Just a quick word of gratitude to kasso187 for this awesome post. I have a Red Sea 170 and just bought the Aquamaxx filter roller, and was having trouble getting it to work properly. I've made the modification recommended here and look forward to better results! Thanks again!I just wanted to give everyone a quick update. When I installed the float switch bracket as shown in the instructions (see FIGURE 1), my filter roll looked barely saturated at all. (see FIGURE 2). I suspect that since the float literally turns the motor on and off with no added logic controller, the factory position can accidentally activate the float before it is able to fully saturate.
Before installing my second roll, I rotated the float switch bracket 180 degrees so that the float switch can sit at a higher position. After I did that, its a night and day difference in the roll saturation. (see FIGURE 3). With the float at the new higher position, there is still plenty of height before the chamber would overflow if clogged. Now I can say this unit is performing exactly as I expect it to.
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3
I got an email back the other day “
The aquamaxx roll and a 3.5” and the klir is 4”. I’m having doubts it will work
I picked up one as part of another order to test as their online pictures showed the filter section was smaller than 4" and figured what the heck before I commit to $45 USD for shipping.
Yes I agree, it is a fantastic addition only issue has been these darn rolls.
Do the pipes need to be cut for the reefer-170 too??yes its still been working great for me. Just to give you some anecdotal "proof", Marine Depot ran out of replacement rolls for a while and I didn't have this thing running for at least 2 months (due to not having any rolls on hand. In that time frame, my display became noticeably dirtier more rapidly. IE, more particles in the column and algae buildup on the glass every 1.5-2 days. I also had a minor GHA outbreak during this period. The only thing that changed in that time frame was the roller being down. Previously, my system has been stable with 0.03 phosphate and <5 nitrate (i have to dose nitrate every 2 weeks).
The pipes have to be cut to make clearance for the collection chamber. The only thing I would do different if I had to install another...I would cut the pipes with a bit of a slash cut instead of straight cut (slash towards front of tank; see image below).
There's no additional noise associated with doing this, since both pipes remain submerged in water (with or without the roller installed). The collection chamber (white plastic basket) is separate from the roll carrier (clear plastic), and so the roll carrier lifts up to replace the roll. Its a bit of a PITA (why I would do slash cut), but very doable leaving the collector in tact.
