Kar's 55g Red Sea Reef Thread

[kar93]

Thanks, I think im going to go with a TMC because its the best size for my system. Or i may get an Elos that i have seen for sale. Yeah i listened to the reefcast i just didn't catch one when you first mentioned it. I also found an article while looking the ReefKeepings past issues about drilling acrylic which helped alot.
I'll also be making the overflow box myself to save a bit of money, All i have is clear acrylic and i dont want algae growing in the overflow so i will have to get some more.

 

[Aquarist007]

I am a firm believer that a protein skimmer is very necessary, but at the same time you can over skimm your water column.
I have taken steps with two refugiums to keep my water column rich with phytoplankton and zooplankton. This has really helped the growth of corals.
I have a berlin turbo that is rated for 220 gals--it does a good job but at the same time since I purchased it I have increase the water column to over 200 gal.
I am going to replace it--probably not----because of my tank conditions----I am I going to remove it --no way--because as much as we want to believe our systems are mininature reefs--they are still closed systems and need a protein skimmer.

 

[kar93]

I am also a firm believer of protein skimmers although i have seen very nice tanks that do well without skimming. I would use my Sea Clone again but i think i am in need of a new skimmer. When i first bought the sea clone i was emptying it once a week and that wasnt even 1/4 of a cup. then i modded it and i was emptying 1/4 around every 4 days considering i did have probably maximum bioload. Which i still thought wasn't enough. So i think i am better of buying a new skimmer that is known for good skimming so i will not be modding it and playing around with wet skimming and dry skimming. I will find which works best for me and stick with it rather than taking out inner tubes and cutting them down etc.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12318400#post12318400 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kar93
I am also a firm believer of protein skimmers although i have seen very nice tanks that do well without skimming. I would use my Sea Clone again but i think i am in need of a new skimmer. When i first bought the sea clone i was emptying it once a week and that wasnt even 1/4 of a cup. then i modded it and i was emptying 1/4 around every 4 days considering i did have probably maximum bioload. Which i still thought wasn't enough. So i think i am better of buying a new skimmer that is known for good skimming so i will not be modding it and playing around with wet skimming and dry skimming. I will find which works best for me and stick with it rather than taking out inner tubes and cutting them down etc.

I agree, you shouldn't start out by having to mod them.
Just get a skimmer that is rated for twice your tank volume--then if you do get a refugium later the two can work together to keep your water column rich with life

BTW
your skimmer should dictate the flow through your sump, not the other way around--you should always match the flow through your sump to the skimmers output

 

[kar93]

I will have a fuge when the tank is up and running but i think i will have to add a rubbermaid tub or something because it's not very big ATM and adding a rubbermaid tub will increase filtration......... I hope.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12318443#post12318443 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kar93
I will have a fuge when the tank is up and running but i think i will have to add a rubbermaid tub or something because it's not very big ATM and adding a rubbermaid tub will increase filtration......... I hope.

you have seen my system have you not: I use a plastic tote

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1349443

 

[kar93]

Yeah, Its a great setup but i dont have space for that and i dont want a big tote next to the tank. As you can see in this pic i dont have much room in my sump, I cant even hang phosban reactors outside of it so i need to put them inside. So i thought i could add a plastic tub above the fuge which is on the right and use it as a DSB or just full of chaeto.

 

[kar93]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12306810#post12306810 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Aaronovky
lol i should think that if u get ur medical degree or sumin hen that shouldnt be a problem funding this "fun chore"

Im beginning to see it as a hobby :lol: BTW did you get your Seio yet?

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12318474#post12318474 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kar93
Yeah, Its a great setup but i dont have space for that and i dont want a big tote next to the tank. As you can see in this pic i dont have much room in my sump, I cant even hang phosban reactors outside of it so i need to put them inside. So i thought i could add a plastic tub above the fuge which is on the right and use it as a DSB or just full of chaeto.

that would work--others have done it and posted pics on the refugium thread

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12318615#post12318615 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kar93
Im beginning to see it as a hobby :lol: BTW did you get your Seio yet?

why are you purchasing a Seio?

 

[kar93]

He's purchasing a Seio for this nano, I still need to buy my 2nd Seio.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12318474#post12318474 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kar93
Yeah, Its a great setup but i dont have space for that and i dont want a big tote next to the tank. As you can see in this pic i dont have much room in my sump, I cant even hang phosban reactors outside of it so i need to put them inside. So i thought i could add a plastic tub above the fuge which is on the right and use it as a DSB or just full of chaeto.

You could easily remove all but one of those baffles and run you refugium in 3/4 of that sump area. You just need one baffle to hose the skimmer/or pump and one small baffle at the end to seal of the refugium area. If you run into bubbles then use a micron sock

 

[kar93]

I did think of that but im happy with how ive planned it out and dont really want to mess around with how ive done things, I may decided to get a tote eventually and replumb things.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12318681#post12318681 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kar93
I did think of that but im happy with how ive planned it out and dont really want to mess around with how ive done things, I may decided to get a tote eventually and replumb things.

:thumbsup:

you are in control and on top of things
good luck:smokin:

 

[kar93]

Thanks! It just the skimmer that im having trouble deciding about I want to buy the good quality average priced one but i also want he great quality i priced one which i only just have money for.

 

[Aaronovky]

havent you got a skimmer already ?

 

[kar93]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12318871#post12318871 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Aaronovky
havent you got a skimmer already ?

I am also a firm believer of protein skimmers although i have seen very nice tanks that do well without skimming. I would use my Sea Clone again but i think i am in need of a new skimmer. When i first bought the sea clone i was emptying it once a week and that wasnt even 1/4 of a cup. then i modded it and i was emptying 1/4 around every 4 days considering i did have probably maximum bioload. Which i still thought wasn't enough. So i think i am better of buying a new skimmer that is known for good skimming so i will not be modding it and playing around with wet skimming and dry skimming. I will find which works best for me and stick with it rather than taking out inner tubes and cutting them down etc.

Aaron, Change your mind about fishing yet? :rolleye1:

 

[Aaronovky]

nope sorry

 

[Aaronovky]

right get you know about your skimmer how much are you lokking at for your new skimmer?

 

[kar93]

Im willing to go 120.