Remora skimmer on 24g Aquapod. Wow

[ZoeReef]

I just installed an AquaC Remora skimmer on the back of my 24g aquapod. The difference in my tank is simply stunning.

Remora says it may take a week to get it running at high performance but I set it up when last night, went to bed and woke up to a new tank. It finally has the crystal clean look I've wanted.

For all the money I've put into the system, this has made the biggest difference.

One other thing, they offer a version which has a drain feature. I didn't realize that when I bought it, but I contacted them and they are sending me a plug and have emailed easy plans to make the mod. Great company.

 

[winetasting247]

How did you set this up? I'm very interested in getting one because the bioload in my tank will eventually be too much for no skimmer at all. I'm a little confused about how to put the skimmer in since the top of my 24G Aquapod is closed off. Any pictures would be really helpful!! Thanks and good luck!

 

[flameangel88]

ZoeReef,

If you can put up a picture it will be very helpful in my decision on the skimmer. My tank is in the corner and don't have space on the left side and a small gap on the right (another tank there). I can't get the cover off the AP and can't take that chance now with the tank full. Can you tell me how much clearence does the skimmer take on the back? I'm thinking of hanging this on the right side.

I've been debating on the Remora C and the Coralife Super Skimmer 65 (about $80) and it's almost $100 difference between the two. The Coralife looks big and that kind of held me back on the purchase.

May be someone here can anwser this for me:
I'm running Eheim Wet/Dry and the water level will constantly go up and down, will this affect the function of the skimmer (Coralife or AquaC Remora)? Do you think the Coralife is adequate for the
AP 24 or I should go with the AquaC?
Thanks.

 

[ZoeReef]

Here's the sump layout

Here's the sump layout

Here's the layout I have in my 24g Aquapod sump.

I bought the Halide Light version and so I don't have the enclosed top that comes with the other version. The halide version came with a glass lid. I used that about 2 days before I got rid it. I highly suggest you get rid of that blue foam stuff. It is really a mechanical trap for gunk, and my gunked-up and shut off all water to the tank. If you keep it, you have to wash it out.

I don't know what to do if you want to keep the lid intact. In my mind, I would think cooling could become an issue and I would look to modify that tank to open the back up..at least over the sump. A Dremel might be just what you need.

1. Water enters tank at the top of the Aquapod (did you know there are removable small plastic panels stacked vertically under the slots where water goes into the sump?)

2. Some water goes through the Maxi 1200 and into the Remora. It then returns to the same sump area. Some is recycled, but some continues through sump.

3. Other water comes into sump and circulates downward into the LR rubble and ceramic bag (supplied with the Aquapod).

4. All water goes through eggcrate into macro-algae.

5. It exits algae through another piece of eggcrate and goes by the heater.

6. It is sucked up by the return pump, pumped through home-made charcoal filter (I may post pics of this later..Just used large 2" PVC fittings from Home Depot. Looks like a coke can with ends that unscrew to change charcoal).

7. It returns to the pump..some mighty happy water. Here's a diagram.

I suppose it would be better to have a separate refugium, but this sure works great for me as I have very limited space.

 

[ZoeReef]

FLAME... The Remora takes 3" behind the tank. It is not affected by changes in water height as the intake for the unit is 6" under water. (unless of course, your water drops by more then 6"..of course)

I have no idea about the Coralife unit, but I just wish you could see the water that I have now. Each of my family members had the same response: Wow. Not only that, but because it works so well you can add extra fishies..

Regarding modifications.. I think that there are several ways of approaching this hobby. It seems to me that there are those who 'mod' and those who don't. The great thing about doing a mod is that you are able to create what you can't find in the store. I am no great DIY guy, just ask my wife, but when faced with something I need, I am all for trying something new. IMO, the enclosed top is very restricting and I would look to find a way to make changes to it. With all the money you are putting into this, the $100 difference is insignificant for years of great looking water.

Stability is everything in reefing, and I can't think of any other add on that gives you this much bang for the buck. I have spent the last 2 months doing water changes over and over. I don't know when the break even point will come in reduced water changes, but I am sure it's payback will be in the first year. Just my .02.

 

[flameangel88]

ZR,

Thanks for posting the picture and it really helps to be able to see it. The vover is really a pain and I kinda regret I didn't take it off but wasn't sure about adding light at the time but now it's very difficult as I don't have room in the back and the tank is full and very risky to take a chance on yanking it off. I greatly appreciate and agree with you on the long term issue and it was that reason I went out to purchase the Eheim wet/dry 2229 for this tank and done away with the internal pump due to the heat issue. My experience with the Fission Nano-Protein Skimmer is more of a pain then help.

If the Remora only takes 3" in the back then I may be able to put it on the side (I've a 50g Cichlids right next to the pod). I'm going to order this with the drain option and I saw it earlier at Marine Depot for about $180. If you know a better price please let me know.

As for lighting I'm running 175W HQI 20,000k bulb with two 24W compact fluorescent actinic blue bulbs.

Thanks for your input.

