Another skimmer question...

[melypr1985]

I don't need to clean any of the reactors up as they are all new. I will put them away for now and setup the tanks with the basics as mentioned. My RO/DI system will be here in about a week so I will probably be working on how to use the Neptune controler system and getting everything mounted and hooked up. I have about 30 sock filters for the sump, and it has lighting and fans as well. Should I do a teat run with regular water so I can check for leaks and flush the system before I buy sand and rock? Thanks for all the help. You have all been really helpful and I'm shocked at how great everyone has been.

You certainly can if it makes your feel better. I know I always at least test for leaks in a used tank before using it. I dont see how it could do anything but put your mind at ease (or maybe even point out a major issue). Go for it, though dont use ro/di water for it, that's a waste.

 

[omykiss001]

I don't need to clean any of the reactors up as they are all new. I will put them away for now and setup the tanks with the basics as mentioned. My RO/DI system will be here in about a week so I will probably be working on how to use the Neptune controler system and getting everything mounted and hooked up. I have about 30 sock filters for the sump, and it has lighting and fans as well. Should I do a teat run with regular water so I can check for leaks and flush the system before I buy sand and rock? Thanks for all the help. You have all been really helpful and I'm shocked at how great everyone has been.

Strongly recommend a freshwater run, leak testing and also allows you to fine tune equipment and placement. Then when you are about ready to drain and before adding salt you can throw in a bunch of vinegar and let it run for a day or two to clean any deposits on the tank and equipment so everything starts out nice and clean, then drain wash with fresh, this will clean your pumps heater etc of calcium carbonate deposits, but most of your stuff looks pretty clean with low mileage. I bought my 180 used and cycled freshwater for close to a month to test all my systems out and get my apex programmed the way I like it. Salt is expensive to dump if you find a minor leak or need to redo some bit of plumbing. Use the apex forum on the Neptune site great for programming advice and examples. I love my controller as I have it setup with float switches in my sump to do ATO, as well as alert me if my tank get to full, i.e. clogged drains and shut my pump off before it overflows, same in my sump, and I have leak sensors in the bottom of my stand that can shut off systems and alert me if any water spilled. Saved me a lot of heartache when breaking in my skimmer as it sort of broke in and overflowed the leak sensor triggered an alarm and shut my main pump and skimmer off. Mess was minor, but would have been horrible had it continued.

If you are redoing any of the plumbing all I can say is unions, unions, and more unions. Learned that one the hard way from my first tank didn't use any and had a plumbing issue, had to train and cut the plumbing out. now every major part of my plumbing gets valved off and can be removed via unions. Easy to clean and repair when needed without tearing the whole system apart.

 

[buggynutt]

Lots of great info. Thanks. How much vinegar should I dump in?

 

[Patto005]

Completely agree with the freshwater leak test. But you have time while your tank is cycling to do lots of research. At least you came to a great place to find answers to all of your questions.

 

[omykiss001]

Lots of great info. Thanks. How much vinegar should I dump in?

Tank that size 1/2 to a full gallon should do the trick. 2 or 3 dollars to start clean was worth every dollar. Run it for a day or so and the deposits should melt away [emoji4]. House might smell a bit vinegary is the only downfall. I don't think might was that bad that I really noticed unless I had my nose right next to the water.

 

[buggynutt]

Ok so a bit of an update. It holds water and only had 2 leaks that were just loose joints. A little twist and it's all fixed up. I added 2 gal of vinegar so I should be good..lol. I have had it running for about 4 hrs now and everything seems good. I'm looking at some other ideas to replace the sock filters as I think they are to loud the way they are setup. If anyone has some ideas or pics that would be awesome. I know I need to add some filter media in the sump but not sure where to put it or what to put in there. I have a charcoal reactor thing, should I try to get that setup or hold off? Thanks again everyone for your help.