springerhd
New member
Nice aquascaping! Looks like there are all sorts of hiding places in there for shrimp and small fish.
moving from a 180 to a 24!
- Thread starter springerhd
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fishes2889
In Memoriam
the aquascaping looks awesome...looks like lots of caves !!
ASpec
New member
As promised here are the pictures of the replacment AquaPod 24 gallon tank from Dr. F&S
Think this one will hold water? So, I gave up. It was not double boxed as they said it would be. So I asked for additional return shipping labels so I can return all of the broken tanks/stand/HQI fixture. I think I might just grab a 24 Nano Cube locally. At least I'd know if it were broken before I left the store.
On a side note... anyone thinking about getting the HQI version, the SunPod's fan is very loud! I've heard the fans in the hood's are not exactly quiet, but this thing sounds like a small leaf blower when running!
I don't know if it's all Dr F&S's fault the more and more I start to think about it. It seems they simply ship back out what they receive from Current USA. It makes me wonder if they are not getting them broken (and not taking the time to check) before shipment to customers.
Back to the drawing board... it appears fate is telling me the AquaPod is not the right choice for me.
Think this one will hold water? So, I gave up. It was not double boxed as they said it would be. So I asked for additional return shipping labels so I can return all of the broken tanks/stand/HQI fixture. I think I might just grab a 24 Nano Cube locally. At least I'd know if it were broken before I left the store.
On a side note... anyone thinking about getting the HQI version, the SunPod's fan is very loud! I've heard the fans in the hood's are not exactly quiet, but this thing sounds like a small leaf blower when running!
I don't know if it's all Dr F&S's fault the more and more I start to think about it. It seems they simply ship back out what they receive from Current USA. It makes me wonder if they are not getting them broken (and not taking the time to check) before shipment to customers.
Back to the drawing board... it appears fate is telling me the AquaPod is not the right choice for me.
springerhd
New member
Holy cow! That's hard to believe, two aquapod's broken in the exact same manner, hope mine doesn't come in like that! Can't blame you for wanting something local now. Guess some things just weren't meant to be...
Good info on the sunpod, if I didn't get the viper the sunpod was my next choice so I'm glad I made the decision I did.
Good info on the sunpod, if I didn't get the viper the sunpod was my next choice so I'm glad I made the decision I did.
ASpec
New member
Be very happy you went with the Viper. I'm telling you that thing was loud. Even the woman from Dr. F&S asked me what that noise was then I powered up the light. Way to loud for my liking.
I think once Current USA and the retailers get a handle on these broken AquaPods they will discover the standard packaging is not going to work. I'm reading all over this forum and others the AP's being cracked/shattered during shipment. The only was I see to solve this issue right now is to re-package with additional packing materials to help cushion the tank during tranist. I have not seen the 2006 JBJ packing, but from what I have heard and read they are packed very well from the manufacture.
I hope your AP works out much better than mine. I have a feeling that NanoCustoms already knows about this shipping problem and will re-package your tank. Since your not ordering a standard setup yours will hopefully fair much better. Best of luck to you and I'll be watching for your "I got my AquaPod" thread in the coming weeks.
I think once Current USA and the retailers get a handle on these broken AquaPods they will discover the standard packaging is not going to work. I'm reading all over this forum and others the AP's being cracked/shattered during shipment. The only was I see to solve this issue right now is to re-package with additional packing materials to help cushion the tank during tranist. I have not seen the 2006 JBJ packing, but from what I have heard and read they are packed very well from the manufacture.
I hope your AP works out much better than mine. I have a feeling that NanoCustoms already knows about this shipping problem and will re-package your tank. Since your not ordering a standard setup yours will hopefully fair much better. Best of luck to you and I'll be watching for your "I got my AquaPod" thread in the coming weeks.
mister crabs
New member
springer- check out nano-reef.com there are many mods there for the Nc that probably work for the AP as well. Including a MH retrofit for the 24g and i believe the 12g as well. MAybe check out nanocustoms.com as well since they have modded ready-to-go cubes and pods for sale.
springerhd
New member
I've received word from nanocustoms that the viper lights have 'landed' and should 'clear customs' by the 18th. Maybe I'll have my system in 2 weeks... a full month late but nothing they could have done about it really.
