is my protein skimmer good enough

[garod82]

Got a 65 gallon tank with a 40 gallon refugium. 6 fish and corals mostly LPS. The few SPS I have are doing ok but not great. They aren't dieing but they also aren't really growing. I feel my water quality isn't that great since I get that darn purplish algae on my sand. I am currently running a Urchin pro skimmer w/rio 1400. Is that good enough or do I need something better? If so I don't have alot of money so where can I get a better skimmer for cheap?

 

[SirLight1337]

Stability is key for SPS growth/health. Keep the salinity swings to minimum, pH, Ca, Alk swings to a minimum as well. Up the flow in the areas you have cyano and siphon all visable patches out of the tank.

Skimmer should be the least of your worries right now.

 

[garod82]

Ok, thanks for the info. I bet my Salinity Swings have alot to do with it. I have pretty bad evaporation about 2 gallons a day. And I get pretty busy and don't put in RO but once a week. I should get one of those auto top off's, how much are they and where can I get them. Do you think I'm maxed out on fish as well?

 

[DRC69]

Plus the skimmer you have is Very good. Keep it.
I top off my tanks every other day. I find if I keep a couple of one gallon jugs full it's easier and FASTER to do, then not do.

 

[garod82]

Cool thanks. I guess I'll just have to find time to add water every day.

 

[Wilafur]

get an auto topoff, it is a lifesaver. the tunze osmolator is pretty darn good.

 

[garod82]

where can I get an auto topoff? how much do they usually run?

 

[Wilafur]

your typical suspects, used on rc, marinedepot, reefgeek, etc.

 

[raskal311]

you can build one yourself for about $25. You can also buy a premade one from here http://www.autotopoff.com/

 

[garod82]

oh ya? Got any info on it?

 

[Wilafur]

for some reason i just do not trust float type top offs.

 

[ScallopKing]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7691564#post7691564 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wilafur
for some reason i just do not trust float type top offs.

Neither did I. That's why I went with an LM3. This is a very, very reliable product that never fails....pricey but completely worth the piece of mind. I've never worried about my top-off since. It really is set it and forget it.

In case you're interested -

http://www.spectrapure.com/St_prec_p0.htm

HTH. Sean.

 

[Wilafur]

^^ cha-ching, my last top off system was a LM3 through a nilsen reactor. the thing was rock solid.

 

[ScotchMaster]

$400 on an auto top off? You are out of your beanstalk!

 

[ScallopKing]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7692076#post7692076 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ScotchMaster
$400 on an auto top off? You are out of your beanstalk!

Not quite yet ScotchMaster!

 

[bassnman11]

I built my topoff from a 60 qt. icechest, a aqualifter pump, a timer and a float valve. I do 2 short fill cycles a day. The float valve is just insurance. Once you get the timer programed correctly.

 

[Charles99]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7692593#post7692593 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bassnman11
I built my topoff from a 60 qt. icechest, a aqualifter pump, a timer and a float valve. I do 2 short fill cycles a day. The float valve is just insurance. Once you get the timer programed correctly.

good man.

 

[slavearm]

Meh... the reeftek AATOC is the best thing since sliced bread. For extra insurance, attach the output to a kent float valve and you have 3 layers of happy go lucky not going to flood my house happiness.

If you are exceptionally anal, put a float switch up higher in the sump and attach it to some sort of noise maker. I just attached mine to my AC3... and get an email if it goes off.

4 layers of protection... if you need more, it is time to up your medication and get a new psychiatrist.