ELOS 160XL 200G Italian Dream Build

[FMF0331]

Very beautiful , i also have the Elos 160 XL.
You're going to baby that thing.

 

[trmnl5]

Very beautiful , i also have the Elos 160 XL.
You're going to baby that thing.

Thanks! I need you and @90reefernyc to post some photos here!

 

[Kayanarka]

Looking forward to the pump arrival.

 

[trmnl5]

Looking forward to the pump arrival.

The Sicce gear is on its way, and should arrive sometime this week.

 

[trmnl5]

Let me just say the build quality of this skimmer is incredible. This is another fine item from Italy. Scott over at Aquarium Specialty got us the Ultra Reef UKS-200 protein skimmer. This is the best quality skimmer I have ever used. It feels like a tank. The UKS series is their Ultra Compact Skimmer which takes up less space in the sump, and it completely comes apart for servicing. It has a Sicce PSK 1200+ pump that only consumes 28W. I can't want to get it installed and see it the sump when it arrives.

 

[trmnl5]

I'm super pumped about these Sicce pumps! The main return will by controlled by the Syncra SDC 7, and in tank flow controlled by a pair of Xstream SDC pumps. They are wifi controlled so you can tune them perfectly for your system.

.

 

[trmnl5]

My first reef tank was back in 2003, and we used vinegar to clean pumps back then. I can't wait to use Sicce's Pump Clean. Has anyone tried it?

 

[rishma]

My first reef tank was back in 2003, and we used vinegar to clean pumps back then. I can't wait to use Sicce's Pump Clean. Has anyone tried it?

My guess is Pump clean is citric acid, which is fantastic for cleaning deposits. Much better than vinegar IMO

 

[trmnl5]

My guess is Pump clean is citric acid, which is fantastic for cleaning deposits. Much better than vinegar IMO

Thanks for the reply. How often do you clean your pumps?

 

[rishma]

Thanks for the reply. How often do you clean your pumps?

It varies depending on water parameters and supplements but typically twice a year. 4x per year would probably be right but I’m not that disciplined. different tanks precipitate deposits at different rates.

 

[trmnl5]

It varies depending on water parameters and supplements but typically twice a year. 4x per year would probably be right but I’m not that disciplined. different tanks precipitate deposits at different rates.

I’m going to try for 4x a year, and I’ll keep you posted in this thread. Thanks!

 

[trmnl5]

The ELOS Osmo Controller arrived. This one uses an electronic sensor to measure the water level so no moving parts there. I’m looking forward to trying it out on this build.

 

[Adrift]

Extremely beautiful tank can’t wait to see your progression.

 

[blaxsun]

My first reef tank was back in 2003, and we used vinegar to clean pumps back then. I can't wait to use Sicce's Pump Clean. Has anyone tried it?

Yes. I found it wasn't quite as effective as EzeClean in removing things like encrusted corraline algae, but it's also significantly less money than EzeClean. So I'll be keeping a small stash of EzeClean for smaller things like my in-tank powerheads, nozzles and such and using the Sicce Pump Clean for anything in my sump, ie: skimmers, reactors and return pumps.

 

[rishma]

Yes. I found it wasn't quite as effective as EzeClean in removing things like encrusted corraline algae, but it's also significantly less money than EzeClean. So I'll be keeping a small stash of EzeClean for smaller things like my in-tank powerheads, nozzles and such and using the Sicce Pump Clean for anything in my sump, ie: skimmers, reactors and return pumps.

There are a lot of reports of vinegar damaging pumps. I used it for years without trouble, but manufacturers recommend against it too.
you can buy food grade citric acid powder for way cheaper than the aquarium branded stuff.

 

[blaxsun]

There are a lot of reports of vinegar damaging pumps. I used it for years without trouble, but manufacturers recommend against it too.
you can buy food grade citric acid powder for way cheaper than the aquarium branded stuff.

That's why I don't use vinegar on anything other than my cleaning tools and testing vials.

 

[Bj’s Reef]

I’m so jealous right now. Your tank setup looks great. I can’t wait to see how it turns out. You are right, that skimmer is a tank for sure.

 

[trmnl5]

Extremely beautiful tank can’t wait to see your progression.

Thanks so much!

 

[trmnl5]

Yes. I found it wasn't quite as effective as EzeClean in removing things like encrusted corraline algae, but it's also significantly less money than EzeClean. So I'll be keeping a small stash of EzeClean for smaller things like my in-tank powerheads, nozzles and such and using the Sicce Pump Clean for anything in my sump, ie: skimmers, reactors and return pumps.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll try the Sicce Pump Clean and see how it goes.

There are a lot of reports of vinegar damaging pumps. I used it for years without trouble, but manufacturers recommend against it too.
you can buy food grade citric acid powder for way cheaper than the aquarium branded stuff.

I read that vinegar can cause the magnets to swell. Most of the reports were from people leaving it in a bucket with straight vinegar overnight and not diluting it with RODI water.

That's why I don't use vinegar on anything other than my cleaning tools and testing vials.

I feel more people need to talk about this. I learned about Sicce pump clean at Reef-A-Palooza, and had no idea that vinegar was that bad.

 

[trmnl5]

I’m so jealous right now. Your tank setup looks great. I can’t wait to see how it turns out. You are right, that skimmer is a tank for sure.

Hey you are in SC so you can visit ELOS America! And yeah the skimmer quality really shocked me. I almost don't want to get it wet because it's so nice lol. Thanks again for the kind words, and I'll do my best to make a nice reef inside the tank.