a few questions

jamest0o0 · 01/13/2008, 10:14 PM

I am just starting a 55 gallon reef aquarium and have a few questions....

1) Should I get an RO/DI system

2) I just got 2 powerheads, are they supposed to be pumping water 24/7 non stop?

3) I have heard suddenly turning lights on and off is bad for the fish, if this is true what can I do to fix this?

4) I planned on starting up a refugium, would it be safe to put the protein skimmer and heater in that?

seapug · 01/13/2008, 10:20 PM

1. yes
2. yes
3. Turn them on and off like a strobe light is bad, but they will get used to the normal on and off cycles of your photoperiod.
4. yes.

chaseracing · 01/13/2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by seapug
1. yes
2. yes
3. Turn them on and off like a strobe light is bad, but they will get used to the normal on and off cycles of your photoperiod.
4. yes.

I couldn't have said it better myself. :-)

jamest0o0 · 01/13/2008, 10:29 PM

alright thanks a lot

camlov2 · 01/14/2008, 12:00 AM

One posibility for your lights is the following...

I would guess that you have more then one bulb for your lighting. If those lights are wired together there isn't much you can do, if they are on their own powercords you can differ the light periods by an hour to have the on/off more gradual.

For example have one set of lights run 10am to 8pm, the other set might run from 9am to 7pm.

You would need two timers to do this. I don't think this is that critical, I have the option to do it but don't because I haven't bought a second timer.

Brian

jamest0o0 · 01/14/2008, 01:19 PM

Ahhh I forgot to ask....

I've heard you should have a refractometer(not sure if that is correct spelling)? Can anyone point me out to a good one I could get?

And is it fine to just use the chemical kit for water testing or is there another way I should check my chemicals?

and one more question.... should I have a wavemaker? (not exactly sure what they are about)

thanks

seapug · 01/14/2008, 01:34 PM

Refractometer is a good investment. Marinedepot.com has good ones cheap.

Get a Reef Test kit that at the very least tests for Calcium, Nitrate, Nitrite & Alkalinity. Magnesium and Phoshpate tests can be good at times, too but not a necessity at first. No matter what you buy someone here is going to tell you it sucks or or the one they paid $500 for is better, but Salifert generally makes good ones. API test kits are popular and at least decent.

Wavemakers are good and fun but not a necessity. They turn powerheads on and off in times intervals to create a surge. Some are expensive and can only be used with certain powerheads. For now just take the two powerheads you have and point them at each other or in opposite directions to get a random or circular flow through the tank.

phenom5 · 01/14/2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

I've heard you should have a refractometer(not sure if that is correct spelling)? Can anyone point me out to a good one I could get?

Yes, get a refractometer. The "basis" one that MarineDepot or Dr. F&S sell works fine...I think Dr F&S has them on sale right now (~$40 I believe).

Quote:

And is it fine to just use the chemical kit for water testing or is there another way I should check my chemicals?

Yes, and I would recommend spending the money on a decent test kit. Salifert or LeMotte make high-end test kits. A little pricy, but worth it IMO.

Quote:

and one more question.... should I have a wavemaker? (not exactly sure what they are about)

Nice to have, but not required.

mg426 · 01/14/2008, 01:46 PM

Make sure you check the Refractometer for accuracy @ 1.026
Get some Pinpoint calibration solution.

allenpantino · 01/14/2008, 01:49 PM

yes yes timers yes

in the refuguim i would use natural filters- live rock, live sand 1-2 inches and Caulerpa and a light on 24/7

01/13/2008, 10:14 PM	#1
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	a few questions I am just starting a 55 gallon reef aquarium and have a few questions.... 1) Should I get an RO/DI system 2) I just got 2 powerheads, are they supposed to be pumping water 24/7 non stop? 3) I have heard suddenly turning lights on and off is bad for the fish, if this is true what can I do to fix this? 4) I planned on starting up a refugium, would it be safe to put the protein skimmer and heater in that?

01/13/2008, 10:20 PM	#2
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	1. yes 2. yes 3. Turn them on and off like a strobe light is bad, but they will get used to the normal on and off cycles of your photoperiod. 4. yes. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

01/13/2008, 10:29 PM	#4
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	alright thanks a lot __________________ Planning on new tank, been about 5-6 years since I've been in the hobby

01/14/2008, 01:19 PM	#6
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	Ahhh I forgot to ask.... I've heard you should have a refractometer(not sure if that is correct spelling)? Can anyone point me out to a good one I could get? And is it fine to just use the chemical kit for water testing or is there another way I should check my chemicals? and one more question.... should I have a wavemaker? (not exactly sure what they are about) thanks __________________ Planning on new tank, been about 5-6 years since I've been in the hobby

01/14/2008, 01:34 PM	#7
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	Refractometer is a good investment. Marinedepot.com has good ones cheap. Get a Reef Test kit that at the very least tests for Calcium, Nitrate, Nitrite & Alkalinity. Magnesium and Phoshpate tests can be good at times, too but not a necessity at first. No matter what you buy someone here is going to tell you it sucks or or the one they paid $500 for is better, but Salifert generally makes good ones. API test kits are popular and at least decent. Wavemakers are good and fun but not a necessity. They turn powerheads on and off in times intervals to create a surge. Some are expensive and can only be used with certain powerheads. For now just take the two powerheads you have and point them at each other or in opposite directions to get a random or circular flow through the tank. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

01/14/2008, 12:00 AM	#5
camlov2 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 551	One posibility for your lights is the following... I would guess that you have more then one bulb for your lighting. If those lights are wired together there isn't much you can do, if they are on their own powercords you can differ the light periods by an hour to have the on/off more gradual. For example have one set of lights run 10am to 8pm, the other set might run from 9am to 7pm. You would need two timers to do this. I don't think this is that critical, I have the option to do it but don't because I haven't bought a second timer. Brian

01/14/2008, 01:46 PM	#9
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	Make sure you check the Refractometer for accuracy @ 1.026 Get some Pinpoint calibration solution. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

01/14/2008, 01:49 PM	#10
allenpantino Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 103	yes yes timers yes in the refuguim i would use natural filters- live rock, live sand 1-2 inches and Caulerpa and a light on 24/7