Various Questions :-)

[jpkboca]

I have a 90 gallon tank, that I bought a few years ago (I admit I didn't know nearly anything at the time), and would do things alot different if started from scratch (as would anyone)

Anyways, i have a Eshopps overflow (HOB) http://www.thatpetplace.com/eshopps...7c237623&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=cpc. It is defiantly nosier then I like, I did the hofer whatever its called mods to try to help, which helped some, but wish it did better. It is running a MAG12 as the return. Sometimes both utubes dont seem to be feeding water through fast enough. I think that overflow is too much for my size tank, but it's what it had when I bought it, or possibly the MAG12 is too small (doubt it, as I have heard 5x - 10x turnover is preferable. I have a 20 gallon sump, with a reef octopus extreme skimmer.

Long story short. What are my best options with the overflow/pump combo, or should i get a new pump(thats an option).

Also I'd like to redo my rock, as I don't like it, soem is against the back glass, there is far too many hiding spaces, etc. I am concerned abotu stirring up the sand though, and causing the chemistry to go out of wack. How do people go about this? Take rocks out slowly, and just replace, with all the fish in the tank? or what?

I have been very neglectful on water changes recently and thus have a slight hair algae problem, and want to get things fixed, so any comments at all, thanks.

I don't have a phosphate test kit to know how bad my phosphates are.

P.S. I also have a BRS dual reactor with GFO and Carbon (It is due to be changed). I have 250 watt MH Reeflus 12k bulbs (about a year old). I never know when to change them, as they are still very very bright, etc, but I know people say you need to change them.

Also have a DIY Refugium hooked up to sump [in a trash can] lol.

Sorry for the scatterbrain, just typing as thought, at work

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[Rogger Castells]

A smaller pump will work or you can restrict the flow a bit until the noise goes away.
you can move your rocks around, when you get to the rocks that are in the sand try not to move them or if you have to, make sure you do it slowly.
A phosphate kit is a good investment, sometimes you can get a test kit as a group buy and share among a few reefers.
as a rule of thumb I change all my bulbs every year on the same time, in that way I dont have to guess.
The BRS reactors I change the media every 6 weeks.

 

[jpkboca]

Thanks Rogger.

Ok, I was thinking it might be time to change the bulbs, it's a possibility that is attributing to the hair algae right?

I am thinking of trying Radiums.

Jeff

 

[Rogger Castells]

Yes, old bulbs could enhance hair algae, Radiums are great bulbs.

 

[Keithcorals]

+1
Smaller pump = less noise
I would use a pump half the size of what you have now. If you want more flow use tunze or coralia
Radiums are great bulbs
Don't run for more than a year depending on how many hours a day you run them.

 

[EllieSuz]

You can put a ball valve on the return nozzle of the Mag Drive and fiddle with the flow until you hit a "quiet" spot. That way you don't have to buy a new pump, which could end up being just as noisy. I've run my Mag Drive 9.5 with a ball valve on it for years, so don't let anybody tell you it's bad for the pump.

 

[jpkboca]

Thanks all. It actually has a ball valve on it, it's just mostly open i will fiddle with it some.

Yea, I definatly will order soem new bulbs soon. Anyone know a place with decent prices for Radiums, I've only ever bought bulbs from hellolights.com, which I am happy with, just wondered if anyone knew somewhere else with good prices

 

[EllieSuz]

Try Reef Geek. I think their service is fantastic. I don't know whether they have the bulbs you're looking for since I use T5's, but it's a good place to try. I like doing business with RC sponsors when I can.