Trouble with filtration system - Need help!

[Coast Rob]

Hello,
My Info:
I'm running a Penn Plax 1500 (4) chamber canister filter (950 Usgph) and a Freedom Filter chemical/mechincal system with a built in protein skimmer (700 Usgph).
(2) Maxi-Jet 1200 powerheads (295 Usgph)
in a 100gl tank, I have 3-4 inches of mixed substrate (live sand and dry sand) I have added 3 liv rock with the first 3 weeks and 3 chromies (1 died already)

My lighing is attachd to the canopy top and i'm running (2) Actinic White FR59T12/VHO & (2) Super Actinic FR59T12/VHO (Blue)

My water testing has shown that i'm currently cycling , but I've only have tested PH, AMM, Nitrite, nitrate, nothing else.

Several questions, so please help!

1. Has anyone had experience with this type of canister filter? Has effective are they really and how often do i need to perform changes in th sponge,floss pads, replace carbon, and Bio-rings?

2. Has anyone had experience with the freedom filter system? The protein skimmrs seems to be working well and i'm getting good bowls full of green tea colored water?

3. I'm not feeling that my tanks that crystal clear, just se allot of particulars floating around, just not super clear, not cloudy???

4. What is a good size sump for a 100 gl tank? Does anyone have some blue prints on how to make one? I've been giving one but have no idea on what size it is. I'm going to fill it up with a 5 gal bucket and see how much it takes.

5. I'm i just going crazy?

 

[MableShwartz]

How long has your tank been cycling? And what are your test results? What temperature do you have your tank set at? Also, how many pounds approx. of live rock do you have?

1. I haven't had experience with that specific filter, but generally in canister filters you would want to change your media once a month. However, do not change your bio rings, they build up importantant bacteria! Just once a month give them a light brushing with a soft toothbrush in clean saltwater.

2. If you haven't had your skimmer installed long all you will get at first is greenish water, that's good. Skimmers take a while to get broken in.

3. Are the particulates mini air bubbles? If not it's probably just bits of your sand. It should settle down after a while.

4. A 55 gallon would be prefferred, but I would go no smaller than 30. Basically the bigger the sump, the better. The more gallons you have total in your system the more stable it will be. Like in the ocean, because it's so big ph, temp., etc takes a lot longer to change drastically. I don't have any blueprints, but maybe someone else will post some. There might be some already uploaded in the DIY section.

5. Possibly? But here's an extra tip: Make sure and keep up with your water changes! I do 30% once a week, but that's becauses I have coral, for you, you might want to do 30gal twice a week, if not more. Water changes will help keep your water stable.

Hope all this helps! Just remember to be patient!

 

[H2O]

Like stated above go slow set it up right before u get into coral, fish u will save yourself a lot of $ in the long run
Post some pics that will help us see what needs to go and what u can keep
I would get a sump bigest one u can fit under the stand
Invest into mp 40 for flow get rid of the other pumps
Also 3 pieses of rock is not enough in 100g tank

Take your time nothing good happens fast in a reef tank.

 

[Coast Rob]

Just tested my water

2/15 PH = 8.2 , Amm = 0 , Nitrite = 0 , Nitrate = 10 ppm
2/14 PH = 8.2 , Amm = 0 , Nitrite = 0 , Nitrate = 10 ppm
2/13 PH = 8.0 , Amm = 0 , Nitrite = 0 , Nitrate = 5.0 ppm
2/11 PH = 7.8 , Amm = 0.5 , Nitrite = 0 , Nitrate = 0 ppm
2/06 PH = 8.0 , Amm = 0.25 , Nitrite = 0, Nitrate = 0 ppm

I have 13 lbs of LR

I'll try and take a pix of this sump i recieved . I can tell up its 22 inch long , 9 inches wide, and 16 inches deep

 

[Coast Rob]

Just tested my water

2/15 PH = 8.2 , Amm = 0 , Nitrite = 0 , Nitrate = 10 ppm
2/14 PH = 8.2 , Amm = 0 , Nitrite = 0 , Nitrate = 10 ppm
2/13 PH = 8.0 , Amm = 0 , Nitrite = 0 , Nitrate = 5.0 ppm
2/11 PH = 7.8 , Amm = 0.5 , Nitrite = 0 , Nitrate = 0 ppm
2/06 PH = 8.0 , Amm = 0.25 , Nitrite = 0, Nitrate = 0 ppm

I have 13 lbs of LR

I'll try and take a pix of this sump i recieved . I can tell up its 22 inch long , 9 inches wide, and 16 inches deep

 

[MableShwartz]

That's only around 13 gal. Will definitely not be big enough. Like H2O said, the biggest you can fit under your stand is preferred. You'll also need to get a lot more LR. LR is basically natural filtration.