DKoKoMAN’s 305g Basement Reef

[DKoKoMan]

Originally Posted by chizerbunoi

That's kinda scary. Glad it didn't burn down and start a fire.

I agree! Melted that plastic end on an angle. Definitely wouldn’t recommend to anyone as reliable or durable.

Originally Posted by Dash

You know, I read about this particular issue somewhere. On my powerhead controller, when I pull that cord out, there’s always a little spark, which is a bit scary.

That’s my next upgrade - buying better powerheads. Can’t avoid the fact that you have to spend a bit more for peace of mind.

My plug would spark here and there on the controller. Since it started acting up it sparks like crazy! I’m definitely over it, we invest so much in to the tanks and a return pump is the heart of the system. Fire is bad as well.

I have since removed the controller from where it was mount and have it sitting flat on top of the ato. Fingers crossed my new return pump arrives tomorrow. It could be just a one off however I prefer better quality over the low cost. Lots of good powerheads options that don’t have to cost a lot! Obviously lore then the jebao but that goes back to quality.

[DKoKoMan]

My new return pump just arrived today and thought I would post a quick photo. Hopefully I can get this installed this weekend

[DKoKoMan]

So got this pump setup and with a little plumbing tweaking it was a breeze. Simple controller which matches the pump with an attractive red color. There is not a lot of controllability (doesn’t bother me as I have it max) and it has a feed mode. So far I’m impressed with the build quality of the pump and especially the controller. Blows my jebao out of be water as when I tried to run it at max it overloaded and would turn off. Not cool for a return pump. 2 days and this pump is humming along.

I will post an update in a couple months for this. Here are a couple photos as always.

[Dash]

So, you don’t miss the sparks and melting plastic?

[DKoKoMan]

Originally Posted by Dash

So, you don’t miss the sparks and melting plastic?

My wife one time was like why is this thing sparking from the plug. Me: “oh that’s totally normal”.

Now it melted the plug end and controller... wife wins as the return pump
Went in to the garbage and was a fire hazard. What a gong show! Of course it completely shuts down at 10pm so I had to change all the plumbing and install the pump at night.

I have to dial in my Alpha Cone Skimmer again because the last leg of the old return pump caused it to overflow and now it’s a really wet skim. How’s your vertex omega treating you these days?

[Dash]

My Vertex was completely plug and play. I have never adjusted a thing. I googled & apparently the foaming is reaching the sweet spot in the neck. It came at 50% open (whatever that red dial thing is) and I’ve never changed it. Skim mate is black, like I can’t see through it.

[DKoKoMan]

Originally Posted by Dash

My Vertex was completely plug and play. I have never adjusted a thing. I googled & apparently the foaming is reaching the sweet spot in the neck. It came at 50% open (whatever that red dial thing is) and I’ve never changed it. Skim mate is black, like I can’t see through it.

Ugh . Mine is more the color of tea which is annoying. Does your pump have the white Venturi dial on the pump that is supposed to be adjusted as well? Mine was working well until it overflowed from the return pump.

I have my red stand pipe completely open and the foam head is right toward the top creating the wettest tea like skimmate.