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Innovative Marine Aquariums

Problem with inTank basket NC28


HG Thrower

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I just recently got a new inTank basket for my NC 28, and it is giving me a problem. It seems like it can't handle the flow, and lots of the water flows over the sides and into the next 2 chambers. It also seems to slow the flow down so far that the display tank gets VERY close to overflowing, and the return pumps are sucking air. I started out with floss on top, purigen in the middle, and 11 oz Chemi-pure in the bottom (tied to the second shelf like shown in the pictures on the site). I had to take the chemi-pure out entirely to get it to flow through the basket without most of it going to the sides. I now have just the purigen and a thin bit of floss, but there is still overflow.

 

I replaced the stock return pumps with Maxijet 1200s, so that may have something to do with it, but my reason for spending $50 on a new basket was to get more flow through the media, not less. Has anyone had this issue, and been able to solve it? Maybe the 3 oz Chemi-pure would work?

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You need to diagnose where you are blocking the flow through the holes on the shelving. If you are using purigen make sure you do not have it "mashed" against the bottom of the shelf. You can use chemi pure if tied up to the middle shelf but a full unit may be too large depending on your setup. The NC28 has very skinny chambers thus a skinny media basket so flow has to go down.

 

Make sure you are changing your filter floss when it clogs, this may be a few times a week especially if you just started to use it. Water levels in your tank can be adjusted by adding water to the chambers and subtracting from the display.

 

Also if the wavemaker is in use it can diminish flow in the tank. Any sponges in teh sides of the chambers will also block flow.

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You need to diagnose where you are blocking the flow through the holes on the shelving. If you are using purigen make sure you do not have it "mashed" against the bottom of the shelf. You can use chemi pure if tied up to the middle shelf but a full unit may be too large depending on your setup. The NC28 has very skinny chambers thus a skinny media basket so flow has to go down.

 

Make sure you are changing your filter floss when it clogs, this may be a few times a week especially if you just started to use it. Water levels in your tank can be adjusted by adding water to the chambers and subtracting from the display.

 

Also if the wavemaker is in use it can diminish flow in the tank. Any sponges in teh sides of the chambers will also block flow.

I don't run the returns on the wavemaker. I have a separate powerhead in the display that I use on the wavemaker, and the returns are constantly on.

 

I'll try splitting up the chemipure into smaller bags and only using a bit at a time. I'll take the whole thing apart again when I do a WC tonight to see if the purigen is blocking something.

 

If you remove water from the display and put it in the back chambers, will the tank stay balanced like that, or will the levels eventually increase again in the display? I guess if the basket isnt blocking any of the overflow, then the overflow rate should = the return pump flow rate, but its wierd that when I switched baskets, the level in the display went up, and the level in the pump chambers went down.

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Most of these AIO's balance out after you get the rear chambers and display where you want them to be at. Yet total blockage of flow will equate to a higher display than desired.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Having the same problems..

 

intank floss on top (1sheet), purigen in the middle, chemi-pure elite on the bottom (6.5oz). It just over flows over the sides and the displays water level is very close to the top. I tried taking the floss and chemi-pure out and it sill over flows over the sides. Just seems like water doesn't flow through the media basket well enough.

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Have you tied the chemi pure to the middle shelf? A media bag(s) is blocking too many holes. Is the purigen pressed flat across the shelf blocking all the flow?

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It doesn't look like you have the basket under the intake. You can slide it under the water direction piece and use the stay hold provided to keep it tight. Hope this helps!

 

IMG_9154.jpg

 

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NC28MR%20water.jpg

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It doesn't look like you have the basket under the intake. You can slide it under the water direction piece and use the stay hold provided to keep it tight. Hope this helps!

 

It overflows more if I slide it under. I temporarily fixed the problem by running the two return pumps on a wavemaker and a Koralia 1 in the display. Might end up replacing the return pumps with 2 MJ600's and running a Vortech MP10 in the display. Just seems like with both returns running the flow is too great. On another note, my water is super clear...

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  • 2 weeks later...

