How Many Watts? What Kind Of Skimmer Do I Have?

FadedSpy · 12/24/2011, 08:46 PM

Hey all, I'm kind of a newb and have a couple of questions. First of all I've got a 46 gallon bowfront tank with a wet/dry trickle filter and I'm guessing about a 5 gallon refugium. I just finished building a new stand for it and am eager to set it up.

The light that came with it is a standard florescent ballast that hold's two 36" bulbs, one is a 10,000k and the other is an actinic which is burnt out. This tank will primarily be just for fish, but I really like mushroom corals and star polyps and might want them in the future if I can find them where I'm located so I was wondering what light I need for my tank?

Also, when I bought the tank, a guy gave me this skimmer and I have no idea what it's capable of or what it's rated for. all i know is that it's got a rio 700 running it and was wondering if you guys think its sufficient enough to run my system. I know that alot to ask from a few pictures, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

I think that's all for now, thanks in advance for your advice

Denbf58 · 12/25/2011, 08:19 AM

give the skimmer a good cleaning and see how it performs going fish only or some softies you might get away with running it and is better then no skimmer at all. to clean it set it up in a 5 gal bucket with 50/50 mix vinegar and water let it run an hour or so then brush clean.as for the lights are they t5 or t8

Mark Bianco · 12/25/2011, 10:22 AM

I had one of these skimers as well, the only issue I had with it is you need to keep the water level constant or it will either overflw or not skim. Other then that it is a good skimmer.

FadedSpy · 12/25/2011, 10:30 AM

Ok, I'll get her cleaned up and see how it does. The light strip I have contains two T12 Bulbs, standard florescent

FadedSpy · 12/25/2011, 10:42 AM

I've been checking e-bay and found a couple of lights that might work...

What do you think of these...?

First One

Second

mike5051 · 12/25/2011, 10:52 AM

That first light set up would be great for fish only and soft corals. The combo actinic and white would bring out the colors of your animals.

FadedSpy · 12/25/2011, 11:39 AM

So do you think that I need two 96 watt bulbs as opposed to just one? Trying to save some money here, but If I need the 2 bulb setup then I'll order it, but if I can get away with the single bulb unit for only $40, that would be ideal. any suggestions?

mike5051 · 12/25/2011, 01:32 PM

I think that one 96w isn't enough for soft corals. It's fine for fish. You wanted to eventually keep softies, you would probably have to upgrade your lights at that time. Knowing how this hobby works, I see many upgrades in your future!

12/25/2011, 08:19 AM	#2
Denbf58 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: selden N.Y. Posts: 885	give the skimmer a good cleaning and see how it performs going fish only or some softies you might get away with running it and is better then no skimmer at all. to clean it set it up in a 5 gal bucket with 50/50 mix vinegar and water let it run an hour or so then brush clean.as for the lights are they t5 or t8 __________________ Life is good Current Tank Info: 75gal reef ready koralia 3, 30g sump, 4b 48" t5s lighting, 29g reef with breeding pair clowns 55g reef 55g freshwater

12/25/2011, 10:42 AM	#5
FadedSpy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sioux City, IA Posts: 245	Couple Of Lights... I've been checking e-bay and found a couple of lights that might work... What do you think of these...? First One Second

12/25/2011, 10:52 AM	#6
mike5051 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Orleans Posts: 162	That first light set up would be great for fish only and soft corals. The combo actinic and white would bring out the colors of your animals. __________________ 75g Oceanic RR, 40 breeder sump/fuge. 130lbs LS, 50lbs base rock, 50lbs LR. Reef Octopus NWB 150 Skimmer, Mag 9.5 Return, 2 Koralia Evo 750s, 2 250w MH.

12/25/2011, 01:32 PM	#8
mike5051 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Orleans Posts: 162	I think that one 96w isn't enough for soft corals. It's fine for fish. You wanted to eventually keep softies, you would probably have to upgrade your lights at that time. Knowing how this hobby works, I see many upgrades in your future! __________________ 75g Oceanic RR, 40 breeder sump/fuge. 130lbs LS, 50lbs base rock, 50lbs LR. Reef Octopus NWB 150 Skimmer, Mag 9.5 Return, 2 Koralia Evo 750s, 2 250w MH.

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12/25/2011, 10:22 AM	#3
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	I had one of these skimers as well, the only issue I had with it is you need to keep the water level constant or it will either overflw or not skim. Other then that it is a good skimmer.

12/25/2011, 10:30 AM	#4
FadedSpy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sioux City, IA Posts: 245	Ok, I'll get her cleaned up and see how it does. The light strip I have contains two T12 Bulbs, standard florescent

12/25/2011, 11:39 AM	#7
FadedSpy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sioux City, IA Posts: 245	So do you think that I need two 96 watt bulbs as opposed to just one? Trying to save some money here, but If I need the 2 bulb setup then I'll order it, but if I can get away with the single bulb unit for only $40, that would be ideal. any suggestions?