AI Nero 7 — Reef Wavemaker 4000 GPH Bluetooth Mobius 80-500 gal - AquaIllumination

The AI Nero 7 is the big one in AquaIllumination's Nero family: up to 4,000 GPH from a housing just 3.38 inches in diameter. AquaIllumination rates it for aquariums from 80 to 500+ gallons. It's also the only Nero that takes glass up to 0.79in. (20mm) — and on a large tank, that changes everything.

Thick Glass: The Real Reason to Choose the Nero 7

Everyone talks about flow, but on a large tank it's often glass thickness that decides. The official ranges for all three Neros:

• Nero 3: glass up to 0.5in. (13mm)
• Nero 5: glass up to 0.63in. (16mm)
• Nero 7: glass up to 0.79in. (20mm)

Red Sea states that its REEFER G3 aquariums are built from ultra-clear glass with thickness reaching up to 19mm (0.75in.), varying by model. On the thickest models in that range, the Nero 7 is the only one of the three covered by its official spec — the Nero 5's magnetic mount stops at 16mm.

Measure your glass before ordering, whatever brand your tank is. It's a thirty-second check that saves you a return. If you're unsure, send us your exact model.

Broad Flow, Not a Jet

This is the Nero line's signature, and it matters even more at 4,000 GPH. A traditional propeller produces a hard, concentrated stream: at this output, it would strip the corals in its line of fire. The Nero's propeller design pushes water in a wide pattern instead — keeping detritus suspended, food circulating, and low-flow zones eliminated, without blasting corals directly.

On a 200-gallon tank, the dead spots hide in the corners and behind the rockwork. That's where detritus settles and nitrates climb. Broad flow clears them out; a narrow jet carves a corridor and misses them entirely.

The 6 Flow Modes

• Constant: fixed flow at whatever rate you set
• Pulse: builds a wave by alternating flow — on a large volume, this is the mode that lifts detritus out of the hard spots
• Random: randomized variation, the closest thing to a natural reef
• Schedule: a full daily schedule cycling through modes and speeds
• Feed: pauses for feeding
• All-Off: complete shutdown

Control

• MyAI or Mobius app: iOS and Android, both free
• MXM / Apex Fusion: for driving the Nero 7 from a Neptune Apex
• Single-button controller: onboard, for adjusting speed and mode without a phone

On a large tank you rarely run just one pump. The apps handle multiple Neros together: alternate them or sync them, regardless of model. A Nero 7 and a Nero 5 in opposition produce circulation a single pump can't reproduce.

Magnetic Mount

The magnetic mount takes glass up to 0.79in. (20mm) and gives 15° of directional adjustment. The housing is only 3.38 inches in diameter — for 4,000 GPH, that's very little hardware in the tank.

A fish guard and a Nero Guard are both included, protecting slow-swimming fish and curious invertebrates. At 4,000 GPH, that's not an optional accessory.

Nero 7 Maintenance

AquaIllumination recommends a full disassembly and cleaning 4 to 6 times annually as preventative maintenance. The official video below walks through the complete teardown.

What we see in the shop: frequency depends enormously on your tank. An aquarium growing a lot of algae clogs a pump fast — there, you'll be at it often. A clean, stable tank might do fine with twice a year. The real rule is to inspect. When a pump loses flow, nine times out of ten it's a scaled impeller — and on a big tank, a Nero 7 quietly running at 60% of its output gets paid for in nitrates.

For soaking, we don't recommend vinegar — it's the old method, and over time it's hard on plastics and rubber. We stock Delete by Akua Design: a descaler built for aquarium equipment that dissolves calcium without attacking the parts. You can even leave the pump running in the solution.

Technical Specifications

• Max flow: up to 4,000 GPH
• Recommended aquariums: 80 to 500+ gallons
• Dimensions (wet side): 2.42in. x 3.38in.
• Diameter: 3.38in.
• Max glass thickness: 0.79in. (20mm)
• Power consumption: up to 40W @ 120VAC
• Directional adjustment: 15°
• Control: MyAI, Mobius, MXM (Apex Fusion), single-button controller
• Modes: Random, Pulse, Constant, Schedule, Feed, All-Off

What's Included

• 1 x Nero 7 Pump with Integrated Driver
• 1 x Magnet Mounting System
• 1 x Fish Guard
• 1 x Power Adapter
• 1 x Nero Guard
• 1 x Quick Start Guide
• 1 x Mounting Hardware Set

Nero 3, 5, or 7?

AquaIllumination's recommended ranges:

• Nero 3: up to 2,000 GPH — aquariums from 5 to 60 gallons — glass up to 0.5in.
• Nero 5: up to 3,000 GPH — aquariums from 40 to 100 gallons — glass up to 0.63in.
• Nero 7: up to 4,000 GPH — aquariums from 80 to 500+ gallons — glass up to 0.79in.

Between 80 and 100 gallons, the Nero 5 and Nero 7 overlap on volume. That's where glass thickness often settles it: bigger tanks have thicker glass, and the Nero 5 stops at 16mm.

Why Choose ReefSolution

Authorized AquaIllumination dealer in Canada with technical support in French. We also carry Red Sea REEFER aquariums — send us your exact tank model and glass thickness, and we'll tell you which Nero fits. Shipping across Canada.

Complementary products:

• AI Nero 5 — 3,000 GPH, glass up to 16mm: the natural second pump alongside a Nero 7, if your glass allows it
• AI Nero 3 — 2,000 GPH, for targeting a specific dead spot in a large tank
• AI Orbit 4 — 45W cross-flow pump, glass up to 20mm: a transverse sheet of flow that complements the Nero's point-source output
• Delete — Akua Design Descaler — for the impeller soak at those 4 to 6 recommended annual cleanings: dissolves calcium without attacking plastics

Frequently Asked Questions

Nero 5 or Nero 7 for a 120-gallon aquarium?

The Nero 7. AquaIllumination rates the Nero 5 from 40 to 100 gallons and the Nero 7 from 80 to 500+ gallons: at 120 gallons you're outside the Nero 5's range. Second reason, often the decisive one: a 120-gallon tank has thick glass, and the Nero 5's magnetic mount stops at 0.63in. (16mm) against 0.79in. (20mm) for the Nero 7. Measure your glass.

Is the Nero 7 compatible with a Red Sea REEFER aquarium?

Red Sea states that the glass on its REEFER G3 tanks reaches up to 19mm (0.75in.), varying by model. The Nero 7's official range goes to 20mm (0.79in.), so it covers even the thickest glass in that range — which neither the Nero 5 (16mm) nor the Nero 3 (13mm) does. Still, check the thickness on your specific model, or write to us: we carry REEFER tanks in the shop.

Can you run a Nero 7 and a Nero 5 together in the same tank?

Yes. The Mobius and myAI apps handle multiple Nero pumps together regardless of model: alternate them or sync them. A Nero 7 and a Nero 5 in opposition create water movement that changes direction, which a single pump doesn't reproduce. Only constraint: make sure your glass doesn't exceed 16mm for the Nero 5.

How often should you clean a Nero 7 pump?

AquaIllumination recommends a full disassembly and cleaning 4 to 6 times a year. Our shop experience: it depends heavily on the tank. An aquarium growing a lot of algae clogs a pump quickly and needs more frequent attention; a clean, stable tank can go with two cleanings a year. Best practice is to inspect — a drop in flow is almost always a scaled impeller. For the soak, an aquarium descaler beats vinegar, which is hard on plastics long term.