Fiji Cube Reef Mat (Had to Return It)

[Cpc83]

So has anyone found a way to keep the roller from unscrewing itselt from the motor? If I tight it all the way then it binds on the motor holder causing the motor to jam because the motor holder appears to be too thick. Or maybe they drill the hole too deep in the roller causing the acrylic not to bottom down? I'm at a loss... One day and 1 of the bottom acrylic rods already snapped. Any help would be appreciated. As for the silencers, you have to take the upper section off, then remove the top 2 small acrylic rods, then you have to slide the silencers and rods back in together. Even doing it outside the sump is a challenge(but doable). A second set of hands should help.
UPDATE:
Right After posted this, I stuffed tiny rubber (3)washers into the acrylic rod and after that I was able to tighten it up without hitting the motor bracket and now appears to be working. Time will tell. If everything works as it should, I'll take back out and show you the installed silencers.

Yes I have the motor originally will unscrew it's self if gets in a bind. Open blue box and snip the two wires to motor and swap them and make it run the opposite direction. When you swap motor wires now the motor turns in the direction that it tightens it's self up( like they claim but never verified)

 

[Mtterry]

The permanent fix for the tube unscrewing is swapping the wires at the motor so it spins opposite direction. The motor originally will unscrew itself if the roller jams. I'm working trying right now to eliminate original controller and wire it to apex. Also for the 3d printer peeps I have a spare afr I will send to someone who can create two washers to keep the clean roll in the middle of rack and a sleeve with guides

Draw up a pic of what you are trying to do, I can't visualize it. I can dink around some time. I'm not a cad person, just use tinker cad. Are you looking for 3d printing over say getting a cnc to cut acrylic?

 

[Cpc83]

Draw up a pic of what you are trying to do, I can't visualize it. I can dink around some time. I'm not a cad person, just use tinker cad. Are you looking for 3d printing over say getting a cnc to cut acrylic?

Cutting acrylic would be nice but I've found there is way more people with 3d printers then cnc tables. I will pull out my spare afr and take some pics with cardboard pieces

 

[Mtterry]

Cutting acrylic would be nice but I've found there is way more people with 3d printers then cnc tables. I will pull out my spare afr and take some pics with cardboard pieces

Sounds good. Or just draw it up on paper and take a pic lol whatever works

 

[Cpc83]

So I just ordered a 24v to 12v converter and a float and optical sensor for apex. I'm gonna connect the Fiji cube afr to apex use float to start the motor optical to stop it and one of the 24v outputs to power motor via 24v to 12 v converter. This way I can set it to do a run once a day even if floats fail and in case of failure and lls on apex shows high water kill pump and alarm

 

[Cpc83]

I actually just found a 24v 10rpm motor with M8 threaded shaft that looks like a direct fit if this works it's gonna be golden. As I feel like there is two flaws in the design of electronics on the afr20. If you're watching Fiji cube fix this. 1st issue drive direction is opposite of what you believe it is( if you swap direction it doesn't unthread anymore), 2nd issue the controller should have an audible alarm that triggers when drive activates twice but float doesn't reset( Alibaba has the controller for 2 dollars more). 3rd issue ( really complaint) why not make these 24v and easily converted to controllers

 

[Mtterry]

I actually just found a 24v 10rpm motor with M8 threaded shaft that looks like a direct fit if this works it's gonna be golden. As I feel like there is two flaws in the design of electronics on the afr20. If you're watching Fiji cube fix this. 1st issue drive direction is opposite of what you believe it is( if you swap direction it doesn't unthread anymore), 2nd issue the controller should have an audible alarm that triggers when drive activates twice but float doesn't reset( Alibaba has the controller for 2 dollars more). 3rd issue ( really complaint) why not make these 24v and easily converted to controllers

These are all great points.

1) Update the manual to make sense.
2) Document the silencer install. I popped them in tonight when I worked on my motor tonight.
3 ) Include the correct parts for the product based on the manual.
4) With the pressure of the motor on the acrylic cylinder I'm wondering if that's even the right material for this design. They claimed my Loctite broke it, but the Loctite instantly showed the cracks (the blue liquid). They replaced it so I didn't push back on them about their response.
5) All the issues you noted.

I went ahead and de-soldered and re-soldered the wires on the motor. What's interesting is their schematic drawing on their website seems to indicate that it rolls in the "unscrew" direction when I look at it.

I wonder if someone has given the wrong information a poster, or the manufacturer.. who know's... Also I use the following 24v to 12v buck converter. 10 bucks on amazon.
I have used it for over 1 year on my DIY Reservoir Mixer ( designed for the simplicity dosing container 3x2liter) I made.

 

[Derrick0580]

For those of you still using their arf20, how long is your rolls lasting? Mine varies greatly. I can get up to 6 weeks but this last one only made it 2 weeks…super frustrating!

 

[Cpc83]

For those of you still using their arf20, how long is your rolls lasting? Mine varies greatly. I can get up to 6 weeks but this last one only made it 2 weeks…super frustrating!

I get 6-8 weeks. After I rewired the motor to spin right and not try to unscrew itself and cause issues with the roll

 

[Mulkxican]

//23 JAN 2023 UPDATE// I decided NOT to return the AFR. I switched the water sensor to the opposite side and used the larger nylon screws instead of the ones the instructions had listed around the holder handles, as that was the source of the Roller not working initially; the roller was "teething" continuously and I would say, the AFR Roller is a little loud from the water hitting the surface of the water. According to FijiCube, within a month, there will be a silencer available for their AFR. See Video Below

I know this is older but do you have any pics of how your sensor is mounted? My roller has started to work but seems to just randomly advance the roller. Not when the sensor is triggered.

