a few questions

[Jeepman3sk]

Hey guys I have a few questions that I hope you can answer for me. I have a hair and bubble algy problem in my tank. I believe my water conditions are good BUT i dont have a alk. cal. and phosphate test kit so im getting that this weekend. I heard that emerald crabs help this. I am going to feed my fish less. I have 2 ocellus clowns, cleaner shrimp, a hammer, snails, crabs, 10lb of LR, CC, a millium (sp) 1000, a powerhead in the tank, 96w PC, 10g tank. I dont think im forgetting anything here. Let me know if I am. Oh yeah light is on 10-11 hours a day. Should I get rid of the filter and buy a protein skimmer. Someone told me to get my own RO/DI system but I cant really afford that. My LFS gives me the water free (RO/DI) imnot sure it is great but i guess it is better then tap water. Im thinking about testing it.

 

[TekCat]

- Lose CC, It collects detrius.
- Protein skimmer is an excellent idea! Get one ASAP.
- Emerald crab - hit or miss. It might or might not touch any bubbles.

 

[Jeepman3sk]

How do i go around changing the CC to sand and do I have to buy the sand from my LFS or is there anywhere esle i can get it cheaper. Im broke and in college. Ok for the protein skimmer which one? So ditch the filter i have on there right now?

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Read Bertoni's thread on substrates in this forum at the top. I personally use a play sand from HD. got 50lbs for $3.85. Then just went to my LFS and they gave me 2lbs of their LS to seed it.

 

[Jeepman3sk]

will do with the sand thanks guys. Does anyone have any input about the protein skimmer besides buy one hehe.

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Wha kind of info do you need?
Should you get one? Yes
Are they an absolute must? No
What do they do? Here: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/fm/feature/index.php

Hope this helps!

 

[AllenFord_SC]

And here is a link to get one for a 10 gl tank:
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_protein_skimmers_current_usa_fission_nano_skimmer.asp?CartId=

 

[Jeepman3sk]

well i know what they do I have a 75g fish and live rock tank. Im asking which one should i look at for a 10g.

 

[Jeepman3sk]

well then thanks. Do you know anyone who has one of these? How do they do etc.

 

[AllenFord_SC]

It might be overkill but isn't everything we do to our tanks overkill?
I think for 30 bucks you can't go wrong.

 

[Jeepman3sk]

yeah i think i can afford a $30 skimmer and even pay for books at the same time. Looks like i have a order to make. Is there anything else I should get for my tank before i put an order in? I have the light my heater is crappy but works. It is one that comes in the freshwater kits. mmmm might order a good test kit. I dont want to forget stuff like i did on my last order from them.

 

[AllenFord_SC]

:lol: :lol: :lol:


Do we ever run out of stuff to buy?

 

[Jeepman3sk]

we will never run out of stuff to buy but being broke inc ollege i dont have the money to go out and buy stuff all the time. So im looking to make one order so that I dont need to order again for some time. Has anyone run the protein skimmer that is in the link above?