Tank Upgrade/Rebuild: Warning: Pic Intensive!

[lrg]

Before I start this thread - is this the correct forum for an upgrade rebuild thread in which I will also be looking for info from the Pro's??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mr Cob]

Yep...you could also put it in the large tank forum or the nano forum if you fit in either of those categories.

[lrg]

- Nope I don't think it does! Cheers for replying and here Goes:

I wanted to share my tank build on here with the good folks at MAAST!

I have an established 55G FOWLR - (I take it that means Fish Only With Live Rock?) tank (3 Years Old - 2 Damsels - Both 3 years old || 2 Clowns, 1 - 3 Years Old, 1 - 2 Years Old || 1 Painted Trigger 1.5 Years Old || 1 Koran Emperor - 1 year old ||).

The Stand was home made and looks like it too so when I built our new house it was either convince the wife that we could build a new tank much smarter or no more fish!! (Yes I did try to convince her a built in would be the best bet but...no such luck!! maybe in the future!!! )

Some Points:

1. I will not be moving all the fish to my new tank - The Clowns will be moving and I would like to move the Trigger but will it be ok with other reef items?

2. I have a RO/DI system which is making water as we speak - I am also using water from the previous tank to get some cycled water in the new tank - using the following method:

Add 5G to old 55 G tank, Wait 4-6 hours then remove 5G and add to new tank - Pro's - Is this a good idea or not worth the trouble?

3. Some of the Old Live Rock will be moved to the new tank when I get it full.

[lrg]

Old Tank:

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0136.jpg

- No Skimmer

Wet/Dry FIlter with Bio Balls

2 Bulb PC Light

[lrg]

To try to save some $$$'s I thought I would just buy a used tank and 'improve' it a little!!!! :rolleyes:

Here is some pics of the tank before I started to 'improve' it:

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0003.jpg

Sump:

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0009.jpg

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0008.jpg

The photos are a bit dodgy but it's faster to take them on my phone!

The stand was fairly knackard when I took it apart and everything had a nice thick layer of sludge!

The Canopy had 4 Retro Fit Duel PC lights (SunPac?)

[lrg]

First off I cleaned everything out - moved the Rock and Sand to a holding tank and fully cleaned out the old sump, tank and other plumbing.

BTW the tank is a 75G Bowfront (Most of you probly realized this!)

Then came the first piece of new equipment:

Current USA 48" Outer Orbit 2 x 250W MH + 4 T5 Lights + Led Night Lights - Maybe a little overkill on the lights but hopefully it'll work out.

[hobogato]

not sure the it is worth it to do that with the water since most of the bacteria live on and in the rock and sand. not familiar with that particular trigger, but most if not all triggers will eat inverts like shrimp and crabs. that is usually why they are not considered reef safe. some will eat clams and some will even eat corals.

[lrg]

Thanks for the info I'll just stick to new water - I was thinking the trigger wasn't reef safe thanks for the conf.

[lrg]

Next I stripped everything out of the old tank and canopy (Retro Fits, Homemade sump light, sump and doors.) and cleaned it.

Then I added a 1" layer of plywood to the base of the stand for extra strength, then added 10 locking casters (each rated for 150 lbs) - I have to be able to move my tank a little if necessary - that is the reason for the casters.

After this I painted the entire stand and canopy and doors with 3 coats of black exterior paint.

Then I modded the canopy to hold the light:http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0113.jpg

Then I panted all the stand parts with Outdoor Gloss Black Paint.

[lrg]

Test Fit:

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0111.jpg

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0110.jpg

- The light should be around 7-8" off the water.

You can see from previous images that the back of the canopy is open - hopefully this ventilation will allow the tank to keep cool - I will probably have to add fan's into the canopy but that will be later.

Has anyone used fans in the sump to keep the water temp constant when the lighting is on?

[lrg]

As you can see I was building it in my loft!

[lrg]

Then I purchased some additional equipment....

