Bell and whistles?

[Russ265]

Stupendous! What is GAC and GFO? How often and how much do you change water?

oh wow...

yeah, id run a skimmer at your level of experience. no offense, but it will give you some padding for error.

i wont argue with other ardent defenders of what they believe is critical for a reef.

but...

without decent lights and obtaining crap results, you may bail on this hobby in a hurry.

 

[Baby Ray]

Thanks! Is cheato algae stored in the refugium?

Yes in the refugium.
I keep mine in a DIY basket to keep it away from my long spine sea urchin

 

[JonPhillips]

oh wow...

yeah, id run a skimmer at your level of experience. no offense, but it will give you some padding for error.

i wont argue with other ardent defenders of what they believe is critical for a reef.

but...

without decent lights and obtaining crap results, you may bail on this hobby in a hurry.

But there so expensive and I don't think there's a good DIY option

 

[Russ265]

But there so expensive and I don't think there's a good DIY option

how big is the tank?

 

[JonPhillips]

Yes in the refugium.
I keep mine in a DIY basket to keep it away from my long spine sea urchin

Why is your urchin in the refugium?

 

[JonPhillips]

how big is the tank?

135

 

[Baby Ray]

Why is your urchin in the refugium?

For algae control

 

[JonPhillips]

For algae control

hmmmmmmm

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I don't know. Heard is was easier the larger the tank since there is more room for error. True?

opinion.
I have had 5g 8g 10g 20g 30glong and cube and 55. I havent had large tanks YET. Following the above advice I have never had problems.(not unusual ones anyway) Im a granola reefer. I believe in refugiums and the natural way(understanding science and what Mr Farley is REALLY saying). I have no reactors, dosers etc. Its given me the feel of the systems. yea I run Granular Activated Carbon. but in a bag in the sump.
Now after theses years of study, Im ready to take on the reactors and dosers etc now that I know where and IF (BIG IF), Ill need them depending on my livestock, and(weird but true) the personality of the tank..
And I will always have a Refugium with plants and bugs.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

For algae control

Baby. You want alge in the fuge. or itll be in the DT. its a competition.

 

[Russ265]

135

get a 50 gallon sump for it and you should be fine.

skimmers dont work miracles. most of the stuff pulled up dies in the cup.

after a few months of running without it, you can figure if you need one or not. an ATS is a good method of nutrient export.

also if you stock lightly, itll be easier on yourself until you know your tank's caveats.

i am the laziest guy ever to do waterchanges. like... 3 months then do a wc.

as lazy as i am, i know my human error allows just that. 3 months.

so my routine is 10% every month now. my nitrate is 3 solid.

big big disclaimer:
it was by design. your mileage will vary depending how stocked you are, how much you feed, yadda yadda. like i said... know your tanks caveats and go slowly.

 

[Baby Ray]

Baby. You want alge in the fuge. or itll be in the DT. its a competition.

I have plenty of algae in the sump. He just kind of trims it up a little bit.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

BTW welcome to Reef2reef. And the Hobby!!!!!
Heres some likes!!!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I have plenty of algae in the sump. He just kind of trims it up a little bit.

jus checkin'

 

[JonPhillips]

opinion.
I have had 5g 8g 10g 20g 30glong and cube and 55. I havent had large tanks YET. Following the above advice I have never had problems.(not unusual ones anyway) Im a granola reefer. I believe in refugiums and the natural way(understanding science and what Mr Farley is REALLY saying). I have no reactors, dosers etc. Its given me the feel of the systems. yea I run Granular Activated Carbon. but in a bag in the sump.
Now after theses years of study, Im ready to take on the reactors and dosers etc now that I know where and IF (BIG IF), Ill need them depending on my livestock, and(weird but true) the personality of the tank..
And I will always have a Refugium with plants and bugs.

SAWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET ACTION!!!!!!!!!!! thank you

 

[Baby Ray]

jus checkin'

No Problemo

 

[Russ265]

because you will potentially have a 200 gallon full system volume tank.

i highly suggest the rodi unit's convenience. i also suggest a 40 gallon brute can
and a garden hose booster pump for sprinkler systems at lowes. do not get the plastic everbilts from home depot. stainless steel design as it risks splitting otherwise.

the reason i suggest this twofold.

a 10% wc for you would be 4 five gallon buckets.... are you really gonna lug that kinda water?

even a 100 gpd ro unit will take a considerable amount of time to make water. with a booster you can get 5 gallons in 30-45 minutes. huge time saver on weekends.

you will need a mixing station to mix your salt in. some use powerheads but a stick will do fine. (albeit not ideal)

rodi unit on ebay - 150
sprinkler booster - 300
40 gallon brute - 50

so $500 bucks to get you set. minus 300 for the convenience you can do it for 200. but i assure you... after doing a couple waterxhanges that last most of your saturday, you will want on-demand boosted water.

 

[JonPhillips]

So is setting the lights for sunrise to sunset total bologna, or does it actually make a difference? I am just thinking timer, lights on, lights off. 8 hours a day for all my corals? Is moonlight necessary, or just for fun? YEAH!

 

[Russ265]

So is setting the lights for sunrise to sunset total bologna, or does it actually make a difference? I am just thinking timer, lights on, lights off. 8 hours a day for all my corals? Is moonlight necessary, or just for fun? YEAH!

dude...

you can get 3x wifi controlled black boxes by evergrow for like $450

 

[JonPhillips]

because you will potentially have a 200 gallon full system volume tank.

i highly suggest the rodi unit's convenience. i also suggest a 40 gallon brute can
and a garden hose booster pump for sprinkler systems at lowes. do not get the plastic everbilts from home depot. stainless steel design as it risks splitting otherwise.

the reason i suggest this twofold.

a 10% wc for you would be 4 five gallon buckets.... are you really gonna lug that kinda water?

even a 100 gpd ro unit will take a considerable amount of time to make water. with a booster you can get 5 gallons in 30-45 minutes. huge time saver on weekends.

you will need a mixing station to mix your salt in. some use powerheads but a stick will do fine. (albeit not ideal)

rodi unit on ebay - 150
sprinkler booster - 300
40 gallon brute - 50

so $500 bucks to get you set. minus 300 for the convenience you can do it for 200. but i assure you... after doing a couple waterxhanges that last most of your saturday, you will want on-demand boosted water.

(drops mic, walks of stage) mind blown right there. sooooooooooo that's some change!