Sump for my 55 gal.
- Thread starter Capt. Nemo
- Start date
Capt. Nemo
Active member
What would be the ETA of the sump if I order it now at the website and the order is processed tomorrow morning. I know you had said that PM would have to drop ship it. I wasnt sure if I was suppose to order at the website or if you would take my order. Thanks. I have a couple more quick questions and then I am going to make my order and then I'm off to bed.
Capt. Nemo
Active member
Good night.
Capt. Nemo
Active member
I'm in NJ.
Capt. Nemo
Active member
That's fine. Do I place my order with you or at the website? Thanks.
Capt. Nemo
Active member
Great! Thanks bud.
Capt. Nemo
Active member
Well, I just ordered the sump. Now onto the LR! I have a couple of questions. First, do I need special lighting for the LR and for optimal corraline algae coloring and growth? My second question is would it be better to add the LR to the tank before filling with water or after or does it really make a difference? Thanks!
Gary
Gary
JustOneMoreTank
New member
Capt. Nemo said:
Most everyone that I have talked to and read believe that Coralline does not require high amounts of light ... in fact most seem to comment that the Coralline algae does best if not in direct line of strong light (like right under MH lights) . So some Normal Output (NO) flourescent, Very High Output (VHO), Power Compact (PC), or T5 lights should work great for getting the coralline going.
I would get the tank running with fresh water for a day or two and make sure there are no leaks. Then add salt and get the temperature and pH stable. Once you have the hang of that and dont need any equipment modifications then add the LR. Add the sand last very carefully to not cause a sandstorm. It is best to have the rock on the bottom of the tank so that later some fish or critter doesnt try to dig under a rock and create an avalanche.
JustOneMoreTank
New member
Ohh I almost forgot... be very careful if adding LR to an empty tank. The rock may be slippery because it is moist and you might drop a piece. You could actually break the tanks bottom.
Also you dont ever add freshly mixed salt water directly onto or in the tank because the salt mix is very strong (caustic) and irritating to any living animals/critters. The salt water should be mixed and aerated for several hours (maybe 12 to 24 hours I think) before you add it to the tank.
Hope this helps some.
Also you dont ever add freshly mixed salt water directly onto or in the tank because the salt mix is very strong (caustic) and irritating to any living animals/critters. The salt water should be mixed and aerated for several hours (maybe 12 to 24 hours I think) before you add it to the tank.
Hope this helps some.
eclecticvibe
Premium Member
I agree with the 2 previous posts about placing the rock. Good advice.
Capt. Nemo
Active member
Hi Jeremy,
Hope all is well with you. This is my 1st post since I had ordered the PM sump on the Oct. 27th. It should be here any day now and as soon as it arrives I'll be ready to order 50 pds. of Marshall Islands LR. I'm getting excited! Everything is coming together and I am hoping to set my tank up by this weekend! One of the few things I still have to decide on is substrate selection. I'm debating which type of sand would be the best for my FOWLR. What would you recommend? How are a couple of sands I am considering:
1.CaribSea Aragamax Oolitic Select Reef Sand: 0.5-1.02mm grain size.
2.CaribSea Aragamax Sugar-Sized Reef Sand: 0.2 - 1.2mm diameter grain size.
Is this grain size right for my type of setup or do I need to go with a more medium sized grain? I have ruled out Crushed Coral since I've heard that it becomes a detritus trap and could increase the nitrate level.
Thanks,
Gary
Hope all is well with you. This is my 1st post since I had ordered the PM sump on the Oct. 27th. It should be here any day now and as soon as it arrives I'll be ready to order 50 pds. of Marshall Islands LR. I'm getting excited! Everything is coming together and I am hoping to set my tank up by this weekend! One of the few things I still have to decide on is substrate selection. I'm debating which type of sand would be the best for my FOWLR. What would you recommend? How are a couple of sands I am considering:
1.CaribSea Aragamax Oolitic Select Reef Sand: 0.5-1.02mm grain size.
2.CaribSea Aragamax Sugar-Sized Reef Sand: 0.2 - 1.2mm diameter grain size.
Is this grain size right for my type of setup or do I need to go with a more medium sized grain? I have ruled out Crushed Coral since I've heard that it becomes a detritus trap and could increase the nitrate level.
Thanks,
Gary
Capt. Nemo
Active member
I forgot to mention that in regards to the sand, I dont intend to have a deep sand bed, but a shallow bed, maybe an inch or two in depth. I dont know if this makes any difference in the sand I use, but I thought I'd mention it incase it did. If I had my druthers I'd just forgo having a substrate, since it may be more of a headache with the clean up and such. I'm doing this more for aesthetics. About how many pds. of sand will I need for a depth of 1 or 2" in a 55 gal. Thanks!
Hi Gary,
I personally like the Aragramax sugar sized sand. I use the special grade on a small tank at home, and am starting to think it is just a touch on the big size. All of my other systems have had the aragamax sugar size or equivelant. You can also mix sand as well if you want.
Whichever direction you go will be just fine, more personal preference than anything. I just don't recommend the crushed coral due to the amount of detritus that builds up in it and the lack of microfauna that can inhabit that big stuff.
I personally like the Aragramax sugar sized sand. I use the special grade on a small tank at home, and am starting to think it is just a touch on the big size. All of my other systems have had the aragamax sugar size or equivelant. You can also mix sand as well if you want.
Whichever direction you go will be just fine, more personal preference than anything. I just don't recommend the crushed coral due to the amount of detritus that builds up in it and the lack of microfauna that can inhabit that big stuff.
Capt. Nemo
Active member
Hi Jeremy,
Thanks for the helpful tips. Do you know how many pds. of the sugar sized sand I would need for my 55 gal. with dimensions of 48" long and 13" wide? I'm not looking to do a DSB, but probably a 1 - 2" shallow bed. Thanks!
Gary
Thanks for the helpful tips. Do you know how many pds. of the sugar sized sand I would need for my 55 gal. with dimensions of 48" long and 13" wide? I'm not looking to do a DSB, but probably a 1 - 2" shallow bed. Thanks!
Gary
Capt. Nemo
Active member
Are any of the systems in which you have used the Aragramax sugar sized sand a FOWLR setup? Shallow or deep sand bed? I am just trying to decide what would be the best sand grain size for my FOWL which will include a porcuppine puffer. I know that they are very active and messy fish and therefore a sugar sized (oolitic) sand may be best for this fish since this type of sand is less of a detritus trap as the more larger and coarser sands and crushed coral. However, I dont want this fish kicking up a sandstorm either and always having cloudy water. What do you think? Thanks!
In addition, how is the Marshall Island LR looking today? Thanks again,
In addition, how is the Marshall Island LR looking today? Thanks again,
I have ran both shallow and DSB's with that sand and it works just fine. It is actually very similar to the Pure Caribbean Aragonite that used to be out there as well as the Southdown stuff. It's predominately like the larger sizes of what the Southdown has, and not so much of the little particles like the Oolitic has.
Marshall is looking great!
Thanks,
Jeremy
Marshall is looking great!
Thanks,
Jeremy
