave

Product: Red Sea ReefWave, size depending on stock and need.

Why this choice?

Powerful and quiet airflow, app control, very good reliability/price ratio for a 200 XL.
Allows natural movement in the tank, limits dead zones without creating excessive turbulence.
Simple installation, quick adjustments from the app, good coverage for LPS or SPS/LPS mix in a medium volume.

Practical advice

Start with 1 unit; plan for 2 units if the decor is dense or if you want to better cover the corners for a heavily populated tank.
Regular cleaning and gradual adjustment of modes according to the reaction of the corals and the arrangement of the rocks.

2) Main lighting — ReefLED G2 60

Product: Red Sea ReefLED G2 60.

Why this choice?

Optimized spectrum, intensity adapted to a medium-sized tank like the 200 XL, simple programming.
Designed to work cleanly on Red Sea media, with spectrum and intensities aligned with the reef range.

Practical advice

Start with 1 unit for main lighting.
Adjust intensity according to coral type and tank height; consider 2 units later if the tank increases in density or brighter corals.
Check position, distance and lighting program to avoid overexposure on input LPS/SPS.

3) Suspension arm/mount for light

Product: Universal arm compatible with ReefLED, designed for clean mounting on the edge of the tank.

Why this choice?

Easy height/angle adjustment, clean installation without DIY.
Allows you to place the ReefLED exactly where needed and easily move it if the configuration changes.

Practical advice

Use 1 arm for 1 light.
If a second light is needed later, plan for a second arm to maintain a clean look and independent adjustments.

Mid-range option — more coverage and fine-tuning

1) Dual circulation pump — ReefWave x2

Switching to 2 ReefWave units creates opposing flows, avoids sediment buildup, and better covers the entire volume.
Very useful if the tank is already well filled or if you plan to have a lot of LPS/SPS corals.
Adding a second device does not complicate the installation but greatly increases the stability of the flow.

2) Lighting — ReefLED G2 60 + optional second

Keep 1 unit as a base; add a second if you want more PAR or more uniform coverage, especially on brighter SPS or larger areas.
With 2 units, use 2 arms, adjust angles to cover the tank evenly, and reduce the risk of areas that are too bright or too dark.

3) Short usage tips to insert

For ReefWave: adjust modes according to the day, observe sediments and coral behavior.
For ReefLED: gradually increase the intensity over 1–2 weeks if you change corals or position; use presets if available.

Simple premium option — future-proofing and redundancy

1) Optimal continuous mixing — ReefWave x2 from the start

Two units from the outset for redundancy and maximum coverage.
Simulate various natural currents via programming; useful if you want to limit the number of subsequent units.

2) Highly controlled lighting — ReefLED G2 60 x2 or more

Two units for more PAR, for more demanding SPS, or for a design very rich in corals.
Adjustment via arm, height modulation, angles and light profiles according to season, type of coral, or growth phase.

3) Clean and scalable installation

Plan the placement of the arms and light from the start to allow for addition/removal without altering the structure of the furniture.
Keep a history of settings in the app if possible to revert to a previous configuration or test new curves.

See the official Red Sea product page