Introducing the Coral Box QP-PLUS!

pfoxgrover · Feb 7, 2021

Getting frustrated with the timer function. Here is a simplified example of what I cannot get to work.

2 pumps on the right side and 2 pumps on the left.
Lt side 30% constant flow ; Rt side 100% constant flow for a time period
Lt side 100% constant flow ; Rt side 30% constant flow for a time period etc.

So there are 6 time periods but you are fixed with one power setting per flow type. I wish I had figured this out before I bought 4 of them.

So I can do something like
2 pumps on the right side and 2 pumps on the left.
Lt side 30% constant flow ; Rt side 100% pulse mode for a time period
Lt side 100% flow in pulse mode ; Rt side 30% constant flow for a time period etc.

But, I was hoping to do something more useful like using all 6 time periods to move areas of high turbulence to different parts of the aquarium. I was easily able to do this with Jebao pumps connected to my Jebao-apex control adaptor.

I thought paying more for the QP pumps with a 6 time periods was saving me that additional expense but it seems only if, I want one constant flow setting for all 6 periods.

Looks like the Aqualink A1controller will give me the control I want although I have to buy 4 of them which adds up to $260. ugg

Do I have any of this wrong?

Reef Breeders · Feb 7, 2021

pfoxgrover said:
Getting frustrated with the timer function. Here is a simplified example of what I cannot get to work.

2 pumps on the right side and 2 pumps on the left.
Lt side 30% constant flow ; Rt side 100% constant flow for a time period
Lt side 100% constant flow ; Rt side 30% constant flow for a time period etc.

So there are 6 time periods but you are fixed with one power setting per flow type. I wish I had figured this out before I bought 4 of them.

So I can do something like
2 pumps on the right side and 2 pumps on the left.
Lt side 30% constant flow ; Rt side 100% pulse mode for a time period
Lt side 100% flow in pulse mode ; Rt side 30% constant flow for a time period etc.

But, I was hoping to do something more useful like using all 6 time periods to move areas of high turbulence to different parts of the aquarium. I was easily able to do this with Jebao pumps connected to my Jebao-apex control adaptor.

I thought paying more for the QP pumps with a 6 time periods was saving me that additional expense but it seems only if, I want one constant flow setting for all 6 periods.

Looks like the Aqualink A1controller will give me the control I want although I have to buy 4 of them which adds up to $260. ugg

Do I have any of this wrong?

The included controller can only do so much- for an advanced program you will need to hook them up to apex. It's limited by a 4 button interface- without making it super complex and arduous to program there is only so much we can do with a default controller. That being said an app controller module is in the works. That should be in Beta testing at some point this year or early 2022.

pfoxgrover · Feb 19, 2021

In case this helps anyone else trying this, here is some info on my setting them up.

Got the Aqualink A1s set up with 4 QP-16s on an 8 foot long 2490 gallon tank. I had most of the programing in place from some previous pumps that used the simple Apex adaptor (long gone) so it wasn't too much work to set it up.
I did take the opportunity to add some more cycles to the Apex variable speed ports.
In order to connect the 4 variable speed ports on the apex, I had to make a simple adaptor. Luckily I had this stuff lying around. Here is a picture of the second port on the apex outlet being split over to the speed control ports for the second Aqualink on that Apex variable speed port. Alternately you could buy an Apex VDM if you need more than two.

Here is what I set out to program in the Variable speed port "outlets". I am trying to move the turbulent areas where the pumps intercept to many location in the tank to help the SPS corals.

		Left	Left	Right	Right
		Var1	Var2	Var3	Var4
00:01	00:30	SLACKTIDE	SLACKTIDE	SLACKTIDE	SLACKTIDE
00:31	01:30	Wave1(OFF)	Wave1(OFF)	Wave5(MAX)	Wave5(MAX)
01:31	02:30	Wave2(30)	Wave2(30)	Wave4(75)	Wave4(75)
02:31	03:30	Wave3(50)	Wave3(50)	Wave3(50)	Wave3(50)
03:31	04:30	Wave4(75)	Wave4	Wave2(30)	Wave2(30)
04:31	05:30	Wave5(MAX)	Wave5(MAX)	Wave1(0)	Wave1(0)
06:31	06:00	Storm	Storm	Storm	Storm
06:01	06:30	SLACKTIDE	SLACKTIDE	SLACKTIDE	SLACKTIDE
06:31	07:30	Wave1(OFF)	Wave1(OFF)	Wave5(MAX)	Wave5(MAX)
07:31	08:30	Wave2(30)	Wave2(30)	Wave4(75)	Wave4(75)
08:31	09:30	Wave3(50)	Wave3(50)	Wave3(50)	Wave3(50)
09:31	10:30	Wave4(75)	Wave4	Wave2(30)	Wave2(30)
10:31	11:30	Wave5(MAX)	Wave5(MAX)	Wave1(0)	Wave1(0)
11:31	12:00	Storm	Storm	Storm	Storm
12:01	12:30	SLACKTIDE	SLACKTIDE	SLACKTIDE	SLACKTIDE
12:31	13:30	Wave1(OFF)	Wave1(OFF)	Wave5(MAX)	Wave5(MAX)
13:31	14:30	Wave2(30)	Wave2(30)	Wave4(75)	Wave4(75)
14:31	15:30	Wave3(50)	Wave3(50)	Wave3(50)	Wave3(50)
15:31	16:30	Wave4(75)	Wave4	Wave2(30)	Wave2(30)
16:31	17:30	Wave5(MAX)	Wave5(MAX)	Wave1(0)	Wave1(0)
17:31	18:00	Storm	Storm	Storm	Storm
18:01	18:30	SLACKTIDE	SLACKTIDE	SLACKTIDE	SLACKTIDE
18:31	19:30	Wave1(OFF)	Wave1(OFF)	Wave5(MAX)	Wave5(MAX)
19:31	20:30	Wave2(30)	Wave2(30)	Wave4(75)	Wave4(75)
20:31	21:30	Wave3(50)	Wave3(50)	Wave3(50)	Wave3(50)
21:31	22:30	Wave4(75)	Wave4	Wave2(30)	Wave2(30)
22:31	23:30	Wave5(MAX)	Wave5(MAX)	Wave1(0)	Wave1(0)
23:31	00:00	Storm	Storm	Storm	Storm

