Marine Depot Forums / Equipment Forums / Miscellaneous

pinpoint moniters

geoplane2 — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:04:50 GMT

hello have you have any input on the american marine pinpoint calcium moniters ? are they worth the money ? any input would be nice ! i now have a hard time seeing the colors on all the color charts and someone is not aways home to help me with the colors ! is there any other test out there that dont use a color chart !!

thanks

Need a Heater

ammo2rp — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:54:19 GMT

I've been looking for a heater that will fit in a small sump for a 55 gal reef tank. I have a space of 7.5 X 4 inch space at the bottom of the sump for the heater. The sump is 13 inches deep, but as I have yet to put water in the tank, I don't know how much the water will go down when the pumps turn on. I figured I would need at least 150 or 200 watts. Tetra makes these small 6 inch heaters at 100w but are not adjustable and are preset at 78 degrees. I thought maybe two of these might do. Would you have any suggestions as to something better?

Commercial Aquarium Equipment VS. Swimming Pool Equipment

d87mexican — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:17:24 GMT

Ok, so I know that swimming pool equipment is different than commercial aquarium equipment, but I want to know the details. I want to know what the exact difference is between commercial pool equipment and pool equipment. I'm talking about commercial equipment for a 20,000 gallon aquarium. With this size tank, the equipment has to be similar to pool equipment, such as pump and some what the filtration.

I was also wondering about water chemistry with aquariums vs. pools.

Please feel free to give me all and any information that you have.

Thanks!

RO/DI water container suggestions

ammo2rp — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:35:56 GMT

I'm thinking about getting a ro/di system but I don't know what would be a safe collection container or what would be best for a auto top off resevoir. Has anyone have any suggestions.

Acrylic Cement or Glue or Bond

joyban — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:39:17 GMT

What is the best commercially available Acrylic Bonding Agent or Glue or Acrylic Cement to bond Acrylic to Acrylic, Acrylic to Glass, Acrylic to metal or Cement which can be used in a Marine Reef Tank ?

Best Regards

Sujoy

vodka dosing

tang — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:30:33 GMT

I have read about "vodka dosing" and am very interested, but need it simplified. I have a 55 gallon coral sps and fish tank. I have about 55 pounds of live rock. I have 2 red octopus hang on back skimmers. I use phosguard phosphate remover. Everbody is doing well, I have just seen awesome tank with vodka dosing. For testing I use a reel master test kit. I wondered if that is accurate enough for dosing? Any help in the right direction will be greatly appreciated, thanks Tang

36-40 watt U.V. Sterilizer

Old Man Of The Sea — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:39:16 GMT

Here we have the next topic for the rebuilding of my 240 gal reef tank, something that came up when i ask my aquarium man on what other equipment should I be looking for, and the equipment part he mention is a U.V. Sterilizer. Now the tank is 240 gals and the sump will be a 125 gals, im thinking I want to be looking for is a 36-40 watt U.V. Sterilizer, is my assumption correct? And which is the best to have?

40W Classic UV Sterilizer 3/4" NPT w/o Wiper (Aqua UV)

40W Classic UV Sterilizer 3/4" NPT w/Wiper (Aqua UV)

40W Classic UV Steril. 2" Port w/Wiper (Aqua UV)

http://www.marinedepot.com/uv_ultraviolet_sterilizers_ozonizers_aqua_uv-ap.html

I taking notice of one thing different with the models here, some are with wiper and without it. What is the difference between the two?

Who can even suggest other U.V. Sterilizers, your suggestion be most welcome

This part is nothing to do with this topic, its about the overflow and bulkhead that if it should be impossible to be made larger, then I would need to look into another return pump, or two return pumps as James was first suggesting about, only I not want the quiet one or the eheim pumps.

Buddy

re setting a acj

geoplane2 — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:53:01 GMT

does any one know if you can reset a acj back to the factory settings ?

thanks geo

Heating a multi-tank system

xltom — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:56:19 GMT

I'm adding a 55 gallon drum(food grade plastic) to a system which already has a 75gal display and a 38gal sump. I have heaters large enough for each tank but none large enough for the entire system. Do you think this will work or do you think that the heater that is set the highest will bear the most strain and eventually fail? Flow through will be 100-300 gph.

Thanks for your thoughts...

