**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...
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...
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...
My old Marineland Stealth heater has bit the dust... "Dun, dun, dun... Another one bites the dust..." Coincidentally, those heaters have been recalled recently. I guess they set houses or aquariums on fire. I don't think my heater's failure was related to that case, but it does help put my mind to ease to get the thing out of my house.
A heater is something you should not take for granted. People may want to save a couple of bucks here, but this is something I would caution against. Heaters are important for two reasons: they heat aquarium water to tropical temperatures and they also keep the temperature STABLE. Stability (of temperature or any parameter) is very essential to reef aquariums.
The box
In its entire glory
Well move over whats-her-face... A new heater is in town. The Fluval E300 has a new home. I had the opportunity to view the heater a few months back, and I was impressed. The Fluval E Series heaters are glass heaters encased in a plastic protective guard. The Fluval E Series employes VueTECH technology, an advanced microprocessor with dual temperature sensors which continually monitor and display the aquarium water temperature. The heater comes calibrated from the factory, so no adjustment is needed. The thermal sensing technology is as precise as an external temperature probe! The heater is also very reliable as there are no moving parts to wear out.
Digital display
The digital LCD display changes color to indicate current temperature conditions. The display will read green when temperature is within -2/+2 °F of the set temperature, it will display red if temperature exceeds +2 °F, and it will display blue when water temperature is lower than 2 °F.There is no guessing when changing the temperature set point. The Easy Set Temperature Lever allows you to easily set the temperature with a flip of the lever. The temperature is set using the LCD screen, so there is no guessing with + or - signs, no more hoping that the heater's 78°F setting is truly 78°F. Fluval took the convenience of a temperature controller, and put it directly into the heater.
Three suction cups, count them... THREE!
Mounting the heater is simple. There are three (count them, THREE) suction cups included with the heater. They attach securely to the plastic housing of the heater, so they are nice and secure. The only thing that would have made the mounting options better would be magnetic holders. (Section cups are a thorn in the side of the hobbyist. I'm just saying.) Besides that minor improvement, the mounting options are good. Fluval even includes a side-mounting bracket that attaches to the heater and allows for install on side panels in aquariums where mounting to the back wall is not possible.
Side mounting bracket
Fluval offers a 5 year warranty against defects of workmanship under normal usage. The price for the Hagen Fluval E300 is affordable at just over $50, and offers many bells and whistles for a heater in that price range. You can purchase a Hagen Fluval E Series Heater at MarineDepot.com!
I've included a short video I made below. Until next time...
