AquaPod FUN.....

[Stevenmi]

So you Detached the top lid from the tank?....hmmmm...tell me more...


Steve

[Clownboy]

Originally Posted by Stevenmi

So you Detached the top lid from the tank?....hmmmm...tell me more...


Steve

Yes, the lid comes off very easy. I removed mine in less than a minute. The lid just pop out. I took a small screw driver and lifted up on the hindge a little bit and pop the top out on one side and then the other. My wife help me and it took no more than a minute. It was easier than what I was expecting.

[Clownboy]

I scared to make the change at first because I did not know how much work it was going to be and I was worried about heat.

It was nothing, I couldnt believe how easy it was.

The lights look great and now when I go the LFS I can now look at all the corals and know that there is nothing I cant put in my tank. I am looking at a clam now.

When they tell you that MH lighting is better they are right, I used to thank that they were just full of it and that my light was fine for what I wanted but now I believe that they were right. My kenya tree is growing and my zoos look great! My BTA looks better as well.

[Craig Manoukian]

Originally Posted by Clownboy

there is nothing I cant put in my tank. I am looking a clam now.

As with all systems there is a limit to the livestock that can be kept in a confined space. It is relatively easy to overstock a 24 gallon. Be sure to have a plan B with your clam as they can become quite large, eh?

[Stevenmi]

Everything going great....However, I have been thinking about making some changes before I add any creatures...I think its refuge time. I am questioning my choice to set up a plenum in the pod as opposed to in an external refuge(empty 30 wide I have sitting next to it). The method I am trying envolves pulling off the power head and capping the plenum to create a oxygen-void for Nitrate conversion. Anyone else here ever try this method? with a 12 gal or small tank?

Current readings:
pH - 8.3
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 17 ppm
Specific Gravity - 1.026
Temperature - 82 F <---still too warm for me

Steve

[daveat]

i have heard of that, what it does is create an area for anaerobic bacteria to grow, which convert nitrAtes to nitrogen gas... you need a sandbed of 3-6" of depth and some creatures to sift the sand (sand sifting stars, nassarius snails, etc)

i have a shallow (1") sandbed in my 24gallon NC and have kept 0 ppm nitrates for the last two months (tanks been set up for 3)

[allent17]

Man, you took the original Powerhead out for the Maxijet but you put a powersweep in there! HAHA, thats like going backwards. That powersweep could be the thing driving your temps up. I tried one in a 20gal once and it pushed the temp up 4 degrees.

[Stevenmi]

Been awhile..here is some update:

I added a cpu fan (hole in side of cover)to the side of the cover, temp is steady at 77.5. Water quality is just about same as before except that the Nitrates are below 5 now.

Been running a 30" counter current skimmer from my old 55 for 2 days a week using a penguin 301 turned wayyyyy down.

Over the last 3 weeks I have added some friends:

[Stevenmi]

and some more:

[Craig Manoukian]

Nice lookin' softies!

[Ganomish]

Originally Posted by Stevenmi

Been awhile..here is some update:

I added a cpu fan (hole in side of cover)to the side of the cover, temp is steady at 77.5. Water quality is just about same as before except that the Nitrates are below 5 now.

Been running a 30" counter current skimmer from my old 55 for 2 days a week using a penguin 301 turned wayyyyy down.

Over the last 3 weeks I have added some friends:

Hey Steve,
How about a pic of your fan mod, and the fan size.
I was considering the same since my evap is about zero.
My temp is good for now (75) , but I am worried with little air exchange that will change this summer.
Fred

[Stevenmi]

Sure thing....
The aquapod 12 has an additional 2 prong power lead for a second in hood fan. I used a .36 amp fan from a computer heat sink at first...down side it sounded like a jet engine, and the plug in is suppose to be for a .18 so I changed it out with one from radio shack..upside temps are staying low. I had wired it to a medusa 2 stage with a 12 volt plug but I think the controler unit is bad so I sent it back. The hood has the two plug-ins and what side you plug it into, using this method will determine when the fan runs. I have the ballast fan running whenever the atinics are on...and the "water surface fan" running whenever the dual daylight's are on.

I cut the hole in the plastic with tin snips after scribing the circle outline with the fan in place, and then attached with ss screws. Air is blowing in..

Sorry it took me so long to get back with ya...
ps...Evaporation has increased to about 3 cups a day!!

Steve

[Ganomish]

Thanks for the pic.
I was thinking the same as you, only run the surface fan with my lights. That way the increased evap will counter-balance the heat from the lights. Lights go off, fan goes off. Stabilize temp.
I think I will definitely try this out for the summer.
Cheers.
Fred

[Stevenmi]

ok....I have a crab the size and likeness of very large very hairy spider. Very ugly about 2.5 inches across...I turned the lights on this morning and he slowly walked over to a hole in the largest rock in my tank.

So the question is....Do I try to bait/trap him, or remove the rock and get him?

Steve

[Gina]

I would first try and trap him. Use a glass, tilted with a piece of shrimp. He goes into the glass but, can't come out.