moving from a 180 to a 24!

[springerhd]

Thanks for the measurements and the details! Maybe the tunze will fit in the 24 but not the 12? Guess I'll have to see when it shows up.

What are your plans for filtration?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6629068#post6629068 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by m1a1fan
Here are a few more pics and dimensions of the chambers. The Tunze DOC will not fit unless you modify two of the chambers (eliminate a baffle). The dimensions are below...

Overflow Chamber LXWXD

4 1/8 X 3 X 9

2nd Chamber

3 5/8 X 3 X 9

3rd Chamber

4 X 3 X 9

4th Chamber contains the return pump

3 5/8 X 3 X 12 1/2

 

[ASpec]

Thanks for the measurements and the details! Maybe the tunze will fit in the 24 but not the 12? Guess I'll have to see when it shows up.

I will get you measurements on the 24 gallon later this week when mine arrives. Should have the info no later than Friday for you. I'm keeping my fingers crossed the Tunze will fit... looks like an awesome skimmer.

 

[m1a1fan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6630341#post6630341 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ktkreegs
m1a1fan...i'm not familiar with these tanks. How does the water flow thru the chambers. Like over or under or is there holes in the chambers?
******
Overflow Chamber LXWXD

4 1/8 X 3 X 9

2nd Chamber

3 5/8 X 3 X 9

3rd Chamber

4 X 3 X 9

4th Chamber contains the return pump

3 5/8 X 3 X 12 1/2
*******

The water flows over and under.

Water enters the overflow in chamber one and flows down and enters chamber two at the bottom. It then flows upward through chamber two, over a baffle, and into the top of chamber three. Once again, water flows downward and enters chamber four at the bottom which is the return pump chamber.

 

[m1a1fan]

I started the "Fuge Mod" on my 12 gallon pod. I cut and removed the black backing sticker that is behind chamber two.

I ordered an Azoo Palm Light from Foster & Smith today to light the fuge. I've read about this mod here on RC and Nano-Reef and it seems like it's worthwhile. The palm light is 5W at 6700K.

Thanks for the info on the mod and light steelhealr


Chamber three will house live rock rubble and my heater.

The return pump on the 12 pod is rated at 160GPH and there is a pic below.

Oh ya, I'm not trying to hijack your thread springerhd Just thought I'd post pics as I go along.

 

[springerhd]

ASpec - thanks for offering to make measurements. That tunze seems like the best shot for a good skimmer that can be contained within the built-in filtration system. Fingers are crossed for both of us!

Thinking skimmer in chamber 2, LR rubble in 3 to break up the bubbles from the skimmer, maybe some chaeto in there also. Auto-top off could probably go in chamber 4 if the water level is shallow enough, and maybe the heater in chamber 1. Its all coming together... I think!

m1a1fan - don't worry about it, I appreciate your contributions and pictures. Its helping me plan out what I need to do when my tank shows up. I'm looking forward to seeing your fuge light, which color did you order.... I noticed they don't come in black.

 

[m1a1fan]

Hope everything works out with the Tunze's. Supposed to be a great skimmer.

I got stuck with the green palm light, it's the only one Foster & Smith had in stock. I suppose it doesn't matter though since it will be behind the tank :lol:

 

[springerhd]

better than purple!

 

[ASpec]

First the good news. Here are the chamber measurements for the 24 gallon AquaPod. Unlike the 12 gallon you only have 2 compartments, both are the exact same size.

The largest opening in each compartment mesures: 5 3/4" W x 3 3/8" D. The compartments are 16" T. Based on this, the Tunze Nano skimmer would fit, however you'd have to remove the sponge's to do this since the pump and heater would be in the left compartment thus leaving no room for the Tunze.

The bad news is shown... the tank arrived broken. Dr. F&S are shipping me a new one, once they have more to ship. Backordered again until at least Feb. 10.

So now I'll have to decide... wait for the Pod or go with the Cube. My dealer has the Cubes in stock, and he is local so no need to worry about damage in shipment. My dealer was suppose to get his AquaPods this week, but didn't.

