reef pack 500 mounting.

[Rosscopeco]

Hi Roger,
I have been trying to setup my reef pack. When I mount it in the tank, using the supplied mounts for vertical panes, the skimmer cup hits the glass and won't allow it to sit correctly. The vertical panes are higher than the top edge of the cup and I keep the water down from the top edge.
This appears to be a design flaw. I bought this unit because it could operate within the tank itself. I didn't read anywhere that the unit had to be mounted so the cup could overhang the edges of the tank.
Also, I have noticed that I have to play with the impeller on the filter unit to get it started sometimes.

Your advice is always appreciated as it has helped me in the past.
Thanks for your time.
Ross.

 

[rvitko]

In this situation you could solve the cup problem by adding a small piece of glass or acrylic to the top inside trim and using a suction cup for a spacer at the bottom. This way it is clamped a bit farther from the glass. Probably only 1cm more is needed.

Regarding the pump, what country are you in? It sounds like maybe you are trying to us e a 60Hz pump on 50Hz or vice versa and this is the problem.

 

[Rosscopeco]

Just as I thought. It's a shame the design doesn't allow it to fit correctly.
In regards to the pump, I will check the Hz when I get home. I live in Australia.
Thanks for the help.

 

[rvitko]

I think you can make it look professional though by just siliconing a 1" by 1/2" strip of glass down the width of the tank so you gain a 1/2" of clearance, it is designed so the cup would stick up over the tank.

If the Reefpack was bought in the US or Canada, it would be 60Hz and could struggle to run on 50Hz. If you bought it anywhere else it should be 50Hz and the problem would likely be with a slipped bush bearing, you just need to open the pump and push it back in.

 

[Rosscopeco]

To be honest, I can easily make it work by modifying the attachments or tank. It will require both the suction cups and tank to be modified. I'm just a bit dissapointed it doesn't work within the tank as is. Tunze gear isn't cheap and after asking about the problem on local sites, I have found most people are having the same problem. There is even a guy selling aftermarket cups.
Anyway. I was wondering if one of the cups from the other models would fit the unit and solve the problem? I'm thinking of the foam extraction unit.
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions thoroughly as always.
Ross Foulkes.

 

[rvitko]

Yes, the foam extractor would actually work quite well.