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Questions on new to me equipment

Vhuang168

Vhuang168

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I just bought a used 40g aio, 1" Acrylic, rear sump. The seller is not sure who is the manufacturer and I'm not too worried about it. It seems well made n sturdy.

With it comes a skimmer that I've not seen used here and my searches have uncovered a few seemingly decent reviews but no overwhelming support. It is an AquaMedic Turbofloter Blue 500. Any opinions?

The rear sump is sectioned off into 3 sections. A media section, leading to a section where the skimmer now resides n a much larger section for a fuge/return area. That area is 2/3 of the whole sump. I've seem media in the 1st stage just after the overflow n some in the last by the return. I'm assuming it doesn't really matter?

The tank also comes with an AI SOL Blue light that seems to be popular. Though I see that it's been replaced by the Hydra 64 line. Is there a compelling reason to upgrade?

The controller is an older push button one n it doesn't light up when plugged in or buttons pushed. Anyone know if it runs on batteries? Light runs fine but without the controller it is on @ 100% all the time.

I'm sure I'll have more Qs as I progress but that's what I have atm.

Tia
Vincent
 
Hmm, I haven't seen that specific skimmer before either. It looks like it uses a mesh/needlewheel pump to feed it which is nice. I think its probably perfectly fine to start running with. As your tank fills in and you stock it you can see whether it is meeting your needs or not and decide to upgrade in the future. One tip I'll give you with skimmers: there IS such thing as too big of a skimmer. My old 140g tank was extremely understocked for its size, and the massive skimmer I had didn't seem to pull much out. So I got an EVEN BIGGER one and it pulled out even less... :)

Running media is a personal choice thing. I don't run any prefilter media myself (e.g. like a filter sock or sponge). Why? Because I'm too lazy to keep it clean. :) That said, it can definitely save you having to siphon detritus out of the sump if you keep it clean. Some people run carbon and other medias like that; again personal choice. I don't run these.

A fuge is always a nice idea though. A little spot to grow some macroalgae and let things like pods and snails breed.

Not sure on the lights so I'll let others chime in.

Sounds like a great tank though! Make sure to start a build thread!
 
With it comes a skimmer that I've not seen used here and my searches have uncovered a few seemingly decent reviews but no overwhelming support. It is an AquaMedic Turbofloter Blue 500. Any opinions?
You don't typically see many people talk about skimmers for all in one units, for the simple fact that many do not run skimmers. I think most people go AIO simply so everything is wrapped up in a nice package that looks nice in the living room. That said there is nothing wrong with using a skimmer, and in fact could be beneficial. But as to the skimmer itself, sorry, no opinion on it, if you get brown gunk in the collection cup, good, if you don't, not so good :)

I've seem media in the 1st stage just after the overflow n some in the last by the return. I'm assuming it doesn't really matter?
Media service 2 purposes, first and foremost it's surface area for bacteria to occupy to end up "cleaning" your water. second, is for physical removal through catching and cleaning, these are your sponges or filter socks. If it's simply bioballs or something similar, it doesn't matter where they are located.

The tank also comes with an AI SOL Blue light that seems to be popular. Though I see that it's been replaced by the Hydra 64 line. Is there a compelling reason to upgrade?
Not unless you don't like the color that the SOL is giving you, or you feel there isn't enough light. The Hydra has more LEDs, and is a bit more powerful. I always say to use the grow test to see if what you have is useful. If what you have is growing fine and colored up nicely, why change something that works? If everything browns up, and there's not much growth, then what you have doesn't work.

As to the controller bit, I'll let someone else chime in. But does it actually change the intensity of the lights when you push buttons on it? I forget what AI's first controller was, but I think it had a little LCD screen and a knob. Their later ones became wireless
controller.jpg
 
Ive seen the ai sol lights at a garage shop, a friends tank, and at cali reef co. In both cases they do not sustain or color up corals very well.

I run kessil 360we led lights on my tank and my corals look better than the corals in all 3 cases. Of course there may be other factors involved. Kessils currently dont come with a controller though there is one available separately. A controller lets you control what time the lights turn on and what intensity. It can also control color and intensity ramping. Though im planning on selling my kessils to get radions :)
 
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I don't agree with Michael. I run the ai sol blues lights and like them quite a bit. They are not the newest or fanciest lights out there, but work great. Sounds like your controller may not be working, which I a problem. On 100% those lights are way to much for a 40 gal.
 
+1
Ai sol beats kessil by miles. Price on them dropped big time so new hobbyist can start with low investment. The new Prime is a great deal, too.
 
