newbie

jimchi · 02/14/2009, 09:31 AM

Hi my name is Jim and I live in Michigan.I had a 29 gallon saltwater many years ago,everything started out good bought a cowfish and urchins then everything started to die.Want to get back into the hobby but am confused about protein skimmers and sumps.Where do I start,want to get it right this time around.If I have a sump do I still need a protein skimmer and if so where do I connect it in the sump

cfw1199 · 02/14/2009, 09:41 AM

welcome to RC. Skimmers can be connected in various ways. Depending on size of tank, limited space, and effectiveness their are all sorts of skimmers some better than others and some much much better than others. The most common way is the in sump method which will allow you to place the skimmer and the pump that runs it inside the sump and let it skim the water that is returned to your sump from your display. There are some gravity fed ones that I would stay away from at this time as they are more advanced. You will get a multitude of answers on this one so this is very generic as folks on here will type entire dissertations on this subject so do your research and listen to the folks on here and you will be just fine. it's a fairly simple concept the hardest part is picking the skimmer and paying for it if you want a kick A** skimmer. mostly will depend on tank size, fish load, and what you plan to keep in the tank. Hope this helps.

jhildebrand · 02/14/2009, 09:55 AM

Hello Jim

To Reef Central

The folks here are very helpful and you're doing yourself a huge favor by coming here first. A lot has changed since your last tank. Here are a few recommendations:

Research and ask questions on everything. Propose your equipment here before you buy anything. Ask about any fish you are looking at before buying. Seriously, don't buy a fish at the LFS on impulse, as this is where it can go downhill fast. If you do this slowly and deliberately, you will be much happier.

A sump does a few things, but it is not a filter. It's a place to keep your equipment out of view (skimmer included), possibly a refugium, and increases your water volume making your system more stable.

A member here by the name of Melev has a wonderful site that explains darn near everything you'd ever want to know. It shows his progression through the hobby and has great info for newbs. Some of the stuff may be over your head, but if you stick to the basics you'll be fine and can learn more later.

http://www.melevsreef.com/tanks.html

If it were me, I'd post what I'd like to accomplish and what I want to keep, as well as my tank size and budget. We can save you from buying junk equipment and make sure you get off on the right foot. Best of luck...

jimchi · 02/15/2009, 12:53 AM

I have a 40 gallon tank someone getting rid of.Need to buy everything else.Will a hang on tank protein skimmer work for this size and do I still need a separate filter if I go this route? I am planning on live sand ,live rock,anenomes and some fish.

Michael · 02/15/2009, 01:47 AM

hi-jim my advice to you as your a complete newbie is to keep it simple, if you have a 40 gallon tank then put 40-60 pounds of live rock in the tank, add a couple of powerheads which can push around 500 gals per hour of flow each around the tank, giving a 1000 gals in total, and get a nice hang on the tank skimmer, add just 1 " of sand around the rocks and keep the fish load very light, this is the basic method, however if you feel comfortable getting the tank drilled then add a sump under it, it can be a useful tool and will hide the heater, and any future equipment like a phoshpahte reactor or some cheato should you choose to go down that route, keep things simple to start, and build up as your experience gains

w16227 · 02/15/2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimchi
I have a 40 gallon tank someone getting rid of.Need to buy everything else.Will a hang on tank protein skimmer work for this size and do I still need a separate filter if I go this route? I am planning on live sand ,live rock,anenomes and some fish.

