The Kerrnel

Everything I have in that tank is stock except the return pump (MJ900). My understanding of the filtration, and this is just my limited understanding, is that the mechanics are such that the water should be overflowing into the overflow chamber and going through the ceramic media sock for filtration, then through the carbon media, then through the sponge (similar in theory to a sump/skimmer setup). So I have my sponge at the bottom of the chamber, the chemi-pure sock on top of it, and then the ball sock on top of that. The water then exits out the overflow chamber at the bottom, comes over the barrier, down to the bottom again, and into the return chamber. The only thing I have in the middle chamber with the barrier is my heater. I think the main function of the sponge is to filter out smaller particles and keep air bubbles down. Having the balls after the sponge may introduce bubbles from the disturbed flow, and I don't think you'd get much filtration effectiveness from them...the sponge would just clog up with the larger particles that the balls would normally take care of. At least that's how I see things with my limited understanding. I could be off-base, and if I am, someone please correct me, but this makes sense in my head somehow. The sponge may goop up quicker the way you have it setup, which might reduce flow and filtration effectiveness. I'd try the way I've got mine setup and see if it makes a difference. If you keep religiously to a weekly water change of 1-2g, then you can probably get away with the bioload you have. If you have doubts about it, its probably safer to move the Mandarin...they'd probably like the bigger tank anyway. Unfortunately there are no real mods for the Aquapod 12g, with perhaps the exception of putting in a 5w UV filter. I'm looking into this, but not sure how much of a difference it would make in such a small tank with frequent water changes for the money I'd spend on it. Mike.

Don't get me wrong, the vortechs look nice, and I'll probably end up getting one whenever I upgrade to a larger tank, but for a 12g, as nice as it would be to have adjustable flow, it doesn't make a lot of sense to pay over a hundred bucks for a PH for that kind of setup. Unless you've got cash to burn, but then you'd probably not have a 12g. Mike.

I'm running an Aquapod 12 as well. I ran one a couple years ago and re-started it, and my lessons learned are: - Use a filter sponge (like Aquaclear 70) - Put a half-size unit of Chemi-Pure on top of the sponge - Put a bag of Aquaclear filter balls (fluval-looking rocks) on top of that Those go in the overflow chamber. For best results, put a sheet of plastic or something down in that chamber to block the bottom two intake vents to get more flow from the overflow as opposed to mid- and bottom-tank water. - Water changes, water changes, water changes! Once a week, 1 to 2 gallons. You can get away with no skimmer by doing weekly water changes of one to two gallons, and rinsing the sponge and ball bag (ball sack? lol). Replace the Chemi-Pure once a month. When I had the tank going two years ago, I was doing water changes every two weeks, and not rinsing the media. I am FAR FAR happier this time around now that I'm keeping to a weekly regimen and maintaining the filter media. There really aren't any good mods for the Aquapod 12. Your bio-load may be a little too heavy for such a small tank. I think I'm pretty much at the limit, and I've got two clowns and a scooter. You may want to move one of your fish (probably the mandarin) to your 55g.

Good lord, a vortech mp10es is way overkill for the $$ for a BC14! I've got an Aquapod 12g, very similar to the BC14 and have a MJ900 as the return pump as well. The corals themselves you're keeping I think are ok with just that, but for overall health of the tank I do think additional flow is needed. Originally I tried the MJ600 has my additional PH and felt it had too much footprint for the tank, and not enough flow to keep the algae down. I ended up going with the Koralia Nano 425gph. The challenge is to find the right flow pattern. My tank is doing better with the Nano. Mike.

I swung by there on Thursday and the place has some real potential when the back is opened up. They said anything you can find on marines depot they can get.you for the same price if.they don't have it in stock. I'd verify that before taking my word for it though. From what I could tell, dry good prices were competitive with other stores in the area (brk, marine scene, centreville, etc). Mike.

Thanks for the responses... I have a skimmer for the 29g so should be good with the nitrates. And if i'm not mistaken I can use one of the chambers as a fuge if needed. I heard rumour that the Nova Extreme Pro had been discontinued...is there any potential for parts/bulb replacement issues? Does anyone know if there is a part number for the glass hood for the BC29 HQI model? If I do go with a T5 or any other fixture, I'd like to close off the top of the tank. Mike.

I have a BioCube 29g and am thinking about upgrading to a T5 fixture from the stock PC hood. Unless someone knows of a retro T5 kit...one that doesn't involve cutting the existing hood. I briefly looked into the nanotuner led upgrade kit and...well, $575 is not in my budget. I would like to keep SPS, maybe a clam?, but for sure delve into the SPS realm. Would the 20" 6x18w T5 from Current do the job, or should I be looking for another solution? Mike.

Maybe he's a Tide fan. Could be he treated the tap water with some of that stuff that makes it safe for aquariums. There is a BioSpira product out there that will artificially complete the cycle in a 24-48h period...it could be he's using some of that, or doing something he's not telling you about. I agree though, if he isn't doing anything other than what you describe, its amazing the fish are happy. Mike.

So I keep seeing references for both corals and fish, and I guess even inverts for that matter, that they should be fed 1-3 times a day. Now, I know over-feeding is often a problem. Personally, I target-feed my corals once every two days, and when I had fish (picking some up this weekend for my new tank) I'd feed them on the days I didn't feed the corals. Is that bad, given these recommendations I'm seeing for feeding them 1-3 times daily? I would think this exacerbates the over-feeding problem, especially with new reefkeepers. Looking for some guidance on this, thanks! Mike.

Decided to hike my skirt up and show it who the boss was and finally got the hose connected to the return socket. It is sad how good that one small victory felt. At least I should now be able to get everything working by the weekend to start cycling! Is it possible to cycle a new tank with no lighting for a few days other than ambient light? Mike.

