Innovative Marine HydroFill Review

So.... I have been using my trusty OLD float switch for the longest time. However, somewhere in the back of my mind, I was always worried that a snail would get on it or the float would somehow get stuck and I'd come home to a flooded sump with all my fish and corals dead.

Finally, I decided it was time to upgrade to a fail-proof and reliable top-off system. Three ATO's that I considered were the Tunze Osmolator, the Elos Osmocontroller and the Innovative Marine HydroFill. After much consideration, I decided to go with the IM HydroFill. Although it was the most costly, $199 for the controller and $99 for the pump, it also seemed the most durable and the most reliable. 

 

 

The system came complete with EVERYTHING needed for the installation. They IM HydroFill uses two sensors to detect the water level: one for the high-point and one for the low-point. Each sensor has two graphite electrodes. You are able to set your own high-and-low points by positioning the two sensors: which are attached to the sump with nice magnet mounts. Advantages of having two sensors and a total of four non-mechanical electrodes are that it's pretty much impossible for it to fail and small waves in your sump will not affect the ATO. The IM HydroFill pump is also quite impressive. It feels nice and sturdy and can pump up to 15 feet! Definitely a nice upgrade over the cheap AquaLifter pump that I am currently using.  The pump also came with 10 feet of high-quality silicone tubing as well as a couple of brackets (one for the pump and one for the return tubing), three clamps and other parts for installation: they sure thought of everything.

Installation was extremely easy and only took about 20 minutes. It took so long only because I had to remove the old top-off system and was watching Miss Hong Kong on TV while installing the top-off. lol... Simply mount the two sensors at your desired levels (it does not matter which sensor is high and which sensor is low), clip the pump to the side of your reservoir, mount the HydroFill module somewhere in your stand, connect all the tubing and plug everything in. It is just about as simple as it can get. Kudos for Innovative Marine for making it so easy!

With the new top-off system in place, I can now sleep easier at night and no longer have to worry about snails in my refugium/sump getting to the float or worry about the float failing or getting stuck. I definitely would not hesitate to recommend the Innovative Marine HydroFill to anyone else looking for a high-quality, dependable top-off.

It IS all about the size!

Well, my little 4-gallon aquarium was not as healthy as I like. Unfortunately, due to the small volume of water, the parameters were just not as stable. Temperature, especially, was quite difficult to control and had a negative effect on the inhabitants.

So, back to the drawing board I go. I decided to go with a larger aquarium to achieve for greater stability.... here comes the CAD Lights low-iron glass 10-gallon. While I was at it, I decided that I'd upgrade the lighting as well. Back to the old trusty MaxSpect Razor: this time a Nano Razor. I really like the spectrum and the ease of programming on these so it was an easy choice. At 60W max power, it also provides enough light for whatever I may decide to keep down the  road.

The current inhabitants include a large rose bubble anemone and a valentini puffer. Pair of designer clowns will be coming soon :)