JBJ 28 Gallon Nano Owners Club

[BarryRey]

Just now getting my NC 28 HQI going. Was out of the hobby for about three years. Doing a leak test right now, will have to wait until after the holidays to set it up in the house, Christmas tree in the way.

I did upgrade to the MJ1200's. Even though they are not rated that much different, they definitely have more flow than the stock pumps. I also got the media basket upgrade from InTanks along with going with the JBJ Nano Glo. I have attached some pictures just so you can see how much of a difference the InTanks basket is. The Glo light will only work by putting the magnet in the skimmer chamber.

Once I get it in the house, I will start a build thread. Thanks for all the amount of info on this thread alone.

Sahin - Probably a dumb question but in when you put the fans in the hood, are they blowing are towards the water or up into the canopy?

 

[mjg1961]

I switched to the maxi-jet 1200's running about 2 weeks ago. Although there was a significant increase in circulation, the pump chamber is constantly running low on water (tank is full to the rim) and the pumps start sucking air. I took the pumps off the wavemaker and ran both constantly to see if that cured the problem. Still a problem with pumps sucking in air and filling tank with micro bubbles though. When the pumps kick on, you can see the water level drop in the pump chamber down to about 3-4 inches of water and the sucking noise begins. The flow is so strong through overflow in the center with the both pumps on constantly that the water is pouring over the media basket. I switched back to the stock pumps until I can figure out what is going on. Anybody have a similar experience or have suggestions?

 

[Western_reefer]

I switched to the maxi-jet 1200's running about 2 weeks ago. Although there was a significant increase in circulation, the pump chamber is constantly running low on water (tank is full to the rim) and the pumps start sucking air. I took the pumps off the wavemaker and ran both constantly to see if that cured the problem. Still a problem with pumps sucking in air and filling tank with micro bubbles though. When the pumps kick on, you can see the water level drop in the pump chamber down to about 3-4 inches of water and the sucking noise begins. The flow is so strong through overflow in the center with the both pumps on constantly that the water is pouring over the media basket. I switched back to the stock pumps until I can figure out what is going on. Anybody have a similar experience or have suggestions?

The pumps are too strong? Maybe try a pair of maxijet 900's? Pretty much the same GPH and it uses 8.5 watts each or so instead of 16 watts each like the stock pumps.

 

[mjg1961]

Yeah, I find it hard to believe that they are too strong for the JBJ28 since so many people have recommended the change. It certainly gives me much more circulation than the Accela stock pumps which I like, but I just can't figure out why I am having the issues I am having. I already bought these two new pumps and would like to use them if there is a modification that would maintain the increased flow without the other problems.

 

[BarryRey]

Do you have the stock media basket. It will be interesting to see if my upgraded one makes a difference in the flow through the chambers.

 

[mjg1961]

You know, that is the first thing I thought about when I saw the water flowing over the stock media basket. I think the basket from In-Tank would certainly solve that problem but not my issue with the 1200 pumps. Even with the stock basket, the water is flowing through the center chamber so I am assuming that won't cure my bigger problem. Thinking of changing to the bigger basket anyway. Not sure why the stock one is so small anyway.

 

[Western_reefer]

Yeah, I find it hard to believe that they are too strong for the JBJ28 since so many people have recommended the change. It certainly gives me much more circulation than the Accela stock pumps which I like, but I just can't figure out why I am having the issues I am having. I already bought these two new pumps and would like to use them if there is a modification that would maintain the increased flow without the other problems.

Are the pumps hooked up to a wave maker?

 

[mjg1961]

They were originally when I first noticed the problem (I changed out the stock wavemaker to a Red Sea Wavemaster Pro I already had). I took the pumps off the wavemaker and the problem persisted (it was actually worse).

 

[Western_reefer]

They were originally when I first noticed the problem (I changed out the stock wavemaker to a Red Sea Wavemaster Pro I already had). I took the pumps off the wavemaker and the problem persisted (it was actually worse).

So, when both pumps turn on, the water lvl drops in the back pump chambers?

 

[sahin]

The pumps are too strong? Maybe try a pair of maxijet 900's? Pretty much the same GPH and it uses 8.5 watts each or so instead of 16 watts each like the stock pumps.