Had some time today after working overnight to hit some of the LFS' for parts and managed to scrounge up most of what I think I need. Got an order in for the fans from Marine Scene and they should be in next week, but I can get by until then. I've decided to just go with the stock replacement stuff instead. Saves a lot of headache. If I feel the need to go beyond its capabilities, I'll get another tank. Now my problem is with the replacement pump... I picked up a MJ900 and a replacement 1/2" hose to connect it to the return bulkhead, but darned if my ham hands can't maneuver in that return chamber! I'm also worried the hose is too soft and at that sharp an angle might crimp and cut circulation. Wondering if I should find a 1/2" 90degree grommet to connect two pieces of hose to to ensure there isn't a flow restriction. At least that way I can probably leverage the hose into the bulkhead socket. If anyone with small hands is in the Centreville area and wants to help me out... Kidding. Sort of. Hopefully can get all the hardware together and working by the weekend so I can load up with rock and water and start the cycle. Mike.

The Nano-Cube isn't the same as the Aquapod is it? If Nano-Cube/Aquapod/BioCube are all more or less interchangeable at the 12g-14g models, I wonder if the Biocube nanocustom kit would fit in the Aquapod 12g hood? I think that kit's about $90 and gives me an extra PC pair, bumping it from 54w to 72w. Not sure since I think it has an extra fan so probably wouldn't work. I think I can find the parts online, but was kinda hoping someone may have one laying around or have alternate solutions. If the shape wasn't curved, I'd probably take a stab at making my own hood/canopy. Mike.

Howdy...I have an Aquapod 12g tank that crashed a year or two ago and since then haven't done much with it. Just cleaned up the room it was in and thought it could use an aquarium again, so decided to get it back up and running. I've just finished cleaning up the tank and I'm noticing that the parts under the hood aren't in the best shape. Unfortunately it doesn't appear as though there's any retrofit kit for it like there is for the Biocube 14g. The heat shield appears to be a little rusted in areas, the fans are both very noisy and likely on their last legs, and I need new bulbs. Really wish there was a nanotuner kit for this. lol The stock ballast I assume is in good shape since everything powers on. Assuming I need to replace the fans, obviously the bulbs. Can you get replacement shields? Does anyone have these parts, or has anyone messed with improvements to the Aquapod 12g hood? Would love to hear from you. Mike.

Are there any other sand-sifting options out there that'll churn up the sand without the feeding requirements?

My 10g I think is pretty packed with livestock. Probably about 15 or more pieces of coral (80% frags), and a false perc and a yellow-tailed blue damsel. Also a skunk shrimp. Have 2 turbos, 2 reg-legged crabs, 2 blue-legged crabs, a couple of astrea and four other snails that I bought but can only ever find one or two of...have a feeling two have died. Anyway, a couple of the snails were supposed to be sand guys anyway, and I've recently noticed baby snails all over the place from these absentees, which is fine. But I don't think I'm getting as much sand oxygenation as I'd like. I'm wondering if the bioload in the tank is too much for a scooter blenny (there are places to hide), or if the benefit would actually outweigh the risk? I've got some hard-to-get-to places where I'd like to vacuum during water changes, but because rocks are in the way, I can't. I'm hoping the blenny might churn some stuff up into the water column that it'll get sucked out of the tank. Nitrates are getting up there and I really don't think vacuuming the same spots every week or two will make much of a difference in the long run if there's still a mass of nitrate-producing gunk under the surface.

I was having a coughing fit and this post came out. Who knew? :wink:

Well, I've been slowly managing to get some pieces put together for the new system, so I figure now is about as good a time as any to start my build thread. The tank I'm using and the size, is subject to change since I haven't drilled the holes in it yet. If the tank shatters, I may go with a bigger one. :wink: Stuff in red I haven't procured yet...all in due time. The Tank 55g freebie ~ 15years old 2 overflow holes and 2 return holes (may only use one of each...we'll see) 60lbs of Liverock 20lbs of crushed coral or sand, haven't decided DIY stand and hood The Gear 20g sump w/makeshift refugium MAG 7 return Red Sea Skimmer (200g rating) Rio pump to drive Skimmer Koralia 4 PH MaxiJet 1200 PH Heater 4x54W 48" Tek T5 kit Fishies 2 x Clarkii's 2 x Pyjama or Bangghai Cardinals 3 x Catalina Goby's 1 x Tomini Tang 1 x Wrasse of some sort 1 x Velvet Damsel - debating this...heard horror stories but darn he looks awesome Corals Mostly softies and LPS with a bunch of zoos and palys Couple of leathers Hammer coral Clove polyp Shrooms So that's the plan anyway. I still need to drill the tank, so once that is successful, I'll start in on building the stand...no point building the stand if I shatter it and go with a bigger one. After the stand is built, time to soak the tank and check for leaks. Assuming all that works out, plumb the sump and return and test it out, then get the hood built. Once everything checks out, time to load the rocks, sand, fill'er up, and turn it on. Hopefully I'll have pics of the process along the way. Got family in town until mid-july so I'm aiming for an August live date. The fish will come later. Might try drilling the holes this weekend and painting the back.

If it is flatworms, I believe I've heard that sixlines will eat them. A little safer than flatwormexit or interceptor. That would be my first option before going to something that has a possibility of harming the tank. Worst case, it doesn't work and back to plan A, and you have a new fishie!

I was looking at those last night...they're about $20-30 more than the one you have to assemble. Not bad. I may actually opt for these, though the 4x48" I was originally looking at actually comes with the bulbs for around $300. Decisions...