So i'm having some of these same issues too with the media basket in NC28. If I put in a brand new piece of filter floss or if I rinse it out good, for a few hours all is good. But then after a few hours the flow clogs up and it empties out one of my rear chambers. This is problematic because the pump for my reactor isn't completely submerged and the flow of water into the reactor isn't constant and it is loud and creates tons of bubbles etc. Below are some pictures of my media basket. Please let me know if I am doing anything wrong

 

*also, the media basket is under the overflow. I am using that little plastic piece to keep it there*

 

post-53214-1297474433_thumb.jpg

 

post-53214-1297474537_thumb.jpg

post-53214-1297474523_thumb.jpg

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I'm having the same problem. My mp10 should be here soon, so I'm going to reduce the flow on my Maxijet1100s. I know most people use the 1200, but the 1100s have an adjustable flow rate that may help people having this issue. Also, replacing the floss every day or two definitely helps.

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I'm having the same problem. My mp10 should be here soon, so I'm going to reduce the flow on my Maxijet1100s. I know most people use the 1200, but the 1100s have an adjustable flow rate that may help people having this issue. Also, replacing the floss every day or two definitely helps.

 

I just have the stock pumps for my 28. Replacing the filter floss every day! ugggh!

 

I'll probably try the smaller bag of chemipure but i'm not sure if that will do anything

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Well, at about 11:30 last night I heard my pump sputtering because it wasn't getting enough water. So it takes about 4 hours for a piece of filter floss to clog up and then everything backs up. I removed the filter floss and everything is good so its not the chemipure or the purigen that is preventing flow. Might need to try a lesser grade of filter floss.

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Have you tried just plain old filter floss? The stuff in the bag for $1 at any LFS, or $10 for a garbage bag full at craft and hobby stores. Same stuff.

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Have you tried just plain old filter floss? The stuff in the bag for $1 at any LFS, or $10 for a garbage bag full at craft and hobby stores. Same stuff.

 

Not yet. I have only used the stuff I bought from SteveT.

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Not to knock StevieT's product line. I've just always used the cheap stuff and had great results.

 

I should add, I don't have an InTank media rack. I've just always swapped out sponges, or precut floss from every filter I've ever owned, especially canister filters. I figure cheap and easy, disposable products are my best friends.

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Running an experiment. I cut the blue portion off two strips of stevie's filter floss and put them both in the media basket. After a few hours no blockage yet. We will see if it holds up longer term but it could be that the filter floss I bought from StevieT is too high quality.

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I'm running the inTank media basket and think I've solved my overflow problem. I reduced the flow of my Maxijet 1100s to the lowest setting and they are both running at the same time. I tied the large bag of Chemipure to the middle shelf with a plastic coated twist tie, making sure that all holes were free from obstruction. As for floss, I'm using the cheap filter floss you can get at any LFS and am changing it every day or two. The floss captures a lot of dirt with StevieTs media basket and I figure it's a small price to pay for clean water.

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I ended up running 2 mj600's, and in the display an mp10....no problems with overflow out of the media basket now. The basket probably would flow better if there were more holes like eggcrate, maybe laser cut an eggcrate design instead of round circles?

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I ended up running 2 mj600's, and in the display an mp10....no problems with overflow out of the media basket now. The basket probably would flow better if there were more holes like eggcrate, maybe laser cut an eggcrate design instead of round circles?

 

I'vt got an mp10 in the display, not sure what my stock pumps are. Thinking about going to the mp1100. In my case I don't know if an eggcrate bottom would make any difference. I don't have any backup issues if I remove the filter floss.

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I'm running the inTank media basket and think I've solved my overflow problem. I reduced the flow of my Maxijet 1100s to the lowest setting and they are both running at the same time. I tied the large bag of Chemipure to the middle shelf with a plastic coated twist tie, making sure that all holes were free from obstruction. As for floss, I'm using the cheap filter floss you can get at any LFS and am changing it every day or two. The floss captures a lot of dirt with StevieTs media basket and I figure it's a small price to pay for clean water.

 

wow the maxijet 1100s are expensive! they are like $40 a pop! what is the GPH on the low setting?

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Yeah the 1100s are more money than the 1200s. I wasn't able to find the flow rate for the lowest setting. If you plan on keeping your current setup and money is an issue, then go with the 600s like the other member was using. I am happy with the 1100s, they're very quiet and I can adjust the flow rate if I need to.

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