Post your questions and ideas here!!

Mr James, As for the Euro Reef CS8-1 that you suggested in your pm...if you feel this is the way to go, then I am going to start dealing on it and get a skimmer purchased...If I don't do something soon, I am going to go insane with this skimmer process. If not, I may purchase a brand new ATi or msx160 or 200???????

Also, What kind of pump should I be looking for for a closed loop?
 
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by dedex
...If I don't do something soon, I am going to go insane with this skimmer process. If not, I may purchase a brand new ATi or msx160 or 200???????
Click to expand...

I did the same thing, went insane. I searched for a better part of a month. First it was H&S, then Deltec, then Euro-Reef, then back to MRC, then BM's, then back the MRC...... You get the picture. I am NOT a fan of mods either. Years ago I purchased my 3/4 ton Dodge Ram with the Cummons diesel because of the engine, not the body it came in. Today, I choose the ATi BM200 because of the pump, not the body it comes in. Oddly enough, one of those BM knockoff's (MSX or whatever) use the Sicce pump. May be worth looking into for someone. BUT, keep in mind - you can't throw a Corvette LT1 engine into a Pinto and expect the same results. SO, with that said, maybe the BM series is best suited for the Sicce pump.

ASM's used to be dirt cheap. When they saw sales going up because of hobbyist modifications, the price jumped into an uncomfortable range.

Dedex, if you want to be safe, I'd recommend a Euro-Reef as they have been time tested and proven. A little less safe would be the ATi BM160. And even more less safe would be a brand new skimmer on the market, the MSX series. Safety = time tested and proven.

by dedex
Also, What kind of pump should I be looking for for a closed loop?
Click to expand...

Another can of worms. Sequence Pumps are hands down the best. Quiet and reliable, PLUS, enrgy efficient. The Sequence Dart puts out 3000gph (I think) at a fraction of the wattage of it's competitors. Talk about a company stepping up to the plate and delivering!!
 
So you still think the ER CS8-1, eventhough you have never owned one? You said you have owned several MRC's. Why did you change to ATi?

Lastly, can anyone enlighten me on a rookie question: "what exactly is a calcium reactor"?
 
by dedex
So how about the MRC MR-1? Opinion?
Click to expand...

The Aqua C and now this one?? You jump around quyite a bit!! I had an MR-1 powered by a Mag12 (I'd recommend a different pump though) on my 75g reef many years ago. Ran like a champ!!! Be sure to use a "head pump" and get the Waste Collector as it will shut the skimmer down when it gets too full!! AWESOME design, now you know why I had such a hard time going with a different skimmer. (Subersible pumps aren't head pumps, they can't handle the backpressure ine gets with a Beckett skimmer, i.e., the MRC and GEO skimmers.


Where were we??

I know the Euro-Reef product is VERY good even though I haven't owned one. If you get a comparable ER skimmer to my BM200 and don't like it, I may just trade you for it!! Keyword being comparable!!

Oh yeah....

(I know this is not acceptable here on RC, but since I asked for all questions to ber asked on this forum, I felt this action necessary - If you don't know what I am talking about, don't worry about it.)

""We plugged in the lights last night - My only concern is that it is a 36" fixture on a 48" tank with the MH right in the middle???
How will this affect the tank and it's inhabitants?""

That light will be more than enough for the inhabitants you will be keeping. I know you won't have SPS corals or Clams right off the bat because you are asking about a calcium reactor and what it does. Your tank is is 4' long and this light is 3' long. If you have this light up over the tank roughly 16"-ish, I am certain that what ever you keep will be fine. If you start into SPS or clams, then we can look at other options. But since yoiu are just starting out, you are fine.

""Also, one last question....can I put this over my 20g until I get the 75g ready so that the corals perk up a bit, or is it too much for that size of tank?""

You can, but you have to acclimate you inhabitants to thias light. Run it for 2 hours for a copuple days, then 3 hours for a couple day and so on. Understand light acclimation??

Val, I think you need 50 real posts before you can use the search function. You have sent me more then 50 PM's so far. Had you posted out here for all to read, everyone could have benefited from our conversation and you would be able to use the search function now.

Now, I am off to find a calcium reactor and associated equipment. I got a 20lb co2 tank filled for $45 (leased as long as I need it). What a deal!! ANyone got one for sale??
 
Hey, James - where did you order those DJ power strips from again? Between Alan and I we have lost the card you gave us - GO FIGURE!!
 
by dedex
Hey, James - where did you order those DJ power strips from again? Between Alan and I we have lost the card you gave us - GO FIGURE!!
Click to expand...

What am I going to do with you two huh??

123dj.com
 
OK...skimmers - AGAIN!! is a needle wheel not a recirculating skimmer - I DON'T UNDERSTAND ALL OF THIS SKIMMER STUFF!! I'm almost to the point of asking if anyone wants to buy a 75g?!?!?!
 
There are many different types of skimmers. All are pretty much named after the way the water mixes with the air. I am going to give you brand names and you can do the legwork. Check with all of our sponsors, they have many of these different types.

1. Beckett - MRC, GEO, and some other off-shoots of these two

2. Spray Injection - AquaC (is the only one I know of)

3. Downdraft - ETSS...I knew I'd remember

4. Venturi - Oh man, what's not venturi.

5. Mesh Wheel

6. Thread Wheel

If anyone wants to fill in the blanks or pick up where I left off, please do.
 
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Val The guessing game is done. Get the MR-1 with a GenX PCX-40 pump and you will be fine!! There, you can keep the tank now!! If you don't like it, sell it and research again later.

EDIT: Looky here, you vcan get a package deal for under $400 easily!! Use the left over money to get a closed loop pump.

EDIT AGAIN: Here is a used PCX-40 for cheap: Click Me

http://www.myreefcreations.com/pspackage.htm

What's the next hurdle??
 
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I have company for the weekend, so the leg work is going to have to wait until Sunday - I don't get to see my mom and dad enough to be doing research while they are here...
 
Aren't the GenX pumps noisy? This is going to be in my living room...Just curious.

Let me get this straight...get the package deal on the MR-1 AND the extra pump for the closed loop? I think I'm confused again...
 
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