24 gal. Aquapod Filtering

[LaFishLover]

I am trying to use my 24 gallon Aquapod just as I bought it with all the stock equipment as my budget is tighter than others I guess. My questions are. Do I use the bioballs, and if so do I place them under the sponge filter or to the left side? On my sponge filter, how far below the skimming teeth do I place the filter? The Aquapod has little plates that seem to be removable. Should I remove them, some of them, or all of them? I have my water churning on the surface so I seem to have no scum floating on the surface.

 

[cperez155]

I would remove the bioballs and sponge as they will become nitrate factories after a while.

 

[smy168]

I use LR rubble in both compartments in a net bag (for easier cleaning) and I cut the stock sponge into 2 smaller squares and placed them in the bottom part of compartment 2.

I also place a maxijet 400 mid-level in compartment 1 for some water movement before it hits compartment 2. and nothing else.

 

[LaFishLover]

Ok lets see if I understand. Take both of the big sponges out of my tank or cut one in two pieces in 1/2 and place side by side or on top of each other leaving in space vacant. Should I remove the plastic doors civering the slots? What is a maxi jet 400 mid level?

 

[smy168]

I would leave the slots as they are, and the mid level maxi is becaue I wanted some additional movement in the filter compartment 1 since I'm using LR as filtration.

It's a little confusing so let me explain a little more.

Compartment 1: liverock rubble in a net bag, a powerhead for extra water movement.

Compartment 2: stock sponge cut in half and the in quarters, placed on the bottom of comparment 2 against the dividing wall, liverock rubble in a net bag, maxijet 900 in place of the stock pump for return.

Display Tank: Hydor Rotating Deflector on return, Epik 300 Thermo powerhead for temp and additional water movement, maxijet 600 for water movement in tank.

Steven

 

[LaFishLover]

Aw man. I was in hopes I could use as much stock equipment as I could.

 

[ezcompany]

u can keep the sponges if you rinse them out weekly in hot water.
the blue sponges i mean.
i prefer not to add live rock rubble in the back, as it creates detritus and will dirty the area. i fit a CSS 65 back there though, works like a charm.
definitely change the stock pump though!

 

[smy168]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7436559#post7436559 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LaFishLover
Aw man. I was in hopes I could use as much stock equipment as I could.

Here's my problem with the stock pump, uses way too much power and generates alot of heat and one issue you'll have with these nano systems is heat. I use the liverock rubble in the filtration but I place them in a net bag for easier cleaning, the extra maxijet in the first compartment let's me keep a nice amount of water movement so there wouldn't be much det. build up.

you're probably going to have to spend a little extra to get it functioning the way you want but most of the add-ons are small things that would keep your budget down to about an extra 70 bucks.

By the way, i don't use a skimmer, I do weekly 5 gallon water changes to keep my water quality right. I go to my LFS and pay a dollar a gallon.

good luck

 

[ezcompany]

a dollar a gallon? **gasp**
i buy my own salt and pay 20cents a gallon for RO water.

but yeah, definitely replace the stock pump.

 

[smy168]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7437103#post7437103 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ezcompany
a dollar a gallon? **gasp**
i buy my own salt and pay 20cents a gallon for RO water.

but yeah, definitely replace the stock pump.

haha, yeah, i'm a little lazy and the LFS is a good source of good water so I figured, "why not".

Do you have any pics of your system? Share, i have pics of my systems in my gallery but always interested in seeing what other enthusiasts are building.

 

[LaFishLover]

Thanks folks. Which pump is best to replace my stock pump and which maxi jet for compartment #1?

 

[ezcompany]

all my posts are during work hours at the office
i'll post pics of my AP24 soon!

 

[smy168]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7441377#post7441377 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LaFishLover
Thanks folks. Which pump is best to replace my stock pump and which maxi jet for compartment #1?

I'm partial to maxijets because hey run cooler than most powerheads and consume less wattage. But understand that what works for me doesn't mean it'll work for anyone else. what I use is the 400 in the filtration, 900 for return and 600 in display tank. I use a thero powerhead heater instead of a basic heater for mor water movement in the tank as well.

 

[LaFishLover]

OK, now my tank is already up and running. Adding all of this other equipment, will I have to drill any holes. If so how is it done with water and LR in it?