Just a few questions

[Mike J.]

I'm sorry, I have business to take care of right now. I will get back to helping you later though. Hopefully, someone will pick up on this. I will say before I leave, a skimmer really is a necessity.

 

[glb]

A protein skimmer is different than a sump, but some people keep them in their sump. There are skimmers that can be hung on the back of the tank but I've heard that they're not nearly as good. A skimmer will remove waste from your water before it has time to decompose. It mixes air and water to make small bubbles that the waste adheres to. The bubbles foam over the top and the waste product collects in a cup that you clean out. I don't have one because I have a 12g nano and the nano ones aren't very good, but when I upgrade I'll definitely get one. Hang in there, we'll help you get it sorted out!


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps, Acans and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[TX Twin Mommy]

The filter I have for it is an AquaClear 110 power filter. It sits on the back of the tank. I take the sponge, charcoal bag and other bag out and clean them once a week with the water changes (in fresh salt water).
I also have 2 hydor Koralia Circulation and wave pumps (one on each end of the tank-one pointing up and front the other down and back) they have a flow rate of 850 gph and are taken apart and cleaned every 2 weeks.
When I do the weekly water changes I use RO water from one of the local windmill water stations. I test all parameters before I use it.
My God, all this work and I feel like I'm back at square one! It's frustrating! Makes me want to trade it all in for a FW...!!!! LOL. I don't think I could. I love it too much! It's very addicting!

 

[TX Twin Mommy]

Ok. I looked at protein skimmers online...OMG...In your personal opinions, which brands are the best/worst, would in/out of the tank be better? Which one do you recommend I get for my size tank and the fish situation? From what I've seen the prices range anywhere from $100 to $600+. WOW, there are soooo many different choices! I work at Lowe's, is this something I could build myself for less money than buying one brand new? I LOVE to do things like that! Could I get all the supplies I need for it, it just looks like a bunch of PVC, a small sump pump and a couple of canisters to me! What do you all think? Let me know. Maybe there's a video on Youtube or something that would tell me what I need and how to do it step by step?

 

[bjledbetter]

I used a 40g breeder for my sump on my 90g display and it works great.I divided it into three parts using cut glass from the local hardware. other than that all you need is a overflow and a return pump to set up the sump/fuge. My first compartment is where the water comes into the sump at and its full of lr and micro algae and a condy anemone lol. my second compartment is my fuge where the rest of my micro algae is located and a few soft corals are growing and the third is where my skimmer and return is at. To bulid the sump i waited till petco had there $1 per gallon sale on there tanks and bought the tank, the cut glass cost maybe $8, overflow and return cost me used $40 on craigslist. A good skimmer should cost a couple hundred dollars. I would also recommend getting one that is rated double your total water volume. Buy everything you can used. Its alot cheaper than buying it new at a lfs.

 

[Budman's Corals]

Ok. I looked at protein skimmers online...OMG...In your personal opinions, which brands are the best/worst, would in/out of the tank be better? Which one do you recommend I get for my size tank and the fish situation? From what I've seen the prices range anywhere from $100 to $600+. WOW, there are soooo many different choices! I work at Lowe's, is this something I could build myself for less money than buying one brand new? I LOVE to do things like that! Could I get all the supplies I need for it, it just looks like a bunch of PVC, a small sump pump and a couple of canisters to me! What do you all think? Let me know. Maybe there's a video on Youtube or something that would tell me what I need and how to do it step by step?

thats why i said check the forum for used skimmers..but you definitely need to get one,,There might be a DIY here on this forum also on building a skimmer but IMO its better to just buy one.

I say for around 200 bucks you could find a really good one for your tank,(new)

 

[bjledbetter]

Skimmers are not cheap but are one of the best pieces of equipment you can buy for your tank, next to lighting its the most important imo. Canister and fw over the back filters for saltwater are no good and highly not recommended because they build up detrius and as it breaks down causes phosophate and nitrate problems to occur which is probably the cause of your algae issues. Canisters can be used to run gfo though as long as there is no filter pad in it to trap gunk. As for the skimmer I would build the sump and do a in tank skimmer, they work better and are more cosmetic because you dont have it hanging on your display. I use and recommend reef octopus skimmers

 

[glb]

You're not at square one. We've all been there on the learning curve. And we've all gotten bum advice. All of us. If you're learning as you go, the experience you gain is worth it IMO. I've made every mistake in the book and the best advice I can give from now on is go slowly and research before you buy. I'm not an expert on filtration for your size tank but I'm sure others can tell you what you need to do with your setup.


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps, Acans and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[bjledbetter]

I've bought so much equipment then found out its not needed or to small that its not even funny. I've also added fish and corals that have killed each other after my lfs said they would be fine. I've also rushed things a few times and completely nuked my tank. Best advice as others have given is take it extremely slow and do a lot of research and asking questions on here before you do anything to your tank, Nothing good happens fast in this hobby. I've been in this hobby 5 years and still learn new stuff all the time , thats what makes it fun. As for your filtration i would go with the 40 breeder and get you some cut glass at work and make your own sump. Be careful what return you use and i would recommend getting a aqurium return pump suitable for saltwater, as the regular ones clog with salt and will burn out. They also produce a lot of heat. For a 60g display I would get a 120g rated skimmer. The reef oct. one that size is around $200-$250. Also i would add to the sump some micro algae that will help keep the po4 and nitrates down

 

[TX Twin Mommy]

Reef Workshop - DIY Protein Skimmer
I found this one online, it's inexpensive (for the most part), I can pick up most of the parts at work (10% discount :bigsmile and the rest I can get from Wal Mart. What do you think? Seems easy enough to me and it's DIY, something I love!

 

[TX Twin Mommy]

Speaking of work, I gotta get ready. Will get back to you all in about 7 hours! Thanks for all your help!!

 

[bjledbetter]

Reef Workshop - DIY Protein Skimmer
I found this one online, it's inexpensive (for the most part), I can pick up most of the parts at work (10% discount :bigsmile and the rest I can get from Wal Mart. What do you think? Seems easy enough to me and it's DIY, something I love!

It looks good. If you can make it, I'd say go for it.