Avast Plank Feeder Stink

[Ajayabb]

I noticed a bad smell tank side today. Usually this means a snail went overboard between the tank and the wall. I vacuumed behind the tank but the smell persisted. What I found was my Circulation bowl for the Plank feeder became clogged and stagnant. Man did that thing stink. Because I use the Cannonball I didn’t notice that the pump had clogged and stopped working. It was full of decaying mysis and pellets Keep an eye on that circulation pump especially if it’s covered with the Cannonball

 

[dakoop]

Thanks for the pointer

 

[Rothric]

I recently upgraded my Plank with this part, and it's been a fantastic upgrade. Getting the circulation set just right was my biggest (still small) complaint about the Plank. Highly recommended!

Plank 3.6 Mixing Pump Upgrade

Updated mating volute and flow control assembly to upgrade to a Plank v3.6. This upgrade kit is compatible with all previous versions of The Plank equipped with a Sicce pump. If you are buying a Plank 3.6, you don't need this upgrade; it's already included. Key Features and Benefits Improved...

www.avastmarine.com

 

[Ajayabb]

I recently upgraded my Plank with this part, and it's been a fantastic upgrade. Getting the circulation set just right was my biggest (still small) complaint about the Plank. Highly recommended!

Plank 3.6 Mixing Pump Upgrade

Updated mating volute and flow control assembly to upgrade to a Plank v3.6. This upgrade kit is compatible with all previous versions of The Plank equipped with a Sicce pump. If you are buying a Plank 3.6, you don't need this upgrade; it's already included. Key Features and Benefits Improved...

www.avastmarine.com

Just ordered one. Thanks for the tip

 

[Treefer32]

That's awesome, I'll need to try that. I had two things happen recently. One was what you said, a massive horrible smell. I thought for sure a fish had died somewhere (i have large fish). I searched for days for the source smell, emptying the skimmer bucket multiple times. Cleaning the algae scrubber thoroughly. Cleaning my overflows thoroughly. Then discovered it was the plank auto feeder. I made the mistake of turning it upside down over the tank to look in it and dumped all the rotten gelatinous food into the tank.. Well, thankfully nothing adverse came of that. The corals loved it and the fish ignored anything too rotten. Lol. I tried cleaning the pump and discovered a snail had climbed into the gear shaft of the pump (or an egg hatched inside the pump? ) Either way it had shut down the entire pump. Got the snail out and cleaned it thoroughly and smell was gone.

2. When I reseated the pump I forgot how far down the pump should be. I started having water overflow the mounting bracket onto the floor.

Having something to adjust the flow better would be ideal! I'll check this out.

 

[Ajayabb]

Just realized I have the crappy 1st Gen pump when I went to install the upgrade. Found the upgraded Sicce Nano pump on Amazon so should be good to go in a few days.