Aquarium Automation: The Theiling Rollermat and Other Web-Filtering Technologies

The Theiling Rollermat The problem For the longest time, I have been trying to lengthen the maintenance interval for the filter socks on my 450-gallon system, which currently clog every two days. I tried eliminating filter socks completely for a period of time, but the sump got extremely messy and turned into a nitrate bank. The next option was to try 200-micron-mesh socks, which did help extend the replacement period, but they did not polish the water as well and eventually still clogged over a period of time. The solution Following my mantra to automate my system as much as possible, I looked into the Theiling Rollermat. It works by collecting overflow water that is gravity fed into the chamber and forcing it through the fleece to exit the sump, which is located in the center of the rolling web cage. After reviewing the specifications and checking the experiences of others who adopted it a year earlier, I believed this was the next step. The Theiling Rollermat initially comes with a shorter roll than the normal replacement 6” wide x 147’ long filter fleece roll

Neptune Apex iOS App

The updated Neptune Apex iOS app is available free for download to your computer, mobile device. The new iOS app blends iOS and Apex Fusion for those with iPhones and iPads. This app requires an apex Fusion account and that your Apex is linked to Apex...

Neptune Apex Heartbeat

Does your Apex have a heartbeat? This brand-new update for fusion will notify you immediately if there is a power outage or a network failure, so you can check your system right away and rectify the...

Is Bigger Better When it Comes to a Protein Skimmer?

Bigger is better when it comes to a protein skimmer, right? Not necessarily. Using a high capacity protein skimmer on a smaller tank can be problematic. Why? Well, using an oversized skimmer will result in an inconsistent performance. Let me explain. To perform optimally a skimmer should be working all the time. An oversized skimmer will tend to skim well for a few days then slow down once all of the organics have been skimmed out. Once the organics build up again the skimmer will spring back into action, and thus perform inconsistently. How do you know whether you have the right size skimmer for the tank? I was always under the assumption that sizing should be based on total gallons in a system so I figured