Reef Ramblings

Here are a few videos showing SICCE products in action.

1. Demonstration of the silent start feature of the Voyager pump range.

2. Demonstration of the different flow patterns produced by the Voyager range of stream pumps.

3. A longer video (C. 7mins) demonstrating how simple it is to strip and re-assemble the Voyager stream pumps and showing the range of articulation provided by the pump mounting.

Note the unbreakable steel shaft on the smaller pumps and the heavy duty ceramic shaft on the larger HP range.

More videos coming soon.

Tim Hayes, Midland Reefs ©2010. Images SICCE ©2010.

The Shark ADV range of internal filters from SICCE is available in three versions with different flow rates ranging from 400 to 800 l/h, to suit aquariums between 90-180l, where it is the sole filtration. They can also be used as auxiliary circulation pumps for large aquariums and can be usefully employed in reef and marine aquariums as an inexpensive alternative to a media reactor. It’s far more effective to put a bag of carbon or phosphate media into a Shark ADV internal filter than just leaving the media passive in the sump or behind the rockwork of the aquarium.

The stand out feature of the Shark range is the quick release media cartridge system using SICCE’s patented magnetic connecting system (MCS). Instead of having to remove the entire filter from the aquarium you can just reach into the aquarium and easily separate the media cartridge from the body of the filter making media cleaning or replacement a quick and easy task that keep disturbance to the aquarium to a minimum.

The interchangeable cartridges can be used to house active-carbon, filter sponges, phosphate remover, or any other filtration media. Additional cartridges can also be added to increase the filtration capacity of the unit.

There is a sophisticated Venturi system to improve oxygenation featuring an airflow adjustment with four settings, it automatically compensates for low water flow in the tank by increasing the amount of aeration.

As well as controlling water flow, the adjustable intake at the base of the filter prevents small fish and other animals from being pulled into the filter, with the aperture adjusting from 1 - 4 mm.

Features:

• Magnetic connecting system with interchangeable cartridges
• Pump head swivels through a wide angle allowing flow direction to be set.
• Venturi system for greater oxygenation
• Water flow adjusted by head setting
• Adjustable intake for greater control of water flow and for preventing fish from entering the filter.

Shark ADV 400 and 600

Models 400 and 600 have flow rates of 400 l/h and 600 l/h respectively.

They come with a single 320 cm³ cartridge but can be upgraded through the purchase of the add-on 210 cm³ modular cartridge.

Shark ADV 800

The Shark ADV 800 as well as having the highest flow rate of the range at 800 l/h comes complete with the add-on 210 cm³ modular cartridge giving a massive 530 cm³ volume for media

All Shark ADV filters have a 3 year Guarantee.

Tim Hayes

Midland Reefs ©2010

SICCE ©2010

Sicce has taken the synchronous motor to the highest level in the pumps’ industry with the New MULTI 9000e -14000e-16000e models.

These pumps have a maximum head height of over 8 m maintaining low power consumption and extremely high performance, which are a standard of all Sicce engineered products. These pumps are silent, powerful, compact and easy to maintaining. They can work both submersed and out of water (Wet & Dry application).

Wet and Dry Application.

The Wet & Dry application allows the Multi pump range to be used either completely submersed or outside of the water.

When operating out of the water, the pump will not overheat owing to the design and the materials used in its manufacture. In case of impeller blockage or malfunction, an automatic thermal protector stops the flow of current to the motor, preventing any possible damage of the pump.

Multi 4000 and 5800.

A new generation of high performances pumps with NRG system, made for submersed and in line applications.  The NRG system is a revolution in permanent magnet synchronous motors and allows exceptional power, reduced consumption, great reliability and very low noise levels in comparison to asynchronous motor with similar performances. Features low wear, virtually unbreakable ceramic shafts.

There are three pre-chamber options for these two pumps: long pre-chamber with 1′ threaded inlet, short pre-chamber (no threaded inlet), and pre-chamber with Air Mix system (allows large quantities of air to be mixed with the water, considerably increasing the concentration of Oxygen).

The Multi 4000 comes with the short pre-chamber as standard, while the Multi 5800 comes with the long pre-chamber with threaded inlet. Both pumps come with a threaded hosetail for the outlet.

Multi 9000e, 14000e, and 16000e

Electronic Control System.

The new Sicce Multi Electronic pumps offer very high performance thanks to patented advanced technology and feature an inbuilt electronic board with extensive management software.

These are the most powerful synchronous motor pumps available on the market.

Pumps come complete with 1-1/2 threaded couplings and can be used immersed or in-line.

