- I don't usually get worked up
over a simple internal filter,
but Sicce has done some really cool stuff
with the new Shark Pro
that just might make you change how you run media
in your sump.
When it comes to reefing,
internal power filters aren't the most popular choice,
usually reserved for Pico tanks,
temporary holding tanks, or quarantine systems,
but the Shark Pro's ingenious use of magnetic coupling
in three key places on the filter
paired with struggle free access to the media containers,
and even the impeller make working with the internal filter
not just a breeze,
but oddly satisfying.
It also sports a popup internal spray bar, ventiri nozzle,
and flow control,
plus Sicce's legendary five year warranty.
Yes, five years, bold, confident, proud,
just what I like to see
from a company who cares about their products.
When you open up the box,
you'll find the Shark Pro filter already packed
with media, an accessory pack,
including the ventiri nozzle,
and an instruction manual,
and quality control certificate.
The Shark Pro is available in three models,
the 500, the 700, and the 900,
which are all energy sipping at four, seven,
and 10 Watts respectively.
The 500 pushes 140 gallons per hour.
The 700 pushes 190 gallons per hour.
And, the 900 pushes 240 gallons per hour.
And, while they all come with one, two,
and three media cartridges, depending on the model,
they are actually expandable
and add-on cartridges can be picked up
to increase the total filter media volume,
which is a great option to have.
Like I was saying,
they do come preloaded with media
and the 900 model I have here
comes with foam pre filters
where the water enters the cartridges
along with a thicker foam block for mechanical filtration,
both the bio pearls and zeofoss
are tucked inside of smaller white cartridges
to keep things tidy which is nice.
For reefing, however,
I had personally removed the included media
to make room for a bag of carbon
or specialty chemical media
like Chemmy Pure, or Pure-It,
or stuff some filter floss between the foam pads
for periodic water polishing.
The cartridges themselves are easy enough to separate
and they have markings on the side,
so you never forget which direction to press
to unlock them from each other.
But, where my mind was blown
is when I noticed that they magnetically couple
to the pump head.
Instead of having to unscrew it, or undo tabs,
or force apart a press fit,
the stack of cartridges on the Shark Pro
simply and very satisfyingly uncouple
and recouple with magnets.
They are strong enough to hold it together in midair
while still being easy enough to take apart.
Meaning they're gonna work brilliantly underwater
and make swapping media from this filter a breeze,
even if it's mounted down in your sump,
no thumb screws or removing a whole media reactor and pump,
just pop it off, take it to a sink, and you're good to go.
It doesn't stop there though.
The Shark Pro also uses magnetic mounting
with inlaid rubber gaskets to attach to the aquarium or sump
for a firm hold on panels up to half an inch thick.
So, no suction cups to pry off the glass
or to replace when they inevitably get hard,
but it doesn't even stop there.
The magnetic mount
also magnetically couples to the pump heads.
So, when you decide it's time to give the pump
and impeller a cleaning,
you can easily pull the pump right off of the magnetic mount
and not fuss
with removing the magnets from the aquarium or sump.
It is important to note, however,
the external magnet is not sealed
and should not be submerged.
So, keep that one on the outer panels of the sump,
but, overall, this whole design is super smart
and centered around convenience,
which is something I can definitely appreciate as a reefer.
Speaking of smart features,
unlike most internal power filters
that offer a spray bar option,
the Shark Pro's spray bar doesn't stick way out
in front of the pump,
but rather pops up from the top of the pump
when you pull up on the pump housing,
which is super cool,
but, more importantly,
it keeps things compact and clean looking.
You can also leave it down, which diverts flow
to the front facing nozzle,
which you can leave bare
or add on the directional nozzle and ventiri
if you'd like to add air injection,
which could come in handy for a quarantine tank.
At the top,
you also have a flow control knob
for fine tuning the flow for your needs,
but I'm sure most reefers using this filter
will likely leave it at 100% from maximum turnover.
When it comes to outward appearances,
the Shark Pros boxy black exterior should hide very easily
in the corner of an aquarium with a black background.
So, if you're planning on using it in a small nano reef,
it's gonna disappear
against the back of the tank pretty easily,
and, if anything, have a similar appearance
to an overflow box,
very much like the Tunes Calm Line DC Skimmer,
which would actually pair quite nicely
with the Shark Pro.
The Tunes Calm Line DC was actually the skimmer of choice
for our 40 gallon breeder in the beginner reefing series
which I think the Shark Pro
would have actually worked perfectly in.
You can check out that awesome reef
and our five minute guide series by clicking right here.