 

[flameangel88]

ZR,

I noticed you took out the blue foam but are you using any prefilter? My wet/dry intake is in the sump where you have the charcoal and heater spot and without prefilter I'm afraid all the junk will get trapped in the wet/dry. May be I'll take out blue foam and cut a AC1000 prefilter to fit in for filtration.

btw, since I got the MH I've left the cover open and I've the light on for about 7 hrs at night but the temp have gone up about 2 (normal 76.5) and I just pick up a portable and very light fan from WM for $14 (can also run off from batteries) which I can hang on the side which I'm sure I'll need when the weather gets warmer. Also looking into getting a hanging type 5g dosing containing for water topoff which runs for about $20.

 

[ZoeReef]

flame, well don't call me the expert, I'm a learner like you. If there is any type of prefilter..it's the macroalgae, but really the skimmer seems to get most all of it.

I threw away my fission. It was simply a waste of money.

I think $180 is the going price.

As far as filters go, I think your previous experience in Fresh water may be working against you. No large salt water tank that I know of has this type of filter working. They normally just dump it all into a sump and have a skimmer to deal with stuff in the water. Some add charcoal, some don't. It sure can't hurt. I've never seen a larger system with any kind of a filter, so I never figured on using one.

As far as temps go, most tanks I've seen happily run at 80 degrees, some suggesting as high as 83. It doesn't seem to matter as long as the temp is stable. My cooling is also supplied by a small walmart fan that blows across the water. I have it on the same timed electrical strip that the lights are on so they come on and off together.

I spent the money on a good titanium heater (no glass to break and fry the fish). My temp stays right in the 79-80 range with little fluctuation. I put the heater in the sump, but the temp probe in the tank.

I would like to hear more about the 5g dosing. Do you have a link? I do the morning ritual but would like to automate that if possible

Anyhow, this is my story. I'm very happy with how it's all working.

 

[flameangel88]

ZF,

Thanks for your info again. I also have a bag of Chemi-pure in the filter.

As for the dosing please see the link:
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_dosing_pumps_top_off_kent_marine_aquadose.asp?CartId=

If the link doesn't work then goto marinedepot.com then search for: Kent Marine AquaDose

The 5g container looks too heavy to hang or you need to custom made something to hang it and I'm looking into getting one of those auto topoff with pump I think it was on this forum for about $40-50 DIY).

But the 1400ml (0.36946g) can easily be hung. May have to talk to some medical people as to where to get one of those IV holder w/wheels like the one they use in the hospital. I need to figure out if this is enough for 8 days if I take a vacation. Just done number and this will not work as I'm already putting in almost 1 liter of fresh water everyday.

 

[saltyESQ]

did you need to modify anything to fit the skimmer on? or is it easily installed?

 

[Discdogge]

I second the remora on the 24g pod. I LOVE mine! I got mine used here on RC and the first night it sucked a bunch of gunk out and my tank stays crystal clear.
Im very pleased with it. I had the same issue b/c I was running Pc's, so I bought the 70w halides for it. That was a great decsion too. Personally I think the tank is amazing, thats just me lol.
If the OP doesn't mind, heres a pic, tank is less than 2 months old.

Sorry. ugly base rock still

 

[ZoeReef]

If you have the halide version, no mod is necessary. Take it out of the box, drop it in, turn on the switch. They do mention you can wash it (in water only..NO soap..which kills fish)..it you want to reduce the break in time. I washed mine and it started working the first night.

 

[ZoeReef]

Disc..Great looking start to your tank. I have the same torch and gsp in my tank as well. thanks for the post

 

[flameangel88]

ZR & Disc,

Thanks for your input on the Remora. I ordered the one with drain fitting feature and it will be here friday.

ZR--I took your advice and taken out the blue filters (The one at the bottom is more fine then the one at the top, I guess the bottom one need to be fine to trap the sand) but replaced with the Aquaclear 110 filter which generally is pretty good.

 

[hypermikie]

I too have the same HQI Aquapod and added a Remora...

Like Disc I purchased it used on here and it started producing dookey brown skimate the sameday. Great addtion IMO!

I have my back set up very similar to Zoe except I am going to have to get some eggcrate! Great idea. I have also added a second return pump that is plumbed up and over the backwall and split into two for added flow.

 

[ZoeReef]

Tank at 6 weeks

Tank at 6 weeks

good idea on the split. I added a circulation only pump in the tank. Here's two pics

 

[flameangel88]

ZR,

You have a very beautiful setup and I'm only 2 weeks behind you but I got a long way to go.

I've added a pajama cardinal (I'd 2 but 1 didn't made it), royal gramma and pygmy angel last night. They are so tiny that I think my waterflow is too much for them as I've about 540gph flow in the tank right now then the remora will be in friday.

Keep up the good work.

 

[ZoeReef]

kewl. I guess we're swimming together. I bought a chunk of LR from a LFS that was very encrusted with coralline etc. They said they bought it from someone's tank.

Long story short, It was pretty, but it came with bubble algae and Aiptasia anenomies as well. So, I'm buying some peppermint shrimp today to do some housekeeping on them. I'll let you know if it works.

 

[hypermikie]

Did any of you have any Micro-bubble's?

 

[ZoeReef]

well, because of how I set it up, the water returns into the back sump, then through microalgae, then is pumped up from the bottom of the sump, and with this setup, there are no micro-bubbles at all.