1: 75 GPD RO/DI - Plumbed in the attic above the tank. (I plumbed a line in the wall behind the tank, unfortunately I didn't think properly and plumbed it into the water lines - now I have to open up the ceiling and disconnect it so I can use it as a conduit for the RO top off line.)
2. Auto Top Off switch
3.RIO 2100 Sump Pump
4. Reef Octopus 150 Skimmer : http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopus-nwb-150-br-needle-wheel-protein-br-skimmer-749.html
5. New Hoses
6. Egg Crate
7. Figi Live Mud http://www.marinedepot.com/Fiji_Mud_Refugium_Booster_24oz_Coral_Trace_Element _Additives_Supplements-Walt_Smith-WS1111-FIADTECS-vi.html
8. 3 6 Outlet Power Strips & 4 Timers
9. Current USA Outer Orbit 48" MH/T5 Combo with Led Night Lights
10. Heaps of Epoxy!
(I'll update the list as I remember!)

Still Need:

Powerheads: Thinking about K3 or a combo of K2 & K3 - Trying to find some used that have had TLC!!!!
Bigger Sump Pump?
More Live Rock!
Controller....Undecided on model.

[lrg]

I moved the tank downstairs this weekend and began the set up:

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0160.jpg

[hobogato]

yes, a fan directed at the water surface in the sump will help keep the tank cooler

[allan]

I can't see the pictures here, but your description seems on target. I've used a fan on my sump to cool the water when I had just over a hundred gallons.

When I moved from the 100 to the 190 I had only wanted to use about half the water, but I ended up using it all and adding another 100 gallons of water to the mix. Kind of like a large water change.

[allan]

yes, a fan directed at the water surface in the sump will help keep the tank cooler

Sorry, jumped the gun there a bit. :)

[lrg]

Thanks, that is definitely on my list - do you know of a temperature switch? - I want to get an aqua controller eventually but I'm already way over budget.

[allan]

I would also recommend running your sump lamp in reverse cycle to your display tank.

[lrg]

Thanks Re Sump Lamp - The Lamp I have is a 24" PC with a DayGlow bulb - Sufficient?

Cheers again.

Sump layout coming soon for discussion/recommendations.!

[allan]

I'm not good with names or brands. I have a ten inch fan that I got from Home Depot that mounts up inside the sump area and blows across the surface. I don't use it during the winter.

I, too, am looking for the day where I can get an aquacontroller... But since I've already spent more than the original $300 I promised I wouldn't go over, I'm doomed to live without. As it is I kept the fan on all the time. Really spent a lot of time adding water due to evaporation though.

[roscozman]

Question - Is your stand going to remain on wheels? Or is that just a cart to move around the house?

[lrg]

It will remain on wheels - My wife said absolutely no way to having it completely unmovable without emptying it - this way I can also keep working on the ATO which will come down the wall behind it and the electrical panel.

One of the tricks to keeping my wife happy is keeping all the 'mess' hidden!

[Europhyllia]

Is that going to put a lot of pressure on a few very small areas once the tank is full?

[lrg]

Here is the Fuge Layout:

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/Fuge.gif
Filter Floss: http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaticLife_Media_Bonded_Blue_Pad_26x30_Filter_Pad _Mechanical_Filter_Media-AquaticLife-AK01180-FIFMMEPM-vi.html

Fuge Plant:Chaetomorpha Algae http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=490+2401&pcatid=2401

[allan]

I can provide you with some chaeto when you're ready.

[lrg]

Is that going to put a lot of pressure on a few very small areas once the tank is full?


With 10 casters the weight is fairly well spread, also the base of the tank is 2" thick plywood. The casters are placed at the points where the pressure would be most intense - the mounting points of the casters is 4" squared so it is basically like having 10 2"x2" holding up the tank.

I think it will work - my other 55G is on 6 casters and that has worked fine.

Time will tell!

[lrg]

I can provide you with some chaeto when you're ready.


Thank you much! I'll be in touch - I have a little but will need more!

[txav8r]

I have plenty of Chaeto as well if Allan can't meet up with you.

[lrg]

This might help with what the sump looks like:

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0161.jpg

[lrg]

Sump full and in action: - I'm using 2 pumps plus the skimmer to circ.

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0171.jpg

You can see the skimmer is already moving some junk out!

[lrg]

I have plenty of Chaeto as well if Allan can't meet up with you.

Cheers!

FYI I'm in the 410 & Nacogdoches area (Forest Oaks)

[lrg]

Beginning Rock Scape - I am trying to create some caves, and some flat areas for coral and defo a Clam sometime!

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0170.jpg

[lrg]

I'm thinking about leaving the area to the front of the tank clear - Aqu. Designs has some Ray's in which I think are very cool - J. said they should be reef safe apart from the chance they would knock things over possibly. I figured they would like a clear area to glide over?

