mcbaes72
-Aidan's Daddy.
Searched forum and didn't find a thread on R&J 29 Gal. Fusion Acrylic Tank. So, let's start one.
Retail Price: $249.00 - $349.99
Dimensions: 28.5" L X 14.2" W X 16" H
Online Stores: Petco and Amazon
Advice: Do NOT order Petco if using free shipping, Unless you live on east coast, UPS Ground from Florida to California took 5 business days and tank arrived damaged, even though it's double boxed with Styrofoam packing material. Luckily, local Petco accepted the return. Pay for faster shipping method. I re-ordered through Amazon and Prime shipping sent it through USPS, this time it arrived safely in two days.
First impression: Aquarium was plastic wrapped and double-boxed, accessories were complete, included light fixture (daylight only) and AC pump. All-in-one tank looks durable, about 3/8" thick acrylic, support in the top middle is helpful to prevent bowing, and built-in sump has three compartments and appears spacious enough.
Review: I'm mostly happy with the tank, would rate 4 out of 5 stars. Here's my Pros & Cons.
PROS:
*Acrylic is more durable than glass (about 10-20 times stronger).
*Open top design (can be a pro and con) with middle support.
*Built-in sump is convenient, no external plumbing parts.
*Includes LED light, AC pump, bioballs, and sponge filter (re-usable).
*Ready to use out of the box for freshwater and saltwater.
CONS:
*Acrylic known to scratch more easily.
*More expensive compared to glass, buy it on sale or price-match with other sites.
*Included light only has daytime setting (no actinic for nighttime), replaced with day/night LED fixture (Hygger Blue White Clip On).
*AC pump is loud, humming sound can be heard in the next room, replaced with quiet DC pump (Aqua Medic DC Runner 1.2).
*Open top design (can be a pro and con), water evaporates more quickly, fish can jump out, snails can escape easily, too.
*No dedicated cabinet stand made for this tank, not a common size/dimension for most stands (shorter than standard 29G which are 30" in length, so common stand for this tank will be a little wider. Plus, tank deeper than standard 29G which are 12"-13" width, this may overhang a little on narrow stands). If not custom building stand, consider R&J cabinet stand made for their glass version (tank/stand combo). If sold separately, stand dimensions 33" L x 18" W x 31" H.
*Entire tank is 3/8" thickness EXCEPT back wall of sump is thinner, not a good idea if using a HOB skimmer.
Although there's more negatives than positives, I'd still recommend this AIO acrylic nano tank for those that want to hide the heater, filtration, etc. in a dedicated built-in sump. Left compartment holds my heater, middle compartment is for filter sponge/pad and bioballs, right side is for return pump. I briefly added a hang-on skimmer (AquaMaxx HOB 1.0) in left part of built-in sump, but the skimmer size and water weight made it bow slightly, didn't feel safe, so removed it and will stick to sw changes only. Left compartment may be a good place for a refugium with clip on light instead.
NOTE: To make sure water doesn't overflow tank when turning off pump for maintenance, during Feed Mode (DC pump), or during a power outage, keep return pump area (right side) about half-way filled. Even if right side was filled up close to the top, shouldn't overflow, but gets really close, I wouldn't risk it.
See stock photos (Amazon) and feel free to ask questions. Also, on Amazon website, R&J manufacturer answered some questions in Q&A section. I may update this thread occasionally with my own pictures, new info on progress, and impressions of the tank.
Retail Price: $249.00 - $349.99
Dimensions: 28.5" L X 14.2" W X 16" H
Online Stores: Petco and Amazon
Advice: Do NOT order Petco if using free shipping, Unless you live on east coast, UPS Ground from Florida to California took 5 business days and tank arrived damaged, even though it's double boxed with Styrofoam packing material. Luckily, local Petco accepted the return. Pay for faster shipping method. I re-ordered through Amazon and Prime shipping sent it through USPS, this time it arrived safely in two days.
First impression: Aquarium was plastic wrapped and double-boxed, accessories were complete, included light fixture (daylight only) and AC pump. All-in-one tank looks durable, about 3/8" thick acrylic, support in the top middle is helpful to prevent bowing, and built-in sump has three compartments and appears spacious enough.
Review: I'm mostly happy with the tank, would rate 4 out of 5 stars. Here's my Pros & Cons.
PROS:
*Acrylic is more durable than glass (about 10-20 times stronger).
*Open top design (can be a pro and con) with middle support.
*Built-in sump is convenient, no external plumbing parts.
*Includes LED light, AC pump, bioballs, and sponge filter (re-usable).
*Ready to use out of the box for freshwater and saltwater.
CONS:
*Acrylic known to scratch more easily.
*More expensive compared to glass, buy it on sale or price-match with other sites.
*Included light only has daytime setting (no actinic for nighttime), replaced with day/night LED fixture (Hygger Blue White Clip On).
*AC pump is loud, humming sound can be heard in the next room, replaced with quiet DC pump (Aqua Medic DC Runner 1.2).
*Open top design (can be a pro and con), water evaporates more quickly, fish can jump out, snails can escape easily, too.
*No dedicated cabinet stand made for this tank, not a common size/dimension for most stands (shorter than standard 29G which are 30" in length, so common stand for this tank will be a little wider. Plus, tank deeper than standard 29G which are 12"-13" width, this may overhang a little on narrow stands). If not custom building stand, consider R&J cabinet stand made for their glass version (tank/stand combo). If sold separately, stand dimensions 33" L x 18" W x 31" H.
*Entire tank is 3/8" thickness EXCEPT back wall of sump is thinner, not a good idea if using a HOB skimmer.
Although there's more negatives than positives, I'd still recommend this AIO acrylic nano tank for those that want to hide the heater, filtration, etc. in a dedicated built-in sump. Left compartment holds my heater, middle compartment is for filter sponge/pad and bioballs, right side is for return pump. I briefly added a hang-on skimmer (AquaMaxx HOB 1.0) in left part of built-in sump, but the skimmer size and water weight made it bow slightly, didn't feel safe, so removed it and will stick to sw changes only. Left compartment may be a good place for a refugium with clip on light instead.
NOTE: To make sure water doesn't overflow tank when turning off pump for maintenance, during Feed Mode (DC pump), or during a power outage, keep return pump area (right side) about half-way filled. Even if right side was filled up close to the top, shouldn't overflow, but gets really close, I wouldn't risk it.
See stock photos (Amazon) and feel free to ask questions. Also, on Amazon website, R&J manufacturer answered some questions in Q&A section. I may update this thread occasionally with my own pictures, new info on progress, and impressions of the tank.
