Any opinions on aga mega flow aquariums

[rcollick]

I am looking to purchase a 125 gallon aga on friday just wondering if anyone has seen or has one of these. I plan on using my 38 gallon for my fuge/sump any ideas on return pump and lighting I want to keep sps and clams. Is this a good system or would you recomend something else. I want to keep it affordable my lfs is selling this tank for $529

[bpd964]

I have a 180AGA and love it. I use a mag 9.5 for the return and a 55G sump. I use 3x 250w MH and 120w VHO's. The 125 is the same length and height. The 180 is just a little wider. I think you will be very happy with it..

[rcollick]

bpd964, is your 180 the mega flow? The one I am looking at has 4 1" holes they might be 1.5" it has 2 holes in each corner at the bottom.

[bpd964]

Yup.. it has 2 - 1inch drains and 2 - 3/4 returns..

[poppin_fresh]

I have a 72 bow and 180, both megaflows. I like them for thier simplicity and reliability.

The only thing I dont like is that the new megaflow kits only come with barbed adapters. My 72s bulkheads where the older style that glues directly to scd 40 PVC. my new 180 is all barbs...yuck! Personally I find it easier to adapt in pvc than vinyl tube.

Its a slight bummer for me, but if you like barbs and clamps you'll be in heaven.

[bpd964]

I don't have the barbs on mine.. That would suck..

What I don't like is the overflows on the back glass. I really wanted the corner overflows.. the one's on the back take up too much room..

[techreef]

I have a 90G Megaflow tank. I agree with the posters' opinions above. I got mine in April, so it came w/ the barbed bulkheads, like poppin fresh mentioned. I ditched those for slip connector bulkheads, like poppin also discussed. All in all, the Megaflow kits seem to be pretty good. I do like the Durso-style plumbing that comes w/ the kit, and the dual nozzle return loc-line is an improvement over the single nozzle return that used to ship w/ the AGA kits.

The two changes/improvements that I would look for if I was shopping for another tank would be:

1) Locating the overflow in a corner instead of along the back wall.

2) Finding a tank (probably not an AGA tank, but who knows?) with all 1" holes drilled, instead of the 1" and 3/4" holes that come with the Megaflow tanks.

[rcollick]

The tank I am looking at has the overflows in the both rear corners not sure if this is any different than yours techreef.

[techreef]

my 90G tank only has one overflow on the back wall. The left edge of the black overflow column is about a foot from the back left corner of the tank. If yours are in the corners, that's great! I like that look much better than offset like mine is.

[hatfielj]

hey rcollick: I see that you are located somewhere in michigan. If you are anywhere near the detroit area (or even if you are just willing to drive) you should check out "the aquarium warehouse" in Warren. They are the retail store of Great Lakes Aquariums and they sell complete reef ready systems and very well built stands for VERY good prices. Since they actually manufacture the tanks on site and have a local manufacturer make all of their stands they are able to sell stuff at wholesale prices. I am going to be buying a complete 120gal (48X24X24) from them in the next couple of months and its going to be a fraction of the cost of an AGA tank and stand combo. They can do any kind of overflows and drilling you want and they have their own custom sumps/refuges that work extremely well. Basically you can get a complete system from them (stand, tank, overflows, AND sump/refugium tank) for cheaper than the cost of just the stand and tank if you went with AGA. Also, their stands are built very well (unlike AGA stands that are stapled together these stands actually use screws and whatever kind of wood you like). So, if you are willing to maybe do some driving I'm sure it would be worth your time. Just give Brad or Steve a call at (586) 978-1840 and see what they can do for you. I'm sure you won't be disappointed! www.greatlakesaquariums.com (their website isn't that useful, but they have a list of all the sizes of tanks they make and they show some pictures of their sumps also.)
Good Luck!

[hatfielj]

for instance, your lfs price on just the tank is 529? I'm pretty sure their price would be less than half that if all you want is the tank w/overflows.

[msuzuki126]

If I could do it over with my 90, I think I would buy the non megaflow version and make my own overflow. The overflow box just sticks out so much.

[zach202]

I have the AGA 90gal with the back overflow and painted the back glass black. Its only been up and running for a few weeks now but so far I am very happy with it. Its nice to be able to leave for vacation and not have to worry about the syphin stopping...

[dcombs44]

I have a 55 with a corner megaflow. It basically takes up that corner all the way to the front glass, but I like the reliability and silence of it. Very little noise using my mag7 as a return. I did also get only barbed bulkheads, but I just had one flex hose to run, so no big deal.

[fishysteve]

My 120 has two megaflows on the back wall. They are very quiet. I love that aquarium. I use a Mag 7 for the return.

I'm not positive, but I thought my tank came with one 1 1/2" and one 1" hole in both overflows.

As for lighting, like you asked about, I would use 3 250 watt MH HQI's + actinics etc.

[rreddick]

have the 180G Megaflow and love it, well built, heavy as hell, and the standpipes that come with the unit are not bad at all. I run a low flow sump, 50G with an Iawaki 100 return pump and a iawaki 55 to drive the skimmer. Suggestion though, do not use the 3/4 as returns, I set them up as emergency overflows, plumped higher then the standpipes and into the sump in case of a snail, clog etc in the main overflow. I am also using a discharge bar to return the water to the bottom back of the tank, and then run a seperate closed loop for circulation on a large sequence pushing 2000 GPH

Ron

[rcollick]

Thanks hatfielj for that link, I just talked with steve. I thought I knew what I wanted but after talking to him I am going to take a drive down there saturday. By the way you were right much lower prices thanks again. Oh yah im in flint michigan.

[hatfielj]

Awesome! I'm glad to hear it! I'm sure you'll be happy with them, they're great guys. They have good quality stuff too. Good luck, and be sure to post pics of your new set up when its all done.

[Bono]

I also have the 180 mega and I love it. I had a 155 bow with the corner overflows and the way it was set up, the first thing you noticed was the inside of the ugly overflow.

[snarfe]

my 58g oceanic with mega flow came with a 1" drain and return...