12g AquaPod Mod....

[macperry]

I have had my tank for about 8mos, and one of the problems I have had with it was way too low water flow...lots of dead spots. I finally did the stock pump swap to a MaxiJet 900 and put a HydorFlo deflector on it. This definitely helped, but I was still not quite happy with the randomness of the flow. I tried adding a MiniJet 606 in the left rear corner of the tank and that helped wuite a bit. So....today I decided to sink the MiniJet in the overflow compartment, used the old Locline, ran it up from the pump, broke one of the teeth out of the overflow grate, curved the Locline up between the space left by the missing tooth, put the duckbill back on the end, and bingo.....wat more flow, with a nice clean look! My next step will be to replace the duckbill with another HydorFlo that I just ordered. Now if I could just find a good skimmer to go in compartment #2 or #3....I might be able to actually get my Nitrates below 50...)

 

[macperry]

Bump: What.....nobody with a 12g Nano out there?

 

[reef2]

thats not the problem they just dont make a good skimmer that small the ones out there r junk.

 

[macperry]

I figured it was 2 seperate problems....not enough flow...which I think I fixed, and finding a good skimmer. Just got done speaking with Kyle at Sapphire Aquatics, and he will be sending me a prototype for my 12g AP. All the others he made for the 24g AP, the JBJ's, and the nano Cubes got great reviews.

 

[sjm1978]

here is a good skimmer you can get http://www.sapphireaquatics.com/sto...s_id=2&zenid=bc345a0d0c6bdb1713e4aaedcfd8661f its for the nanocube 12g but many people have used them on there aquapod 12g's. i just ordered the AP24g skimmer for my 24g aquapod. my tank is topless but i didnt want to get a hob skimmer that made splashing noise this skimmers water return is underwater so it makes it quiet. here is a link that talks about the skimmers http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=97104

 

[sjm1978]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8874113#post8874113 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by macperry
I figured it was 2 seperate problems....not enough flow...which I think I fixed, and finding a good skimmer. Just got done speaking with Kyle at Sapphire Aquatics, and he will be sending me a prototype for my 12g AP. All the others he made for the 24g AP, the JBJ's, and the nano Cubes got great reviews.

cool i guess i was late on my post above.

 

[reef2]

i forgot all about them and yes everything i have heard about them is good

 

[Eskie]

i just ordered the AP24g skimmer for my G aquapod. my tank is topless but i didn't want to get a hob skimmer that made splashing noise this skimmers water return is underwater so it makes it quiet.

One issue to be aware of is that you'll need to keep the water level in the rear chambers fairly low for the Sapphire skimmer. Kyle recommends a level about where the second slit is in the wall between the first and second chambers. See his drawing towards the bottom of this link http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=97104&st=260 This does result in a pretty noticeable waterfall sound although I imagine if you build up and around the skimmer and the overflow with floss or a bit of foam it would limit the splash.

 

[macperry]

Thanks for the info everyone. Anyone actually using one of Kyles skimmers on their AP 12g that was meant for some other model tank? If so...how well does it work? Also....has anyone tried the second pump mod that I explained earlier in this thread? I would like to hear about any and all mods done on the AP 12g. Thanks again...Perry

 

[macperry]

Bump.....Come on you guys....somebody has to be using one of the Sapphire skimmers in a 12g AquaPod. Let's hear about it and any other good mods.

 

[saltycreefer]

How about a water change to drop your nitrates? I use Nutrisea water on my nano and change 50% every 2 weeks. Water quality couldn't be better.

 

[macperry]

saltycreefer: I do a 10% water change every week with LFS salt water. Tested every batch myself....0 NO3 in every batch. I find if I do a larger water change than that in such a small tank, it throws my parameters off.

 

[mynd]

Use the Prizm skimmer not the pro version but just the normal one or the deluxe. It fits well on the back of the aquapod as long as you remove the lid and use the 70 or 150w HQI.

CD-14412 Prizm Deluxe, Up to 100 $89.99

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...ll&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1

Works really well.... I got one myself.

 

[saltman123]

I would be interested to see some pics!!!!!

I have the 12 gallon aquapod with the maxijet 900 and I definitely have some dead spots I need to get rid of.

 

[mynd]

I am unsure how you would keep the water levels low in any chamber they basically stay at the same level in every single chamber in order to lower the level you would have to have only half the water in your tank.

If I am mistaken or there the water levels are not the same in each chamber please tell me.

 

[saltman123]

My water runs a little different in each. Chamber one is always very full, the second is also, but the 3rd and 4th chamber get much lower as the weeks pass, the filter floss gets older, and evaporation occurs.

I do have my vents all blocked to restrict water and force it to pour over the top so that could be some of the reasoning.