[allan]

.... and a very large tank....

[lrg]

.... and a very large tank....


- I see - he thought the one's they had would be ok for a while (1-2 years) - smallest of the Ray family - they were about 6" long - I thought they might have been called a Cali Ray? maybe?.

[lrg]

Tank position:

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0169.jpg

[lrg]

Additional Thoughts:

I have had BioBalls for about 3 years+ now - Would it be good additional media to put in the new sump? I Figured if its a good idea they could go in the return area.

Also what is the thoughts on carbon - I have the following media holders that I could add carbon to and also put in the return area:

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0172.jpg

[hobogato]

have you done a power outage test yet? that sump looks pretty full and looks like it might overflow if the power goes out...

make sure you have anti-siphon holes drilled in your return lines at the surface of the the wate in the main tank.

[allan]

I use a carbon sock in my crypt... but I couldn't tell you whether it's doing what it's supposed to be doing.

[lrg]

have you done a power outage test yet? that sump looks pretty full and looks like it might overflow if the power goes out...

make sure you have anti-siphon holes drilled in your return lines at the surface of the the wate in the main tank.


Right now I am only running the sump - that is why it is so full - under normal operation it should be 1/2-3/4 full.

Any more info on the 'anti-siphon' holes? That sounds like a must Thanks,

[lrg]

I use a carbon sock in my crypt... but I couldn't tell you whether it's doing what it's supposed to be doing.


I also have some carbon socks in my current wet/dry - I didn't know if they were recommended in this type of bio. filter.

[hobogato]

just drill a small hole (1/8" works well) on the return line just below the water surface in the main tank. if the power goes out, once the tank drains down to the hole, it lets air into the line stopping the siphon and flow of water down the return line to the sump. just be sure to check the hole periodically to make sure there is no salt or algae buildup clogging the hole.

[lrg]

'DOH' Thanks for that!

[ErikH]

- I see - he thought the one's they had would be ok for a while (1-2 years) - smallest of the Ray family - they were about 6" long - I thought they might have been called a Cali Ray? maybe?.

Don't put a ray in there! I doubt it wouldn't be able to turn around after a short while.


Keep on posting! :) Great job so far. Patience is the key.

[corruption]

Don't put a ray in there! I doubt it wouldn't be able to turn around after a short while.


Keep on posting! :) Great job so far. Patience is the key.

+1 -- unless you plan on building out a tank large enough to keep a ray long-term within the next year, don't do it. Debate is still out on whether being in too small of an environment causes malformations internally, but the psychological -- and potentially physical (due to environment restrictions) -- damage is very real. I would call this poorly advised information that this would be workable for a year or 2.

-Justin

[lrg]

+1 -- unless you plan on building out a tank large enough to keep a ray long-term within the next year, don't do it. Debate is still out on whether being in too small of an environment causes malformations internally, but the psychological -- and potentially physical (due to environment restrictions) -- damage is very real. I would call this poorly advised information that this would be workable for a year or 2.

-Justin


Thanks - Advice well taken!

Last night I added the temporary power (Eventually I want to run with a controller and switch board but this will have to do for now as I'm way over budget!).

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0177.jpg
Left Side Has the same.

This is where the Chato will go:

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0175.jpg

[lrg]

Adding Water:

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0179.jpg

[lrg]

I was thinking about the earlier post re a lot of weight on a few points, - I am probably going to add in some extra 4" x 4" blocks under the tank and shim them up for additional weight distribution - after the tank is set up.

You can see the casters in the above post - I am going to add a type of weather stripping to conceal these.

Ques.: It will probably be about 2 more days till the tank is full and cycling - how long would my live-rock last that is in my other tank without being in a cycling tank or fully immersed in water? - I could add it tonight and have the tank full by Thursday - this would be easier for creating the rockscape but I don't want to kill off the rock or its inhabitants - The rock in the above pic was out of water for about 2 months so I figured it is 'dead' rock now? - Hopefully we can change that by introducing my other live rock.

[Europhyllia]

I like the rock structure :)

[lrg]

Chato being kept safe in my other tank!!
http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0174.jpg

[lrg]

I like the rock structure :)

Thank you much!

I'm trying to build some caves and areas that will promote the fish to use the whole tank (Top to bottom!)

The left will get some of my current rock.

I'm trying to decide whether to keep my 55G running or not...if not there will be a painted trigger and Koran emperor for grabs.....