On the skimmers, I'm also starting to think about the AquaC urchin which I think will fit, and am also planning on upgrading the return pump to a maxijet 900s (better flow AND less wattage).
Hope my tank doesn't come in broken or I'll be set even further!
On the skimmers, I'm also starting to think about the AquaC urchin which I think will fit, and am also planning on upgrading the return pump to a maxijet 900s (better flow AND less wattage).
Hope my tank doesn't come in broken or I'll be set even further!
springerhd
New member
Aquapod just arrived... intact! Nanotuner packaged the normal box in a second larger box full of peanuts and it seems to have survived the trip crosscountry via fedex ground. So far I'm very pleased with everything except that my stand is now on backorder. Paid for it back in January but guess they ran out of stock while waiting on the viper light. Not a big deal I guess, aquapod will be getting a leak test on the kitchen counter until it shows up.
Also received my viper light and am thinking about the best way to modify the baffle system to accomodate the clamp. Am currently planning on notching out a portion of the aquapod's baffle and leaving the viper light clamp intact. By the way, this light is sweet looking, very glad I waiting!
Was surprised my aquapod came with a glass cover that fits nicely inside the rim and covers everything except the back portion. Will be nice to keep evap. down, but I'm a little concerned about heat buildup and it blocking light. Not sure if I'll use it yet.
My only concern is due to the leakiness of the skimmer section running a majority of the height of the aquapod, I can't get the tank completely full and still have an inch or 2 water drop into the filter section. Any ideas?
Also received my viper light and am thinking about the best way to modify the baffle system to accomodate the clamp. Am currently planning on notching out a portion of the aquapod's baffle and leaving the viper light clamp intact. By the way, this light is sweet looking, very glad I waiting!
Was surprised my aquapod came with a glass cover that fits nicely inside the rim and covers everything except the back portion. Will be nice to keep evap. down, but I'm a little concerned about heat buildup and it blocking light. Not sure if I'll use it yet.
My only concern is due to the leakiness of the skimmer section running a majority of the height of the aquapod, I can't get the tank completely full and still have an inch or 2 water drop into the filter section. Any ideas?
springerhd
New member
Well, its been awhile but everything is running. The stand never showed up from nanotuners, kind of frustrating they sold out of them after I'd paid up front for it, but they were good about the refund. Got one from a guy on ebay that took forever and now the aquapod is finally up and going.
The normal pump was replaced with a maxi 1200, and a second maxi 1200 was put it for circulation. The two of them going really gets the water moving through the surface skimmer which I like since it prevents anything from building up on the surface - wasn't doing it with just 1 pump running. The main outlet was replaced with the hydor, which I had to open up a little with a belt sander so it wouldn't shoot water out of the tank (hard to describe but if you ever see one you'll know what I'm talking about). The second pump goes through a bulkhead to locline which is hidden behind rocks and send water across the opposite side of the tank from the hydor.
I had to notch out the brace in the back of the false wall to accomodate the viper's clamp and am very happy so far with how everything has come out. Light looks great. The clamp for the LED light I got from nanocustom didn't hold up to the heat from the MH and fell in the water during the leak testing, so I replaced it with an LED made by current (has a flexible neck - looks like locline). Its being held to the viper now with zipties which actually looks pretty good (and will look better when I replace them with black zipties).
I've have moved over maybe 15 lbs of LS and 30 lbs or LR from the 180, plus several snails and crabs and my cleaner shrimp. Still waiting on the water to clear....
The normal pump was replaced with a maxi 1200, and a second maxi 1200 was put it for circulation. The two of them going really gets the water moving through the surface skimmer which I like since it prevents anything from building up on the surface - wasn't doing it with just 1 pump running. The main outlet was replaced with the hydor, which I had to open up a little with a belt sander so it wouldn't shoot water out of the tank (hard to describe but if you ever see one you'll know what I'm talking about). The second pump goes through a bulkhead to locline which is hidden behind rocks and send water across the opposite side of the tank from the hydor.
