Aquatop 40 Recife upgrades

[OrionN]

It is a AIO thus no bulkhead.
AIO are not for the highly specific reef tank with a lot of equipments. In a “proper” reef tank, because of the amount of support equipments the bulkhead drain to the sump where all the support equipment go.
If you want bulkhead just get an empty aquarium with overflow and bulkhead instead of a AIO.
It would be a lot cheaper, rather than get an AIO then wish for bulkhead a not use anything that come with it.

 

[NanoNana]

I just run filter floss in the first chamber, skimmer in the overflow for aeration and ceramic rings in the third chamber. I have the 24. Switched out to a might jet pump.
Lights obviously too. I run their in tank UV about 10 hours a day.

 

[Reefer Brent]

It is a AIO thus no bulkhead.
AIO are not for the highly specific reef tank with a lot of equipments. In a “proper” reef tank, because of the amount of support equipments the bulkhead drain to the sump where all the support equipment go.
If you want bulkhead just get an empty aquarium with overflow and bulkhead instead of a AIO.
It would be a lot cheaper, rather than get an AIO then wish for bulkhead a not use anything that come with it.

Thanks for the lesson

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

A super easy upgrade for this tank is the 1/2in Random Flow Generator (RFG) Nozzle. Its almost a no brainer and good bang-for-the-buck additon.

A standard 1/2in Flex-Series RFG will fit the stock outlet. However, if you want to extend the outlet just a bit for better adjustability, you can go with the 1/2in Random Flow Generator Flow kit - it as everything you'll need

The stock return pump will work just fine, but if you choose to upgrade it to something in the 400-450+ GPH range you can pretty much flow the entire tank with just the one, 1/2in RFG nozzle - no power needed taking up space.

The kit above has a part number of RFGFK050X1 and you'll find it at all major online retailers, and many local fish stores and of course at our own website as well.

 

[OrionN]

Looking to pick up a Aquatop 40 Recife like the title says. I’ve been doing some research and I see people are updating the lights, skimmer and filtration system. I want to know what the general consensus is on what parts people replace what comes with the tank.

It really depends on what you want to do with it. The light is not good enough for corals, so if you want to keep corals, you need to upgrade. I plan to put a heater in it with a controller. I never use a heater without controller, get one with changeable sensor which is the part that will go out given a periord of time. This tank is going to be a low light tank for me, so I plant to get some point source light, like the Kessil A160 Tuna Blue or the A360x Tuna Blue. I plant to keep Rock Flower anemones, Mushroom, Ricordea and Zoanthus in mine so I would love to show them off with blueish light.
I don't plan to have any/many fish in this tank so upgrade on the skimmer is not needed. Additional flow is needed so a PH is needed.

So: Light needed, heater needed, PH or wave maker needed. Optimal included whatever filtration you may want, and possible skimmer. Fan and temperature controller is needed if the room it is in is hot, or if you put high power lights on it.

I exam the tank in detail, it seem very well made and thoughtful in layout. It looks very nice.

I got an offer I cannot refuse at 540 total for tank and stand so I got it for my office tank.

 

[OrionN]

I find the stand to be a little flimsy, top-down strength is good, front to back strength is good, but side to side sheer strength is bad. I think a fully loaded stand, it won't take much force sideway to crumble the stand. I plan to nail a back panel with two holes cut out, 2-3 inches diameter holes should be fine. This will re-enforce the sheer strength, so the stand won't collapse if a child or a dog bump against it sideway.

 

[kingranch2003]

I find the stand to be a little flimsy, top-down strength is good, front to back strength is good, but side to side sheer strength is bad. I think a fully loaded stand, it won't take much force sideway to crumble the stand. I plan to nail a back panel with two holes cut out, 2-3 inches diameter holes should be fine. This will re-enforce the sheer strength, so the stand won't collapse if a child or a dog bump against it sideway.

Looks nice. Lots of lot natural coming in though.

 

[kingranch2003]

A super easy upgrade for this tank is the 1/2in Random Flow Generator (RFG) Nozzle. Its almost a no brainer and good bang-for-the-buck additon.