[lrg]

The tank is now full:Yippie! Been cycling for 48+ hours now...

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_8950.jpg

Here is a shot with the lights on - dark room and iphone so it didnt work too well but don't I get 1/2 for trying?

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/iphone004.jpg

The doors for the sump will be added once the tank is finished.

[lrg]

Note the celebratory glass of port! I finished off the last of a bottle of vintage to celibate when the pump started and no leaks sprung...YET!

Issues So Far:

1. Terrible micro bubbles - For a temp solution I wrapped the 2 overflows of the sump (from the skimmer side and the fuge side) with filter pad - it worked but looks like but! Any other solutions?

2. The wiring the light was the opposite side of what I was hoping for so this is a bummer! No solution yet!!

[lrg]

I purchased a Scooter Blenny and Yellow tang from a member (Thanks!!) - I have them in my 55G right now - the Koran Emp. decided he did NOT like the Tang - started attacking him like crazy so now I have a getto rig divider till I can move them - made using metal coat hangers and filter pad! Pics to follow!

[Kristy]

Hi lrg... are you British, by the way? Because in my head I am reading all your comments with a British accent (with expressions like "dodgy" and "knackered" and "cheers!" which makes me laugh when you write "DOH!" and "ghetto." Glad I can amuse myself, eh?

Exciting progress so far. I would definitely keep the 55g going so that your live rock stays submerged with water circulating until the new tank is ready for it. I know that's more hassle, but it will help considerably with reducing the new tank ammonia cycle that you would get from the die-off of pulling it out. There may be a little of that anyhow, what with the dead rock that you've put in there, but not nearly what you would expect with pulling your rock out a couple of days in the transition.

Also, please keep a cautious eye on the scooter blenny. Is it accepting prepared foods at all or just eating the pods? It may suffer going into a newly established tank if there is any lag in your pod population during the transition.

Good luck and keep up the documentation!

[Kristy]

Oops... Obviously in the later posts, the tank is full and you have already decided about that issue of whether or not to keep the other tank going. Sorry, time for a nap! :)

[lrg]

Hi lrg... are you British, by the way? Because in my head I am reading all your comments with a British accent (with expressions like "dodgy" and "knackered" and "cheers!" which makes me laugh when you write "DOH!" and "ghetto." Glad I can amuse myself, eh?

Exciting progress so far. I would definitely keep the 55g going so that your live rock stays submerged with water circulating until the new tank is ready for it. I know that's more hassle, but it will help considerably with reducing the new tank ammonia cycle that you would get from the die-off of pulling it out. There may be a little of that anyhow, what with the dead rock that you've put in there, but not nearly what you would expect with pulling your rock out a couple of days in the transition.

If you do decide to sell the trigger and Koran angel, my husband might be interested. He's just set up a FOWLR so that he can have a trigger like that, plus a couple of other less reef-safe fish. Also, please keep a cautious eye on the scooter blenny. Is it accepting prepared foods at all or just eating the pods? It may suffer going into a newly established tank if there is any lag in your pod population during the transition.

Good luck and keep up the documentation!


Ha ha does it show that bad......or is it..that... :shades: ??!! - I've been here for 6.8 years and married a Texas gurl so some of the 'lingo' rubs off!

I Have no option but to keep the tank going for now ... it holds stock that I don't want to move.

The blenny looks to be doing well - it didnt go for any new food last night but as soon as it went in it was all over the live rock actively - I haven't had anything like this for a couple of years so there should be a decent amount for him to eat in the old tank. If I move the live rock and some of the live sand over to the new tank hopefully we'll be moving some of his food over too!

The tang was eating like a champ shortly after being introduced!

E-mail me if you are interested in the trigger or Koran Emp - The trigger is very healthy and fast growing: lwazzasa@aol.com (mailo:lwazzasa@aol.com)

[lrg]

Oops... Obviously in the later posts, the tank is full and you have already decided about that issue of whether or not to keep the other tank going. Sorry, time for a nap! :)

I'm not fully decided - right now the tank is holding stock and rock for the new tank.

It might become a frag/quarantine tank.

I have to see how much maintenance the new tank takes.

[lrg]

We've developed our prelim stock list: (Feel free to comment/recommend as needed!)

