Reef nutrition

Alex’s IM 150 EXT

Gyre maintenance

I am a big Gyre fan despite the maintenance effort compared to the MP10/40/60s. The flow seems to be far superior and the cost of a gyre connected to a wave engine is a quarter of an MP40 (recognize that you need the wave engine). That's why I have not been interested in the recent MP40 knock off discussion - but I know folks do not want to run cables in their tanks.

I clean my 4 gyres (maxspect XF 350) every 12 weeks. I try to stick to this schedule not so much because of the impaired flow (I could just crank them up), but because of the amount of stuff which they collect. 12 weeks seems to be the max amount until they need to be cleaned. I have two spare, clean two at a time, and install the previously cleaned (and freshly lubricated ones - silicone) immediately so that there is no rush.

Removing the impeller is a bit of a pain but once they are clean, it feels like a nice accomplishment. And optimal flow combined with good light are key success factors so it seems to be worth the effort, even though every 4-6 months might be totally fine if you do not mind how they look by then.

The two horizontal ones cleaned today.

IMG_7248.jpeg
 
Alexander1312 said:
Gyre maintenance

I am a big Gyre fan despite the maintenance effort compared to the MP10/40/60s. The flow seems to be far superior and the cost of a gyre connected to a wave engine is a quarter of an MP40 (recognize that you need the wave engine). That's why I have not been interested in the recent MP40 knock off discussion - but I know folks do not want to run cables in their tanks.

I clean my 4 gyres (maxspect XF 350) every 12 weeks. I try to stick to this schedule not so much because of the impaired flow (I could just crank them up), but because of the amount of stuff which they collect. 12 weeks seems to be the max amount until they need to be cleaned. I have two spare, clean two at a time, and install the previously cleaned (and freshly lubricated ones - silicone) immediately so that there is no rush.

Removing the impeller is a bit of a pain but once they are clean, it feels like a nice accomplishment. And optimal flow combined with good light are key success factors so it seems to be worth the effort, even though every 4-6 months might be totally fine if you do not mind how they look by then.

The two horizontal ones cleaned today.

View attachment 64763
Click to expand...
Nice chatting with you at the potluck. I thought your gyres were vertical?
 
Alexander1312 said:
Gyre maintenance

I am a big Gyre fan despite the maintenance effort compared to the MP10/40/60s. The flow seems to be far superior and the cost of a gyre connected to a wave engine is a quarter of an MP40 (recognize that you need the wave engine). That's why I have not been interested in the recent MP40 knock off discussion - but I know folks do not want to run cables in their tanks.

I clean my 4 gyres (maxspect XF 350) every 12 weeks. I try to stick to this schedule not so much because of the impaired flow (I could just crank them up), but because of the amount of stuff which they collect. 12 weeks seems to be the max amount until they need to be cleaned. I have two spare, clean two at a time, and install the previously cleaned (and freshly lubricated ones - silicone) immediately so that there is no rush.

Removing the impeller is a bit of a pain but once they are clean, it feels like a nice accomplishment. And optimal flow combined with good light are key success factors so it seems to be worth the effort, even though every 4-6 months might be totally fine if you do not mind how they look by then.

The two horizontal ones cleaned today.

View attachment 64763
Click to expand...
I feel like if you tried the icecap gyre you would want to change them all out. Cleaning them is super easy might be easier then the mp40s
 
Alexander1312 said:
Gyre maintenance

I am a big Gyre fan despite the maintenance effort compared to the MP10/40/60s. The flow seems to be far superior and the cost of a gyre connected to a wave engine is a quarter of an MP40 (recognize that you need the wave engine). That's why I have not been interested in the recent MP40 knock off discussion - but I know folks do not want to run cables in their tanks.

I clean my 4 gyres (maxspect XF 350) every 12 weeks. I try to stick to this schedule not so much because of the impaired flow (I could just crank them up), but because of the amount of stuff which they collect. 12 weeks seems to be the max amount until they need to be cleaned. I have two spare, clean two at a time, and install the previously cleaned (and freshly lubricated ones - silicone) immediately so that there is no rush.

Removing the impeller is a bit of a pain but once they are clean, it feels like a nice accomplishment. And optimal flow combined with good light are key success factors so it seems to be worth the effort, even though every 4-6 months might be totally fine if you do not mind how they look by then.

The two horizontal ones cleaned today.

View attachment 64763
Click to expand...
What do you typically clean them in? Citric acid?
 
Reefer Madness said:
I feel like if you tried the icecap gyre you would want to change them all out. Cleaning them is super easy might be easier then the mp40s
Click to expand...

I just cleaned a couple of 2ks for the nano tank - I found the impeller even harder to remove than the maxspect,. I assume the larger ones are better.

The reason the mp40s are easy to clean is IMO that you only need to remove the wet side vs the entire device like the gyre. Also, I am primarily only removing two at a time since I have only two replacements and I let them soak for a few days since they are covered heavily in coralline a.
 
Fish Quarantine
I said I would not do this again (due to the hassle), but I believe I will change my mind and start trying to quarantine fish again under the right circumstances.

I like the three videos Ryan put out after he left BRS (if he truly ever left). I don't agree with everything, but I do like how the content is presented. There is a section in the video below (32:24) on how to do quarantine in the most simple way, which I think I would be willing to do (again) since I have most of the stuff already. If @derek_SR gives me his 55-gallon drum, then I am ready.

 
Alexander1312 said:
Fish Quarantine
I said I would not do this again (due to the hassle), but I believe I will change my mind and start trying to quarantine fish again under the right circumstances.

I like the three videos Ryan put out after he left BRS (if he truly ever left). I don't agree with everything, but I do like how the content is presented. There is a section in the video below (32:24) on how to do quarantine in the most simple way, which I think I would be willing to do (again) since I have most of the stuff already. If @derek_SR gives me his 55-gallon drum, then I am ready.

Click to expand...
Ryan just gets his fish from Elliott at Marine Collectors so he too is just using a QT vendor (which I highly recommend).

Tank transfer method and the hybrid TTM are probably the best bang for buck (time wise) if you aren't getting something from Kenny or online from a true QT vendor. They have pros and cons, but all the protocols you need are on Humblefish.
 
Darkxerox said:
Ryan just gets his fish from Elliott at Marine Collectors so he too is just using a QT vendor (which I highly recommend).

Tank transfer method and the hybrid TTM are probably the best bang for buck (time wise) if you aren't getting something from Kenny or online from a true QT vendor. They have pros and cons, but all the protocols you need are on Humblefish.
Click to expand...
I have done the humblefish protocol previously and I feel it is too complicated for me to do. I have got many of my fish from Kenny and this is still my preferred route. But when, e.g., taking fish from someone else, I would like to expand my options and what he is recommending as a 80/20 method seems to be a feasible approach under certain circumstances.
 
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