MULTI 9000e

Multi 9000e is equipped with a unidirectional electronic start-up system. The system is capable of determining the correct direction of rotation of the impeller if the pump should start in the incorrect direction. The system continues carrying out the necessary attempts to individualize the correct operating direction.

MULTI 14000e - 16000e

Multi 14000e and 16000e are equipped with a unidirectional electronic start-up system, and are capable of determining the correct direction of rotation of the impeller if the pump should start up in the incorrect direction. The system determines the correct sense of direction of the impeller, and permits a gradual start-up of the pump until it reaches normal operation. Thanks to this system, the pumps have a higher performance when compared to asynchronous motor pumps.

Apart from their use as reef aquarium sump return pumps, this  versatile range of permanent magnet synchronous motor pumps is suitable for use in many different applications, garden ponds, koi ponds, swimming pools,water recirculation, water-cooling, above-ground pools, hydroponics, irrigation, filtration, fish farms, tooling machines, etc.

To see the available range go to Midland Reefs

All pumps in the Multi range have a three-year warranty.

Tim Hayes

Midland Reefs

©2010

Italian pump manufacturer SICCE has just launched a new range of return pumps in the UK. Currently there are nine pumps in the range Syncra 0.5 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 5.0 delivering from 700 litres per hour up to 5,000 litres per hour.

The Syncra Silent range was created to provide high performance with silent operation and high energy efficiency through the use of synchronous motors and advanced rotor design.

All pumps come with a pre-chamber and flow regulator, plus threaded hosetails, and a set of suction cups.

The quietest pumps on the market chosen by many major manufacturers for their reliability and performance.

Syncra Silent 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5.

The three smallest pumps in the range make for useful general utility pumps suitable for running media reactors or for providing flow in smaller aquaria. As with the rest of the range these pumps feature a thermal cutout to prevent overheating, making them suitable for use both submerged and out of water.

Syncra Silent 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 5.0.

With their compact size and high performance, these make the ideal sump return pump for the reef aquarium. The silent nature of these pumps is a bonus for those with a reef in their main living area.

With their innovative technology, these versatile pumps are not just for marine aquarium usage and can be used in a great number of different applications. In fact, Syncra Silent pumps are ideal for fresh water and marine aquariums, terrariums and turtle tanks, protein skimmers, water-cooling, indoor and outdoor fountains and for any other application that requires a high performance, silent pump.

All Syncra pumps come with a three-year guarantee.

To see the available range go to Midland Reefs

Tim Hayes
Midland Reefs
©2010

Italian pump manufacturer SICCE has just launched a new range of Stream pumps in the UK. The range can be broadly divided into Voyager 1, Voyager 2, 3, & 4, and Voyager 7, 8, 9, & 10. All Voyager pumps come with a three-year guarantee.

Voyager 1

The smallest in the range is the Voyager 1. This has a flow rate adjustable between 1000 and 2300 l/h and is suitable for marine aquariums, nano reefs, and freshwater aquariums.

This pump includes a number of novel features:

• Mounting allows pump to be rotated through 360˚
• Volume of flow can be adjusted.
• Flow can be deflected at an angle.
• Deflector rotates producing a surge motion.
• Speed of surge can be adjusted.

As well as this all adding up to the ideal pump for the nano reef or smaller marine aquarium, SICCE also suggest that the Voyager 1 can be usefully employed in freshwater aquariums; thanks to the flow deflector and rotation system, it can raise detritus from the bottom of the tank, allowing the filter system to remove it from the water, contributing to a cleaner healthier aquarium. Indeed, this describes one of the best ways of utilising this pump in any aquarium, freshwater or saltwater.

The pump comes complete with a mounting featuring a combination of suction cups and magnets ensuring secure positioning on the glass (up to 15 mm thick).

Voyager 2, 3, & 4.

These 3 models range from 3.000 l/h, through 4.500 l/h, up to 6.000 l/h and include features such as:

• Regulation of the water flow’s power, creating flows of different intensity for soft and hard corals.
• Mounting allows pump to be rotated through 360˚
• Pump can be tilted upward and downward by up to 180°.
• Robust magnetic support, for glass up to 15mm thick, consents angle positioning.
• Possibly the quietest stream style pumps available.

The design of the pump mounting with its high degree of articulation and magnetic support offers great versatility in positioning with endless orientation possibilities. The versatility in movement and positioning makes it possible to hide it almost anywhere.

The rotation of the water flow regulator on the front of the pump allows you to adjust the flow according to the requirements of your corals.

The unique bidirectional design of the rotor ensures that everytime the pump starts it does so silently in the correct direction. The rotor and shaft of the Voyager are highly wear-resistant and virtually unbreakable.

