Red Sea Reefer S-550 G3 - Black Cabinet

The Red Sea Reefer S-550 G3 - Black Cabinet is a premium 549 litre / 145.0 gallon reef-ready aquarium and cabinet system designed for aquarists who want Red Sea’s higher-end REEFER-S infrastructure in a 120 cm display with a rigid black aluminum super-structure cabinet.

Built for serious reef keepers who want a stronger cabinet platform, deeper front-to-back aquascaping room, thicker euro-braced glass, and full control over equipment selection, the REEFER S-550 G3 combines a 19 mm ultra-clear glass aquarium, black aluminum cabinet frame with replaceable panels, slide-out control panel, REEF-SPEC sump, ReefMat-ready mechanical filtration chamber, ReefGate precision valve, central overflow with removable surface skimmer, curved dual returns, pre-assembled plumbing, and integrated ReefATO+ smart top-off system. It is an excellent foundation for a high-end custom reef build where lighting, return pump, skimmer, heater, wavemakers, dosing, and automation are selected separately to match the exact reef plan.

Red Sea REEFER S-550 G3 Black Reef System

• Premium REEFER-S platform: The S-550 G3 sits above the standard REEFER footprint class with a stronger aluminum cabinet structure, thicker glass, deeper display proportions, and a more premium system architecture.
• 145 gallon total system volume: The 549 L total system volume provides excellent stability for a carefully planned reef aquarium while still fitting into a practical 120 cm display length.
• Deeper 68 cm reef canvas: The added front-to-back depth gives aquascapers more room to create open negative space, island structures, caves, coral ledges, and natural-looking reef depth.
• Black aluminum super-structure cabinet: The black cabinet creates a bold, high-contrast display look while providing a rigid support system with replaceable panels and hidden adjustable feet.
• Base-system equipment freedom: This is not a MAX or Deluxe package, so customers can choose the return pump, lighting, skimmer, heater, wavemakers, controller, dosing system, and filtration upgrades that best fit their reef.
• Red Sea ecosystem ready: The system is built to pair naturally with optional ReefRun pumps, ReefLED lighting, REEFER skimmers, ReefMat filtration, ReefWave pumps, ReefDose, and ReefBeat-connected devices.

19 mm Ultra-Clear Euro-Braced Display

• 448 litre display volume: The display tank gives reef keepers 118.4 gallons of main aquarium space for coral colonies, selected reef fish, open sand sections, and larger aquascape structures.
• 120 x 68 x 65 cm display dimensions: The S-550 is deeper and taller than many standard 120 cm systems, giving the reef more dimensional presence from the front and side viewing angles.
• 19 mm glass construction: The display uses 19 mm ultra-clear glass on the front, sides, bottom, and back for a strong premium build.
• Euro-braced reinforcement: The euro-braced top adds structural support for the larger glass volume while keeping the display clean and professional looking.
• Low-iron viewing clarity: Ultra-clear glass helps reduce green tint and improves the appearance of coral colour, fish movement, and reef lighting through the thick panels.
• Premium aquascaping proportions: The 68 cm depth gives hobbyists room to create aquascapes that do not look flat against the back wall, especially when building mixed reef or LPS-focused displays.

Black Aluminum Cabinet and Slide-Out Control Panel

• Aluminum super-structure: The REEFER-S cabinet uses a marine-spec aluminum frame rather than a conventional plywood-only support structure, giving the system a higher-end support platform.
• Replaceable exterior panels: The black cabinet panels create a clean finished look while allowing the exterior to be part of a modular cabinet design.
• Hidden adjustable feet: The cabinet includes hidden leveling feet to help achieve proper support during installation on suitable flooring.
• Slide-out control panel: The integrated slide-out panel gives a cleaner place to mount controllers, power supplies, and smart reef equipment instead of leaving hardware loose inside the cabinet.
• Stainless hardware: Stainless cabinet hardware supports long-term use in a marine aquarium environment.
• Professional black presentation: The black finish visually frames the reef and helps cables, shadows, and equipment areas recede so coral colour and aquascape shape stay prominent.

G3 Flow System and ReefGate Drain Control

• Improved G3 water path: The REEFER-S G3 platform uses Red Sea’s upgraded flow architecture for better movement from display to sump and back again.
• Quiet rectangular downflow: The enlarged downflow inlet helps reduce turbulence and supports quieter drain operation when the system is properly tuned.
• ReefGate precision valve: The high-precision downflow valve allows fine adjustment of the drain line so the overflow and sump can be set for stable, near-silent performance.
• Central overflow box: The overflow includes a removable surface skimmer to help pull film and floating debris from the display water surface.
• Curved dual return nozzles: The improved dual returns help distribute return flow more effectively into the display and provide a better starting point for dedicated reef circulation pumps.
• Pre-assembled plumbing: Included downflow and return plumbing reduce setup guesswork and keep the water-management system clean and purpose-built.

