Perfecto vs. AGA

[Quis]

Today I went shopping for a 120gal RR tank. I found a Perfecto 120gal with one corner overflow with kit rated at 700gph for $315. In the same store they had a AGA 120gal RR with two overflow(not sure what they are rated for) plus kit for $500. Both of them carftmanship look to be the same. My question is...is the AGA worth the extra money? I like the fact that the Perfecto only have one overflow in the tank, but don't to regret it for trying to be cheap.

 

[BLKTANG]

IMO its worth the x-tra change for the dual overflow in a 120 you will need the flow.

 

[ReefTECK]

Each AGA overflow is rated by the factory for 600 gph, but IME they will handle more than that, but just a little bit more.

I'm not sure, but possibly Per uses slightly thinner glass comparatively to AGA. Again, I'm not sure, could be wrong, but working in the LFS I feel like the Per tanks we get look a little thinner. Might be my imagination. Go to their web sights and check out the specs before making a decision.

 

[Quis]

I didn't know that having just one overflow could be a draw back.

 

[Roy G. Biv]

In my opinion, AGA's quality has gone down lately. If you are looking at AGA tanks and you are seeing what you get. Look at the edges where the glass meet each other. Lately Ive noticed they are very misaligned. Just something to watch out for.

 

[Phyxius]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11851147#post11851147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pmolan
In my opinion, AGA's quality has gone down lately. If you are looking at AGA tanks and you are seeing what you get. Look at the edges where the glass meet each other. Lately Ive noticed they are very misaligned. Just something to watch out for.

I actually have to agree with that. I had a small QT tank that got broken accidentally and went to get another one. It was a newer Aqueon branded tank and as you mentioned the glass panels were all off and has silicone pushing out of the seams. Not built like the old one was.
I recently was looking for a 180g and found a AG badged 210 tank that had perfect edges so I bought it

I believe you would be better off with the AG/Aqueon tank with dual overflows vs the single. Better flow in the long run. My LFS also stated they had had more perfecto issues over AG in the past few years but still carried both brands.
Some perfecto tanks come with the overflow kits where AG dont

 

[Ehgemus]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11851147#post11851147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pmolan
In my opinion, AGA's quality has gone down lately. If you are looking at AGA tanks and you are seeing what you get. Look at the edges where the glass meet each other. Lately Ive noticed they are very misaligned. Just something to watch out for.

thay also seem to be getting sloppy with the silicone!

 

[BBev]

Quis,

I've been debating about the Perfecto vs AGA too. I'm new to the hobby so I don't feel comfortable expressing a strong opinion about the matter. But I contacted Perfecto about their tank and received the following information regarding the tank specifications. I don't know the specifications of the AGA but this may help you if you find the specifications of the AGA and compared the two tanks.

Perfecto 120 gallon tank
Dimensions: 48 3/8" X 24 3/8" X 24"
Rate of overflow: 700 GPH
Size of bulkhead for drain line: 1 1/4"
Size of bulkhead for return line: 1 1/4"
Thickness of glass: 10mm
Position of overflow: left corner

I'm leaning towards the Perfecto myself at this early stage. From my limited understanding of reading the forums and researching the matter, I need about 3 to 5 times flow through my sump/refugium. A single overflow handling 500 to 600 gallons will accomplish this goal for a 120 gallon tank. It seems to me the benefit of a single overflow is less plumbing and more area for aquascaping. Powerheads in the display tank can provide for greater circulation as needed. Granted, I do see benefits of dual overflows but for the reasons I stated, I'm leaning towards a single overflow.

If I were to investigate the AGA furthur, I would want to know if the dual overflows are located in the corners or off center. You may prefer one way over the other. Also I would want to find out the size of the bulkheads for the AGA tank. It seems that it's common for many reefready tanks to have a 1" drain line and 3/4" return line (I could be mistaken though). I'm not sure if the larger 1 1/4" drain and return lines of the Perfecto will present problems with plumbing/noise or not.

I am curious to know what others think about the matter because I would like the pros and cons of both tanks so I can make an informed decision myself. Again I know very little about reefing at this point as I'm trying to learn as much as I can before I enter the hobby.

FYI - I'm leaning towards a sump/refugium design based on that found on melevsreef.com (skimmer section -->return section<--refugium). The drain line to the skimmer section will be t'd off to feed the refugium and the flow to the refugium controlled by a ball valve.

 

[Otto2]

If the glass isnt tempered it wouldnt be hard to drill another hole and make another overflow in the tank. With the cost of the drill bit, bulkhead, cut acylic, and black paint I dont think it would cost more than $40 plus labor to add another overflow.

 

[sjm817]

Using the 3 - 5X display size guideline for return flow, a 120 should have 360 - 600 GPH. A single overflow can handle that.

 

[teamdulski]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11850598#post11850598 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefTECK

I'm not sure, but possibly Per uses slightly thinner glass comparatively to AGA. Again, I'm not sure, could be wrong, but working in the LFS I feel like the Per tanks we get look a little thinner. Might be my imagination. Go to their web sights and check out the specs before making a decision.

My co-workers and I have also debated whether or not the perfectos are thinner. I'd also agree that the tanks that come with the Aqueon sticker, instead of the older AGA, are quite crappy.

 

[2crazyreefers]

IMO Perfecto all the way. Our LFS wont even carry AGA anymore due to the quality of many tanks they got that had (not meeting at ends) short panels of glass they had to return. All they carry now is Perfecto. Also my wife has the 120 AGA unfortunately and with them 2 big overflows in the center they really take up a lot of real estate. Our friends just got the 150 Perfecto with the single corner overflow which they are running a Ehiem 1262 return pump which gives that tank plenty of Turnover. Also Perfecto has that awsome overflow that you can take apart for future needs of cleaning. Just my 2 cents.

 

[CeeGee]

I bought a perfecto over the all-glass.

The craftsmanship was waaaaaaaaaaay superior to any all-glass I have seen. Perfecto used black silicon and included the drain kit at no additional charge. Tank was cheaper too.

It was a no brainer for me.

 

[Quis]

Thank everyone for your imput. I'm starting to lean towards the Perfecto. I was worried that one overflow was going to be a problem for turn over, but since it doesn't seem to be I think it might be a better buy. Also I really like the extra space in the tank, because of the one overflow.

 

[rkelman]

I had a Perfecto 65 gal before my current AGA 90. I don't know why but the Perfecto was much easier to keep the glass clean. The AGA's glass almost feels rough in comparison with the Mag Float and algae seems to attach much more easily. I will buy Perfecto next time.