B1N4RY's 8 Gallon Reef Aquarium.

+1 a skimmer box is a good idea

 

EcoTech Marine Vortech MP10 ES RF Module Upgrade.

So I currently operate 2 EcoTech Marine Vortech MP10 ES pumps on my 20 gallon aquarium. One pump was purchased without the Wireless feature and the other came with the wireless feature standard. I have been having a few issues with my pumps in tuning the proper water flow within my aquarium because the pumps were not synchronized wirelessly. If I turn them up too much I get a sandstorm tornado of sugar sized aragonite sand which make my aquarium look like a white Christmas. If I turn them down too low I don't get the proper surface agitation to break up the slime coat on the surface of the aquarium water, mostly due to not having an overflow or surface skimmer (which I don't plan on using because I want the system to be small and manageable). So I placed an order for the RF Module upgraded directly through EcoTech Marine and hopefully I can improve the water flow within the aquarium once the pumps are synchronized.




The contents of the overly huge box shipped from EcoTech Marine. One instructional manual and an RF Module contained in an Anti-static bag.


The installation process took less than 10 minutes to complete properly. What is involved is literally removing the 3 screws from the back on the driver. Sliding the circuit board out from the guiding poles and snapping the RF Module into the receptacle appropriately. I installed it wrong the first go and the circuit board would not fit back into the plastic housing. No worries, just remove the RF Module and flip it around. Once done place the control board back into the plastic housing and secure with the three screws and power the unit back on. You will know that the installation was completely successfully because the W will light up accordingly.



Opening the driver housing and removing the circuit board.


The socket where the RF Module will be installed.


The RF Module installed incorrectly on the circuit board.



The RF Module installed correctly on the circuit board.


The EcoTech Marine MP10w ES Driver closed and mounted back on my aquarium.


After the installation it was time to synchronize the two pumps, one set as a master and the other set as a slave which is simple enough following the instructions from the pumps manual. So now I can experiment with different settings to see which best suits my aquarium. So far I have managed to increase the overall output of the pumps without causing a sand storm so that is a definite improvement.


My two EcoTech Marine Vortech MP10w ES pumps synchronized and operating in Tidal Swell Mode. (Please note that the W is actually on, for some reason my DSLR displayed these lights flickering when using the LCD Viewfinder.)

 

crap, I wish I could afford one used mp10...

popcorn is popped and I'm setup for the longhaul on this show

 

Two MP's on an 8 gallon tank wow.

Dude you need to edit your title. lol.

 

Reply to Corailline.

I want to but I have the same thread running on various forums I participate in so I like consistency. But if I could edit it I should change it to Small Tank With Too Much Damn Flow and The Owner Just Like to Shop Way Too Much! ;D

 

Reply to Zesty.

Just save a little. I lucked out on great prices on mine. The first MP10 I managed to get from a seller on amazon for $180.00 because it was there last one and I think they just wanted to move it. The second I got for an awesome deal as well I believe $220.00. I just finished up a contract so I have to halt my spending until I pick up a new position.

 

I concur!!!!!

 

haha, everyone has their own budget they can work with. I usually rely on people that buy too many gadgets and then sell them used...

My dream is to get an apex unit, but that's going to be a "I won the lottery moment for me" haha

 

Reply Zesty.

I love to look for bargains too. When I see a piece of equipment that I want and someone is selling it for a decent price I will definitely jump on it. But the equipment has to be in decent condition. One thing I don't appreciate is someone selling used dry good that are covered in salt creep and rust and asking almost top dollar. But sometime we luck out and people let go of brand new items that work but just didn't really fit their setup the way they thought. I have been on that end. I sold a brand new in box skimmer that pushed way too much water and cause a lot of splashing in my aquarium so out the door it went at a slightly discounted priced to save on shipping and time.

 

Simple Solution to Removing Surface Film without an Overflow.

Since my aquarium is sumpless, I don't have the added benefit of having the surface of the water constantly being skimmer from falling into the overflow to remove the surface scum that builds up in the aquarium. And rather than purchasing a surface skimmer that looks very unsightly, I though of a simple method that I can do to remove some of the film and hopefully over time get a handle on the situation. During my water change I would use tubing to siphon water from the aquarium into the container. But I thought maybe I should try just taking a glass and pushing it in the aquarium to basically mimic the overflow and remove water and the surface scum. I think it worked quite well and over the course of the next few week it should clear up more than it already has from a single water change.




Surface film covering the aquarium water about 1 week ago.






Surface film covering the aquarium water after Friday's water change.