2 Clowns (Already have, both over 3 years old) with host (TBD).
1 Yellow Tank (Already Have)
1 Scooter Blenny (Already Have)

List of Possible Additions:

Copperband Butterfly
Fire Shrimp (Although not if we get a Lion Fish)
Lion Fish (Wife loves these but I'm trying to explain that they are not the absolute best choice for the reef environment I want to create...She has been very patient with me though and I should keep her happy and enthused!) What are your thoughts?

Hopefully when the tank is stable enough we can add a couple of blue linsys (SP?) starfish.

Don't worry - I won't be adding all these fish at once - I might be a bit of a mad English bloke but I've read the great stories of those who start a tank out and load it up strait away!.

What would Ya'll recommend for helping the tank build up its bio load capabilities? - I will be adding established Live rock and also using cycle but there is probably other ways to do it (Vodka dosing?)

[Europhyllia]

Lion Fish (Wife loves these but I'm trying to explain that they are not the absolute best choice for the reef environment I want to create...She has been very patient with me though and I should keep her happy and enthused!) What are your thoughts?

You will have an empty 55 gallon tank. Dwarf Lions take a minimum tank of 40 gallon. I think it's time that woman gets her own tank. :thumbs_up: The 55 will make a nice dwarf lion home.

[lrg]

You will have an empty 55 gallon tank. Dwarf Lions take a minimum tank of 40 gallon. I think it's time that woman gets her own tank. :thumbs_up: The 55 will make a nice dwarf lion home.


..I've a tank in mind for her.....now she's used to buckets being spread around the study & entry way...pipes running through the house with rodi and rodi waste...splashes here and there..the odd 'small' spill....I figure I can introduce her to the real thing in about 6-8 months...a 300+ built in - we have the perfect place for it and I'm secretly saving up!

In reality she'll see this tank more than me....I'm working at the office all week (Which doesn't have a fish tank....yet....:wink_smile:)

[Europhyllia]

that will work too ;)

[Kristy]

Ha ha does it show that bad......or is it..that... :shades: ??!! - I've been here for 6.8 years and married a Texas gurl so some of the 'lingo' rubs off!

Well, that explains it. It just stands out, possibly more so for me because I worked a couple of months in the Banbury area last year.

Welcome to Texas, welcome to MAAST, and glad you found our community!

[lrg]

Well, that explains it. It just stands out, possibly more so for me because I worked a couple of months in the Banbury area last year.

Welcome to Texas, welcome to MAAST, and glad you found our community!


Thank you for the welcome and I hope the small island treated you well - its a little off topic but for a very humorous read on an American's take on England - Travel Author Bill Bryson has a book called: 'Notes from a Small Island' I think thats the title and its very interesting when you've lived in both places.

I have family in Banbury so I'm a little familier with the area. I was from the midlands - Derbyshire/South Yorkshire area.

[lrg]

As promised - pics of my ghetto tank dividing method and the new tank....still need to work on a bubble trap method....Dang my tank looks dirty...too much attention on the new one I guess.....Cheato in its protection crate!

Tank division:

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_8968.jpg

New Tank: - The branch LR at the front of the structure is not a permanent fixture but to provide something for the couple of crabs that are in there.

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_8970.jpg

[lrg]

Any Ideas other than cycle to get this tank ready for its first fish?

How long do you recommend I wait? Its been running since Tuesday..

[hobogato]

i would not reccommend having metal of ANY kind in a sw tank. if the alloy of the metal contains any copper it will cause major problems in your tank. i am sure other metals can cause problems as well.

[lrg]

i would not reccommend having metal of ANY kind in a sw tank. if the alloy of the metal contains any copper it will cause major problems in your tank. i am sure other metals can cause problems as well.


I am worried about this but I needed a solution fast - the tang would probably be dead by now if I hadn't divided it off. Do you think eggcrate would work or any other ideas? - Where can I get reasonably priced eggcrate?

Thanks,

[hobogato]

egg crate would work perfectly.

[lrg]

egg crate would work perfectly.

I was planning on using it and didn't have enough. On my list for today - hobby lobby?

[hobogato]

lowe's or hd - it is called light diffuser

[lrg]

perfect - cheers

[lrg]

Added my first fish!!

I put the yellow tang in the tank...hopefully everything will be A-OK!

In his old tank:

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0202.jpg

- You can see the benny in this image also which will be his next tank mate.

The tang went in on Saturday - if params are fine on Wednesday or Thursday then the next fish will be added.

