Aqueon Modular ProFlex Sump Filtration

[BigRedNole]

Thanks for the skimmer info. My external skimmer is still leaking and I am done trying to fix it. Even if I got it fixed, I would be dealing with the noise from the recirculating pump. I need to find a skimmer that can fit the 13"x8" third chamber and still have the return pump. I may have to re-plumb the return.

I am looking at the following simply because of the footprints...

AquaC EV 120
Super Reef Octopus XP1000ss
Bubble Magus BM-NAC7
Reef Octopus XS160
SWC Xtreme 160

If anyone has a recommendation, please make one. Right now, I am leaning towards the SRO XP1000ss

 

[lacosta28]

Ya thats pretty snug. not much room to add like a heater? Have you noticed a change in water level in the 3rd chamber since the space is so crowded and has this effected the skimmer in any way?

There is 2 inches or more of room behind the skimmer. So you could fit a heater in there if it fit from left to right (the blue foam wall to the other wall). My heater wouldn't have fit in there even if there wasn't anything in that section.

After putting the skimmer in it raised the water level about 3/4 of an inch. I did have to watch things for a few days to get the right level of water so the skimmer was effecient yet it wouldn't overflow in case of a power outage. I also used to top off a cup a day and not its almost 2 cups a day. Not sure if that is due to the skimmer or the slight in crease in temperature this time of year.

I don't think the tight fit has had any effect on the skimmer's performance. When looking in from the side there is plenty of room between the actual skimmer pump and the return pump. It's just the big red casing that makes it a tight fit. The pump itself is centered between that and is sort of small. Also if you notice there is dark stuff in the collection cup. I cleaned it the day before I took the picture and it already has this much. I also don't have any fish yet in the DT, only a small CUC.

 

[MrGoodbar]

Thanks for the skimmer info. My external skimmer is still leaking and I am done trying to fix it. Even if I got it fixed, I would be dealing with the noise from the recirculating pump. I need to find a skimmer that can fit the 13"x8" third chamber and still have the return pump. I may have to re-plumb the return.

I am looking at the following simply because of the footprints...

AquaC EV 120
Super Reef Octopus XP1000ss
Bubble Magus BM-NAC7
Reef Octopus XS160
SWC Xtreme 160

If anyone has a recommendation, please make one. Right now, I am leaning towards the SRO XP1000ss

I dont have a skimmer yet but from all the research i have done for the proflex it seems most people are going with the aquac or reef 160. I am going to be going with the 160 in a group order from brs.

 

[MrGoodbar]

Is there a particular refugium light that goes with it?

 

[lacosta28]

I bought this one and it fits perfect on there. http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=coralife+lights&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&prmd=ivns&biw=1345&bih=539&bav=on.1,or.&wrapid=tlif129878705731210&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=14162240249446460415&sa=X&ei=8OppTcDyDoqcsQOr0OmmBA&ved=0CGkQ8gIwAg#

You could probably find something a little cheaper and you don't need anything big. The window on top is pretty small.

 

[MrGoodbar]

Thanks i wish i could remember when i was reading another thread someone talked about purchases the optional light and i cant find anything in particular that is for the proflex. I dont need anything fancy.

 

[BigRedNole]

I dont have a skimmer yet but from all the research i have done for the proflex it seems most people are going with the aquac or reef 160. I am going to be going with the 160 in a group order from brs.

thank you for the information. Since the RO 160 fits and I can see it in the pics, that is probably the route I will go. I may need to completely re-plumb the return though. It is PVC and probably will not fit the way I have it now.

 

[jimrawr]

Can someone tell me what they do to prevent micro bubbles returning into the DT? I have my SWC 180 right near my Mag 9 return pump, and I have SO many micro bubbles returning into the DT.

Not sure what exactly I can do to prevent this on this sump where the skimmer goes into the last chamber :/

 

[MrGoodbar]

Can someone tell me what they do to prevent micro bubbles returning into the DT? I have my SWC 180 right near my Mag 9 return pump, and I have SO many micro bubbles returning into the DT.

Not sure what exactly I can do to prevent this on this sump where the skimmer goes into the last chamber :/

How old is your skimmer? It might not be broken in yet takes a little bit. Do you have the skimmer return over top the blue sponge? A picture of how you have it set up would help a lot.

 

[jimrawr]

Its a new skimmer but it should be broken in by now. I think its been up and running around 3 weeks now minimum.. I dont have the blue sponge on the output as there really isnt room for it. Ill try to post pics in the morning

 

[jimrawr]

oops just realized I do already have a pic

 

[lacosta28]

Hi Jimrawr. I have the same sump[ as you except I have a reef octopus xs 160. I posted pictures of my setup previously in this post. I also had a micro bubble problem and I had to modify the outlet of the water to drain where the blue sponge is. You can do this with some PVC elbows.

I also noticed your water level seems a bit high. Do you know what the recommended water level is for your skimmer? Also have you cut the power to the skimmer and return pump to ensure you don't have an overflow problem in your sump with your water level? My water level isn't nearly that high in the last chamber and when I cut the power I get pretty close to the top. This may also be the reason you have a micro bubble issue.

