Tell me about... Aquapod Mods!

[Kanicky]

Hello all,

Well, this is not my first venture to the Nano boards, but this is my first thread, asking ever-so-humbly for any and all advice and suggestions about my brand-new 12G Aquapod!

Nick (the other half of Kanicky) surprised me with a 12G Aquapod for my birthday a few days ago, and needless to say, I was ecstatic beyond belief :D He's been telling me for six or seven months that I don't need a Nano, because once I have one, I'll want more, but I guess he was just yankin' my chain. LoL.

Anyway, I am just wondering if you could supply me with some advice and suggestions on modding the Aquapod? A couple of my questions are:

1. What should I replace in the back chambers? And what should be the replacement? Why?

2. How hard is it to make a fuge out of the second chamber? What are the steps?

The tank already has water, sand and LR in it (Nick wanted to have it set up already, when I walked into the house) so I understand that some mods may have to be done when a WC is taking place...

One upgrade I've already made is replacing the stock pump with a Maxi-Jet 1200. Nice flow :)

Anyway, enough of my rambling! Thanks in advance for any and all help! :cool:

[YellowDesmo998]

I can't talk of the Aquapod specifically but you would want to pull out all the "stuff" they give you for the chambers like the sponges, bio-balls, etc.

Get a good mesh bag and throw in some LR rubble and/or another bag with carbon and Purigen. Place some disposable filter floss like the stuff used for pillow stuffing (without the flame retardants sprayed on) and put that in the first chamber. Replace that once a week to keep the nitrates down.

Other then the return pump upgrade, you're good.

Check out www.nanotuners.com and www.nanocustoms.com for more ideas.

[Kanicky]

Okay, sounds good.

Yes, I've checked out both websites, as I want to get a nano chiller for the tank as well... don't think I'll upgrade the lighting, but you never know! ;)

[IslandCrow]

Is that the Aquapod with PC lighting? If so, before you get a chiller, you may want to try replacing the feeding door on the hood with a computer fan. It works wonders on mine. I actually have to run a heater to keep the temperature up where I want it. I posted some instructions in this thread:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1192235

[Muggle]

I agree with YellowDesmo998. Get rid off all the stuff that came with the AP. I have some LR in mine and then I also put some chaetos on top of it. Also made a "hole " in the back and attached a small PC light to the back so it can grow. Filter floss is important too and has to be replaced every week. Shouldn't be a problem to find that :-)

[Kanicky]

IslandCrow- THANK YOU for your advice! That idea seems so much easier than adding a chiller... I'd rather run a heater than a chiller I think.

Thanks again to everyone else who gave advice... if anyone else happens to stumble upon this thread and has some more advice or suggestions to give, bring it on! :D

[Abiathar]

Here is a link to the thread with mine that has been up for about a month. I documented what mods I have done, most with pics. I am planning on adding another fan to help keep temps down, have a heater if I need it.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1201106

Steve