A Low Country Reef Tank....one more final upgrade

[SPotter]

The skimmer dimensions are approx = H=47", Transitional piece 8", Vertical neck = 18"
Diameter approx = A foot or a bit less

It definitely sounds like its too big for your system. Ive heard that if a skimmer is too big for a system it will be difficult to dial in. I would definitely email the manufacturer or at the very least ask your installer what size system its rated for.

EDIT....i just googled the skimmer and found one on ebay for sale and from what I can tell this skimmer is being used on a 20,000 gallon system. If this is true then your installer definitely misled you on this one Osama.

 

[Mike S]

So have you started to think about a stock list yet?

 

[NewMariner]

Steve, how are you liking the overflows on the tank? You voiced a concern about them a few months back, any change in opinion now that water is running over them?

 

[SPotter]

So have you started to think about a stock list yet?

Well...I am big fan of dividend paying stocks. This way you get paid when the market drops....:spin3:

Seriously though, I have to replace the fish that I had in the tank before you bought it. My kids were upset when I told them that I was selling the fish so I told them that they were just going to stay with some of my friends and that when the new tank was set up we would get the fish back. So, I need to get some clowns, a hippo tang, some yellow tangs, bangai cardinals, bartlett anthias and a few others that I can't remember right now. I definitely will put another pair of Japanese Masked Angels in there.

 

[SPotter]

Steve, how are you liking the overflows on the tank? You voiced a concern about them a few months back, any change in opinion now that water is running over them?

Hey Tony....overflows are great! I was concerned that there were no teeth but it really has been great. We will see how I like it when I put some snails in the tank and they start ending up in the overflow box.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

So shrimp has been in for over a week now and getting mushy. I have not detected any ammonia or nitrites yet but do have 2-5ppm nitrates. Is it possible that with 350 lbs of live rock and 250 lbs of dry rock that I won't see a cycle?

I don't think you would. You might have experienced a mini cycle but I truly believe you are cycled.:bounce1::bounce1::bounce1:

 

[Osama]

EDIT....i just googled the skimmer and found one on ebay for sale and from what I can tell this skimmer is being used on a 20,000 gallon system. If this is true then your installer definitely misled you on this one Osama.

I fully thought so "Too big for my system" = difficult to dial it in. I am no expert but not a novice either. I was hoping but so far unsuccessful in finding a way to dial it in. Some suggested and I will, contact the Owner Bill Wann and see... THANKS Steve for going out of your busy tank work to research my issue Appreciate it

 

[SPotter]

I fully thought so "Too big for my system" = difficult to dial it in. I am no expert but not a novice either. I was hoping but so far unsuccessful in finding a way to dial it in. Some suggested and I will, contact the Owner Bill Wann and see... THANKS Steve for going out of your busy tank work to research my issue Appreciate it

No worries Osama! I am kind of in clean up mode now that everything is running. I know how frustrating it is have a problem not be able to figure out the problem. Im sure if you go direct to Bill Wann he will help you. I have never dealt with him but from what I have heard he is more than willing to help people out.

 

[SPotter]

Updates.....

Updates.....

So its been a few weeks since my last update and things have progressed nicely. Had a huge GHA breakout but as fast as it came it went with a little help from a great clean up crew. I was looking on craigs list one night to see if anyone was selling corals locally and found the local reef club. A couple of the members have vendor accounts so they hold a monthly flash sale where they sell $10 frags. I took the opportunity to pick some up so I could test my waters and see how the frags did. Im happy to say that everything is doing great and showing signs of growth already.









these pieces werent part of the flash sale but got great deals on them as well...

 

[Red_Ant]

Steve,

How are you liking the RO skimmer? My system is close to yours and thinking of replacing my H&S skimmer for either the one you have or one from Lifereef. Just can't decide. Looking for something that is easy to setup and just let it run instead of constantly tinkering with it.

 

[SPotter]

Steve,

How are you liking the RO skimmer? My system is close to yours and thinking of replacing my H&S skimmer for either the one you have or one from Lifereef. Just can't decide. Looking for something that is easy to setup and just let it run instead of constantly tinkering with it.

Hey.....I love the RO skimmer! This is my first external skimmer and love that too!!!! I have literally adjusted it maybe two times since setting it up. I can shut off my main pump and not have to worry about forgetting to turn off the skimmer. The RO is well built and is a beast with pulling junk out of my system! I highly recommend it!

 

[Osama]

Steve,

How are you liking the RO skimmer? My system is close to yours and thinking of replacing my H&S skimmer for either the one you have or one from Lifereef. Just can't decide. Looking for something that is easy to setup and just let it run instead of constantly tinkering with it.

Me too Steve... My huge expensive skimmer either too watery and just spills water Or too thick and hardly have any skimmate or does not skim. Constantly adjusting it ... I need it to work without my tinkering but it will not stay tuned for more than 2 days... When I get it it does a good job (still very thick skimmate) but does not stay there... Hopefully I will not need to throw it out !!

 

[Osama]

Hi Steve Those coral pictures are all open and happy .... VG start I would say... Keep the pictures coming Pls and thanks for sharing

 

[SPotter]

That skimmer was way too expensive for you to throw out Osama!!!! This skimmer is great! I clean the cup once a week and no other issues.

 

[Osama]

I am trying to stay with it and getting a bit better at dialing it but then it acts goofy on me. Way too sensitive I guess for a system with less than 700g. I have a question Steve: Can a skimmer over-skim?

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

I am trying to stay with it and getting a bit better at dialing it but then it acts goofy on me. Way too sensitive I guess for a system with less than 700g. I have a question Steve: Can a skimmer over-skim?

Only if it's a wet skim I believe.

 

[Osama]

Only if it's a wet skim I believe.

My skimmate is almost always very thick ... Is it better to leave it there. I would think better to be less thick but then it overflows??? Still practicing after ten months....

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

My skimmate is almost always very thick ... Is it better to leave it there. I would think better to be less thick but then it overflows??? Still practicing after ten months....

That only depends on the owner if they like a wet or dry skim. I personally keep mine in between.

But congrats on the new skimmer Steve.

 

[SPotter]

CaReactor Frustrations.....

CaReactor Frustrations.....

I have been struggling with my ca reactor for a while now dating back to my last system. It is or was (will explain shortly) a double chamber reactor and from time to time the water level in the main chamber would drop about 8" and sometimes it would just drain all together....fortunately this never had any kind of negative impact on my levels which have been rock solid. I have cleaned the lines, inspected for leaks and cleaned the pump and could never find an issue. It had been running fine for a couple of weeks but monday when I got home from work the level was down 8" again. I took everything a part, cleaned and filled back up again. Tuesday morning I checked it and it was bone dry!!!! Here's where it gets interesting....I have been dealing with a lot of issues with a contractor/landscaper we hired to do some outdoor projects and things just arent going smoothly. I had just gotten a call from him prior to me inspecting the reactor and that call didnt go well. When I saw the reactor empty I got so angry that I kicked it and that was all she wrote....the main chamber cracked in a few spots :headwalls: Fortunately I had been thinking about swapping out the reactor for a couple of months now and already new what I would buy to replace it. I decided to go with an MRC CR-6 reactor and was able to place the order with Aquarium Specialty on Tuesday afternoon. Since I live in the same state as them the new reactor was on my door step by 11 am yesterday and by 1pm the new reactor was in place. It was just as easy to dial in as the MTC was. So far its a little early to provide any feed back on it but initially I'm pleased with how easy it was to set up and dial in.

I have added an interesting group of fish and some more corals. I will post more about those later.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

That's strange, I usually find that kicking or pounding on something makes it work better.