I need some help regarding my red sea max 250...

JTH — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:12:50 GMT

I have a red sea max 65g up and runninng, so far so good, cycled with a few fish, shrimp, and a cleaner crew. I had my plumber hook up a RO/DI unit with a line to my tank area. I have bought through Marine depot a Gap Products Level-Loc Automatic Top Off (ATO) Unit and a chiller, AquaEuroUSA Mighty Pro 1/10 HP Aquarium Chiller For Tanks Up To 80 Gallons, the tech on the phone told me I needed a float vavle so I got the Kent Marine Float Valve Kit as well although I thought this seemed redundent with that gap ATO. I also got a few pumps at the tech recs Aquarium Systems Premium Maxi-Jet 3000 Utility Pump 775 gph and a Maxi-Jet 1200 Powerhead / MP 1200.

My red sea max has an attachment to go into the back of the tank where the mechanical filter and the lesser of the two powerheads comes in. So my thought was to tie all this in with in cabnit sump or refugium with my chiller sitting outside. Is there an area that I can go that can guide me on how to do this or hook all this up?

thanks, any help appreciated.

controllers

geoplane2 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:22:35 GMT

hello im thinking about buying a controller for my reef tank it is 150 gal what do you think about the neptune jr vs the reefkepper lite level 3

thanks

Cleaning out Calcium Buildup

atish — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:40:57 GMT

I have completely emptied out my 55G reef tank and want to set it up again. But before I do that, I need to completely clean out all the calcium buildup. Any idea how I can do this easily without resorting to scrapping it off ? Is there anything I can use to dissolve it instead ?

ebo-jager ts

tedmc2 — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:44:47 GMT

Can the ebo-jager ts 100 w be used horizontally?

Best pump to supply Calcium Reactor?

xltom — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 01:53:51 GMT

Hello Reefers,

About 6 months ago, I moved my reef to a 75 gallon tank(from a 55) and made some changes to the system. My goal was to make it as automated as possible and cut down on the work required to keep it running. I installed my RO unit under the tank as well as two tanks. One for auto top off and one for mixing fresh water. I plumbed it in to my washing machine fixture. The tank for mixing new water has a modded MJ for mixing plus a heater and is plumbed to the tank directly so all I have to do is add salt and flip switches to do my water changes.

Long story short, the worst maintenance issue for this system is now the frequent clogging of my calcium reactor and the aqua-lifter pump that supplies it. I want to add a more powerful pump but I could use some suggestions on what to buy. I'm a big fan of maxi-jets but I don't think they would work well for this application. The reactor uses tubing about the same size as airline tubing which is probably why it clogs so much. I really like that the aqua-lifter can be stashed behind the tank and doesn't need to be submerged but I don't know of any other comparable pumps that can do this.

Can you guys give me your opinions on what pump would supply my calcium reactor the most reliably. I would rather not have a pump visible in the display, but if I must use a submerged pump, it should be small enough to hide....Thanks guys...xltom

pvc bubble trap/seperator

beaslbob — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:13:51 GMT

Not really a large problem but I do get a lot of bubles in my refugium.

I was just wondering of something like this design would be effective in removeing those bubbles. I have adjusted the system to where there is no surge but also thought this might also allow smoother operation.

But with my luck 1) someone has already done this and/or 2) it would not work and actually cause surges.

red sea 34 cube and chillers

surffantum — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:08:08 GMT

I can't seem to find a chiller for my red sea 34 reef tank. does anyone have any suggestions? I would prefer NOT TO ADD ANY HOLES TO THE TANK.

It seems Red Sea doesn't make a chiller for these tanks (34gal).

m3 CO2 Regulator {Econo}

inkslinger — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 06:02:22 GMT

My Regulator has 2 pressure meter on top 1. for the Pressure of the tank the other 2. working pressure too the aquarium
{not sure what they are called}
Lately when the tanks is empty my {2.} working pressure to aquarium will stop at about 15psi and when I fill the tank I have to adjust the gauge to about 23 to 25psi before I get any bubbles.
Is there any adjustment to 0 this out when its empty or do I buy a gauge to replace?
When is it needed to replace this part?

