Converting to a reef... Can I do it?
- Thread starter Tswifty
- Start date
Tswifty
New member
I don't know... I don't have any experience with those models... This is my first experience with AquaC. I have NO IDEA!!! It works fine for a few hours, then I walk downstairs and its pouring into the sump again. I'm out of ideas. I'm going to try and lower it into the sump. Right now the nozzle is half exposed. If that doesn't work, I'll try raising it I guess.
chatyak
New member
You could try these... see if they help.
Skimmer is overflowing with watery foam
A. Lower the water level inside the skimmer by opening the gate valve in
small increments (1st option).
B. Close the air valve in small increments to slow the air flow through the
skimmer (2nd option).
C. If you are using “stress coat†additives, water conditioners, or other
trace element/feeding solutions the skimmer may react by overflowing
with foam. We recommend against the use of any additives that
cause your skimmer to foam excessively.
D. Underwater epoxy will cause your skimmer to foam like crazy for a few
hours.
Skimmer is overflowing with watery foam
A. Lower the water level inside the skimmer by opening the gate valve in
small increments (1st option).
B. Close the air valve in small increments to slow the air flow through the
skimmer (2nd option).
C. If you are using “stress coat†additives, water conditioners, or other
trace element/feeding solutions the skimmer may react by overflowing
with foam. We recommend against the use of any additives that
cause your skimmer to foam excessively.
D. Underwater epoxy will cause your skimmer to foam like crazy for a few
hours.
Tswifty
New member
ok I'm experimenting with something this morning... I made a few buckets of top off water, and I'm just gonna let the skimmer go to work. I attached a hose to thep overflow valve and have it emptying into a 5 gallon bucket. I'll just top off the water everytime it gets low, and we'll see if the foaming slows or not after a while.
My nitrates are so high, that maybe the skimmer is doing its job, and I just think it is malfunctioning.
Hopefully I'll have some answers in a few hours
My nitrates are so high, that maybe the skimmer is doing its job, and I just think it is malfunctioning.
Hopefully I'll have some answers in a few hours
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10994823#post10994823 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
Koralia's got here today... still having ALOT of trouble with the skimmer... IT KEEPS OVERFLOWING!!!!
Koralia's a great pumps, sometimes I think my #3's are to much flow for my 120g
Tswifty
New member
It overflowed again last night... It pumped over 5 gallons out of my tank??? what is going on... why is so much water getting into the collection cup... I have the valve opened all the way... the instructions say the water level is supposed to be low when I do this???
This is driving me crazy!!!
This is driving me crazy!!!
Aquarist007
New member
if it is turning brown--then harvest the brown stuff---it is dying and when it does it releases the nitrates back into the water column defeating its purpose.
You are much better buying it from a reefer on this site then buying it from a LFS.
A good colour should be like this:
when I bought it initally it was from a fellow reefer:
Aquarist007
New member
I am sure there is --tswifty---post a pic of the skimmer and sump so we can see what is going on here.
If your skimmer is releasing back into the sump then yes you are going to have high nitrates in your tank-----shut it down until you can post a pic.
Tswifty
New member
There is an nozzle for an extra skimmate collection container to be attached, and I had a hose running into a 5 gallon bucket...
The skimmer is taking water into the collection cup... It actually overflowed a 5 gallon bucket!!!
I sat down and tinkered with it today again... Water level within the skimmer seems to be at the recommended height... I have it so if it overflows again it will go into the sump as of now... I'm not sure it's even skimming right as of now, and can't risk another overflow... I'm getting tired of cleaning up water!!!
I should have time this weekend to troubleshoot, so hopefully I can get this figured out... I'll keep my thread updated, so everyone can pitch in and let me know their thoughts.
Tswifty
New member
It kicked out about 6 gallons of water today before the water level dropped back down to normal.
I adjusted the water level inside the skimmer to what the manual recommends.
The skimmer isn't producing any skimmate right now, but hopefully since the overflow problem has ceased, now the break-in cycle can start.
At least that's what I'm guessing is happening.
I adjusted the water level inside the skimmer to what the manual recommends.
The skimmer isn't producing any skimmate right now, but hopefully since the overflow problem has ceased, now the break-in cycle can start.
At least that's what I'm guessing is happening.
Tswifty
New member
Also, I did a 20g water change today, and am planning to do another 20g water change on Sunday.
Koralia's are working great... Amazing flow through the display tank now.
I trimmed back some of the chaeto, to throw out some of the brown looking areas. Suprisingly, there wasn't a whole lot of brown area on it.
However, I am getting brown algae on the inside of the refugium bin. Is this normal?
Koralia's are working great... Amazing flow through the display tank now.
I trimmed back some of the chaeto, to throw out some of the brown looking areas. Suprisingly, there wasn't a whole lot of brown area on it.
However, I am getting brown algae on the inside of the refugium bin. Is this normal?
Aquarist007
New member
yeah you'll get everything growing in that refugium----its natural
Tswifty
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11012645#post11012645 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
yeah you'll get everything growing in that refugium----its natural
ok... good stuff... Do I clean it at all or just let it go? Also, should I add some snails to the fuge???
Tswifty
New member
Alright... Let's discuss livestock... Ha-ha
Once my parameters are in check, and I figure out this skimmer situation... which hasn't overflowed today (thank gawd). Here's the projected list... Please any suggestions for favorite fish are definately welcomed.
I want to have a good amount of livestock in the tank, being only a 55g tank, I'm going to have to go small... preferably community fish.
I figure triggers and most tangs are out of the picture.
3 female lyretail anthias
2 true percula clownfish
1 green mandarin dragonet
1 sixline wrasse (in my 20g currently)
1 mystery wrasse
1-2 blue hippo tangs (small obviously)
I know I'll catch grief about the tangs, but I've seen them the size of a quarter before, and I'll be upgrading to a large tank (180 or larger) my guess is in 2 years.
Like I said, I want a heavily loaded community tank. I've heard bad things about chromis picking each other off. I also want fish that will do well in close quarters, and bright colors are a bonus also.
NOTHING IS SET, and I am open to all and any suggestions/advice.
I may add a few corals, but doubtful as of now, until I upgrade my lighting. Maybe some mushrooms or leathers... but as of right now I'm not in a rush.
Once my parameters are in check, and I figure out this skimmer situation... which hasn't overflowed today (thank gawd). Here's the projected list... Please any suggestions for favorite fish are definately welcomed.
I want to have a good amount of livestock in the tank, being only a 55g tank, I'm going to have to go small... preferably community fish.
I figure triggers and most tangs are out of the picture.
3 female lyretail anthias
2 true percula clownfish
1 green mandarin dragonet
1 sixline wrasse (in my 20g currently)
1 mystery wrasse
1-2 blue hippo tangs (small obviously)
I know I'll catch grief about the tangs, but I've seen them the size of a quarter before, and I'll be upgrading to a large tank (180 or larger) my guess is in 2 years.
Like I said, I want a heavily loaded community tank. I've heard bad things about chromis picking each other off. I also want fish that will do well in close quarters, and bright colors are a bonus also.
NOTHING IS SET, and I am open to all and any suggestions/advice.
I may add a few corals, but doubtful as of now, until I upgrade my lighting. Maybe some mushrooms or leathers... but as of right now I'm not in a rush.
chatyak
New member
The mandarin would have to come later in the game... unless you start a thriving copepod culture in your refugium now settings up a pod pile etc... Just add them very slowly and yes, 2 tangs in the 55 would be crowded unless you do that upgrade you speak of.
How is your skimmer btw? Is it normal now?
How is your skimmer btw? Is it normal now?