 

[springerhd]

Wow! Thats not just a crack, that a huge hole! Was it well packaged? Probably the shipper's fault, something like that makes me wonder if it was dropped.

 

[springerhd]

Wow! Thats not just a crack, that a huge hole! Was it well packaged? Probably the shipper's fault, something like that makes me wonder if it was dropped.

 

[springerhd]

ooops, so that's how you double post... didn't even mean to post one yet!

The filtration in the back is definitely not what I expected, there goes my 4 chamber plan! I am concerned now about that overflow grate - I assumed it was just surface skimming but now it looks like it will take water from all depths. Wonder if there is any way that can be adjusted so most of the water is skimmed off the surface. As for my big plans... maybe I will replace the sponge with LR rubble and/or chaeto, put the skimmer in the return chamber mounted to hang over the return pump, and have the return from the skimmer feeding into the LR chamber to avoid microbubbles getting pumped back into the tank. Think its doable since the skimmer doesn't have to sit on the bottom of the chamber but is designed to hang off the rim of the tank. Should be enough space below it for the return pump, and the extra 1 1/4" front to back should be enough space for the return line from the pump. Should also be room for a heater in one of those small areas in each chamber, and I'll need to make a shelf out of egg crate somewhere to hold a bag of carbon. Ahh yes nano's... how to fit all the stuff I'd normally have in a big tank into a tiny little space!

As for your dilemma, I would personally wait on another aquapod. However, the NC problems are supposedly fixed as long as you get a newer model with the thicker glass - 11/05 or newer I believe, they're date stamped somewhere on the rim. I like the stands for the NCs better with the 2 chrome bars - not that thats a reason to pick one over the other, and I'm pretty sure the NCs have 3 chambers instead of just 2. I think the NCs are also a little closed to 'cube' shaped than the aquapods. However, I got scared off of the NCs and am convinced that I will be getting a better quality tank with the aquapod - which is why I'd say wait. I certainly can understand the appeal of being able to pick one up local for a good price though...

 

[ASpec]

After posting I started thinking about something. You mentioned you ordered the Viper light which is a clip on light. I am concerned as to how it will mount for you on the Aquapod. I opened the box back up and from the looks of things you, or NanoCustoms will need to file down the the black plastic which seperates the 2 compartments in order for the light to clip on in the middle of the tank. You could clip it off center but I don't how that would look.

The arrow shows the area I am speaking of. That peice of plastic comes all the way up to the lip (trim) of the tank. Just something to think about.

As your concern about the surface skimmer... there are peices of plastic which you can't see in the picture that are removable. If all 3 peices are inserted the water is skimmed off the surface only, and not drawn in from lower water levels.

My next thought was I could go with the HQI version as Dr. F&S still have these in stock for immediate shipment. I started thinking with an open top you could put the Aqua C Remoa on the tank. It's a little more than the Tunze but it's slim enough and would be one heck of a skimmer on a 24 gallon tank. It would of course hang on the back, but you would not see much of it besides the collection cup (and I doubt you'd see that if you went with the SunPod fixture). The pump for the skimmer would easily fit in the left compartment, draining back into the right (reducing any mico bubbles) and still leave plenty of room on the left compartment for LR rubble/fuge stuff. Just an idea that I'm pondering.

As for the Nano Cubes... my dealer has the 2006 tanks. They are date stamped December and January, he was well aware of the cracking issues and only stocks the 2006 DX now. And I guess it's ture that beatuty is in the eye of the beholder as I like the AquaPod stand better than the Nano Cube. I like the S stand for the Nano better than the standard Nano and the AquaPod stand but it would be hard to hide plugs, timers, etc.
with that stand.

What to do, what to do! I want a tank, and I want it now. I myself just tore down/sold a 90 FOWLR about 3 months. That's nothing compared to your 180 but I sure do miss not having a tank.

 

[springerhd]

Wow, didn't even think of that! You are absolutely right about having to trim something down - I'm surprised they didn't mention it. I'll wait until it gets here then do it myself with a dremel. Want to get a good look at the mounting system first.

