Aquatop Recife 40g build

[seandre3000]

First ever saltwater tank and I am loving it! Picked up my tank a few months ago and so far so good! I have been making changes here and there to the tank and trying to upgrade all the stock equipment(recommendation much appreciated!). So far for the third chamber I removed first box and the second box replaced with bio media. Got rid of the ugly filter block for the first chamber and replaced with an intank floss holder. I’ve been doing a lot of research on this tank and it’s so hard to find any recommendations for upgrades.):

So far my inhabitants are:

-pair of clowns
-orchid dottyback
-watchman goby pistol shrimp combo
-single blue chromi (other 2 stressed out and died from my arranging rock)
-3 turbo snail
- about 7 hermit
-feather duster worm
Any recommendations on fish?


Corals:

-candy cane
-baby Duncan
-waving hand
-gsp
-frogspawn coral
-fussy green mushrooms
-orange mushroom
-bird nests coral
-assortment of zoas
-toadstool leather

I REALLY want a torch here soon!

Equipment
-AI prime 16 hd
-hygger mini wave maker
-intank floss holder

Looking for recommendations for a new protein skimmer the one that came with it stopped working as well as a new return pump!

Would love to see some other Recife builds from you guys too!

Can’t wait to post more updates

 

[blaxsun]

IceCap makes a fairly good nano skimmer.

 

[seandre3000]

Upgraded my skimmer to the AquaMaxx 1.5 hob and grabbed a few new corals! Got a hammer, favia, a new Zoa and a red cap. Trying to decide what fish I am wanting next if anyone has any suggestions please let me know!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Upgraded my skimmer to the AquaMaxx 1.5 hob and grabbed a few new corals! Got a hammer, favia, a new Zoa and a red cap. Trying to decide what fish I am wanting next if anyone has any suggestions please let me know!

Tank looks great!

 

[seandre3000]

Update!

Changed my scape just alittle and added a ton of new coral! Got a new frogspawn, mushroom added a couple zoas to my garden, favia, bird nest, acropora and got a rainbow tip anemone!

Added a nero3 power head and love it! It’s so easy to use and makes a world of difference for circulation!

Still trying to decide what other fish I want to add thinking a coral beauty but not sure if it will work out.

 

[seandre3000]

Corals and fish are happy! Added a bi color angelfish into the mix(I know he’s not reef friendly and tank not best suited LFS told me he’d be fine)

 

[seandre3000]

Update!

Tank is filling up nicely added 3 torches and arranged some coral today. One of my hammers is getting new heads. Lost my cleaner shrimp which is a big bummer no idea what happened I am thinking it was a bad molt since he molted a few days ago and has just been hiding before then he was definitely one of my favorites

 

[RandyL]

Your tank looks great and love that you’re also doing research. Might suggest that you look into purchasing a test kit (if you don’t have one already) and use it periodically to keep tabs on your parameters. Establishing a baseline and then doing periodic monitoring is a good way to head off problems, which can contribute to livestock loss.

 

[seandre3000]

Your tank looks great and love that you’re also doing research. Might suggest that you look into purchasing a test kit (if you don’t have one already) and use it periodically to keep tabs on your parameters. Establishing a baseline and then doing periodic monitoring is a good way to head off problems, which can contribute to livestock loss.

Thank you! I do have a test kit I just need to get in the habit of doing it regularly lol

 

[Reefer Brent]

Thank you! I do have a test kit I just need to get in the habit of doing it regularly lol

So I also got the in tank floss holder and weir skimmer. Weir skimmer solved my surface scum issue but the floss holder is too small and allows detritus around it. Looks to be sized to the 24g or something. Either way I cut the walls off it to fit the floss better. Have you had any issues with yours?

 

[seandre3000]

So I also got the in tank floss holder and weir skimmer. Weir skimmer solved my surface scum issue but the floss holder is too small and allows detritus around it. Looks to be sized to the 24g or something. Either way I cut the walls off it to fit the floss better. Have you had any issues with yours?

I didn’t have issues with mine all that much it fit perfectly. I ended up switching to a filter sock after I got the Aquamaxx skimmer and it’s been good so far. If I can find the old one you’re more then welcome to have it

 

[Reefer Brent]

I didn’t have issues with mine all that much it fit perfectly. I ended up switching to a filter sock after I got the Aquamaxx skimmer and it’s been good so far. If I can find the old one you’re more then welcome to have it

Did you get one of the chamber one towers that the guy 3d prints? Thank you for the offer, very kind of you, however I think I will go the same route as you with the filter sock eventually.

 

[seandre3000]

Did you get one of the chamber one towers that the guy 3d prints? Thank you for the offer, very kind of you, however I think I will go the same route as you with the filter sock eventually.

I am actually looking into that! I just emailed the guy about it. Very tempted looks like it makes everything easier

 

[Kerr87]

Did you upgrade your return pump?

 

[bondno9]

Hey OP, great tank. I'm looking to buy this setup myself. Would love some updates on your tank.

 

[kingranch2003]

I didn’t have issues with mine all that much it fit perfectly. I ended up switching to a filter sock after I got the Aquamaxx skimmer and it’s been good so far. If I can find the old one you’re more then welcome to have it

How did you install a filter sock? Did you have a bracket for the first chamber?

 

[seandre3000]

How did you install a filter sock? Did you have a bracket for the first chamber?

Hey sorry I just saw this! When I get home I'll attach a picture! I still use a filter sock but switch to a canister filter which has made my life so much easier

 

[Reefer Brent]

Hey sorry I just saw this! When I get home I'll attach a picture! I still use a filter sock but switch to a canister filter which has made my life so much easier

Can't wait to see this and hear some in and outs on install and maintenance if you could share.

 

[kingranch2003]

Hey sorry I just saw this! When I get home I'll attach a picture! I still use a filter sock but switch to a canister filter which has made my life so much easier

Thank you for your reply. I'm very interested in canister filtration as well. It's good to hear that seems like a good option too.

 

[Reefer Brent]

Still pretty interested in this canister conversion lol!