See what influential US blog, Reef Builders, had so say about these pumps when they were introduced in the US: www.reefbuilders.com

Voyager 7, 8, 9, & 10.

The New Voyager HP or High Performance series builds upon the features and technology of Voyager models 1 through 4 but takes them to another level.

These four models produce, respectively 10,500 l/h, 12,000 l/h, 13,500 l/h and 15,000 l/h, features include:

• Regulation of the water flow’s power, creating flows of different intensity for soft and hard corals.
• Mounting allows pump to be rotated through 360˚
• Pump can be tilted upward and downward by up to 180°.
• Robust magnetic support, for glass up to 20 mm thick, consents angle positioning.
• Possibly the quietest stream style pumps available.
• High output with exceptional efficiency in l/h per watt.

The design of the pump mounting with its high degree of articulation and magnetic support offers great versatility in positioning with endless orientation possibilities. The versatility in movement and positioning makes it possible to hide it almost anywhere.

This unique feature allows the units to be mounted on the rear glass of the aquarium without sacrificing its directional range.

The removable front ring insert allows the water flow to be adjusted wide or narrow according to the requirements of your corals. The units have durable rotor, ceramic seats, and a ceramic shaft. This, combined with the electronic engineering of the motor, assures that the pump always starts in the correct direction without vibration or noise. . The magnetic supports prevents slippage, vibration, and wear on the glass

Safe for use with timers.

To see the available range go to Midland Reefs

Tim Hayes
Midland Reefs
©2010

Italian manufacturer Hydor has just launched a new range of Koralia Evolution pumps to replace the old range of Koralias 1, 2, 3, and 4.

As the name suggests this new range has evolved from the original Koralia pumps. It now includes the same shaftless technology, introduced with the Magnum range, making broken shafts a thing of the past.

The range consists of:

Two new versions of the Koralia Nano: a 900 l/h and a 1600 l/h version.
Three entirely new pumps to replace the existing Korallia range: Evo 2800, 4000, and 5200

New features include:

A more powerful pump in a smaller package, along with lower power consumption. (In the case of the EVO 5200 that’s an amazing 50% reduction in power consumption!)



Evo 2800, 4000, and 5200 models have the new generation shaftless impeller, as per the Magnum range, making maintenance easier and faster and, consequently, no more broken shafts!

The impeller has a unique, new design to produce a wider more gentle flow.

Evo 2800, 4000, and 5200 models are all now controllable and can be operated on a timer.

Smaller pump body making it less obtrusive in the tank.



The magnet-suction cup has been modified on the Evos to absorb vibrations.

Table 1. Showing the increase in efficiency of the second generation Evolution pumps over the original Koralia range.

Pump Efficiency.

Back in August 2008 we saw a fantastic increase in pump efficiency with the introduction of the Hydor Koralia Magnum range, the second generation Koralia Evolution pumps take this a step further.

The Evo 5200 becomes the most efficient pump in the range with a fantastic 945 l/h per watt, closely followed by the Evo 4000 with 889 l/h per watt. See table 2.

Table 2. The 2010 Hydor Koralia range showing flow rate, power consumption, and efficiency.

To see the Hydor Evolution range go to the Midland Reefs website: Koralia Evo and New Koralia Nano

Tim Hayes

Midland Reefs

©2010

We’ve recently taken on distribution of the Dupla and Hobby ranges of aquarium equipment. One of the first products we’ve added to the range are the Hobby bladed magnetic cleaners.

Having gotten into the habit of using scrapers over the last few years, I’d forgotten how good these bladed magnets are, particularly the “Jumbo”, when it comes to removing calcareous or coralline algae. They’ll remove all but the very heaviest encrustation of coralline algae from the viewing pane of a reef aquarium.

These extra-strong algae magnets easily remove algae from aquarium glass, leaving no traces. Used just like ordinary algae magnets, the bladed half goes inside the aquarium whilst the padded half goes on the outside, enabling you to control  the cleaning action without getting your hands wet.

The Hobby bladed magnets feature two sharp stainless steel blades. These blades are made from high quality, stainless V4A steel, as used in ship-building and are guaranteed not to cut the silicon joints, nor to scratch the glass. The blades are replaceable and are available in packs of six for the standard magnet, and packs of four for the Jumbo magnet.

If dislodged, the bladed magnet floats, making recovery easy.

Caution! Given the strength of the magnets and the presence of the blades, there is a risk of injury if used improperly. Handle with care and don’t let you fingers, or any other part of you anatomy get caught between the two magnets!
Even in the case of the smaller standard magnet: Keep out of reach of children.

