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- May 25, 2020
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Quick tips and QOTD today! It's simple but could really save your tank one day! Your aquarium return pump is the heart of your system and needs to be running at all times and there are some things you can do to make sure it is always pumping! Breakers can get tripped, power strips can quit working and pumps get dirty and can stop pumping! Here are a few tips and I hope that you will share some of your own.
1. If at all possible have your aquarium return pump on it's own circuit.
2. Plug your return pump directly into the electrical outlet. Don't use a power strip or even an aquarium controller.
3. Clean your return pump regularly to keep it running smoothly and efficiently!
4. Make sure the return intake of your pump isn't restricted.
5. KEEP A SPARE PUMP FOR AN EMERGENCY!
Do you have your return pump on it's own circuit and do you think that is necessary? What about these other tips?
Please share any tips you have for making sure your return pump is running at all times!
Hello, this topic is near and dear to my heart. I started building my tank in May and fully completed the transfer from my Nano 20 to my new XL 200 in July 2020. I had ‘help’ because I just had surgery on my right shoulder. My helper (btw, someone that does this for a living, someone I paid ~$500 to ‘help’ me) did not organize the wiring as it should have been done. He put the Controllers into the cabinets and the wiring was completely tangled and was a mess. It was my responsibility and I should have taken ownership of this long before I did.Quick tips and QOTD today! It's simple but could really save your tank one day! Your aquarium return pump is the heart of your system and needs to be running at all times and there are some things you can do to make sure it is always pumping! Breakers can get tripped, power strips can quit working and pumps get dirty and can stop pumping! Here are a few tips and I hope that you will share some of your own.
1. If at all possible have your aquarium return pump on it's own circuit.
2. Plug your return pump directly into the electrical outlet. Don't use a power strip or even an aquarium controller.
3. Clean your return pump regularly to keep it running smoothly and efficiently!
4. Make sure the return intake of your pump isn't restricted.
5. KEEP A SPARE PUMP FOR AN EMERGENCY!
Do you have your return pump on it's own circuit and do you think that is necessary? What about these other tips?
Please share any tips you have for making sure your return pump is running at all times!
My arm was out of the sling so I decided to tackle rearranging all of the electrical components. While doing so, I pulled the AC Adapter for my EcoTech Vectra M2 Return Pump into the sump water. I heard everything start to shut down. I checked the GFCI and it had flipped. It wasn’t until I saw the smoke/steam rising out of the sump that I realized what had happened. Hastily or stupidly, I grabbed the adapter out of the water. It was fried. Now, what? My brand new aquarium, my clownfish, my lovely damsel, my crabs and shrimpies, two new rainbow tipped anemones, all of my corals from my Nano and about 20 new little frags were now at risk. Sunday afternoon...my Reefer was dead in the water, so to speak. Started making phone calls. I called a saltwater aquarium store in a nearby city to see if they happened to have an adapter for sale and lo and behold, they had an M1 Controller and AC adapter (combined unit) that I could borrow, but not until the next day. I wasn’t sure if it was compatible, but it was worth a shot. I ordered a new AC adapter online and the EcoTech Battery Backup and Booster and tried to order a titanium grounding probe, but couldn’t find one in stock.
Now, I had to figure out how I was going to keep my fish and corals alive as they had been sitting in water that was only being moved by the ReefWave25. Fortunately, I have several power heads and aerating pumps and various hoses that I had bought for my one-armed water change operations. The beauty of the REDSEA XL200 Reefer and maybe other tanks too, is that you can use the existing architecture. I clamped a hose onto a 300 gallon/hour pump and fired it up. I just threaded the hose up and over the top of the display tank and connected it by lodging it in the rocks. I kept that going until I picked up the M1 Controller/AC adapter. Thank goodness it was compatible! I ended up with an algae outbreak shortly afterwards. Other than a few more grey hairs, that was the only serious damage.
Lessons Learned:
1) Never leave your electronics in your sump cabinet or near any water
2) Organize your electrical wiring, use colored velcro to label items and tie down equipment. No loose wires or equipment
3) Have your Return Pump on its own GFCI so, if it goes down, it doesn’t bring everything else down
4) Have a Backup tested and established or ‘ready to go’ in the unlikely event of failure
5) Keep backup power heads and hoses on hand for emergencies
6) Install a Titanium Grounding Probe
7) Wear rubber soled shoes while working on your aquariums so that you do not become the ‘Ground’.
I just want to add, I often wonder what it might be like living in the watery environment that I create for my little creatures and animals. Let me say that IMHO and I love them and I have had many...cats and dogs are Tiddly Winks compared to what you need to know and need to do to keep these environments safe and healthy for our marine pals. Don’t underestimate yourself in any way. This is a tough hobby and very rewarding. Have a great weekend! JL
Bear in mind that I have one 50 gallon reef tank. My tips are general in nature. Reading some of the other posts blow me away! You guys are awesome!
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