New AP 24 (first nano reef)

[GregK]

My new AP24 was delivered yesterday. I've set it up with freshwater to run a leak test for a day or so. Then I'll be taking it back down until I get the rest of my equipment for the reef setup.

So far, no leaks. Hopefully it stay that way.

I do have one question for anyone else who owns one of these aquariums. I wanted to know how many of those little panels that are used to restrict the flow into the back chambers you use. Right now I've left all of them in, and the water that flows into the back is all coming from the surface (and about half an inch down). Is this ok? Or should I remove 1 or 2 of the panels to let water further below the surface flow into the back chambers?

I was also wondering how others have their filter media set up with this aquarium. I've read several recommendations from others on here for aquariums with three back chambers, but the AP 24 only has two chambers.

For three chambers, I've normally read this setup recommended:

Chamber 1: Chemi-pure on the bottom, filter floss above that
Chamber 2: Purigen on the bottom and heater
Chamber 3: pump

What would the recommended setup be for two chambers?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[humaguy]

Hey buddy,
Great question- I had the same one months ago...
here is what I learned... less is more.
In my fist chamber i have carbon pack or (chemi-pure) and floss-
In my second chamber I have purigen and heater.
I did upgrade the pump that came with tank to a maxijet 1200. I use the other pump to mix salt/water.
I also have avery small piece of hard plastic (from a cassette) in the top of the weir to increase the surface flow into the 1st chamber. This truly helps to maximize the surface flow into the chambers.
I also have 2 powerheads in the tank to help with water flow.
I left all of the other plastic pieces in the tank-stacked up as you would expect... does that make sense?
Best of luck...

 

[kalireefer]

humaguy, do have carbon and chem pure or just one or the other?

 

[kalireefer]

have you seen anything about changing the stock cooling fan?

 

[Illuminati]

Carbon takes out to many good trace elements in nano's, Chemi-Pure is a much better alternative.

I have mine setup the same way with great results.

The only other popular setup is peeling back the black vinyl in front of chamber 2 and turning it into a fuge. I personally don't like this method, easier to just toss 2 packs of media in the back chambers and forget it for a few months. Plus chemi-pure and purigen also help to keep the ph within range and to polish the water, neither of which a fuge will do.

JMO....

 

[GregK]

Hey guys,
Thanks for all of the info. So having the heater in the same chamber as the pump is ok? I would have thought the flow of the water through the pump might make the heater's thermostat less accurate and make the temp harder to maintain consistently.

The leak test seems to have gone fine. I ordered the tank from Fosters and Smith, and had read several people on here who had to return the tanks because the packing was subpar and there were cracks in the tanks (one guy had to return two). But, they must have learned their lesson because my tank was packed real well. Entirely surrounded by styrofoam inside its own box. Then that box surrounded by styrofoam braces and packed in another box. The shipping box was huge, but no cracks.

Colinadam, you must be on these forums practically full time!

Thanks again for all the great info. Man, now that I've seen the tank up and running (even empty), I'm really anxious to get it set up.

 

[Illuminati]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9323949#post9323949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GregK
Hey guys,
Thanks for all of the info. So having the heater in the same chamber as the pump is ok? I would have thought the flow of the water through the pump might make the heater's thermostat less accurate and make the temp harder to maintain consistently.


Colinadam, you must be on these forums practically full time!

You don't want the heater with the pump, that chamber is where the evaporation shows and you run the risk of the water level dropping and the heater being exposed to air while on which will break the heater (And either cause it to shatter or stop working without you knowing.

P.S. Don't tell my boss

 

[GregK]

Ok, so in the first chamber (the one that the flows from the tank into), I'll put the filter floss on top, Chemi-pure below that, and over to the side, I'll have the heater. In the second chamber, I'll have the Purigen and the pump to send water back into the tank. Does that sound right?