[lrg]

Update!

I baptized our new house! UGHHHHH

I have the RODI filter upstairs and have a long line so that I can run it downstairs to the tank room for mixing and water to up.

I'd done water changes on both tanks and it was time for bed!

What I didnt realize is that the pump//hose that I had used to pump the RO water out the bucket still had water in it:

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0207.jpg

You can see the pump and line - there was just enough water in the line so that as the bucket started to refill (it has a float valve) the water started to syphon into the tub you can see in the above pic...as we were happily sleeping the tub filled up and started to overflow into the study......

After it got to about 1/4 inch in the study it started to find its way into other rooms....

I had to replace the carpet pad in one room: http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0208.jpg

Some of the living room pad has been replaced - hopefully the carpet will survive...

Pic of one of the rooms carpet drying off in the dining room: Note the carpet cleaner in the background..
http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0211.jpg

[lrg]

Other than that - we're working with the Algae problem - hopefully the snails will feast upon it.

I'm trying to figure out how to get the dust//particles out from circulating in the water.

Considering 2 skimmers...(is this dumb?)

My next item is to purchase a host for the clowns - recommendations? probably something hardy as its a new tank...I know I need to wait a little while longer..

[lrg]

Its been a while!

I've been letting the tank cycle.

I still have the green algae on the sides of the tank - the snails work on it but don't clean it completely.

I have still got to get a host for the clowns also - I'm being careful to let the tank cycle and establish before I up the load too much.

I am having a tough time getting the Skimmer to work..thinking about trying the CL125 to see if it works better - the Octo110 has to be just about closed to get the water level up to the bottom of the neck. The Skimmer is in 10" of water. Cleaned regularly.

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_90431-1.jpg

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/FTS2.jpg

[lrg]

The Rock Scape needs a little help - hopefully get that done this week.

Also: The whiter rock is live rock the dried out - its been in the tank just over a month now and showing no signs of going purple - I use purple-up but its not really had any effect. Will the coraline grow over time or is there something I could add that would help?

Also any other tips on what I should be doing?

I feed 1 cube of Mysis every day in the evening and every 3rd day I put a 2" x 2" piece of algae for the Tang.

I'm not adding any additives right now other than the purple up.

Reef Buffer is added with each water top off.

I am changing 10 g every 2 weeks. I also add about 5G of RODI a week for evaporation.

Do I need to increase water changes?

[Big_Pun]

dont clean the skimmer reg, they need to break in a lil and usually require only 1 cleaning a month, they need to get a lil gunky in the upper chamber. i got a cl220 super skimmer if you want to trade, i need more room in height in my sump.

[lrg]

By the upper chamber do you mean the collection cup? - I haven't cleaned the body of the skimmer yet just the collection cup and the neck part that removes with the cup - is it better to leave this 'gunked' up?

I'll let you know on the skimmer - I will try the 125 first, Thanks,

[Big_Pun]

yea the collection cup leave it dirty,especialy the inside tube the bubble rise thru. eveything your doing sounds fine, you could add some chemipure to help with filtration

Clarification, if it starts to get real gunky clean it, but shouldnt need to be done everyday maybe once a week

[lrg]

The Collection cup was getting cleaned about once a week - also it takes about 4 days to fill - am I not skimming enough or just a low bio load?

[Big_Pun]

what's in your tank??

[lrg]

what's in your tank??

Livesand
Live Rock
1 Yellow Tang
2 Clowns
1 Scooter Blenny
4 Large Snails
4 Small Snails
5 Small Hermits
1 Large Hermit

Does that help?

Feed 1 cube of Mysis (SP?) a day.

[jlh81]

How did the carpet turn out? On the skimmer doesn't the outflow tube adjust? I have a RO skimmer too and if i put the outflow tube all the way up the water inside the skimmer goes all the way to the top and will start flowing into the cup. It should pull up or something.

[lrg]

How did the carpet turn out? On the skimmer doesn't the outflow tube adjust? I have a RO skimmer too and if i put the outflow tube all the way up the water inside the skimmer goes all the way to the top and will start flowing into the cup. It should pull up or something.

LOL We salvaged it - thankfully it was fresh RODI so no salt stains - it did have to be re-stretched and I had to put a new pad down.

Its an Octo Skimmer - I have to run it almost closed to make it pull up - What do you mean 'put the outflow tube all the way up'?

Thanks,