 

[MrGoodbar]

I agree 100% with lacosta28. Your skimmer is recommended to be in 7-8 inches of water. The sponge inbetween the 2nd and third chamber is to break the micro bubbles so your mag doesnt just suck them back up to your tank. Also i have heard of skimmers taking a while to break in it could take it up to a month most break in a week or so, so i would guess just need to adjust your water level and add pvc and you should notice a significant reduction in micro bubbles. Lacosta28 said in a post just above his pvc cost about 6$

 

[jimrawr]

Oops that picture was taken while I was doing a power outage test and the return pump was turned off to see if the sump would over flow. You can see in the picture where the ATO unit is and the normal water height in the sump. I thought about putting an elbow on the skimmer but heres the problems

1. If I raise the skimmer, and then put an elbow on it to flow into that chamber with the sponge, then the skimmer will only be in about 4 inches of water or so.
2. If I add an 90 degree elbow going up, then across, then down, there will be some head pressure on the skimmer and I am assuming it would effect its functionality?

What do you think?

 

[Mr.Maska]

i have the proflex 4, i gotta say i hate this sump. cant control the refug water speed really
My skimmer can barely fit in the skimmer area(my fault). Maybe the smaller models work out better but for me and my setup id wish for something else. thats why im doing a diy one.

 

[lacosta28]

Oops that picture was taken while I was doing a power outage test and the return pump was turned off to see if the sump would over flow. You can see in the picture where the ATO unit is and the normal water height in the sump. I thought about putting an elbow on the skimmer but heres the problems

1. If I raise the skimmer, and then put an elbow on it to flow into that chamber with the sponge, then the skimmer will only be in about 4 inches of water or so.
2. If I add an 90 degree elbow going up, then across, then down, there will be some head pressure on the skimmer and I am assuming it would effect its functionality?

What do you think?

It's hard to tell where the outlet is on that skimmer. I don't think you should raise the skimmer since that will change the water depth it is in. Try changing things around. Move the skimmer and the pump to where you can add some pvc without having to make it go up. I didn't have to do this on mine but you make a very good point on effecting the pressure. Maybe it doesn't though? I am sure someone else on this forum could answer that for us.

 

[dannytom99]

Hey, Jimrawr, that skimmer looks like a very tight fit. If anything try moving that skimmer around so that you can find a better fit. I had the same problem with a mag 7 and a reef octo 160, then changed to a sicce 3.0 and that gave me more room in that third chamber. also, ato is a must to keep the water constant in that third chamber.

 

[jimrawr]

It's hard to tell where the outlet is on that skimmer. I don't think you should raise the skimmer since that will change the water depth it is in. Try changing things around. Move the skimmer and the pump to where you can add some pvc without having to make it go up. I didn't have to do this on mine but you make a very good point on effecting the pressure. Maybe it doesn't though? I am sure someone else on this forum could answer that for us.

Yeah you cant see the outlet of the skimmer as its facing the back side of the sump. This way the bubbles at least have to circle around before being pulled into the return pump. Its basically where you see the ATO unit, behind that but lower.

There really isnt any room that skimmer fits very snug in there. I can move the skimmer but either way I will need to raise the outlet level because the baffle is higher than the outlet of the skimmer. That's why I am concerned about the head pressure. Ill try to flip it around tonight so you guys can see what im talking about. But the only way to get the outlet into that baffle is to raise the skimmer or put a 90 elbow going up, then over, then down.

 

[MrGoodbar]

Yeah you cant see the outlet of the skimmer as its facing the back side of the sump. This way the bubbles at least have to circle around before being pulled into the return pump. Its basically where you see the ATO unit, behind that but lower.

There really isnt any room that skimmer fits very snug in there. I can move the skimmer but either way I will need to raise the outlet level because the baffle is higher than the outlet of the skimmer. That's why I am concerned about the head pressure. Ill try to flip it around tonight so you guys can see what im talking about. But the only way to get the outlet into that baffle is to raise the skimmer or put a 90 elbow going up, then over, then down.

I see what your saying. I believe you would have resistance and the skimmer wouldn't work as well if you were to put a 90 raising the outlet. You might be able to purchase a sponge that you could put by your outtake. You might be able to drill in the side of the panel above the blue sponge so you wouldnt have to raise the outtake and have a straight pvc drain right above the sponge.

 

[PhoenixOne]

Oops that picture was taken while I was doing a power outage test and the return pump was turned off to see if the sump would over flow. You can see in the picture where the ATO unit is and the normal water height in the sump.

The return pump was turned off but I see the skimmer was still powered. In a power outage, your skimmer will empty out about halfway and most likely cause an overflow. Better do a total power outage test (kill power on everything..except lights of course) and see where you would be at just to be safe. I have the Proflex 3 and I too have a problem with space in the sump. I have 2 small pumps, one for GFO reactor and the other a UV sterilizer, ASM G1 skimmer and one RIO return pump and I can't fit anything else in there if I needed too.