Moses is correct. The two pumps are too strong for the tiny overflow in the centre. Either knock out a few teeth or use the suggested pumps. I knocked out a few teeth. That increased the flow.:hammer:

 

[mjg1961]

Yes. When I turn both pumps on you can see the water level in the pump chamber drop significantly to about 2-3 inches above the pumps and a "cyclone" begins to form at the pump intakes and the air starts being circulated into the tank. The flow is so strong at the overflow with both pumps running simultaneously that the "waterfall" gets quite loud. It's almost like the screen for the overflow is too small to allow a sufficient amount of water through the center chamber to keep up with the pumps?

 

[mjg1961]

Sahin,
I did not see your post before I replied to Western Reefer. So you had the same problem and widening the overflow screen solved it?

 

[Western_reefer]

Yes. When I turn both pumps on you can see the water level in the pump chamber drop significantly to about 2-3 inches above the pumps and a "cyclone" begins to form at the pump intakes and the air starts being circulated into the tank. The flow is so strong at the overflow with both pumps running simultaneously that the "waterfall" gets quite loud. It's almost like the screen for the overflow is too small to allow a sufficient amount of water through the center chamber to keep up with the pumps?

Hmm... Try turning both pumps on, let the water lvl drop in the back, and add saltwater until the back chambers water lvl rises? Or will the main DT overflow?

 

[mjg1961]

I tried what you suggested as soon as I noticed the problem also. The DT started to overflow. I think Sahin is correct, the slots in the center overflow are not large enough (or there is not enough slots) to support both pumps running at once. I wonder does the stock wavemaker alternate the pumps (only one runs at a time)? That may be why some people have success with the 1200's since only one is running at a time. With the Red Sea wavemaker, there are times when both are running simultaneously. Maybe we're getting somewhere!

 

[Western_reefer]

I tried what you suggested as soon as I noticed the problem also. The DT started to overflow. I think Sahin is correct, the slots in the center overflow are not large enough (or there is not enough slots) to support both pumps running at once. I wonder does the stock wavemaker alternate the pumps (only one runs at a time)? That may be why some people have success with the 1200's since only one is running at a time. With the Red Sea wavemaker, there are times when both are running simultaneously. Maybe we're getting somewhere!

Ah, okay. Then yeah, the overflow is too small. You need to knock out a few teeth. But knock out 1 tooth at a time as not to knock out too many then the water lvl will be too low in the DT. lol

 

[mjg1961]

Just looked at the overflow. If I start taking out teeth, the openings are large enough for some little critters (snails, hermits, etc.) to get in. It's always something! I have to think about whether its not best just to stay with the stock pumps or maybe go back to the stock wavemaker. Decisions Decisions! Thanks to everyone that joined in to help me talk this through. It's been very helpful.

 

[Western_reefer]

Just looked at the overflow. If I start taking out teeth, the openings are large enough for some little critters (snails, hermits, etc.) to get in. It's always something! I have to think about whether its not best just to stay with the stock pumps or maybe go back to the stock wavemaker. Decisions Decisions! Thanks to everyone that joined in to help me talk this through. It's been very helpful.

That sucks. lol Can you return the maxijets 1200s and just downgrade to maxijet 900's? maxijet 900's are better anyways, pretty much same GPH but it uses 8.5 watts instead of 16 watts like the stock pumps. You'll save on electricity.

 

[mjg1961]

Unless the information on the Marine Depot website is wrong, there appears to be a significant difference in flow between the 1200's and 900's:

MP900 120V/60Hz 8.5W 230gph
MP1200 120V/60Hz 20W 295gph

The stock Accela pumps are rated at 266gph which is 36gph higher than the maxi 600's. The 1200's are 29gph higher than the stock pumps and 65gph higher than the maxi 600's.

 

[Western_reefer]

I meant there isn't much difference in GPH between the original stock pumps that came with the nano. 36 GPH isn't a whole lot less lol, but it does use a lot less electricity.

 

[mjg1961]

Oh. Sorry. I will tell you I was shocked at how much more circulation I got out of the 29gph difference between the stock pumps and the 1200's. I got other problems for that 29gph increase though!