A standard 1/2in Flex-Series RFG will fit the stock outlet. However, if you want to extend the outlet just a bit for better adjustability, you can go with the 1/2in Random Flow Generator Flow kit - it as everything you'll need

The stock return pump will work just fine, but if you choose to upgrade it to something in the 400-450+ GPH range you can pretty much flow the entire tank with just the one, 1/2in RFG nozzle - no power needed taking up space.

The kit above has a part number of RFGFK050X1 and you'll find it at all major online retailers, and many local fish stores and of course at our own website as well.

This looks like a pretty cool product. My question is, since the flow is sporadic, can constant water levels and flow still be maintained behind the AIO wall? Will the water "back up" as it is being pushed out, or can the outward flow continue uninterrupted? One of the biggest problems I have w this tank is the levels changing in the back, making it almost impossible to use an ato properly. Thanks in advance

 

[Reefer Brent]

This looks like a pretty cool product. My question is, since the flow is sporadic, can constant water levels and flow still be maintained behind the AIO wall? Will the water "back up" as it is being pushed out, or can the outward flow continue uninterrupted? One of the biggest problems I have w this tank is the levels changing in the back, making it almost impossible to use an ato properly. Thanks in advance

I bought one but have yet to install it. I'll let you know when I do. But yes I have to change the floss every day to 2 days to keep salinity right

 

[OrionN]

Water is in. I get some rock and seed with LS this weekend.
I have two Kessil 360x come in to use on this tank. Will plan to not run at 100%. Will see how much is needed. Moderate light corals only. No or minimal fish.

 

[kingranch2003]

I bought one but have yet to install it. I'll let you know when I do. But yes I have to change the floss every day to 2 days to keep salinity right

Awesome my friend. Glad to hear it's not just me lol. Thanks for the response. Please let me know how you like it!

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

This looks like a pretty cool product. My question is, since the flow is sporadic, can constant water levels and flow still be maintained behind the AIO wall? Will the water "back up" as it is being pushed out, or can the outward flow continue uninterrupted? One of the biggest problems I have w this tank is the levels changing in the back, making it almost impossible to use an ato properly. Thanks in advance

The Random Flow Generator won't have any effect on maintaining a consistent water levels.

The Random Flow Generator (or RFG) doesn't actual vary the throughput of your return line - in fact you want a strong, steady supply flow to the RFG Nozzle.

The effect the RFG has on flow as all due to the way to varies the direction and intensity of the flow leaving the nozzle.

here's a video from our IG page that shows the RF in action in our office tank. the tank is a much larger scale than the Aquatop 40 Recife, but the ida is the same


if you look close, you can see the water surface pulsing, almost like a wave maker on pulse mode - but flow going through the RFGs is constant

 

[kingranch2003]

The Random Flow Generator won't have any effect on maintaining a consistent water levels.

The Random Flow Generator (or RFG) doesn't actual vary the throughput of your return line - in fact you want a strong, steady supply flow to the RFG Nozzle.

The effect the RFG has on flow as all due to the way to varies the direction and intensity of the flow leaving the nozzle.

here's a video from our IG page that shows the RF in action in our office tank. the tank is a much larger scale than the Aquatop 40 Recife, but the ida is the same


if you look close, you can see the water surface pulsing, almost like a wave maker on pulse mode - but flow going through the RFGs is constant

Thanks for taking the time to answer my question so thoroughly. Hopefully many other reefers like myself will see this. I think this is a fantastic product. Off to purchase this right now.

 

[kingranch2003]

A super easy upgrade for this tank is the 1/2in Random Flow Generator (RFG) Nozzle. Its almost a no brainer and good bang-for-the-buck additon.

A standard 1/2in Flex-Series RFG will fit the stock outlet. However, if you want to extend the outlet just a bit for better adjustability, you can go with the 1/2in Random Flow Generator Flow kit - it as everything you'll need

The stock return pump will work just fine, but if you choose to upgrade it to something in the 400-450+ GPH range you can pretty much flow the entire tank with just the one, 1/2in RFG nozzle - no power needed taking up space.