 

[jphilip813]

Sadly I actually replaced this Roller mat with a Redsea as well as upgraded my sump to a synergy about 2 weeks ago. I do have a photo of what my Fiji reef mat looked like. FYI, earlier this week, Fiji Cube, sent me an updated reef mat motor they have come out with...after I complained, they said it is to address some of the issues I had brought up with them in my numerous videos. New setup in the video below...

 

[Sparkss]

Is that float switch bracket an updated version?

I see that Fiji has the ARF20 on sale right now and listed as "Gen 1.5", I wonder if that is what they are calling the addition of the updated motor and any other parts. I am considering purchasing it to go into our Fiji Cube (no room to upgrade sumps like you did ).

 

[jphilip813]

Is that float switch bracket an updated version?

I see that Fiji has the ARF20 on sale right now and listed as "Gen 1.5", I wonder if that is what they are calling the addition of the updated motor and any other parts. I am considering purchasing it to go into our Fiji Cube (no room to upgrade sumps like you did ).

I think it is their "Gen 1.5" as well. The float switch (first pic) is from the original set-up. I have not installed their GEN 1.5 yet and probably will NOT, since I removed the FIJI Cube sump.

 

[don.chaneaux]

Thanks for the heads up on Gen 1.5. If one does have a Gen 1 and wants the Gen 1.5 upgrade, you will need to contact Fijicube support to obtain it at this time. That is what I did a few hours ago after seeing the post here.

 

[patdman]

I will bump this thread. Fiji Cube 57 tank my experience has been terrible. I ordered a tank put it together and the holes cut into the back did not match the overflow box. They were cut too close together. The stand sucks and has a wobble. Exchanged several emails. Last from fiji said they would send me a custom overflow box. It's been several weeks still waiting. I got tired of waiting for their response I used Google and found MR. WEI and called him on his phone. I complained, He said he would send the part. I am still waiting. Bought the tank on the black Friday sale on their website.

 

[Mtterry]

Thanks for the heads up on Gen 1.5. If one does have a Gen 1 and wants the Gen 1.5 upgrade, you will need to contact Fijicube support to obtain it at this time. That is what I did a few hours ago after seeing the post here.

what is the "upgrade" exactly?

 

[jphilip813]

I will bump this thread. Fiji Cube 57 tank my experience has been terrible. I ordered a tank put it together and the holes cut into the back did not match the overflow box. They were cut too close together. The stand sucks and has a wobble. Exchanged several emails. Last from fiji said they would send me a custom overflow box. It's been several weeks still waiting. I got tired of waiting for their response I used Google and found MR. WEI and called him on his phone. I complained, He said he would send the part. I am still waiting. Bought the tank on the black Friday sale on their website.

I will bump this thread. Fiji Cube 57 tank my experience has been terrible. I ordered a tank put it together and the holes cut into the back did not match the overflow box. They were cut too close together. The stand sucks and has a wobble. Exchanged several emails. Last from fiji said they would send me a custom overflow box. It's been several weeks still waiting. I got tired of waiting for their response I used Google and found MR. WEI and called him on his phone. I complained, He said he would send the part. I am still waiting. Bought the tank on the black Friday sale on their website.

Hey, from my experience the way to get their attention (You might not want to do it), but that's what I did. I actually included BRS customer service email when I replied back to them. (Even though I purchased directly from Fiji Cube, the idea was to get their (Fiji Cube's) attention via one of their major vendors). But I actually included photos and screen shots of conversations I had with "Michael S." at Fiji Cube. He is their representative for products. However, they (Fiji Cube) only respond via that "[email protected] email or the "CHAT" feature on their website from my experience. It was a hassle especially with replacing the Roller-mat for their new one & took about 3 months (I decided to scrap Fiji Cube Sump and Roller mat went with a entirely new customized sump and reef mat). Unfortunately, I also had issues with my stand when I received mine as well (miss-matched parts and missing parts that didn't align). But I recorded parts of my install, uploaded to YouTube and sent both BRS and Fiji Cube of my actual situation.

New set-up (OCT 2023)

Previous Setup (AUG 2022-SEPT 2023)
Fiji Cube Sump/Roller mat

 

[jphilip813]

what is the "upgrade" exactly?

what is the "upgrade" exactly?

what is the "upgrade" exactly?

So, after numerous complaints (including mine), they came out with an updated motor and controller for the roller mat and as they (Fiji Cube) mentioned a little different in design. I received mine in late September as a replacement, but for me it was too late, I went with a different Sump set-up. I do love their aquarium and stand and sump, it was their roller mat that was not ready for primetime in my opinion and experience.

 

[patdman]

So, after numerous complaints (including mine), they came out with an updated motor and controller for the roller mat and as they (Fiji Cube) mentioned a little different in design. I received mine in late September as a replacement, but for me it was too late, I went with a different Sump set-up. I do love their aquarium and stand and sump, it was their roller mat that was not ready for primetime in my opinion and experience.

I am not tapping out. I think the tank I bought looks awesome. It had two little faint scratches nothing to complain about. I have not filled it full of water to test for leaks yet. I just do not which route to take to fix my overflow box problem. Keep waiting? order custom overflow box? or do it yourself? As for the stand after installing the sump, I will add extra wood support.

 

[Derrick0580]

So I ended up recently removing the filter roller from my system. No matter what I do I can not get more than 2 weeks out of a roll, new or washed (yes I rewash the dirty fleece and reroll it back onto cardboard tubes). The 30 seconds every other day changing out socks is much less of a hassle and time consuming than changing out the fleece every two weeks which takes 20-30 minutes each time. Plus I honestly feel like the roller was stripping needed nutrients from my water. I had to begin dosing nitrate as they dropped to 0.5 and ended up with dinos and now I’m starting that battle!