Starting a new 90 Progress will be updated

[Mavrk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11868630#post11868630 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by paintballer768
Another thing to consider would be the flame angel. CBA and Flame Angel are very close as far as behavior and size, but I must say that the coral beauty spends much time zooming in and out of rockwork, whereas my friends flame angel is more out of the rocks and swimming. To my knowledge, the flame actually gets like 1" or so smaller than the CBA also, but not quite sure on that figure.

Aren't Flame Angels a little more aggressive then Coral Beauties? Or is this incorrect?

Also, I think in captivity they both grow to about the same size.

 

[Dano999]

My Dendro opened up quite nicely tonight so I thought I would get a shot of it. I wish it would open like this during the day.

 

[Reeftanks6]

Very nice.

 

[SSpiro]

Replying so I may subscribe..

 

[Dano999]

Got my new toy. A Bubble Master 160.

Comes in two boxes with the pump shipped separately. Installing the pump took all of 5 minutes with very good instructions. It feels very sturdy and appears well made.

After a good rinse I placed it in the tank and plugged it in. It fit better than I expected. It made a lot of noise right off (same noise when you block the air tube) after about 30 seconds the impeller noise stopped and it started foaming.

ATI recommends 6" to 7" water height with a maximum of 8" so I raised the skimmer to get a 7" water height. The picture above is with a 9 1/2" water height. After I confirm it's working well I'll get a more permanent stand.

Now just waiting for it to break in. It appears to be making a lot of very small bubbles. With the Tunze I could never tell because it has a black plastic enclosure.

The water level adjustment (outlet) is very smooth and allows for very fine adjustments. I have it open all the way right now which keeps the water at its lowest level.

 

[Dano999]

After 2 hours

 

[Dano999]

After 4 hours

 

[Dano999]

After 6 Hours

Not much change

 

[NEMOjuice]

That skimmer looks awesome.
I have been looking into it and it is the skimmer that I will be using on my 90 gallon.
I just read thru all the pages of your thread because I'm about to upgrade my 40 breeder into a 90 AGA reef ready.

 

[Reeftanks6]

Looks good

 

[Dano999]

After 15 hours

This morning I closed the output valve a little to raise the water level.

 

[Dano999]

After 20 Hours

 

[Dano999]

After 24 Hours

It's near the top. I washed out the cup neck with diluted vinegar to help reduce the break in period.

 

[Gdubb]

Dano why the change from the Tunze. I went with a 9005 with my 55g sumpless tank.

 

[Dano999]

I was never able to get the Tunze to perform well. Others apparently have had good success but after 3 months the maximum amount of skimmate I would get in a week was 100 ml. I should have that much in a day. After each cleaning it would take up to three days to start producing again.

My Phosphates are at .05 and I have a green hair and Cyano problem in the overflow and fuge. This is an indication the skimmer is not pulling out enough protein.

Since the skimmer is one if not the most important piece of equipment you can buy, it wasn't worth messing around with it anymore.

 

[Reeftanks6]

Looks good.

 

[will16]

Hello. Great thread. I am in the planning phases of an Oceanic 90 as well and you sharing your journey is exremely helpful. Thank you for that.

I am trying to decide on a skimmer as well and am still a bit confused. My shortlist so far are Octopus, MSX200 or DAS-EX2. Hadn't seen much on the Bubble Master. Was there a specific reason that you decided on that one? It looks like it is working pretty well so far. Also, how noisey is it? That is a concern of mine.

Thanks,
Will

 

[Dano999]

My decision came down to how much space I had to work with. All the models you list should do a good job. The DAS-EX2 would be my choice of the three.

It's only been running a day and a half so it's still braking in and the verdict is not yet in. There are many thread in the ReefGeek vendor forum from owners that are having great success.

The noise is not bad but it's not totally quiet. Most of the noise is from the air intake and there is a mod to reduce it if necessary.

Below is the amount of skimmate I got overnight. It would have been more but I cleaned the top part of the skimmer because I was running too dry for the first night and it turned brown. (see previous pictures) This caused a several hour delay in production as it was almost like starting over.

Keep in mind the cup is nearly 7" in diameter.

 

[Fuzzfish]

lookin good!

 

[Dano999]

Here's the results after two days. This is 500 ml. The amount I would get in a month with the Tunze.