The kit above has a part number of RFGFK050X1 and you'll find it at all major online retailers, and many local fish stores and of course at our own website as well.

This fits the aquatop recife eco 40 gallon?

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

This fits the aquatop recife eco 40 gallon?

Yes = our new(er) Flex-Series 1//2in RFG is design to fit genuine Loc-line fitting but it will also flex to fit non-Locx-Line brand hose and similar sized modular hose - such as what is found on this tank.

the single 1/2in Flex-Series Random Flow Generator nozzle has a fitment range of 19mm to 21mm

That covers a lot of the different modular hose fitting out there. But - for maximum compatibility, you can go with 1/2in RFG Flow Kit. It include the RFG, some loc-line and adds an addition module hose adapter that expands the fitting range up to 22mm OD - which then covers the rest of the 20mm-sized modular hose that is manufactured outside of the US. This would include brands like Waterbox tanks with DN15 size return nozzles, but also it allows you to extend the stock return line of the Aquatop 40 Recife, without having to replumb it.

Sorry for all the technical info about return line hose sizes, but I know more about that than anyone else ever wanted to know - LOL

 

[OrionN]

Are there anyone here on this thread use the RFG? It is something I like to try. Is the pump that come with it strong enough to work with the RFG? If yes, did you use the single or the dual nozzles? What is your recommendation? I see that I should use the 1/2 inch single or the 1/4 inch double.
I would love input from @Vivid Creative Aquatics please.
I was planning to use 2 Vortech MP10, but maybe I can get away with just the RFG +/- one MP10
TIA

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

Are there anyone here on this thread use the RFG? It is something I like to try. Is the pump that come with it strong enough to work with the RFG? If yes, did you use the single or the dual nozzles? What is your recommendation? I see that I should use the 1/2 inch single or the 1/4 inch double.
I would love input from @Vivid Creative Aquatics please.
I was planning to use 2 Vortech MP10, but maybe I can get away with just the RFG +/- one MP10
TIA

For that tank I personally would recommend the single 1/2in RFG.

I don't know what the stock pump is rated at, but the required flow range for the 1/2in RFG is 250 to 450 GPH.

At the lower end you would likely need an addition flow pump, unless your keeping super easier softies

If you could pair the RFG with a pump in the 400 to 450 GPH range, it would certainly flow the entire tank - no power head required.

All other things in line (lighting, water parameters, etc) You could even grow more challenge corals with the kind of flow a signal 1/2in RFG can create at 400-450GPH flow rates.

Pumps that i believe will fit that back chamber and meet those requirements include, the SICCE 2.0, and the AI Axis 40, as well as a few of the smaller DC pumps like the IM MIghtlyjet 538, or even a Jebao 2500

 

[OrionN]

I search and find that the rated flow for the stock pump is 475 so a single 1/2 inch should be fine. Thanks.
I will order the RFG today. I likely have to remove the overflow screen attachment to lower the water level in the tank from 1/2 inch right now to a little over 1 inch below the tank edge. This should keep the water from splash over the side.

 

[kingranch2003]

Yes = our new(er) Flex-Series 1//2in RFG is design to fit genuine Loc-line fitting but it will also flex to fit non-Locx-Line brand hose and similar sized modular hose - such as what is found on this tank.

the single 1/2in Flex-Series Random Flow Generator nozzle has a fitment range of 19mm to 21mm

That covers a lot of the different modular hose fitting out there. But - for maximum compatibility, you can go with 1/2in RFG Flow Kit. It include the RFG, some loc-line and adds an addition module hose adapter that expands the fitting range up to 22mm OD - which then covers the rest of the 20mm-sized modular hose that is manufactured outside of the US. This would include brands like Waterbox tanks with DN15 size return nozzles, but also it allows you to extend the stock return line of the Aquatop 40 Recife, without having to replumb it.

Sorry for all the technical info about return line hose sizes, but I know more about that than anyone else ever wanted to know - LOL

No I really appreciate that. That is good business. Anyone who is willing to explain their product to that extent and knows it that well has my appreciation, and my business. Got one for my aqutop. Thank you.

 

[OrionN]

I am getting one also.