Illuminating the sump...

"Oh no's! I dropped something in my sump, and now I can't see it! Whatever will I do?!?!"

"Oh no's! Whatever will I do?"

Has this ever happened to you? You're fiddling around with a thumb screw or trying to reconnect some airline tubing to a venturi, and you drop a small part in your sump?

The space under your tank can be a dark and scary place. Items can get dropped, knocked over, or simply just not seen. Holding a flashlight takes a free hand out of the equation, and every hand is needed when working under your sump!

Don't let this happen to you! Put light where light is needed, but not intended to go. Sure, you can put shop lights or even small led lights, but these can cost 10's of dollars and require the use of AC current! Try a touch light today!

The Fulcrum 3 LED 3-Pack Tap Light comes with not one, not two, but THREE touch lights. These battery controlled lights are safer than regular more powerful lights, and are able to be mounted practically anywhere! Change your filter sock, clean your skimmer collection cup in complete ease and simplicity. The extra lighting will make any chore a simple breeze.

Attached easily with double sided tape.

Don't fall victim to the millions of other lighting options avaialble! Use your free hand to change that filter sock, snap your fingers to the beat, or simply wave at your fish!! Purchase your Fulcrum 3 LED 3-Pack Tap Lights today! (batteries not included).

"With my hand now free, I can snap my fingers to the beat..."

*Disclaimer: The Fulcrum lights and linked vendor webpage are not affiliated with nor indorse Chromis' Reef in any way shape or form. This is not a paid advertisement or endorsement. While this blog post is loaded with satire, I really did purchase these lights and install them in my sump stand. The extra light is extremely beneficial, and I feel safe not worrying about extra plugs or having to mount a light fixture in the sump. Until next time...

Digital Aquatics RKM SL-1 Module

In preparation for my vacation, I decided that there was no better time than now to set up an auto top off system. After looking at my options, I decided to purchase the Digital Aquatics RKM SL-1 module for my ReefKeeper Lite system.

My ReefKeeper Lite system features the ReefKeeper Lite head unit, 2x PC4's, iTemp probe, float switch kit, and an SL-1 module. Without getting too much into the ReefKeeper Lite system, I will say that it controls my lights, skimmer, return pump, and heater. So far, so good!

The SL-1 module can be used with both the ReefKeeper Lite and Elite systems. The module enables one to connect a pH probe, ORP probe, temperature probe, and has molex slots for two switches. I purchased one float kit (with mounts) to set my water level. When the float switch is "closed", or down in my particular setup, it turns on the Aqualifter pump that pumps water out of an RO/DI reservoir (currently an old salt bucket with a hole drilled in the lid) and into the sump. I don’t have to manually top off my system, or come home to a pump that’s blowing micro bubbles because I didn’t top off enough the night before.

The float switch

After talking with a fellow reefer about his worries of a sticking float switch, I plan on purchasing a second float switch kit to set as a back-up shut off switch. Whenever the water level triggers the second float switch, it will tell the auto lifter pump to turn off. This would be helpful in the event that the first float switch fails. I will also be purchasing a pH probe to monitor pH. I’m not interested in monitoring ORP at this time, however it’s not bad knowing that I can monitor that.

To finish the install, I mounted everything to my aquarium stand with Velcro, which helped organize some of the wiring behind and alongside my aquarium stand. Job well done if I may say. Until next time...

Marineland Maxi-Jet 1200 Pro Powerhead

I wanted to make water changes easier, so I started looking for a powerhead to help move water in and out of the aquarium. I picked up a Maxi-Jet 1200 Pro, which is the new, updated version of the Maxi-Jet 1200. The Maxi-Jet pumps have been widely used because they are good little work horses, versatile, readily available, and are relatively inexpensive.

Marineland has recently updated their powerhead line. The new line now includes both an impeller and a propeller with a cover for each set up. It also includes a new Omni-Directional Mount that can be attached to the suction cup mount the units included in the past. The new powerheads still include the same pieces and adapters for multiple uses (such as a venturi adapter) as before.

Propeller and Circulation Assembly:

Powerhead / Utility Assembly:

The Maxi-Jet 1200 Pro will push a maximum of 295 GPH in powerhead mode, 1300 GPH in circulation pump mode, and a maximum of 6 feet when used in utility mode.

Reports have surfaced that the new Maxi-Jet Pros would produce a rattling noise when back pressure is applied. I wanted to see if I could replicate these reports, so in addition to testing the pump in both the standard utility (powerhead) and circulation modes, I also tested the Maxi-Jet on an AquaC Remora protein skimmer and I also used a ball valve to apply back pressure.

I tested the powerhead in a 5-gallon bucket, and I ended the testing on my aquarium using the circulation mode. The flow was strong in the powerhead mode. Testing in the bucket inside the house was not my finest idea, as several times I moved the pump and water was sent spraying all over. I used the pump to push water up about 5 vertical feet to my display aquarium, and it performed well. I also ran 12 feet of vinyl tubing from my water changing buckets into the bathtub several feet away. For water changing, this is going to work well.