UV Sterilizer

volk78 — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:52:00 GMT

My reef tank has been doing great for about 5 yrs now with a few crashes only at the beginning. I even moved and didnt lose a fish during the process. My fish were all about 4 yrs old when I decided to add one- I got a beautiful flame angel. (had one before, no problems) I added some nice fine white sand and a few decorations (nothing living.) It looked awesome for a few days, then I noticed an outbreak of red slime. I usually try to avoid chemicals, but I did a treatment for the cyano bacteria. Then I noticed a few white spots on the new fish. I did a water change and I noticed that my UV sterilizer bulb was out. Ordered a new one and when I received it - it didn't work. While waiting for delivery, the flame angel grew more white spots and died very quickly. I had tried a freshwater dip 2 days before he died. My royal gramma got it & died too. I am treating with Kick ich & Rally, but my clowns show some signs of it- white spots & cloudy eyes (like a layer). They are hiding- probably because they can't see well, but they are eating. The spots seem better with the treatments, but I can't help but think the sterilizer is the culprit here. My cleaner shrimp also died during this and I can't seem to locate my starfish, but my 3 pajama fish & yellow tang are not having any problems at all. The sterilizer is only a few yrs old- how can I tell if I got a defective bulb or if it's the whole sterilizer? Waiting on shipping is killling me and my fish. (My local stores don't carry the same stuff) Can my clowns recover? Should I be doing anything else? Should I try a freshwater dip on the clowns?- I don't want to stress them out more.

Suggestion on a 1/2 HP chiller for a 240 gal tank

Old Man Of The Sea — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:15:51 GMT

I believe that I said that everything on the tanks of the 180 or 240 are not the equipment that I most wanted. The PUTZ who I had and trusted to do these tanks, has even put in a 1/4 HP chiller on the 240, I need a 1/2 HP chiller. I can say that being that I need to replace the chiller and sump with the lighting as well, and also rebuild the plumbing as well, the cost im afraid will exceed more then what available funds I have at this time. So there is to be a further delay on when this might be started up.

(Edited comment out argi)

So now, the question on the chiller is what 1/2 HP chiller would you suggest here for my 240 gal tank?

What do you think of the Drop-In Chillers?

Im also hoping that I could get a good one for $1,100+, Any Suggestions?

So when I decided on dropping the 180 reef tank from my project, it wasn't at first then thought that the cost to rebuild the 240 would be so much greater in cost to rebuild.

And if one other thing happens for my son-in-law on his tax returns, if he gets a good large amount in returns, he will make plans to take the kids to Disneyland in Fla.. I too would be going and would be needing I think $1,000 for my cost.

I would be mostly going to take a crap load of pictures, I don't think that at my young age that they would allow me to go on every single ride down there, LOL

OK, so please lets have some good suggestions on which chiller I might look to have here.

James still not gotten what total credit I will have from those ballasts that where for the 175 watt MH, but he is coming by tomorrow around 11 am or so to get some idea of most of the cost. I do expect it however to exceed $5,000 in total cost to rebuild the 240. I have in cash at this time for the rebuilding, $2,400 and plus what cash the ballasts and the selling of the 150 gets me. All I know for sure is if I not do this, I can never have myself my very own SPS system.

And being that the stand it self has only 24" under the tank, where thinking of going with the bubble master 250. I would love to change as well the stand, but then the cost will exceed far greater then expected, that only the tank it self, is the only object on this system that is worth keeping. (edited comment argi)

Buddy

Need help selecting pump

90overflow — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 19:56:13 GMT

I'm looking at the Iwaki pumps, 1200 GPM flow, curve for my application looks like 1140 GPM. What is the difference between the Japanese motors and the American motors. Putting a cord on is no problem for me.

Converting a 65 gallon bullet

FishRFun — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 08:57:32 GMT

Our current 65 gallon bullet has the filtration and light in the hood, we would like to remove the hood add a light that would support corals like toadstool, mushrooms, finger leather and with that we would have to add an overflow filtration or the refugium in the bottom we just are not sure what would be the best to do. I can post pics if need be. We have a 120 gallon with and odysea hood with MH and compact and moon lights that has huge soft corals. Can you recommend what we need in order to convert the bullet?

Thank you so much!

Is a Vortech MP20 too powerful for a 14g nano?

