Red Sea Max Owners Club
- Thread starter JohnL
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Has anyone ever heard of Catalina Aquarium Turbo Vortex protein skimmer? When I received my refugium the protein skimmer was in the second box, however is not part of the package I ordered. It came with a CA 1200 double venturi pump(550gph) I really am thinking the skimmer is junk and don't know what to do with it. Just curious to know if anyone has ever heard of it.
Reefmack
In Memoriam
brycek - I've seen that skimmer (or it's twin bother under another name) very often on Ebay. Low priced and may be worthless, but there's only one way to find out - to try it. I've always had the same questions you do. Any idea what the pump impeller looks like - needlewheel type or ?
REEFMACK, as far as the pump goes I haven't taken it out of the box yet but I believe it to be just a standard impeller type. They do sell other pumps that specifically state they are needle wheel. I still haven't set it all up yet. Did a leak test earlier today. I guess I could try the skimmer over the next few days in it waiting for my lifereef overflow box. I do have some old water from my last water change still sitting in a bucket I could put it in the sump and fire up the skimmer and see what it does...........
Is there any problem with keeping fish in the refugium? I have a striped damsel that I have had for a year now and recently he has turned agressive towards all other inhabitants(he had always been timid in the past) I took him out the other day and have him in a little pico tank for now. I am asking because the two LFS I talked to here won't take any damsels and well I really don't want to flush him if you know what I mean
trapper125
New member
Ok, I will be purchasing the Lifereef overflow soon. What is a recommended return pump. I have had great success with Quite Ones, but many people have their negative feedback with them. As of now I am leaning towards an Eheim for their silence, low power consumption, and reliability.
trapper125
New member
brycek Thanks for the input. The Eheims are $ but have the best track record to the best of my knowledge. Silence is my biggest concern, power consumption is 2nd. I understand there is a trade of between price the two factors that creates a lot of variables. A Quite One would be very cheap and efficient, Eheim more $ but very dependable, quite, and comparable efficentiancy.
trapper125 I understand about silence and power consumption. Right now I am debating that myself but waiting until I get my overflow in next week to see. My refugium setup that I ordered came with a CA 1800 pump(650gph) which I know nothing about but will give it a shot and see. When I had my 55 gallon up and running I used a MAG 5 that I got used and never had a single complaint about it, and the only noise I ever had was if the water level in the sump dropped the smallest bit it would start vibrating so I had to keep on top of that.
trapper125
New member
brycek Cool, let me know how it all comes together for you. Does the Lifereef include shipping, what is the total for the deal so I know what I'm looking at.
trapper125
New member
Ouch, that is a pretty penny to pay for an overflow. I was just barely able to justify the 120$ for the unit itself. But as all things in this hobby they are exspensive.
True it was pricey but I am done going the cheap route. I just said this is what I want and I am going to do it.......Although it is kind of funny thinking about it now. My sump/refugium set up that I got came with the tank, an overflow box that doesn't fit, return pump, diffuser return spout, 10lbs. mineral mud, bio balls and 2X13watt refugium light with shipping for 200.00
trapper125
New member
Haha, true. I have said many times this is what I want and this is how much it is going to cost. At this point what is another 300-400 on top of the couple thousand or so that I have already invested into this lovely cube of water in my living room. It is never ending in my opinion. I already dream of a UPS power backup or generator, the Lifereef overflow, sump and necessary equipment required to do so, Tunze 9002 skimmer, and various specimens to compliment all the toys.
Brent F
In Memoriam
You can keep fish in a refugium. Many do this, especially if the refugium is a display. A refugium can be used for seahorses or for nocturnal fish (this works well since it is "night" in the refugium when the lights are on in the display and the nocturnal fish are out when you are in the room)
The downside is the fish in the refugium is bioload so fish in the refugium mean less fish can be kept in the display. Another downside is, if you are using the refugium to build up a pod population the fish could eat enough to keep your population down.
Reefmack
In Memoriam
brycek - I can't see any reason not to put the damsel in the fuge, unless the water level is too low for it to have any swimming room (or the chaeto takes up the whole fuge section). I've seen fish in larger fuges. At least it's more humane than the flush. First you have to get it out - won't be easy!
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We had a large article in the paper here today on how invasive the lionfish have become since the non-native lionfish had been introduced into the carribean:
introduced lionfish now a pest species
Another major threat to reefs and native fish populations!
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We had a large article in the paper here today on how invasive the lionfish have become since the non-native lionfish had been introduced into the carribean:
introduced lionfish now a pest species
Another major threat to reefs and native fish populations!
BRENT F, Thanks for the information. My main reason for the fuge is algae and nitrate reduction. As for the sump being a display not really my intention but it will be visible as I don't have the totem cabinet. All of This will make my daughter happy since the fish won't be disappearing out of the house.
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