IM 15g - discontinued

[fishy408]

With the lack of time and a recent tank crash, my 425xl was decommissioned. Most of my corals died during the crash while I was away, but there were a few that survived. For the survivors, this is a new journey in their new box (Innovative Marine 15g).

Mission: Aiming to make this tank as simple as possible .

Cycling Observations:

• Using the rocks, branches, bio media from the old tank the new IM 15 measured 0 ammonia/nitrite after one week of testing.
• The rocks, branches, bio media also carried over Phosphates but not Nitrates. Previous tank Phosphates were 2, Nitrates 20+.

Current Measurements:

• Salinity 1.025 - Alkalinity 8.3 - Calcium 420 - Magnesium 1290 - Nitrate 5 - Phosphate .7

Maintenance

• Bi Monthly 4 gallon water change.

Current Livestock

• Fish: 2x Black Snowflake Clownfish
• Coral: 2x unnamed Blasto, 1x torch, some zoa (forgot the names).

Equipment:

• IM 15g
• AI Lights Changed to XR 15.
• 9w UV sterilizer
• Auto Aqua ATO
• Trigger 10g reservoir
• Apex controller
• MP 10

 

[fishy408]

MP 10 loud noise issue. I remember when I put the MP10 into storage I watched a video on how to take it apart and give it a good clean. It was perfectly quiet before storage. After taking it out several months later, the sound was horrible. See video below.

After doing some research on MP10 loud noise, I realized maybe it was user error. When I cleaned the MP10 before storage, I cleaned what I thought was algae/dirt but was actually some kind of lubricant that got dirty. I purchased a lubricant called Molykote and greased the MP10. The MP10 is now quieter than it has ever been. See video below.

After hearing the initial helicopter sounds from the MP10, I thought it was a goner but luckily this fixed it.

 

[richiev]

MP 10 loud noise issue. I remember when I put the MP10 into storage I watched a video on how to take it apart and give it a good clean. It was perfectly quiet before storage. After taking it out several months later, the sound was horrible. See video below.

After doing some research on MP10 loud noise, I realized maybe it was user error. When I cleaned the MP10 before storage, I cleaned what I thought was algae/dirt but was actually some kind of lubricant that got dirty. I purchased a lubricant called Molykote and greased the MP10. The MP10 is now quieter than it has ever been. See video below.

After hearing the initial helicopter sounds from the MP10, I thought it was a goner.

Very interesting. I hadn't seen that before. I replaced bearings once, but not this.

What did you lubricate?

 

[fishy408]

Very interesting. I hadn't seen that before. I replaced bearings once, but not this.

What did you lubricate?

On the wet side, both sides of the magnet and the shaft.

 

[Darkxerox]

If you or anyone else ever gets a new wet side, make sure you follow the break in procedure. They changed the construction of the ceramic shaft so it's kinda fragile now, even with the molykote: https://support.ecotechmarine.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020863294-VorTech-Wetside-Break-in-Procedure-

 

[RandyC]

If you or anyone else ever gets a new wet side, make sure you follow the break in procedure. They changed the construction of the ceramic shaft so it's kinda fragile now, even with the molykote: https://support.ecotechmarine.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020863294-VorTech-Wetside-Break-in-Procedure-

Uhhhh…that procedure is annoyingly long. isn’t that is why there’s fancy software? Why do I have to do that manually? Silly rabbits……..

 

[Darkxerox]

Uhhhh…that procedure is annoyingly long. isn’t that is why there’s fancy software? Why do I have to do that manually? Silly rabbits……..

I mean otherwise how would they make so much money on these parts? But seriously mine was awful and even overheated until I had it go through this procedure.

 

[fishy408]

Corals 1/12/2023 are in rough shape. One Blasto head is dead, and some Zoas are closed. Hoping they recover in this new tank.

 

[Teague75]

Fishy 408,
Thank you for the info on the MP-10 vibration. I have the same issue. I just ordered some molykote grease. Great info!

Louis

 

[fishy408]

Tank seems to be stable. Surviving corals seems to be coming back to life. Cleared the top of the aquascape and planning for a torch garden.

 

[PizzaOven]

Looking good, I hope you're enjoying the smaller and simpler tank. What kind of torch is that?

 

[fishy408]

Looking good, I hope you're enjoying the smaller and simpler tank. What kind of torch is that?

I like it but I am starting to think that 15g is too small. The torch I got from dbtc, and it's called Indo Gold Torch.

 

[PizzaOven]

I like it but I am starting to think that 15g is too small. The torch I got from dbtc, and it's called Indo Gold Torch.

Nice! I saw you just bought a IM 40L

 

[fishy408]

update 2/19/2023: Corals are doing much better. The green Hawaiians and Orange Rainbows zoas are slow to color up but most polyps are now open.

Picked up a Dragon Soul and Ultra Acan from Cali Kids. First time stopping by their store in Concord.

 

[fishy408]

Routine has been a 5 gallon water change every 2 weeks. I have stopped testing the water but will probably do it if I see something wrong.

One of the blasto is growing blue streaks which is interesting.