NixPack — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:13:15 GMT

I guess my post title says it all. I know the Vortech 20 is for tanks from 20 - 70 gallons but was wondering if I could make one work in a 14 gallon tank or if it would be too powerful for that size?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Korallin Calcium Reactor questions

jonnycleveland — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 20:15:11 GMT

I recently purchased a Korallin C-1502 Calcium Reactor with Eheim1048. It has not arrived yet from Marine Depot, so I havent had the chance to really figure it out. I understand the way a calcium reactor works, but have questions about this particular model. When ordering, the knowledgable tech guy at Marine Depot said that I would need a lifter pump to get water to flow into unit. By reading the product description, and a few reviews it seems as if the Eheim that recirculates also feed water from the system. So do I need the lifter pump?? I wouldn't think so but the gentlemen said he operated the same reactor and needed the extra pump. Feedback from anyone with experience with this product would be greatly appreciated.

I need some help in setting up a sump please!

bschaff — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:03:07 GMT

Hey everyone,

I have recently decided that I want to add a sump to my current tank, a 46 gallon reef system. I am a little confused as to what equipment is sufficient to achieve this.

I am looking to house both my heater and protein skimmer to clean up the back of my tank.
My LFS recommended using a simple 10 gallon tank with an overflow box and a return pump. However, they don't carry any overflow boxes and I was a little confused as to what flow rate I need to achieve to provide adequate circulation. I have 2 maxijet powerheads in the current tank system. The LFS guy recommended a flow rate of 500 gph and a return pump of 600 pgh for my approximately 5 foot height of the tank. While looking at CPR CS50, that flow rate is only 300 and works up to 60 gallons.

Is there anyone with a recommendation as to overflow and return pump? I would really like to make this move but am feeling a little overwealmed by my information so far!

Thanks in Advance for your helP!

pump external for JBJ Arctica Titanium Chiller DBA-075 1/10HP

macbro — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:50:56 GMT

i have 116 gals tank and bought JBJ Arctica Titanium Chiller DBA-075 1/10HP wich exxternal pump do you reccomend me or a mag in the sump?

pump external for JBJ Arctica Titanium Chiller DBA-075 1/10HP

macbro — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:50:54 GMT

i have 116 gals tank and bought JBJ Arctica Titanium Chiller DBA-075 1/10HP wich exxternal pump do you reccomend me or a mag in the sump?

Tom Aquatics Aqua Lifter—Dosing Pump

anthony — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:05:24 GMT

I just bought two from MD site to dose seachem calcium liquid and carbonate liquid. The idea was to put the hose in the liquids ( one for pump for calcium and one for alkalinity) on a timer and pump a small amount into the tank two times a day every day.

Any thoughts or suggestions before I jump into his?

pH monitor reading bouncing around

wynn — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:18:24 GMT

I don't know if this is normal behavior for the Pinpoint monitors but when turning on near by pumps, lights, and other equipment the reading jumps all over the place until it settles down. It's also difficult to get a steady reading with the display constantly varying +/- 0.2 every second. The pH probe is new as well as the monitor. Is this normal?

Thanks!

Pentax Optio S5I

charlesr1958 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:42:29 GMT

If anyone knows where I can purchase the underwater housing for this camera, please do let me know.

Chuck

Pump selection for fountain

Florida Mike — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:07:33 GMT

Hi,

We are installing a decorative fountain for some folks and its quite large with a surrounding pond. Pump needs to hit a 12' head height and be external. I'd also like to have it adjustable so we can play around with how it looks when coming out the top of the fountain.

Any suggestions on a good pump for this application? I saw a few good selections in pretty good prices ranges on the site but not sure how I can make them adjustable with regards to the flow rate.

Thanks for any and all input

Mike

ro unit

fasteddie — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 04:31:18 GMT

My ro units have a short life i think. 6to8 months be for the tds is high

I,m useing 60 gal, a month of water. Is it ok to run a ro unit with a hole house

water softner? Or should it be plumed In before the watersofner

Aqua C Auto Waste Collection Container

bbehring — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:50:15 GMT

Does anyone have any experence with the Aqua C Auto Waste Collection Container? Just wondering how well the charcoal filter part of this unit works at eliminating the foul skimmate ordors? I was comparing this unit with the ETS Auto Wast Container. The ETS appears to have a large charcoal filter on it. My skimmer is in my daughter's closet and is producing some nasty foul smelling skimmate that is stinking up her closet. Don't want her going to school with her clothes smelling like a rotting forest! Any thoughts or help are appreciated!