I had to notch out the brace in the back of the false wall to accomodate the viper's clamp and am very happy so far with how everything has come out. Light looks great. The clamp for the LED light I got from nanocustom didn't hold up to the heat from the MH and fell in the water during the leak testing, so I replaced it with an LED made by current (has a flexible neck - looks like locline). Its being held to the viper now with zipties which actually looks pretty good (and will look better when I replace them with black zipties).
I've have moved over maybe 15 lbs of LS and 30 lbs or LR from the 180, plus several snails and crabs and my cleaner shrimp. Still waiting on the water to clear....
chocolateblnt
New member
damn you have bad luck ...
jaymz101
New member
I had the same problem with the AP24 from Fosters and Smith. I decided to wait and get a refund though. I was talking with my LFS and they told me that the filtration is inadequate in both the Ap and Nano Cubes. Is there a way around this or is it even true. They carry both of the tanks so I dont think he was trying to make a sale and they've been good so far.... Any thoughts?
springerhd
New member
Just with waiting on the light and tracking down a darn stand! I feel lucky my aquapod showed up intact on the first time given the crappy luck others have had. I attribute that to nanocustoms putting it in a second container and shipping fedex - I noticed my aquapod box had specific instructions not to ship UPS.
springerhd
New member
Filtration - no tank comes with adequate filtration! You can by an additional sump and its probably full of bioballs which are junk. Just like anything else in this hobby, you need to figure out what approach you want to take and adapt your setup to accomodate.
In my case I want SPS so need high flow and low nutrients. I've crammed 2 pumps for ~550 gph flow (10X turnover) in my left chamber, and will get an overkill skimmer for the right. I'm thinking the remora since it has an excellent reputation, but have also been told coralife makes a good skimmer I should think of. I like that the tunze will fit in the overflow and not hang off the back, but am not sure its enough for what I want. That said I'm sure its a really good skimmer.
I am just going to have rock rubble in whatever room I have left in the right section. A fuge with some chaeto (so no sand bed required) would be nice, but space is at a premium, I don't want to put on an extra light, and with this size tank whatever benefit the fuge gives me I can make up for with water changes.
I'm looking for my camera's cord so I can post pics... this weekend I hope!
Oh yeah, this is all just my opinion, and I'm sure lots of people have different ones... not trying to offend anyone but just putting my thoughts out there.
In my case I want SPS so need high flow and low nutrients. I've crammed 2 pumps for ~550 gph flow (10X turnover) in my left chamber, and will get an overkill skimmer for the right. I'm thinking the remora since it has an excellent reputation, but have also been told coralife makes a good skimmer I should think of. I like that the tunze will fit in the overflow and not hang off the back, but am not sure its enough for what I want. That said I'm sure its a really good skimmer.
I am just going to have rock rubble in whatever room I have left in the right section. A fuge with some chaeto (so no sand bed required) would be nice, but space is at a premium, I don't want to put on an extra light, and with this size tank whatever benefit the fuge gives me I can make up for with water changes.
I'm looking for my camera's cord so I can post pics... this weekend I hope!
Oh yeah, this is all just my opinion, and I'm sure lots of people have different ones... not trying to offend anyone but just putting my thoughts out there.
springerhd
New member
Found my camera cord!
Here's a pic of the back left section where the pumps are. The main pump is down where the stock pump is, so not a whole lot different there. The second pump is hanging off the back like a normal powerhead and the red line shows where the water comes out of the pump, goes over to a 90* barb and through a bulkhead (which had to be shortened to get it to fit).
Here's a fuzzy picture of the notch I had to trim out to accomodate the viper's clamp.
Here's the LED night light I've attached to the viper - can't even see it except from the side and looks great at night!