Tim Hayes

Midland Reefs

©2010

If you’re looking for a protein skimmer that’s both cost effective and efficient you won’t find  better value for money than that offered by the second generation of Hydor Performer  skimmers. This range of skimmers caters for aquaria from 200 litres up to 4000 litres and comes complete with a feed pump and fitting kit included in the price.

This is a high quality range of skimmers built with high precision CNC machined parts and made from top quality materials guaranteeing a robust and long lived product. Hand made in Italy, these skimmers are safe and easy to use, suitable for both fish only and reef aquariums, and are compatible with the use of ozone.

The second generation of  Performer skimmers have been upgraded and improved with the help of the Midland Reefs team, to produce a more efficient foaming action and a drier skimmate.

Performer skimmers are equipped with silencers, special drainage systems that can be regulated in height and, unlike with some manufacturers, the supply pump and fitting kit is included at no extra cost. The new Seltz foaming pumps are equipped with a lubrication system, and the innovative Rotormix impeller.  The design of the Rotormix impeller means that the air sucked in through the venturi is not just chopped up into into tiny bubbles but is, at the same time, accelerated into the skimmer column resulting in a very efficient foaming action.  Thanks to the use of these new pumps, Performer skimmers guarantee super efficient water circulation and foaming, removal of particulate matter, high air concentration in main chamber, very low noise level and low energy consumption. The return system can be adjusted to allow for precise regulation of the foam by modifying the amount of water treated without changing the level of the water treated in the skimmer column.

With each of the larger skimmer pumps drawing 26 watts or less, it makes them the skimmer of choice for the Cost Conscious Reefkeeper.

At Midland Reefs we’ve noticed an anomaly in the way that Hydor have named the skimmers in the Performer range.  The names obviously relate to the  recommended stocking densities, but part way through the range the number changes from Normal Stocking to Heavy Stocking density.  All other brands name their skimmers based on Normal density so we believe that Hydor are unintentionally underselling the capabilities of the Performer range.

The largest size, the Performer 3000 Trio, is proving popular with retailers for use on their shop systems.

For more on these skimmers goto Midland Reefs Performer page. Also you can see a video that includes further info on these skimmers, taken at Petindex 08.

Tim Hayes

Midland Reefs

©2009

ReefresH2O™ – The Natural Choice for Fish Hobbyists.

Here are a few of the testimonials we’ve been receiving about ReefresH20 media. The first couple are from the US where this media has been around for a while longer than in the UK and EU.

“I currently maintain five 55-gallon tanks of Hawaiian fish, and in some of them ReefresH2O is the only method of filtration I use,” said John Dawe, fish hobbyist and past president of both the Marinelife Aquarium Society of Michigan (MASM) and Midwest Marine Conference, as well as a ReefresH2O customer for close to 10 years.

“ReefresH2O is exceptionally reliable, and so convenient to use as an almost instant biofiltration system.  I can literally take a conditioned piece from an existing tank and put it directly into a new tank of quarantined fish, or get a new piece of media ready in just a couple of days by seasoning it in an existing tank,” Dawe explained.  “I wouldn’t use any other biofiltration product.”
“As a long-time hobbyist who has also been in the coral propagation business, effective and reliable media for both filtration and coral growth is important from many aspects,” said Rick Smith, aquatic enthusiast and former fish and coral frag wholesaler.  “ReefresH2O is the closest product available to reef rock, offering exceptionally high porosity and making it much easier to bore propagation holes than when using concrete-based media.  Offering a neutral substrate with an ability to rapidly absorb up to 30 percent of their weight in micronutrient-rich salt water, ReefresH2O coral frag plugs promote instant coral adhesion and long-term, healthy growth.”

“I’ve been using this product line for about a decade now, and currently maintain a 92-gallon reef tank that exclusively employs ReefresH2O biofiltration media.  With no need for water changes in more than three years, the tank is full of healthy, thriving corals thanks to ReefresH2O.”
In the short time that ReefresH2O products have been available in the UK they’ve proved an unqualified success in the shops where they’ve been tried out, particularly in the marine sector. Retailers using ReefresH2O products in their shop systems report unprecedented low nitrate levels.

Richard Sendel, owner of Tropical Paradise, Eastleigh, near Southampton placed four 9” x 9” x 4” ReefresH2O Blocks in the sump of his 4,500 litre shop fish system which at the time was running at 100 ppm Nitrate, mainly because Richard makes sure his fishes get properly fed 3 times a day. Now, after 10 weeks, Richard is reporting an unprecedented Nitrate level of 2 ppm!

Steve Unwin of Mastin Moor Aquatics is using the Blocks in his fish system; Steve made the additional observation that since installing the blocks in the system, water parameters have become much more stable rather than fluctuating as the fish load varies over the course of the week (as fishes are sold and the system restocked).

