Clown Monarch
Aquarium Advice FINatic
$270 with optional pre-skimmer. I opted for the Mag3 pump.
My first reaction was that I just paid $300 for a plastic box and powerhead. Hey, I'm all about simplicity so if it works, I'm fine.
The unit is a quality construction and a simplistic overflow cup adjusted with a rubber ring. I like this method of adjustment.
Initially, I was miffed that the powerhead has no clearance or ability to screw into the inlet tube even though the threads match. How did they overlook this? It relies on questionable rubber clamps and a hose that I was pretty sure would fail eventually.
Placing the unit on the tank, I realized that the powerhead outlet nozzle would be just an inch from the surface and spraying upwards. With the weak little rubber clamps, this was quite concerning. It wasn't a matter of "if" but "when" it came loose and started spraying water into the hood and lights. That question was answered on the 5th day when the pump came loose (luckily at night when the lights were off) and sprayed about 5 gallons of water on the hood, walls, and floor. In it's stock configuration, this is a recipe for burning your house to the ground. The flimsy clamps were replaced with automtoive metal hose clamps.
The prefilter basket doesn't rise and fall with the water level - another disappointment. I found the Mag running dry a couple times when the prefilter shifted. The prefilter is also held in place with plastic screws that tighten to the hanging Mag pump. This is embarrassingly poor design. I'd settle for suction cups on the side of the box.
As far as skimming, it's pulling yellow water at a fast rate. I haven't been able to adjust it any lower yet and still pull skimmate. It still hasn't fully broken in so I'm lenient here.
In short, I expected much more ingenious engineering for $300. It is pretty much what my initial observations were - a very expensive plastic box.
My first reaction was that I just paid $300 for a plastic box and powerhead. Hey, I'm all about simplicity so if it works, I'm fine.
The unit is a quality construction and a simplistic overflow cup adjusted with a rubber ring. I like this method of adjustment.
Initially, I was miffed that the powerhead has no clearance or ability to screw into the inlet tube even though the threads match. How did they overlook this? It relies on questionable rubber clamps and a hose that I was pretty sure would fail eventually.
Placing the unit on the tank, I realized that the powerhead outlet nozzle would be just an inch from the surface and spraying upwards. With the weak little rubber clamps, this was quite concerning. It wasn't a matter of "if" but "when" it came loose and started spraying water into the hood and lights. That question was answered on the 5th day when the pump came loose (luckily at night when the lights were off) and sprayed about 5 gallons of water on the hood, walls, and floor. In it's stock configuration, this is a recipe for burning your house to the ground. The flimsy clamps were replaced with automtoive metal hose clamps.
The prefilter basket doesn't rise and fall with the water level - another disappointment. I found the Mag running dry a couple times when the prefilter shifted. The prefilter is also held in place with plastic screws that tighten to the hanging Mag pump. This is embarrassingly poor design. I'd settle for suction cups on the side of the box.
As far as skimming, it's pulling yellow water at a fast rate. I haven't been able to adjust it any lower yet and still pull skimmate. It still hasn't fully broken in so I'm lenient here.
In short, I expected much more ingenious engineering for $300. It is pretty much what my initial observations were - a very expensive plastic box.
