Aquatop 21g biotope

[jjmccloud2011]

Hey everybody just bought to aquatop 21g biotope anyone else using these??? Trying to buy a biopellet reactor like the innovative marine minimax but don't know if it'll fit in the compartment with the lid closed it has the skimmer back there so I'd imagine it would but haven't seen a minimax in person so have no idea and I don't know which one to try any help woild be appreciated

 

[OneStepAhead]

How is the BT-21G working for you? My LFS has these in stock with the stand for $300. Considering picking one up as a gift for someone but there is basically no information about these online.

 

[jjdude18]

I love mine, I dont run a reactor on it though so cant tell ya if they fit. I just use the media trays it came with. They fit pretty tight in the comparment so i get good even upflow through them. The only major issue i had was microbubbles when i first set it up, but i wasnt running any media in the middle chamber. Once i added carbon, etc. they disappeared.

 

[jjmccloud2011]

Anyone ever drilled ine to add a sump to it

 

[jjmccloud2011]

Nobody???

 

[jjmccloud2011]

Really wanna add a sump to fit equipment for sps also doing diy led cree lighting if I can figure out a good way to do both

 

[jjmccloud2011]

Curious because the plastic liner and glass is in the back also

 

[tah532]

Just bought one of these and planning on getting it started in a couple months.....any updates or tips you all have on this tank and how its working out for you the past 6-7 months???
Any tips on the stock skimmer, does it work at all?

 

[biev]

I have had decent success with my biotope, the stock skimmer has been working surprisingly well. It has been up for around three months so far, pulling about 1/2-3/4 full container a week. Semi-high bioload (6 fish) Medium to heavy feeding, and mostly polyps for coral.

 

[CafeReef]

I replaced my stock skimmer with an eshopps nano skimmer (very tight fit, but works great), and I put an in line jbj nanozap UV sterlizer off the return pump, tank is crystal clear. I also replaced the LED's it came with with a nanobox V3 retro kit with a bluefish mini controller, great lights! I am wanting to replace the fans but looking for more information on their size.

 

[ReefChi]

Hey guys, I also have the aquatop biotope. Really like the tank and have success with keeping corals, however I do have a problem with microbubbles. Anyone else have an issue with the microbubbles or have any idea what might be the problem in this setup? (just fyi I still have the stock skimmer, also in the media baskets I have ceramic bioballs on the bottom, carbon in the middle and sponge and floss on the top) Any help would be appreciated

 

[tah532]

I had microbubbles in the beginning as well but once I filled one of the center containers with 2- 5oz Chemipure bags they stopped. So far I am very happy with the tank. I did take the lid/light off and had a custom piece of acrylic cut to fit the top then hung a better led light above tank.

 

[TJA]

Questions about the aquatop

Questions about the aquatop

I've had 2 of these set up for over a year now. Installed nano box reef retro kit into the hoods with storm controllers. Kept stock skimmers. Have jabeo wp10 in each with rotating deflectors on the returns. Looking for advice on a few reoccuring issues.

1. Have an outbreak of green hair algae. 4 gal water changes done weekly, probably high bioload with 4-5 fish in each. What would be the best way to use chemipure elite? Should I just throw it in one of the baskets? Currently I have purigen, filter floss and rubble in the baskets. Don't think I can fit a reactor anywhere and would prefer the all in one look.

2. Water begins overflowing where the skimmer sits, it flows over the wall dividing the skimmer from the baskets which causes it to skip filtering completely. I dont have that thick of filter floss in place so I'm confused as to why it blocks so easily. Anyone have this issue?

3. I tend to form a biofilm on the surface of the water. I've created a skimmer attachment for the intake slots. I've aimed my wave maker at the surface but have a hard time getting it cleared. Suggestions?

I still consider myself new and learning so any information would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[tah532]

1. I keep two bags of chemipure elite, 5oz. ones, in the center basket. I change them out every two months and my hair algae has been very limited.

2. I tried the filter floss with the same issue of too much water or not enough in skimmer compartment so I gave up. I only run the skimmer, and two baskets...one with rubble rock on the bottom and then the other next up with the chemipure bags. So far its clean and my water looks fine. This doesn't give me mechanical filtration, but I use a baster to squirt at my rock and substrate during water changes while siphoning, plus I siphon out the back compartments every 2 months when changing out the chemi pure. So far I have been good and its a very simplistic system.

3. I get the biofilm from time to time also, and my nozzle just displaces a small area when its thick. So I take plain white paper towels during water changes and lay them on the surface until they are saturated then carefully scoop them up, squeeze excess water out the top side of the paper and throw it away. It usually takes 6-7 paper towels but it works and stays clear for a month or so.

 

[ReefChi]

1. I also had a bit of hair algae and what cleared it up for me was running gfo in a media bag. I threw it in the middle basket and GHA cleared up within a few weeks. Right now I run ceramic bioballs on the bottom, chemipure blue in the middle, and floss on top and the tank has been spotless besides having the microbubbles.

2. TJA where is your filter floss placed? Seems like something is blocking the flow at the bottom opening between the skimmer section and middle section.

3. I also get biofilm on the top and not sure how to get rid of it.

TJA and tah532, do either of you have a problem with microbubbles? I cant seem to be able to figure out the issue

 

[ReefChi]

I had microbubbles in the beginning as well but once I filled one of the center containers with 2- 5oz Chemipure bags they stopped. So far I am very happy with the tank. I did take the lid/light off and had a custom piece of acrylic cut to fit the top then hung a better led light above tank.

Hmm ok, I have ceramic bioballs on the bottom of chamber 2, chemipure blue in the middle, and floss on top. Could it be I have too much in the container and that's restricting the flow and causing bubbles? Do you use the stock return pump that came with the tank?

Thanks

 

[TJA]

I have had problems with micro bubbles. It's the skimmer that comes with it I found. When I turned the skimmer off, the bubbles all stopped. I just put a piece of foam for the water to move over in the return pump compartment. Fixed it for me. Thanks for all your feedback!

 

[CafeReef]

I have had problems with micro bubbles. It's the skimmer that comes with it I found. When I turned the skimmer off, the bubbles all stopped. I just put a piece of foam for the water to move over in the return pump compartment. Fixed it for me. Thanks for all your feedback!

Two aquatops, decent heavy bioload and some of the issues you mentioned, the TJA isnt fooling me . This is Trevor haha. I lost my microbubbles when I ditched the stock skimmer for the eshopps.

 

[TJA]

I should have figured (Elkhorn).. You know my tanks too well. I got the chemipure elite and ordered a bunch of snails online. Algae seems to be slowly receding. Hoping it works

 

[tah532]

CareReef---Which back chamber do you have the Eshopps nano skimmer in on your Aquatop 21? I have one and the stock skimmer isn't producing anymore even after I put a new pump in it. I measured the far left compartment and its only 4inches wide but the Eshopps is 4.5 inches wide, how did you get it to fit, or did you put it in the middle chamber?