Looking For Some Help/Advice

[Desert Aquarium]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7950427#post7950427 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dodgerblew
Not true bro. If you can post on this thread, you can get better salt...order online.

As for me, I don't like to make my water, so I buy my water. I keep 300 Gallons of Scripps water in my garage in a holding tank. Depending on how much you use, I can also be a resource for you.

Actually, True. The only salt sold in Ridgecrest is IO. I know that I can get anything I want by means of the internet, but up until now the endevor would have been cost prohibative to order online and pay shipping.

What/who is Scripps?

I tend to go buy 50 gallons of Distilled in the Gallon Jugs, costs me $.66/gallon.

 

[Desert Aquarium]

Hey Rik,

What ever happened to Pet Oasis? I used to love going to Palmdale and see all the fish Ridgecrest "Couldn't" get.

 

[laverda]

Without a skimmer you have no way of exporting any undesirable eliments from your tank. Why did you stop using it? Good luck with the new sump it should help a lot.

 

[Desert Aquarium]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7951434#post7951434 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by laverda
Without a skimmer you have no way of exporting any undesirable eliments from your tank. Why did you stop using it? Good luck with the new sump it should help a lot.

I stopped as part of an experiment.

After reading tons of pages here, I decided that I would try to go all-natural in that I wouldn't have any filtration, except that provided by nature, IE DSB, lots of LR etc.

I added the 5G sump (all that would fit) and though things sort of stabilized, I couldn't get nitrates to lower anymore.

The Sea Clone remained out of the system because of it's design, and lack of anywhere to use it, because of a bulkhead in the sump, and need for overflow/power outtage precautions, I could fill the sump high enough to use it.

Now I think I'm going to modifiy it to sit in the water, rather than HOB of the sump.

 

[dodgerblew]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7951366#post7951366 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Desert Aquarium
Actually, True. The only salt sold in Ridgecrest is IO. I know that I can get anything I want by means of the internet, but up until now the endevor would have been cost prohibative to order online and pay shipping.

What/who is Scripps?

I tend to go buy 50 gallons of Distilled in the Gallon Jugs, costs me $.66/gallon.

Scripps water is pumped directly from the area surrounding the Scripps Institute in La Jolla. Same water they use at the Scripp's Aquarium.

Use the Glacier water machines. They are in front of every market in Palmdale/Lancaster, so there should be same in Rosamond, Ridgecrest/Base, etc. Only 20-25 cents a gallon. RODI, carbon filtrated and UV sterilized. I used it for a couple years with no problem!!

Pet Oasis...OOB...OUT OF BUSINESS just as they deserved!! I actually work a few doors down from where they were located. They were terrible at animal husbandry (all) and lousy bizmen.

 

[xclan]

Pet Oasis went out of business a few years ago. I am from Ridgecrest , and you are the first person I have seen on reefcentral to mention Ridgecrest ever. I recommend a refugium, with caulerpa {wich is sometimes difficult to order in california} or Chaetomorpha and a cheap 10$ bulb from Home Depot with 5100k to 6500k Kelvin. and get that darn seaclone working...I have one but I dont like it.... and I have a prizm skimmer and a bak pak....sucks to have 3 crappy skimmers....lol I am stuck with my skimmer for the time being......until I install the refugium. If I were you I would put a powerful powerhead in the tank and make sure the sump has good flow also.....any dead areas where detrius , uneaten food etc. can land will create nitrates. The skimmer creates oxygen, lowers nitrates, its a win win situation. The seaclone is actually good enough skimmer for your size tank and isnt as bad as people say. email me sometime if you have questions...although I dont know it all I am willing to offer advice. Nice to meet a fellow RC member from RC{reefcentral}

 

[billyzbear]

I guessed you where useing IO salt. I have used it in the past until I read a post on RC with algae problems from it. At the time, I switched from Kents and had a algea problem. I get water from the ocean in SB now. Do yourself a favor and switch. Do you have a filter sock? What do you have for mech. filter? You can get a plastic file cabnet drill holes in the drawers. Put cut to fit poly filter pads in the drawers and run your over flow through it. It's really easy to change the pads and it's cheap. I would also add a few scarlet crabs.

 

[Desert Aquarium]

Are scarlet crabs reef safe?

I have no mech filter, except two foam prefilters. One on my Overflow, and one on the Mag return pump.

I have 1 filter sock I received as a gift, but don't know if it's washable, so I only use it when I'm messing with the tank and the water is cloudy/dirty. Also, I had/have concerns about it becoming a Nitrate factory.

For Mech FIltration, I do own a Fluval 404 that I could use.

 

[billyzbear]

I like scarlets, there fine. Be careful with a pre filter on the overflow. If restrict flow. Try the poly filters or use a sock all the time. If it gets dirty clean it. Wash with some bleach extra rinse air dry.

 

[xclan]

is your nitrate test kit any good? I am in Ridgecrest and have many salifert tests kits. also lots of spare tanks, pumps, powerheads, lights, etc.....hit me up if u ever need a loaner. I can tell you one thing you need 20 times water flow of your tank volume{minimum}. example....10 gallon tank = 200 gallon per minute flow. 50 gallon tank equals 1000 gallons per minute flow. this will severely help with nitrates. No dead spots. Keep that seaclone running. I actually used mine on a FOWLR tank of 150 gallons for over 3 years with success. BTW I saw you need chaeto.....I have some here in Ridgecrest I can lend u a very small amount.....I dont have much to spare at the moment...but it will get u started, and its good at lowering nitrates.

 

[Desert Aquarium]

My kits are all good. I had Red Sea, and switched to Salifert to be sure everything was on the Up and Up.

I'm pretty sure I'm good on flow. I have the Mag 9.5 (I think that's what I bought) plus 2 powerheads, a 302 and an 802.

I finished painting my stand frame lastnight, so It's almost ready to install. Do you have any, or know where I can find some silicone safe for the sump? I went to little critters, and the only tube they had was gone.

As for the cheato, I'll probably take you up on that offer net week, once the sump it finished.

Thanks!

 

[xclan]

Desert...sorry i never saw this reply. hit me up on email for your number I can give you a handful of Chaeto if you need. I have given away a ton of equipmnt in the last few weeks including 2 tanks both over 100 gallons for free. Today some guy is coming to get my old seaclone 150....If I have any parts you need and i dont want I will send em your way. Also I have great refugium lights I been selling them on ebay for 25$ I sold 220 or so, I payed 7$ and can kick one down for 7$ to you. Hit me up....661-221-0318 leave voicemail because I never answer my phones...lol