A pic of the surface movement
The aquascaping
And lastly my currently lone inhabitant - the one critter besides some clean up crew that I kept from the 180
Here's a pic of the back left section where the pumps are. The main pump is down where the stock pump is, so not a whole lot different there. The second pump is hanging off the back like a normal powerhead and the red line shows where the water comes out of the pump, goes over to a 90* barb and through a bulkhead (which had to be shortened to get it to fit).
Here's a fuzzy picture of the notch I had to trim out to accomodate the viper's clamp.
Here's the LED night light I've attached to the viper - can't even see it except from the side and looks great at night!
A pic of the surface movement
The aquascaping
And lastly my currently lone inhabitant - the one critter besides some clean up crew that I kept from the 180
springerhd
New member
Well, I've put some fish in over the past couple days. Tank now has a canary fang blenny, rainford goby, hi-fin red banded goby, and a fridmani pseuochromis. All are very small (about 1") except for the blenny that's maybe 3-4". Nice to finally have some movement in there!
Also added some zoos, most have red centers but there are a couple with bright green centers. LFS had this really cool blue encrusting monti... that'll have to wait a few months though I guess.
Also added some zoos, most have red centers but there are a couple with bright green centers. LFS had this really cool blue encrusting monti... that'll have to wait a few months though I guess.
springerhd
New member
Guess its time for an update....
The canary fang blenny died after not eating for a week. Tried a wide range of food but he just never went for anything. The pseuochromis and the banded goby are eating very well. Haven't seen the rainford eat anything when I feed the tank, but I know they will sift through the sand. Haven't seen him do that yet either, but hopefully he's eating something when I'm not around!
Skimmer arrived today, I went with the coralife super skimmer. To answer my pump question, it comes with a 22W rio 1100. Seems like it will fit in the right chamber with no problems, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get the bubble diffuser to fit as well. Hope to get it up and running by the end of the week so I can monitor it over the weekend to make sure it doesn't go nuts and drain my tank!
The canary fang blenny died after not eating for a week. Tried a wide range of food but he just never went for anything. The pseuochromis and the banded goby are eating very well. Haven't seen the rainford eat anything when I feed the tank, but I know they will sift through the sand. Haven't seen him do that yet either, but hopefully he's eating something when I'm not around!
Skimmer arrived today, I went with the coralife super skimmer. To answer my pump question, it comes with a 22W rio 1100. Seems like it will fit in the right chamber with no problems, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get the bubble diffuser to fit as well. Hope to get it up and running by the end of the week so I can monitor it over the weekend to make sure it doesn't go nuts and drain my tank!
springerhd
New member
Almost forgot to mention a problem I've been having with the viper light. The knob that is supposed to hold the head of the light in position is not strong enough for the weight of the head piece, and it slowly droops over time (a couple days). It stops when it is resting against the night light, which has actually melted a little from the heat. Doesn't seems to matter how much I tighten it either. Looked closely today and it appears that the knob for holding the head in place it also melting itself a little where it touches the metal from the head. If anyone knows of a good fix for this please let me know!
springerhd
New member
Update
Update
Coralife skimmer has been in for a little over a week now and is running well. I can hear it pulling air but its quieter than a remora. The bubble diffuser box wouldn't fit but I'm not having any problems with microbubbles, the baffles in the aquapod must be doing their job!
Viper light is completely useless now since the knob that is supposed to hold the head in place won't tighten. I've got a new heat resistant knob and a new arm on the way from JBJ, they've been pretty good about it. If you have a 150W viper, I think they'll send you a heat resistant knob no matter what since the partial melting I observed seems to be common.
Update
Coralife skimmer has been in for a little over a week now and is running well. I can hear it pulling air but its quieter than a remora. The bubble diffuser box wouldn't fit but I'm not having any problems with microbubbles, the baffles in the aquapod must be doing their job!
Viper light is completely useless now since the knob that is supposed to hold the head in place won't tighten. I've got a new heat resistant knob and a new arm on the way from JBJ, they've been pretty good about it. If you have a 150W viper, I think they'll send you a heat resistant knob no matter what since the partial melting I observed seems to be common.
