Blog Comments

Originally Posted by TH3C1SC0K1D

Yes, but I like the auto shut down feature as an added precaution!

Do you have a controller? If so, it's very easy to do a DIY solution- just use a float valve to shut off the skimmer and email you when the skimmate "locker" is full. You can also DIY the carbon odor filter that the Davy Jones' Locker has as well

Originally Posted by baker.shawn

wow thats great!
you should go DIY and save yourself lots of money, it may not have the auto shut off but i dont think you need that unless you dont like to check your tank...ever

Yes, but I like the auto shut down feature as an added precaution!

wow thats great!
you should go DIY and save yourself lots of money, it may not have the auto shut off but i dont think you need that unless you dont like to check your tank...ever

i am impressed at those of you that have built these led fixtures

Originally Posted by chuck

Nice work. Do you have them mounted to a laminated MDF board? What size aquarium is that?

Yes, that is what they are mounted on, straight from Home Depot. Also my aquarium is a 40 gallon breeder.

Nice work. Do you have them mounted to a laminated MDF board? What size aquarium is that?

Originally Posted by melev

The skimmer's Eheim pump is sucking in 100% of the effluent from the NP reactor. The reason I use a Tee fitting is to make sure the Eheim gets enough water and isn't starving the pump.

That makes sense now. I will post some photographs later, but I have a Maxi-Jet 1100 Utility Pump rated for 294 gph that is responsible for pulling water into the Avast Marine Works MR-5 Media Reactor (filled with BioPellets) then going directly into the feed input of the Avast Marine Works CS-1 Black Pearl Recirculating Protein Skimmer. Since it is Recirculating I don't have to worry about the pump not getting enough water inside the skimmer. However, I may replace it some a bit more powerful later on since the tumbling of the BioPellet media has decreased a bit but not enough to warrant replacing it right now.

Originally Posted by melev

Keep it up, and you'll become an expert. Then when someone needs theirs fixed, you can troubleshoot and resolve the problem.

I will continue to do so! I'm always ready to lend a helping hand!

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

That's awesome, Are you planning on building something around the lights to hide the fixtures?

I am planning on closing the unit up but I still have some things that I want to add so far the time being it will stay open. Quite honestly is doesn't even look like an eyesore to me because when family and friends come over their always like "wow that looks awesome... what is it"? So it is always a great conversation piece. Plus the reflector are 40 degrees so their is no bleedout of light, so the enclosure would be primarily for aesthetics.

The skimmer's Eheim pump is sucking in 100% of the effluent from the NP reactor. The reason I use a Tee fitting is to make sure the Eheim gets enough water and isn't starving the pump.

Keep it up, and you'll become an expert. Then when someone needs theirs fixed, you can troubleshoot and resolve the problem.

That's awesome, Are you planning on building something around the lights to hide the fixtures?

Originally Posted by melev

That skimmer looks gorgeous. If Avast ever makes something that could handle my 400g, I'd probably give it a try. The black or smoked acrylic will reduce algae growth in the skimmer body, but you can't see the bubbles at all. I'd love a strip or band of clear acrylic running up the cone that would give me a viewing access point.

I love my Swabbie, and run it 4x a day.

I used a PVC Tee-fitting to feed the NP biopellet effluent into my skimmer's pump's intake. It is working very well.

Why only 2-gallon water changes per week ? Seems like it is hardly worth the effort.

I have such little water volume in my aquarium that I don't want to throw anything off. I'm just trying to get a baseline routine going then I will make small adjustments over time. Also a question for you Melev, are you dispensing 100% of the BioPellet Effluent into Protein Skimmer's Intake Pump? I am only asking because you said you utilized a PVC Tee. Also I will try and get a video up and running of the Translucency of the Smoked Acrylic. The photographs actually make it appear much darker then it actually is. Also why don't you shoot Justin of Avast Marine Works an Email, they may be able to modify something for you to accommodate your large reef aquarium (so Jealous! )

Thanks for clearing that up. Makes sense. Love the name of the model.

Marc - the acrylic isnt nearly as dark in person as the pictures make it seem, it's much more translucent and you can easily see the bubble level if you have any ambient light source (fish room or cabinet light). HTH

That skimmer looks gorgeous. If Avast ever makes something that could handle my 400g, I'd probably give it a try. The black or smoked acrylic will reduce algae growth in the skimmer body, but you can't see the bubbles at all. I'd love a strip or band of clear acrylic running up the cone that would give me a viewing access point.

I love my Swabbie, and run it 4x a day.

I used a PVC Tee-fitting to feed the NP biopellet effluent into my skimmer's pump's intake. It is working very well.

Why only 2-gallon water changes per week ? Seems like it is hardly worth the effort.

Originally Posted by trplxj

I can't wait to see how this skimmer works for you. I've been looking at the Avast skimmers for a while now wondering if I should get one when I upgrade my 90 to a 180.

I definitely will let you know. I was hoping to have it delivered today but United Parcel Service apparently takes two days to get here instead of Federal Express's one day transit time.

I would say that a 180 might be pushing it for the standard Black Pearl, but I know a larger one is in the works. But definitely if you get in touch with Justin he will be happy to do custom stuff as large as you'd like (his skimmer is 8 1/2' tall on a ~ 2000 gal system).

I can't wait to see how this skimmer works for you. I've been looking at the Avast skimmers for a while now wondering if I should get one when I upgrade my 90 to a 180.

Originally Posted by baker.shawn

do you plan on running your UV all the time? i think thats a nono with biobeads.

I do plan on running it all the time but it to prevent anything from clogging up the Calcium Reactor. The drip rate is so slow that I doubt if it will affect the BioPellets in any way.