Red Sea REEF-FRAME 500 Aquarium System

The REEF-FRAME 500 is a 515 L reef-ready system — a euro-braced display on a full cabinet, with a built-in sump and plumbing — so you can choose lighting, return pump and filtration to suit the corals you actually want to keep.

We like this format for reefers who want Red Sea’s tank-and-sump engineering underneath, with the freedom to specify the hardware on top. Cabinet finishes follow the options on the listing.

Why reefers choose the REEF-FRAME 500

• A clearly published 515 L total volume, made up of a 405 L display and a 110 L sump — useful when you are planning livestock and equipment.
• Display dimensions of 150 × 57.5 × 55 cm, which you can check against doorways, lifts and the wall space at home before you order.
• Ultra-clear front glass 15 mm thick, euro brace rim.
• Reef-ready format: you choose the lighting, return pump, skimmer and fleece filter, while the tank, cabinet and plumbing are already designed to work together.
• The system is ReefATO+ ready, so a Red Sea automatic top-off can be added cleanly later.
• The sump is ReefMat Ready, which keeps the option of a roller filter open.
• The sump is refugium-ready if you want to run macroalgae later.

Key specifications

What's in the box

• REEF-FRAME euro-braced ultra-clear glass aquarium, in the size listed above.
• Full cabinet with sump and plumbing, including a surface skimmer with removable combs and piped return with a gate valve.
• Not.

What you'll also need

• Lighting, a return pump, a protein skimmer and, if you want one, a ReefMat or NanoMat fleece filter are purchased separately.
• The system is ReefATO+ ready — add a ReefATO+ when you want automated top-off.
• You will need marine salt for the first fill and water changes — we usually start mixed and SPS-leaning tanks on Red Sea Coral Pro Salt.
• Once the tank is running, Complete Reef Care (or the individual Reef Foundation supplements) keeps alkalinity, calcium and magnesium in range.

A tip from our team

Before delivery, check these figures against your doorway, lift and the wall the tank will sit against: the display measures 150 × 57.5 × 55 cm; the complete system stands 142 cm high. When you choose a return pump, aim for a reliable flow through the sump rather than the highest number on the box, and leave room in the skimmer chamber for the model you plan to use (that chamber is 22 x 54 cm). We are happy to walk through equipment choices once you know the corals you want to keep.

Common questions

How many litres is this system?

Red Sea’s official figures for the REEF-FRAME 500 are a 515 L total system volume: a 405 L display and a 110 L sump. These are the numbers we use for planning, not estimates.

Does this listing include the light, pump and skimmer?

No. This is the reef-ready system: the aquarium, cabinet, sump and plumbing. Lighting, return pump, skimmer and fleece filter are chosen separately. If you would rather have those included, look at the matching Reefer MAX package for this size.