REEF-SPEC Sump and ReefATO+ Stability

• 101 litre sump volume: The in-cabinet sump provides practical space for skimmer selection, return equipment, mechanical filtration, chemical media, probes, dosing lines, and service access.
• ReefMat-ready filtration chamber: The sump includes a mechanical filtration chamber with micron socks and media cups and is designed for optional Red Sea ReefMat installation.
• Recommended ReefMat 1200 path: The S-550 is well matched to the optional ReefMat 1200 for customers who want automatic fleece-roll mechanical filtration.
• Integrated ReefATO+: The included smart ATO system helps stabilize water level and salinity while also providing temperature monitoring and leak detection.
• Flexible filtration planning: The sump can support a high-performance skimmer, carbon, media reactors, refugium-style planning, dosing lines, and monitoring accessories.
• Large-system maintenance access: The cabinet and sump layout provide a cleaner, more serviceable equipment area than compact rear-sump systems.

Red Sea Reefer S-550 G3 Black Specifications

• Total system volume: 549 L / 145.0 gal.
• Display volume: 448 L / 118.4 gal.
• Sump volume: 101 L / 26.7 gal.
• Display dimensions: 120 cm L x 68 cm W x 65 cm H / approx. 47.2 x 26.8 x 25.6 in.
• Total height with cabinet: 153 cm / approx. 60.2 in.
• Glass thickness: 19 mm front glass, 19 mm side glass, 19 mm bottom glass, and 19 mm back glass.
• Display format: Euro-braced ultra-clear glass aquarium.
• Cabinet: Black aluminum super-structure cabinet with replaceable panels, hidden adjustable feet, stainless hardware, and slide-out control panel.
• Filtration: REEF-SPEC sump with mechanical chamber, micron socks, media cups, ReefMat-ready layout, and integrated ReefATO+.
• Recommended return pump: Red Sea ReefRun G2 8000, sold separately.
• Recommended lighting: 2 x Red Sea ReefLED G2 170, sold separately.
• Recommended ReefMat: Red Sea ReefMat 1200, sold separately.

Application Notes for the REEFER S-550 G3

• Best use: Ideal for large mixed reefs, LPS coral displays, soft coral systems, SPS-capable builds with proper flow and lighting, and premium custom reef installations.
• Equipment planning: This base system requires a suitable return pump, lighting, skimmer, heater, wavemakers, and test equipment before cycling and stocking.
• Lighting planning: The 120 cm length and 68 cm depth benefit from a multi-fixture lighting plan designed around coral goals, spread, mounting height, and desired PAR distribution.
• Flow planning: Dedicated wavemakers should be selected to move water through the full depth of the reefscape, behind rockwork, and across coral zones.
• Filtration upgrade path: The ReefMat-ready sump gives customers a clean path to automatic mechanical filtration without replacing the aquarium system.
• Not included: Lighting, return pump, protein skimmer, heater, wavemakers, livestock, rock, sand, salt, optional ReefMat, dosing equipment, and test kits are sold separately unless otherwise stated.

Red Sea REEFER-S G3 Series Video

Setup and Installation Notes

• Assemble and level the cabinet: Build the black aluminum cabinet according to Red Sea’s instructions and confirm the system is level before placing the aquarium.
• Plan equipment before filling: Choose the return pump, skimmer, heater, lighting, wavemakers, optional ReefMat, and any controller hardware before adding water or rock.
• Use the control panel wisely: Plan controller, power supply, and cable placement on the slide-out panel before the cabinet becomes crowded with equipment.
• Install plumbing carefully: Confirm the overflow, downflow, ReefGate valve, return plumbing, sump, and ReefATO+ components are correctly installed before filling.
• Leak test with freshwater: Run the aquarium and sump with freshwater before final saltwater setup to verify plumbing seals, sump level, and return flow.
• Tune the ReefGate gradually: Make small drain-valve adjustments until the overflow and sump operate quietly and consistently.
• Use RO/DI water: RO/DI water is recommended for saltwater mixing and top-off to support stable reef chemistry.
• Cycle before livestock: Establish biological filtration fully before adding fish or corals, then stock gradually for long-term stability.

What’s Included

• Euro-braced 19 mm ultra-clear glass aquarium
• Black aluminum super-structure cabinet with replaceable panels, hidden adjustable feet, stainless hardware, and slide-out control panel
• REEF-SPEC sump with mechanical chamber, micron socks, and media cups
• Pre-assembled downflow and return plumbing with ReefGate precision valve
• Central overflow with removable surface skimmer
• Curved dual return nozzles
• Integrated ReefATO+ sensors and controller

Shipping Notes

• This item is exempt from our free shipping policy.
• To avoid delays, please order Red Sea aquariums by themselves. If you are wishing to order multiple things, please place two separate orders: one for the aquarium and one for the rest of your products.
• Please call for a shipping quote if ordering from NWT, YK, or NUN.
• All Red Sea aquariums are brought in and shipped out on an as-ordered basis. The average turn-around time to ship an aquarium to you is two business days, except where noted below.
• All shipments outside of the Vancouver area are shipped via trucking company with residential and power tailgate delivery, and are fully insured.
• Tanks ordered within BC and, in some circumstances, Alberta may take an extra 5-10 business days to process. Systems ordered from Alberta and east of there usually ship within two business days direct from the distributor in Ontario.
• If you are ordering for pick-up from our store, please select in-store pickup to avoid delivery charges. You will be notified when the tank arrives, usually within 5-10 business days.
• Red Sea Max S Series aquariums are always special order and will take from 3-6 weeks to ship.
• Please note the freight company is only responsible for getting the aquarium to the destination address and off-loading it. They are not responsible for carrying it inside.
• All freight charges have been greatly subsidized to help you get up and running with your new Red Sea system.