Wednesday, September 25, 2013

TOM Aquarium RP3 Plus (Rapids Pro Filter with Auto Fill System, 700gph pump)

TOM Aquarium RP3 PlusWhat was truly great about this product is the fact that it it was close to $100 cheaper than anywhere else listed when I searched prices.

I have just set up a saltwater reef again for the first time in over 10 years. So much has changed since the first time. The set up instructions leave a bit to be desired. The system is rather picky getting the adjustments just right; but once you do, the system works great! I ended up calling the company and talking with technical support for 1/2 an hour asking questions and getting answers to those questions; I was having issues with water movement and keeping the filter at the level of fill that they recommend even with the auto fill system. The filter seemed to be bringing an excess amount of bubbles back in to my tank. They recommended increasing the height of the auto fill tank up 2 inches more than the filter and also they truly mean it when they say the hoses should be as straight and as close as is possible. Each bend in the hose cuts down on the efficiency of the 700 GPH pump. I truly don't know if I would have been nearly as satisfied with the system if I hadn't called them for support with my issues.

This works sooo well! I have a 55gal reef tank and this suits it perfectly. I've used a couple canister filters (marineland magnum with dual bio-wheels and penn-plax cascade 700). To clean and change out filter media, you have turn off the filter and completely take it apart. With the TOM Aquarium RP3 Plus, you can keep everything running if you want and just change the filter pads right on top. It comes with everything you need for a typical wet/dry filter (bio-balls, ceramic cylinders, activated carbon pillow, prefilter pads as well as an activated carbon prefilter pad) as well as a built-in protein skimmer! There is no need for drilling your tank for an overflow. This does it for you! It uses a siphon to draw water from the tank and if the power goes out, the siphon is lost so it is next to impossible for your filter to overflow and spill out all over you floor! If your thinking "What happens when the power comes back on?" Well this amazing siphoning overflow box starts the siphon all by itself by drawing air from the siphon chamber as the pump runs. So you guessed it, water never overflows from the filter or your tank.

Another great idea this wet/dry filter has is a water top off system. It holds about 3.5gal and when constantly matches the water level in the filter. If water in the filter gets low, so does the water in the reservoir. When that happens, you will hear a gurgle sound as water empties little by little until it reaches the right level again. I usually have to fill the reservoir every 1-2 months depending on the temperature of the room.

Get this! It will save time on filter maintenance giving you more time to just relax and just watch your tank as it is meant to used!

Buy TOM Aquarium RP3 Plus (Rapids Pro Filter with Auto Fill System, 700gph pump) Now

As soon as I started to open the box I knew I had made the right choice. The packaging was outstanding. Pretty much everything was triple boxed. I got the directions and have read a few reviews elsewhere that they were lacking. I found the directions to be more than thorough. They were idiot proof if you ask me. Even had pictures with arrows pointing to the correct thing that they were speaking about. Went together without a hitch and had it running an hour after getting the box from Fed Ex. The filter comes with plenty of media if you choose to use what they supply. The nice thing is that you can customize what you want to put in the trays and you do not have to turn it off to do so. So far the filter is working great. I can not comment on the skimmer yet because I am only on day 2 and it can take awhile for skimate to begin collecting. I have had skimmers before and I don't see how this will fail.

What I was most impressed about is the customer service from Koller Creaft (makers of TOM Aquarium). I had a few questions after set up and found their number on the web. I left a message for the aquarium guy and he had called me back within a half hour. He was very willing to answer my questions and I did not feel rushed or anything. I was really surprised the time he spent to make sure I was completely satisfied. Two thumbs up!

My questions were:

1) How to make the water level in the sump go up using the auto fill.

Answer-Raise the auto fill with 2x4 or bricks higher than the sump. Higher it is, higher the water level will be (gravity duh!)

2) How to make it less noisy. I have it in a stand that is hollow underneath and is on hardwood floors.

Answer-Place foam sheet under unit to help absorb the vibrations. Remember to move the auto fill up too if you choose to do this. Gravity will drain the water from the sump into the auto fill if the sump is higher.

3) How to reduce micro bubbles from out flow.

Answer-Make sure the hoses are as straight as possible like the instructions says. The less slack the better.

If I had to give this unit one negative it would be the hoses. They are ribbed flexible tubes and when the water from the overflow is trickling down the overflow hose, it is quite noisy. Sounds like a rain shower in the room where the tank is. Like any overflow unit there will be a trickle sound anyway so this is not a deal breaker. I plan on getting foam pipe insulation like the stuff that is put on pipes that have a chance of freezing. It should make a big difference.

Overall I like the functionally and the fact I can customize it to my needs to properly filter my 75 gallon reef tank. Highly recommend this unit.

Read Best Reviews of TOM Aquarium RP3 Plus (Rapids Pro Filter with Auto Fill System, 700gph pump) Here

Well, long story short. Decided to grab one from Warehouse deals ( Amazon returns, etc. ) for over $100 less. They said, Like new in package? well upon it's arrival, it was cracked on the top by the skimmer cup. Upon looking, I decided to try it and works fine. Though a cosmetic crack in the housing, which I can glue. So far doing great and at 1/4 the cost of a brand new one ! And like everyone else, I had to adjust the skimmer cup so it would emit the correct amount of air from the cup.

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It works great.. it has everything I needed, it is a bit noisy.. I love the auto fill tank and the auto water level..

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