Aquaja is a Dutch company that manufactures its own aquariums entirely in-house Their flagship tank is the Diamond Line, a ready to rock reef kit equipped with a sump and custom plumbing. Today, we’re looking back on one year of using the Diamond Line. We’ll examine whether an Aquaja aquarium really offers added value.
Aquaja is a well-known company in our hobby. This Dutch aquarium manufacturer from Echt has been producing a new line of ready-made aquariums for several years now. The Diamond Line is made entirely by Dutch hands, from gluing the glass to assembling the cabinet. Aquaja even handles the shipping and installation itself. It’s no surprise, then, that many Dutch people are proud of these aquariums.
But can this locally produced product compete with big names like Red Sea, Innovative Marine, or Waterbox Aquariums? That’s one of the questions we’ll be answering today, after one year of using the Aquaja Diamond Line 535.
Let’s recap: The Aquaja Diamond Line consists of five models: the 275, 400, 535, XL (605 liters), and Shallow Reef (115 liters). The aquariums feature extra-clear glass, with black glass overflow channels and removable dividers. Most aquariums also include a sump with custom-fitted plumbing and dual outlets. An RO reservoir provides flexibility. The MDF panels rest on a stainless aluminum chassis, while the kit edges feature a reinforced seam to prevent damage. The Diamond Line is optionally available with a lid.
Construction Quality
Upon delivery, the Aquaja Diamond Line 535 is securely placed on its base. The cabinet is made of thick MDF panels, which are flawlessly painted. These panels rest on an aluminum frame, creating a sturdy structure. No additional support structures are included inside the cabinet. However, the panel at the back is slightly lower, allowing for easy routing of cables to power outlets. The cables are therefore neatly concealed out of sight.
The sump, which is of course located inside this cabinet—and takes up most of the space—is securely fastened between two wooden slats. They are essential for transport, since there is no non-slip coating underneath the sump. However, these slats can be removed by unscrewing the screws. It features several compartments that can be flexibly arranged.
Aquaja provides pre-assembled pipes with a unique design. These large pipes also conceal a smaller return line, meaning that only two holes need to be drilled in the aquarium and the cabinet. A slide valve allows you to adjust the water level. A feed pump can be connected using a flexible hose.
Usage
Just as important as the quality of the construction is, of course, the ease of daily use. Aquaja has devoted a great deal of attention to this. For example, there are two removable filter socks, space for filtration, space for a skimmer and an additional filter stone, a pump chamber, and a RO chamber. The overflow has a small lid with a cutout that makes it easy to pick up. The spacious 535, with dimensions of 130 x 55 x 55 cm, offers plenty of room for a beautiful aquascape.
One drawback is the included flexible hose. It isn’t flexible enough to easily connect to a feed pump. It would have been better to have a fixed design that provided a connection directly above the pump chamber. That would have simplified the connection. It’s also best to replace the filter socks with media cups because they clog quickly. Fortunately, this is easy to do, since the Red Sea media cups fit perfectly in the Aquaja sump.
Apart from these sump-related issues, which are generally standard across various brands, there are no noticeable drawbacks. The sump is spacious enough to accommodate a skimmer, heater, additional rock, a return pump, and other equipment such as an EcoTech Battery Backup and a DD X1 dosing pump. However, anyone wishing to install a skimmer and a roller filter will likely have to figure out how to fit them in—though we haven’t tested this ourselves. A refugium is feasible by either installing a floating basket in the main chamber or completely removing the filter socks and placing macroalgae in this chamber.
The aquarium itself is ideal for spacious, open layouts. Its surface area allows for building in both height and depth, so boring layouts don’t have to be the norm. The dual outlets also provide some flexibility in water flow and are easy to adjust. The overflow is sturdily constructed and doesn’t clog. The removable combs are easy to clean when necessary. The glass edges are finished with beveled corners.
Design & Price
The Diamond Line was designed from the outset as a luxurious and flexible aquarium line capable of competing with major international players. That’s why a great deal of attention was paid to its design. Those who appreciate a beautiful finish are in for a treat. The sump features white decals to give it a premium look. Those who prefer a natural look can remove them. The seams are neatly sealed with clear adhesive. On the aquarium itself, black sealant is used.
It seems obvious that a design like this—which can easily compete with the major international players—must cost a lot. Yet, with the Aquaja Diamond Line, the price is actually a plus. Liter for liter, these aquariums are still considerably cheaper than the rest. The quality is high, however, and their performance is comparable, if not better. It’s a bit strange, really—aren’t wages in the Netherlands higher than in Asia or America?
Decision
With the Diamond Line, Aquaja has delivered a truly top-of-the-line aquarium. With an eye for design and quality, this company delivers genuine Dutch quality. That’s worth noting. The Aquaja Diamond Line should therefore be at the top of every aquarium enthusiast’s shopping list.
The Aquaja Diamond Line 535 is available for 1,249 EUR through the Aquaja online store.