but looks like this in the programming for a left pump

Fallback ON
Set SLACKTIDE
If Time 00:01 to 00:30 Then SLACKTIDE
If Time 00:31 to 01:30 Then Wave1
If Time 01:31 to 02:30 Then Wave2
If Time 02:31 to 03:30 Then Wave3
If Time 03:31 to 04:30 Then Wave4
If Time 04:31 to 05:30 Then Wave5
If Time 06:31 to 06:00 Then STORM
If Time 06:01 to 06:30 Then SLACKTIDE
If Time 06:31 to 07:30 Then Wave1
If Time 07:31 to 08:30 Then Wave2
If Time 08:31 to 09:30 Then Wave3
If Time 09:31 to 10:30 Then Wave4
If Time 10:31 to 11:30 Then Wave5
If Time 11:31 to 12:00 Then STORM
If Time 12:01 to 12:30 Then SLACKTIDE
If Time 12:31 to 13:30 Then Wave1
If Time 13:31 to 14:30 Then Wave2
If Time 14:31 to 15:30 Then Wave3
If Time 15:31 to 16:30 Then Wave4
If Time 16:31 to 17:30 Then Wave5
If Time 17:31 to 18:00 Then STORM
If Time 18:01 to 18:30 Then SLACKTIDE
If Time 18:31 to 19:30 Then Wave1
If Time 19:31 to 20:30 Then Wave2
If Time 20:31 to 21:30 Then Wave3
If Time 21:31 to 22:30 Then Wave4
If Time 22:31 to 23:30 Then Wave5
If Time 23:31 to 00:00 Then STORM
If FeedD 000 Then STORM

the profiles get programmed for what "Wave2" etc. means that is pretty simple and I set them to constant on but varying in intensity about 10% I wasn't sure if these pumps could handle a setting between 0 and 30% like some other pumps so I set wave1 at zero and wave 2 at 30 to 40 %. I set Wave 5 and storm at 85% for now until I can test if the tank can take more flow with lots of pumps on.

Its been running for a few days and working well so far.

Hope that helps someone or is interesting.

fragit · Feb 25, 2022

@Reef Breeders what would you recommend for a 48”x24”x24” SPS/LPS tank? And why go with your product over some of the competitors?

pfoxgrover · Feb 27, 2022

In case it helps, here is my 2 cents. I switched to the coral box qp-16 , I have 6 of them running in my 400g, because of the timer function. Although the time function can give you some planned variability what I wanted was different flow patters (or zones) throughout the tank that changed throughout the day. With the addition of an A1 aqualink for each pump(it replaces the pump controller) and an Apex with variable speed ports (0 -10v) I was able to achieve that. The post above has more info. I'm using two zones right now but plan to add a third zone soon for the middle of the tank. For a tank your size I would get the 16 size, you can always turn them down. Hope that helps.

Reef Breeders · Mar 9, 2022

fragit said:
@Reef Breeders what would you recommend for a 48”x24”x24” SPS/LPS tank? And why go with your product over some of the competitors?

I recommend 2 x QP-9+. The 16 is pretty big- I don't usually recommend them in tanks under 150g. The CoralBox pumps are a reliable option with a good controller- you can program a variety of wave and flow patterns.

ninjamyst · May 15, 2022

Will two qp 16 be enough for 6 foot peninsula tank with pumps mounts only on overflow side? Also any extension cables for the pump to controller? My cable board is on the other side of the tank so current cable length not long enough.

I have two gen 1 rpm still running from my old 4 foot tank but they are not enough for my new peninsula. My "new" Maxspect Gyre 350 already giving me problems so I am trying to replace the gyres.

Reef Breeders · May 16, 2022

ninjamyst said:
Will two qp 16 be enough for 6 foot peninsula tank with pumps mounts only on overflow side? Also any extension cables for the pump to controller? My cable board is on the other side of the tank so current cable length not long enough.

I have two gen 1 rpm still running from my old 4 foot tank but they are not enough for my new peninsula. My "new" Maxspect Gyre 350 already giving me problems so I am trying to replace the gyres.

The 16s are powerful pumps- they can handle that. We have 90cm extension cables for them.