Melev's new 280g Starfire tank thread

[lovetoreef]

well, i had mine out 2 summers ago - they were able to scope me with 3 small holes - made recovery pretty easy - so, things have gotten better

 

[melev]

I thought Jake was going to say he started peeing way before he got to the bathroom. :lol:

I did a 55g water change two days ago, so I began dosing today. I'm going to hold off on ReefBooster for at least two weeks.

New schedule:

 

[Gallandro]

Melev, up for a sump pump question ?

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7072465#post7072465 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WILDTHING
Marc, what happened to the pics from the first few pages after the split?

colleen

They are there now, as I just checked.

Regarding Purigen: I've never used it, nor felt the need to. I'm noticing a trend with some reef keepers in that they want the water to be crystal clear. My thinking is that it is great to have clean water to view your reeflings, but perhaps crystal clear is taking it a bit too far. Many corals eat particulates, and stuff floating about in plankton-size should be beneficial.

I used to never do water changes, years ago. The water quality looked good testkit-wise and the livestock looked happy. However, the water was a tad off-colored, usually leaning in the green / yellow coloration. If you have two white buckets, drain 5g into one and fill the other bucket with newly aged saltwater (mixed 24 hours minimum) to compare. If they look about the same, the water is good. If the used water looks darker or dirty, odds are you need to do a water change.

Water changes seem to take care of most situations. Running carbon can be beneficial to remove chemical warfare and general stuff exuding out of soft corals and especially mushrooms. I found this article to be very practical: http://www.pets-warehouse.com/carbon.htm

None of my tanks use sponges, pads, filter socks, or products like Purigen or ChemiPure. Running carbon on my big reef has been a good option, but I don't run it on the other tanks.

Hint: If you want your tank to look really good, clean the inside regularly, and the outside with water and paper towels. You'd be amazed how good it looks just having a clean viewing panel.

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7075449#post7075449 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gallandro
Melev, up for a sump pump question ?

Sure. What's the question?

 

[Gallandro]

Completed all the Acrylic cuts for my nano sump, but puzzling over which put to get. I normally default to Eheim, but the larger Universal range is physically to large, and the small compact pumps I dont think are powerfull enough (150lph-1000lph 2.0m 23)
I fancey trying the Newjet pumps specs below, but whch ?
NeW-Jet 400 120 - 400lph
NeW-Jet 600 200 - 600lph
NeW-Jet 800 300 - 800lph 2.0mtr
NeW-Jet 1200 400 - 1200lph
NeW-Jet 2300 1200 - 2300lph
NeW-Jet 3000 1500 - 3000lph

Pump will have to pump up 1mtr .. Tank holds 15 gallons

 

[Gallandro]

15 uk gals is about 65ltrs, all pumps say a max hight of 2mtrs, so I guess thats there min flow rating. Assuming an even curve and a turnover fo 4 - 5 times an hour (325ltrs). the smaller pumps may do the job.

 

[DerekW]

Was that a question?

 

[Gallandro]

yes but no but ... I think so ?!

 

[melev]

More like open to discussion.

2 meters is 6 feet for us, roughly speaking. You don't have to push water up more than 4', correct? Sounds like the smallest one will do the job. What I would suggest is you get one, and find out for yourself. If you like it, get a second one as a backup pump. Never leave your system unprotected, not having a backup pump available. When you need it, you can't wait a couple of days or a week for it to arrive.

 

[Gallandro]

Ye 4' ;-) get one and find out for myself ? I was looking for a bit of guidence so I dont waste money. I guesed on a smaller one. Ill get one slightly bigger than the numbers say, I can always turn it down. thanks.

 

[Gallandro]

.. and yes, I to live by the rule of two.

 

[Qwiv]

Second Marks recomendation on a back-up. Around here, a replacement pump will cost you an arm and a leg at the LFS. A ViaAqua that is $27 at MarineDepot is $127. Don't even ask about a good pump like a eheim or mag, etc.

If you have a closed loop however, you might be able to risk it, as the tank should survive fine with just the CL going.

 

[Gallandro]

Oooo my engineer brain is going now doing overtime. How about two pumps both connected with a flow sensor on the first. If it fails, the second automatically kicks in .. hmm nice.

 

[Gallandro]

I'm going withthe largest Ehieim Compact. well two of. 16 euros in Germany. plenty or scope for two there.

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7075915#post7075915 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gallandro
Ye 4' ;-) get one and find out for myself ? I was looking for a bit of guidence so I dont waste money. I guesed on a smaller one. Ill get one slightly bigger than the numbers say, I can always turn it down. thanks.

The reason I suggested you find out for yourself is because I have zero experience with that particular pump. GPH sounded about right to me.

Just keep the extra pump as a backup in your closet, ready to pull out when you need it.

 

[Gallandro]

great thanks. Just seemed a bit small of a pump to me., but then I usually buy a lot bigger ones. thanks for the clarification. Though I was going mad

 

[Stile2]

I understand the need for an extra pump, but $250 to sit in the closet is a bit harsh. I'll have to save up for that and just hope in the mean time.

Keith

 

[Gallandro]

It is bust image loosing all your livestock not being able to get a pump for a couple of days. Costs a lot more. $1000's I would guess.

 

[melev]

Keith, I agree about the cost in the closet. I bought my Sequence Dart at MACNA as it was a special price ($175), and had to add it to my luggage. Still, if my return pump were to fail and I had to get a new one that day, you can bet I'd pay $225 or more depending where I could get it. I'd prefer to save the extra money by being prepared and have the insurance.