Make sure the tank has not had copper in it - it you want corals/inverts.

tapwater · 02/15/2009, 11:18 AM

Hey Michael I always here phosphate reactor all the time.With me being a newbie kinda too,what are they really used for?Or what is there purpose should I say?
Lou

Michael · 02/15/2009, 11:27 AM

its basically a tube, which you can put a phos removing media, it can hang on your tank or sump, and its controlled by a pump, the media tumbles about in the reactor and makes contact with the water, thus enabling the media to remove phosphate

heres one in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVbw1yCGTbg

02/14/2009, 09:31 AM	#1
jimchi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3	newbie Hi my name is Jim and I live in Michigan.I had a 29 gallon saltwater many years ago,everything started out good bought a cowfish and urchins then everything started to die.Want to get back into the hobby but am confused about protein skimmers and sumps.Where do I start,want to get it right this time around.If I have a sump do I still need a protein skimmer and if so where do I connect it in the sump

02/14/2009, 09:55 AM	#3
jhildebrand Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Green Bay Posts: 782	Hello Jim *To Reef Central* The folks here are very helpful and you're doing yourself a huge favor by coming here first. A lot has changed since your last tank. Here are a few recommendations: Research and ask questions on everything. Propose your equipment here before you buy anything. Ask about any fish you are looking at before buying. Seriously, don't buy a fish at the LFS on impulse, as this is where it can go downhill fast. If you do this slowly and deliberately, you will be much happier. A sump does a few things, but it is not a filter. It's a place to keep your equipment out of view (skimmer included), possibly a refugium, and increases your water volume making your system more stable. A member here by the name of Melev has a wonderful site that explains darn near everything you'd ever want to know. It shows his progression through the hobby and has great info for newbs. Some of the stuff may be over your head, but if you stick to the basics you'll be fine and can learn more later. http://www.melevsreef.com/tanks.html If it were me, I'd post what I'd like to accomplish and what I want to keep, as well as my tank size and budget. We can save you from buying junk equipment and make sure you get off on the right foot. Best of luck... __________________ 1000 gallons of liability Current Tank Info: 1000 gallon total system volume - 260g mixed reef - Fish room: 270g fiberglass grow out tank, 150g LPS cube, 150g sump, 150g 'fuge, remote DSB frag tub + 14g nano

02/15/2009, 01:47 AM	#5
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	hi-jim my advice to you as your a complete newbie is to keep it simple, if you have a 40 gallon tank then put 40-60 pounds of live rock in the tank, add a couple of powerheads which can push around 500 gals per hour of flow each around the tank, giving a 1000 gals in total, and get a nice hang on the tank skimmer, add just 1 " of sand around the rocks and keep the fish load very light, this is the basic method, however if you feel comfortable getting the tank drilled then add a sump under it, it can be a useful tool and will hide the heater, and any future equipment like a phoshpahte reactor or some cheato should you choose to go down that route, keep things simple to start, and build up as your experience gains __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

02/15/2009, 11:27 AM	#8
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	its basically a tube, which you can put a phos removing media, it can hang on your tank or sump, and its controlled by a pump, the media tumbles about in the reactor and makes contact with the water, thus enabling the media to remove phosphate heres one in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVbw1yCGTbg __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

02/14/2009, 09:41 AM	#2
cfw1199 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Colonial Heights, Virginia Posts: 560	welcome to RC. Skimmers can be connected in various ways. Depending on size of tank, limited space, and effectiveness their are all sorts of skimmers some better than others and some much much better than others. The most common way is the in sump method which will allow you to place the skimmer and the pump that runs it inside the sump and let it skim the water that is returned to your sump from your display. There are some gravity fed ones that I would stay away from at this time as they are more advanced. You will get a multitude of answers on this one so this is very generic as folks on here will type entire dissertations on this subject so do your research and listen to the folks on here and you will be just fine. it's a fairly simple concept the hardest part is picking the skimmer and paying for it if you want a kick A** skimmer. mostly will depend on tank size, fish load, and what you plan to keep in the tank. Hope this helps.

02/15/2009, 12:53 AM	#4
jimchi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3	I have a 40 gallon tank someone getting rid of.Need to buy everything else.Will a hang on tank protein skimmer work for this size and do I still need a separate filter if I go this route? I am planning on live sand ,live rock,anenomes and some fish.

02/15/2009, 11:18 AM	#7
tapwater Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: delaware Posts: 113	Hey Michael I always here phosphate reactor all the time.With me being a newbie kinda too,what are they really used for?Or what is there purpose should I say? Lou