Thanks for the info on the surface skimmer, I figured there had to be something...

A remora is actually what the guy at nanotuners recommended for these with an open top. You're probably right about the sunpod obscuring the view of the collection cup too.

Those s-stands are cool liking, but like you said no place to hid anything. Would look good in a very contemporary room without a lot of furniture though - almost like a piece of art or sculpture.

I definitely feel your pain about wanting to get something new going. I would go with the MH myself but I know you like the clean look of the concealed top. If you've already waiting 3 months, whats another week to make sure you get the right thing. Maybe you can bring your busted aquapod into your LFS before you ship it back, put it next to a NC, try to ignore the huge hole in the side, and decide which you like better when they are side by side.

 

[ASpec]

What the hell... I'm going to call Dr. F&S tomorrow morning and have them send me the HQI version. It's in stock, costs $150 more, but I'd be able to keep SPS. We'll just put the skimmer on hold for now (see if I can find one used from one of the local reef clubs in a couple months)... I'll just stay on top of my water changes. I hate spending more money but I think I'll be happier in the end. If anyone wants to talk me out of this, please do so. Or make me feel better about spending $350 on a 24 gallon nano would be nice too...

 

[springerhd]

If it makes you feel better, I'm spending more than that on mine....

And to think my wife and I thought a nano would be super cheap!

 

[ASpec]

That does make me feel better, thanks! Funny you mentioned the part about you and your wife. My wife said the same exact thing... sure, get a 24 gallon, it'll be cheaper than your 90 was.

So I'll bite... what is your setup setting you back (if you don't mind me asking!)

 

[springerhd]

$420 before the skimmer...
I am able to reuse LR, LS, and some livestock from my 180 so thats dropping the cost a bit.

Biggest problem with the 180 was the min. $50 contribution it made to the elec bill, plus the impending need for a chiller with the NC summer approaching and the fact that the cabinetry was hundreds of dollars away from being finished. Big money sink, especially with how much child care is!

 

[ASpec]

$420 is not to bad for the 24 gallon and the Viper 150 HQI, at least I don't think so. Does that price include the stand? I pulled the trigger on the HQI version... it's shipped and will be here next Tuesday. Dr F&S gave me free 2 day air shipping on the Aquapod and a coupon for 10% off and free ground shipping on my next order. They even called me this afternoon to confirm shipment and told me this Aquapod was re-packed in a box 2 times the size of the tank and packed with more shipping peanuts and foam than I am going to know what to do with. Talk about good customer service!

Will order live rock next week and start looking for a skimmer soon. I'll again post pictures when it arrives.

 

[springerhd]

Good to hear things got resolved. I've generally had good experience with F&S in the past so I am glad to hear they corrected everything for you. Hope you are happy with the HQI system, I think its the way to go. Can't wait to see pictures!

Price on mine included the tank and stand with the viper light and a blue LED retro to put on the viper for a night light. I called and talked to them first, then e-mailed what I was looking for and they put together this package for me. Like I said, so far I'm very happy with them but I haven't seen the tank or anything yet (won't be until they get the viper in stock in a couple week) so we'll see...

 

[m1a1fan]

Aspec-

To bad your pod arrived broken. Current must be spending a ton of money replacing all of the pods that seem to get broken in shipping. Nice to hear Foster & Smith took care of you. I've ordered just about everything for my tanks from them and have never had a bad experience.

With that, I decided to place an order with Liveaquaria for their 16LB box of Nano-Rock. I didn't really know what size pieces of rock I'd receive but was pleased when I opened the box today and found what's in the pic below. Liveaquaria claims that the rock is "pre-cured" before shippment which is evident as there is really no life on the rock or any hitch hikers. The tank will still need to cycle before adding any livestock or corals.

The 16LBS I received was actually a bit much for the 12 gallon pod. I donated a few pieces to a buddy of mine who has a larger tank. I think I have about 10-12 LBS of rock in the pod.

The sand is 13 LBS of Fiji-Pink Arag-Alive.