I've had my AI SOL Blues for about 3 years and love them. I also have the old fashioned controller pictured above. I'm not sure if there is a battery but I've never changed it if there is. I think it is powered by the cord that connects to one of lights (I have 3). You may have a defective cord - I had a problem with cords when I first got the lights but haven't had a problem since. You'll definitely need a working controller as I only run my lights at about 40%....
 
Thanks for the feedback. Guess I'll keep them for now and possibly upgrade them to the newest Hydra setup.

The controller I have is pictured below. All I get is a black screen. I'll try a different cable, its just a 3.5mm phono plug on both ends.

colorController%20web_0.jpg


Vincent
 
Nice pickup!

As sfsuphysics said, if the skimmer makes brown gunk, you're good to go. If you decide to change it take a look at Marine Depot's series 'Does it fit'. Cool videos of different skimmers in different AIO tanks.

I have AI SOL blues. The only things that don't do well in my tank are Acros. I'm not sure I can blame the lights. Getting a working controller is important. I control mine thru the Apex.
 
Vhuang168 said:
The controller is an older push button one n it doesn't light up when plugged in or buttons pushed. Anyone know if it runs on batteries? Light runs fine but without the controller it is on @ 100% all the time.
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The controller you have is actually touch sensitive and it does have to be plugged in to work, there aren't any batteries. I'm a fan of AI, but they really botched that controller design. I have an extra one that works if you need a replacement. You do want to turn your lights down. You will toast your corals with that light on 100%!
 
Thanks for the offer! I might just pick up the new Director. The tank is currently not setup as I just bought a new house and we're waiting to move in. I'll start it then and hopefully I'll have the lights sorted out by that time.
 
Vhuang168 said:
Thanks for the offer! I might just pick up the new Director. The tank is currently not setup as I just bought a new house and we're waiting to move in. I'll start it then and hopefully I'll have the lights sorted out by that time.
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I don't think the sols ever had wireless built in, so I think you'll need the wireless adapter too if you go that route.
 
Bluprntguy said:
I don't think the sols ever had wireless built in, so I think you'll need the wireless adapter too if you go that route.
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Yeah I would have get that as well. Or I could just upgrade it to a Hydra 52! lol. The adapter is $50, I can apply that to the $299 upgrade and save some money there.

Would a single Hydra 52 be enough for a tank measuring 32X18X16? I am thinking of a 1-2" sand bed. When I was researching the lights last night, I came across a chart (of course I can't find it right now) that said I would need 2 modules at 32" long. To compound the matter, Hydra 52s are on sale right now!
 
Vhuang168 said:
Yeah I would have get that as well. Or I could just upgrade it to a Hydra 52! lol. The adapter is $50, I can apply that to the $299 upgrade and save some money there.

Would a single Hydra 52 be enough for a tank measuring 32X18X16? I am thinking of a 1-2" sand bed. When I was researching the lights last night, I came across a chart (of course I can't find it right now) that said I would need 2 modules at 32" long. To compound the matter, Hydra 52s are on sale right now!
Click to expand...

I think a single hydra is pushing it, but it somewhat depends on what corals you want to keep. If it was me, I'd do two of the AI Prime fixtures for $400. They have built in wireless controllers, so you won't even need the director with that solution. You could also do two of the Hydra 26, but you'd need to add the director to that solution, so it jacks up the cost to $700. In both of these cases, I'd just sel the sol to someone else. There are lots of people that still use those fixtures and they still seem to be in pretty high demand.
 
The Prime is rated at 50w, the Hydra 52 is 135w, the Hydra 26 is 90w each. So 2 26s would give the most wattage and I can spread the light around more. But seeing as this is my 1st tank, I may just get a controller and run the SOL Blue until I get a better idea of what I want to keep and what exactly I want in a light.

So I might have to take you up on that offer on the controller if I can't get this one to work.

Vincent
 
Vhuang168 said:
The Prime is rated at 50w, the Hydra 52 is 135w, the Hydra 26 is 90w each. So 2 26s would give the most wattage and I can spread the light around more. But seeing as this is my 1st tank, I may just get a controller and run the SOL Blue until I get a better idea of what I want to keep and what exactly I want in a light.

So I might have to take you up on that offer on the controller if I can't get this one to work.

Vincent
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Probably a good approach. I've been through 3 light fixtures on my tank in four or five years. Started with an AI NANO, "upgraded" to a maxspect razor and now have the older AI hydra, so it's 90w. FWIW, the 90w fixture on my aquarium never goes above 45% power.

Just shoot me a PM if you decide you want the controler. It's too much trouble for me to sell it, so it's free to a member if you want to pick it up.
 
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