buying a new chiller

geoplane2 — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:29:16 GMT

hello can anyone give any feed back on this chiller it is a aqua logic delta star 1\3 hp .im thinking about installing it on my 150 reef tank .any input would be helpful !

thanks george

Cant Stand the HEAT get out of the Aquarium

supertom — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:58:03 GMT

Hey Everyone

Im looking for advice on heaters

i have 120Gal FOWLR and need to bye a Heater
would love to put it in my sump
any help ?

Love this Forum
Supertom

exteral pump

geoplane2 — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:36:41 GMT

hello im looking to repalce my pump but to many to choose from ? i need 10 to 20 gpm @ 12 feet of head prusser and with a 3\4 out let because all my flex hoseing and aqua logic chiller is 3\4 inch and it need to be very quite it will be place in the liveing room !! hope im not asking for to much ? but i know that ill get the best info on this froum as in the past thanks the chiller needs to have that amount of water flow this is on a 150 reef tank

Alternative uses for equipment from Marine Depot

carlo — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:26:06 GMT

I just thought folks might enjoy seeing an alternative use for some of the plumbing equipment and pumps that are available from Marine Depot. This is kind of in response to the emails I've been getting from Marine Depot Sales asking how the products I've ordered are working out.

Before anyone asks, I also have a 50 gallon aquarium. I've never shopped for products for it online before, and I happened to discover Marine Depot in my search for a source for an inexpensive pump to use for a metal etching tank I was trying to build.
After careful perusal of the catalog sections for pumps and plumbing parts, I selected the Danner magdrive 250 gph pump. These things are ideal for my need since they use a ceramic impeller shaft, I don't have to worry about dissolving any metal parts.
I used two 1/2 inch bulkhead fittings to connect the pump to my etching tank, which is an $8 rubbermaid storage box. I also ordered a lockline 1/2 inch "Y" adapter, and I ordered a pair of 1/2 inch to 1/4 inch Y adapters (purchased from an outfit called modularhose.com) along with a bunck of 1/4 inch lockline hose, and four spray adapters.
I just finished it, and am in the process of trying it out.

Here's the setup right after I finished assembling it.

A view of the lockline sprayers, and a peice of copper ready for etching.

Another view of the complete setup.

Here's the tank in action. That's ferric chloride that I'm using for the etching.

I'd like to thank Marine Depot for the excellent service, quick turn-around on my orders, and the knowledgable salesperson I spoke with on the phone when I selected my pump.

ph probe reads high in the tank

s1rk1118 — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:26:29 GMT

I have a Pinpoint ph probe in my tank that reads 9.2. I was alarmed until I scooped a glass of tank water and inserted the probe. It read 8.2. The probe is calibrated and it made no difference with or without ground probe and lights on or off. I only have a quiet one pump and heater running(in the sump).

Ultraviolet Sterilizer on Home Reef Aquarium Poll.

Jasonanatal — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:09:03 GMT

As much debate as this topic sparks I would like to keep the poll simple. My Ultraviolet Sterilizer broke and before I decide to repair it I wanted to see if their are actual pros and cons on individuals that have actually used them or are using them on their home Reef Aquariums.

At first when it broke I would get tons of Algae on the glass but that has since cleared up about 1 week ago and now cleaning my glass happens about once a week rather then daily. I have also noticed tonz and tonz of what appear to be copapods and amphipods crawling on the aquarium glass.

Time For a Change

supertom — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:08:20 GMT

Hey Everyone

I Bought a Power Center Day/Night - Wave Maker Timer made by "Energy Savers Unlimited" (Coralife)
Anyway after just a few days it started Losing Time and then Doing nothing more than being ON. Timer part stopped working and the only thing that worked was the Main ON/OFF. I Returned it to the store (without my Bill of sale) they rememebered me and replaced it no problems. Again after just a few days it starts messing up just like the first one.

Has Anyone had any simalar Problems ? (any Comment will be Good)

What Heater or thermometer help needed...

Wannahuckalugi — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 11:01:54 GMT

I have a 45 gallon reef tank. What heater and thermometer products do you recommend?