need help

[cb747]

Ill third on the ditch the canister. How much live rock do you have? Id also suggest going with a sump and using a filter sock changed out every few days for mechanical filtration.

 

[bolt696]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7928420#post7928420 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cb747
Ill third on the ditch the canister. How much live rock do you have? Id also suggest going with a sump and using a filter sock changed out every few days for mechanical filtration.

I have lots of live rock, pounds I have no idea, but I have plenty.

What is a filter sock?

 

[romain]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7928399#post7928399 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bolt696
I called DR foster and smith (I find they have great prices and lots of sales) I spoke with someone who claimed to have 3 different reef set ups. said her 55 gallon has been on a canister for 5 years and is thriving. I was transfred to some special marine dept and ready to spend and place an order for the sump. They talked me out of it

As for the skimmer, I have a Bak pak 2 r

BP2r works well for tank under 30 gallon. I suggest you get a bigger skimmer.

Do you have an RO/DI?

 

[bolt696]

I do have ro/di

 

[DgenR8]

I'm not going to tell you that I think your canister filter is the root of your problems, but I will say that I believe it to be at least a contributing factor.
I think daily cleaning of a canister filter is a bit much to expect from even the most anal retentive reefer, but monthly is WAY too long, and if you aren't even keeping that schedule.......
A sump is never really necessary but it's a really nice thing to have. The added water volume alone makes it good to have, and the ability to hide hardware that you don't want to see in your tank is a bonus.
It's good that you're using RO/DI, are you monitoring the output water for TDS?
The fact that you are growing coralline is a good sign, how 'bout that nuisance algae?
Low PH is also not likely to be the entire problem here, but it needs to be fixed in any case. Are you sure that your PH is low? You said that low PH is a new thing, and it's always been high. Could be time for a new test kit, or a new probe. Lots of people chase their tail trying to fix a PH problem that doesn't exist. Get a second opinion from someone else's test kit before you do anything.
I am a believer is skimming. Keep your eyes open for a good used skimmer. I find that anything hand made by Geo, Barr Aquatics or Lifereef beats the hell out of anything mass produced to sell at LFSs.