Next, I installed the propeller and the propeller cover and put the Maxi-Jet in my aquarium. It had a good, strong flow. The flow was a little more focused than I had hoped, but I was able to feel the flow from the powerhead on the other side of the aquarium (36"). I played around with turning the pump on and off, but it makes a rattling noise when starting. Because of this rattling, I would say these would not be the best for a wavemaker. When starting up again, the propeller cover rattled and also seemed like it wanted to come off. At one on/off session, the propeller wouldn't turn on, and another it fell out. Oops. I would have to say that there are better options out there for a on/off wave making function, but the strong flow and near silence when in use make this pump a good option for in tank water flow.

Now, on to the back pressure tests. I attached a piece of vinyl tubing and a Two Little Fishies ball valve. The pump does indeed rattle when backpressure is applied. When the ball valve was dialed back past 3/4 open, a significant rattling would be evident. Some of the noise can be minimized by using the suction cups mounts to reduce vibrations, but there was still a noticeable rattle. Next, I attached the pump to my AquaC Remora. There was also an audible rattling noise that could be heard over the normal hissing noise heard from the skimmer. I tried moving the pump and adjusting the impeller housing, but I wasn't able to reduce or eliminate the noise. Unfortunately, I was able to replicate the rumors, and I was unable to find a fix for either of the situations. In both cases, it was a noise issue, not a performance issue on the part of the pump. Remember, noise is subjective.

Overall, the new Pro model of the Maxi-Jet 1200 is a good powerhead for the price. It can be used as a powerhead, circulation pump, and utility pump. You will not find a pump that can do all three for less! For this blogger's particular purpose, this is a great pump at a very affordable price. You can learn more and purchase the Marineland Maxi-Jet Pro Powerhead online at MarineDepot.com.

Until next time...

Summer Time

It's Summer time. For me, this means no school, more work, and more vacation. As I plan my vacation, I have had to start making plans for the care of my pets and reef tank. My dog and turtles are pretty easy to plan for, and I've never had trouble finding someone to care for my dog.

Unfortunately, I've had poor luck with my old nano reef tanks during the summer. My first reef tank crashed when I went to Las Vegas. My next reef tanks followed suit. I have had poor luck whenever I have left town for more than two or three days. Asking someone to care for my reef tank is a possibility, but even then I worry. This summer, I plan on leaving for one full week. While I have taken many smaller trips for camping, we haven't been able to take a whole week off for several years. To make things more complicated, my dad is going out of town, so I have no one home to check on the tank.

I have some good things going for me this time. I have the assistance of automation. I can set up an auto top off system to control evaporation. I will leave my window fan running in my bedroom to circulate the heat on hot days, and I will set up fans on the sump to assist with cooling. I can set up a large bucket to collect excess skim, so I won't need to worry about the skimmer cup overflowing. Lighting is also on timers, so I won't have to worry about lighting cycles.

My last concern is feeding. While I can feed my coral before I leave, I will need to obtain an automated fish feeder. I will also test my automated system for 1-2 weeks before the trip. This will allow me to monitor my system to ensure it works flawlessly, and work out any kinks. I will also have to train someone or ask a fellow hobbyist to come by halfway through the week to check on things.

And finally, I may have to set up a remote webcam so I can keep an eye on the tank. While it won't be overly sophisticated, I purchased a webcam off eBay for $0.01. I can set-up a simple webcam system to upload snapshots to the internet. This can give me a change to spot a problem (or prevent a problem) and call my standby person.

I'm sure I'll document this process, but I wanted to kick around some ideas first.

New Protein Skimmer!

Sneak peak of my new Reef Octopus 6 In Sump Pinwheel Protein Skimmer w/ Bubble Plate.

More information to follow...

**UPDATE: 8:58 P.M. - The skimmer has been installed. It's too soon to write a review, but it looks very promising! The assembly was simple, and it's making lots of tiny bubbles since the install. The skimmer body is sturdy and constructed of quality acrylic. I can't wait to see how it skims!

Installation wise, it was a little taller than the room I had available in my sump, so I had to remove the drawer from my tank stand. I'll have to find some way to create a fake drawer to cover the opening. The skimmer fit nicely into my 20 gallon long DIY sump's middle chamber. I don't see many micro bubbles leaving the skimmer, but I designed my sump to have a bubble trap just in case.

Here's just a few pictures I took...

I'll write a complete product review after the skimmer has a chance to break in! Until next time, keep on reefing...

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Water change day

Sunday, funday water change! Tank husbandry all around. I changed about 15 gallons of water, siphoned some sand out, replaced the some media and filter sock, and more!!

I also changed the clear vinyl tubing on the TL Phosban reactor to black vinyl tubing. It looks much better now.

Did I mention I added fish? I added three Chromis and a Six-Line Wrasse. My Yellow Watchman Goby has been defending his territory well, and my Clownfish has been making her presence known.

So far the Chromis have adjusted well and the Six-Line Wrasse has been swimming around, foraging off the rocks. I'll post pictures soon...

My gluttony is contagious

This is what happens when you (I) overfeed:

Cyanobacteria! Oh no's!

I'm a little embarrassed to post these images, but I'll keep some integrity and honesty on this blog. There, my friends, is the ugly truth.

Here's the action plan:

• Water change tomorrow. Siphon out as much Cyano as possible.
• I re-arranged the MP10's. I don't know if it's the settings or the placement, but they're not giving the flow I was expecting. I'm going to have to play around with them some more.
• Change Phosban media. It's been about a month.
• Better judgement: Feed less.

I'll keep you posted. These n00bie mistakes are getting old. Until next time...

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