Mike Barnett proprietor of Aquatics World, Coventry, using a combination of 1¼” Spheres in a large trickle tower along with Blocks in the system, is finding negligible levels of Nitrate in his fish system.
From Switzerland Sascha Sonderegger of Nightsun Aquaristics emailed saying, “I tried a RefresH2O block in my live rock tank and the result now is really good. I put it in to the tank on the 17th December with a nitrate around 100mg/l. When I put in new live rock, normally the NO3 will go up a little, this time the NO3 was 25mg/l after 10 days.”
We’ve had plenty more reports from aquarists, both retailers and hobbyists, having great success in reducing and controlling the nitrate levels within their systems. If you’ve got a ReefresH2O success story that you’d like to share, email me at tim@midlandreefs.co.uk or give me a call on 01543 685599, and I’ll publish your story here.

Tim Hayes
Midland Reefs
©2009

Visit our product info page, kindly provided by workthespace.co.uk!

As there seems to be some confusion about the usage of ReefresH2O media I’ve decided to answer these concerns with the addition of a ReefresH2O FAQ section.

“How do you cut ReefresH2O blocks and plates?”

ReefresH2O is a very easy media to cut. The first time I cut a plate I used what I believe to be a tile saw. Further experimentation has shown that this media can be cut with a wide variety of saws, although I’d suggest using narrower bladed ones, such as tile saws or hacksaws, rather than wood saws.
Note: you don’t need to use a fancy diamond tipped ceramic saw to cut this media.

“Why is it recommended that ReefresH2O products should be rinsed to keep from clogging every few months and changed out every 12 - 24 months when, on the ReefresH2O website, it states that the media is non-clogging?”

The important thing to note here is the exact wording in the ReefresH2O literature:
“Maintenance:
Periodic backwashing or rinsing suggested every 3 months or as necessary
Replace material after 12 – 24 months or as necessary”

Please note the use of the words,  “or as necessary”.
This is to reflect the many different ways that the media could be used, both in freshwater and marine environments.

Broadly speaking, if the media is used in a flow-through application, such as the cartridges designed for use with the Marineland filters, then it is reasonable to expect some clogging to occur as the media is being used both as mechanical filtration and as biological filtration.
So, where the media is doing double duty we’d recommend periodically rinsing it in tank water.

If the media is being used in a passive application i.e. denitrification, it won’t have water being forced through so won’t be as liable to clogging. In a passive application, with a light flow of water traveling around the media, the movement of water through the media is facilitated by advection and diffusion processes, along with bioturbation efforts of micro-organisms living within the substrate.
In this application the media can, in effect, be self-cleaning. Any clogging that might start to occur will be cleaned up by a combination of the larger microorganisms moving through the substrate and by the migration of different species of bacteria to the clogged site. Think of it in terms of one man’s clogging being some micro-organisms idea of lunch!!

See The Reef Aquarium vol. 3 by Delbeek and Sprung for more on advection.

“if this was used as a base material under live rock then wouldn’t that make it a bit difficult to rinse and wouldn’t it have detritus constantly settling upon it and clogging the surface of it?”

In this application, where ReefresH2O plates are used directly on the base of the aquarium, there is no necessity for rinsing the media. As mentioned in the previous FAQ, bioturbation and mobile populations of bacteria will keep the plates from clogging. The same will hold true where plates are used vertically against the back or side walls of the aquarium.

“Wouldn’t worms and other micro-organisms find it difficult to burrow through the ceramic material of ReefresH2O?”

The highly porous structure of ReefresH2O and it’s extensive network of interconnected pores and channels, with sizes ranging from 0.5µm to 500µm, provides homes for many varieties of micro-organisms as well as bacteria species. Expect to see many species of worms, molluscs, micro-crustaceans, algae, and more, taking up residence within the structure of any ReefresH2O product used in a passive or denitrification application.

“What’s the best way of using ReefresH2O in an external power filter?”

This depends on what your aim is:

If you just want nitrification in a freshwater set up, use as you would any other media, occasionally rinsing the media in tank water.

If you are after nitrification make sure to use mechanical pre-filter media, sponge or filter floss (remembering to rinse it weekly and replace as necessary) before the ReefresH2O media. Ideally restrict the flow of water through the filter to enhance denitrification.
Note: flow restriction should take place on the inlet side of the filter to prevent pressurization and the associated danger of leakage.

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If you have any further queries about ReefresH2O media, or any other aspect of reef aquaria please feel free to contact me.

Tim Hayes
Midland Reefs
©2009