Aqua japan reef tanks

Zepman323 · Feb 6, 2020

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with these thanks. I currently trying to get a bigger tank and got offered one of these at a fairly decent price. I have found very little on these tanks on the internet. If anyone has experience with these, it would be nice to hear before I purchase one.. here is a link to the tank im thinking of getting . https://www.aquacave.com/aqua-japan-pro-90-reef-aquarium-combo-black.html THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

lpsouth1978 · Feb 6, 2020

I haven't used one, but have had a good look at them at one of my LFS. They seem to be pretty well made, but there are some things I don't like.

1. The sumps remind me of SCA sumps. Just a glass box with some baffles for bubble traps. Nothing fancy.
2. The overflow only has 2 holes drilled in it. If you want to setup a herbie, you would have to run the return over the top of the tank. Otherwise you are stuck with a single Durso and a return.

Not a bad system overall, but there are certainly better available.

Zepman323 · Feb 6, 2020

lpsouth1978 said:
I haven't used one, but have had a good look at them at one of my LFS. They seem to be pretty well made, but there are some things I don't like.

1. The sumps remind me of SCA sumps. Just a glass box with some baffles for bubble traps. Nothing fancy.
2. The overflow only has 2 holes drilled in it. If you want to setup a herbie, you would have to run the return over the top of the tank. Otherwise you are stuck with a single Durso and a return.

Not a bad system overall, but there are certainly better available.

That's what i had before, a SCA 50 gallon cube... The price for the 90 gallon in 750.00 at my LFS. I just haven't seen to much about the bigger tanks on the forums... So, i only had the 50 gallon with two holes drilled, what is a Herbie?

lpsouth1978 · Feb 6, 2020

A Herbie is a style of drain that utilizes 2 holed (drains). The first is the primary and is a full siphon with a gate valve installed on it for tuning the drain. The second drain is a backup. This setup allows for a virtually silent tank and give the security of a second drain if the first ever gets clogged.

Zepman323 · Feb 6, 2020

lpsouth1978 said:
A Herbie is a style of drain that utilizes 2 holed (drains). The first is the primary and is a full siphon with a gate valve installed on it for tuning the drain. The second drain is a backup. This setup allows for a virtually silent tank and give the security of a second drain if the first ever gets clogged.

I didn’t know that , my last tank only had a return and a drain. I wish I could find someone on here that actually owns an aqua Japan tank. Someone told me they leak

GabeM · Feb 6, 2020

SCA now drills 2 return holes, I have a herbie on my SCA 50 cube.

I am not sure if I trust a $750 90 gallon. Cheap freight shipping on the thing has to be $150

Zepman323 · Feb 6, 2020

I would be picking it up from my LFS ..

GabeM · Feb 6, 2020

Zepman323 said:
I would be picking it up from my LFS ..

How do you think it gets there?

Supposing your LFS pays $550 for it shipped I feel like there is something wrong with it, unless it is used?

Zepman323 · Feb 6, 2020

brand new bro. I actually trust the owner, been doing business with him for years. I just don’t know to much about the brand

chowberg · Feb 7, 2020

I got two Aqua Japan AIO tanks in a trade. They seem to be well made. The guy I got the tanks from replaced the two AIO’s with the 90 gallon Aqua Japan one you’re looking at and he likes it. However he may change out the stand but it might be a personal preference.

Zepman323 · Feb 7, 2020

Why doesn’t he like the stand?

chowberg · Feb 7, 2020

Zepman323 said:
Why doesn’t he like the stand?

If I remember correctly, he said it is because it isn’t plywood. I saw the stand and it looks sturdy, I think he was looking for a reason to upgrade and get more space/access (doors) for his equipment. Lol

Zepman323 · Feb 7, 2020

Was it a glossy black or a flat black ?

chowberg · Feb 7, 2020

Honestly I don’t remember because I saw it in passing when I was picking up my tank. Let me know what additional questions you have for him and I can reach out. Let me know.