Few random questions

jamest0o0 · 05/27/2009, 05:32 PM

First of all a UV sterilizer came with my tank and I'm just wondering if people think I should use it or not?

Also does it matter where the ATO dumps the water? I wouldn't think so, but just making sure.

And lastly what do people do to prevent a crash from a power outtage while they are not home?

Thanks

stricknine · 05/27/2009, 05:45 PM

A) Not too sure what a UV sterilizer does, but I think it is a good thing???
B) I put my ATO output in the sump as far away from the return pump across the skimmer and fuge. I figure the water has a chance to mix a bit prior to pumping to the DT.
C) Nothing. There is computer style UPS you can use and size it based on what you think is crutial loads. I have to be here to tend to the tank anyways (feeding, maintenance, etc) so I figure the tank wont crash on a few hours of outage. In a catastrophe that can knock power out for days, I have a generator I would hook up to my house panel to power crutial loads (fridge, freezer, TV!)

WaterKeeper · 05/27/2009, 05:53 PM

Darn I thought it would be twenty questions

[list=1][*]Since you have a gratis UV I'd use it. It can help control algae[*]The sump is best but you can add it to the tank if you can hide it[*]A generator is ideal and can handle a long outage while a UPS is short term[/list=1]

jamest0o0 · 05/27/2009, 06:21 PM

thanks, sorry about the twenty questions I may have more as they come up in my head though

jamest0o0 · 05/27/2009, 08:03 PM

Do you need to seed sand at all, I have the aragamax? And for a remote DSB does anything need to be added to it or will a bucket of sand with water do the job?

Sorry for these questions I havn't been doing anything with SW for awhile now and forgot some things.

stricknine · 05/27/2009, 08:39 PM

It will seed from the live rock. Takes approx. 6 months or so.

Aquarist007 · 05/27/2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamest0o0

And lastly what do people do to prevent a crash from a power outtage while they are not home?

Thanks

It is very important to keep flow in the tank.
I have a koralia power head in the tank refugium and sump which is plugged into a battery backup/
I have also installed a battery air pump in each tank--2 in the display tank. These automatically turn on when the power goes out and you get about 8 hours from two d-cells.

http://www.reefcentral.com/wp/?p=253

WaterKeeper · 05/28/2009, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamest0o0
Do you need to seed sand at all, I have the aragamax? And for a remote DSB does anything need to be added to it or will a bucket of sand with water do the job?

It is important that there be worms and other sand shifting organisms in a DSB. Using at least 10% true LS from the sea insures that but you can purchase detrivore kits to also seed. If you have someone with a good thriving bed you can get some sand from them to seed. It just takes somewhat longer using the latter method for the bed to develop.

snorvich · 05/28/2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by WaterKeeper
Darn I thought it would be twenty questions [list=1][*]Since you have a gratis UV I'd use it. It can help control algae[*]The sump is best but you can add it to the tank if you can hide it[*]A generator is ideal and can handle a long outage while a UPS is short term[/list=1]

I agree. If it is free and included, UV is not a bad thing. I have a generator and it has saved me a couple of times. I got a whole house generator (refrigeration, water, toilets, etc) but that is overkill just for an aquarium

jamest0o0 · 05/28/2009, 02:40 PM

I planned on getting a detrivore kit anyway. Would it be a good idea to split it up between the fuge, dsb, and dt?

thanks for all of the info everyone!

WaterKeeper · 05/28/2009, 03:00 PM

I'd start it in the fuge if it has a DSB then after a couple of months use sand from there to seed other areas. That way the detirvores get to breed rather than becoming expensive fish food as soon as the enter the tank. If not seed the DSB.

jamest0o0 · 05/28/2009, 07:03 PM

I won't have any fish for awhile because unlike my first attempt I'm going to take this nice and slow and let my tank establish a bit before I add any fish. And my DSB will be in a 5g bucket that will be plumbed to my fuge. I figured splitting it up would be a good idea because I'd think it would be hard for the bristleworms and other larger "critters" to make it throughout the system.

WaterKeeper · 05/28/2009, 07:11 PM

OK, a remote DSB. Sure split it if there are no predators to eat the kits inhabitants.

eric@tampa · 05/28/2009, 07:17 PM

A generator ain't overkill here in Hurricane alley aka Fla.The store i work at has one that is about the size of a semi-trailer.Battery back up is still a safe way to go,just hope your tank is drilled.

05/27/2009, 05:32 PM	#1
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	Few random questions First of all a UV sterilizer came with my tank and I'm just wondering if people think I should use it or not? Also does it matter where the ATO dumps the water? I wouldn't think so, but just making sure. And lastly what do people do to prevent a crash from a power outtage while they are not home? Thanks

05/27/2009, 05:53 PM	#3
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Darn I thought it would be twenty questions [list=1][]Since you have a gratis UV I'd use it. It can help control algae[]The sump is best but you can add it to the tank if you can hide it[*]A generator is ideal and can handle a long outage while a UPS is short term[/list=1] __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

05/27/2009, 06:21 PM	#4
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	thanks, sorry about the twenty questions I may have more as they come up in my head though __________________ Planning on new tank, been about 5-6 years since I've been in the hobby

05/27/2009, 08:03 PM	#5
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	Do you need to seed sand at all, I have the aragamax? And for a remote DSB does anything need to be added to it or will a bucket of sand with water do the job? Sorry for these questions I havn't been doing anything with SW for awhile now and forgot some things. __________________ Planning on new tank, been about 5-6 years since I've been in the hobby

05/28/2009, 02:40 PM	#10
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	I planned on getting a detrivore kit anyway. Would it be a good idea to split it up between the fuge, dsb, and dt? thanks for all of the info everyone! __________________ Planning on new tank, been about 5-6 years since I've been in the hobby

05/27/2009, 05:45 PM	#2
stricknine Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 989	A) Not too sure what a UV sterilizer does, but I think it is a good thing??? B) I put my ATO output in the sump as far away from the return pump across the skimmer and fuge. I figure the water has a chance to mix a bit prior to pumping to the DT. C) Nothing. There is computer style UPS you can use and size it based on what you think is crutial loads. I have to be here to tend to the tank anyways (feeding, maintenance, etc) so I figure the tank wont crash on a few hours of outage. In a catastrophe that can knock power out for days, I have a generator I would hook up to my house panel to power crutial loads (fridge, freezer, TV!)

05/27/2009, 08:39 PM	#6
stricknine Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 989	It will seed from the live rock. Takes approx. 6 months or so.

05/28/2009, 03:00 PM	#11
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I'd start it in the fuge if it has a DSB then after a couple of months use sand from there to seed other areas. That way the detirvores get to breed rather than becoming expensive fish food as soon as the enter the tank. If not seed the DSB. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

05/28/2009, 07:03 PM	#12
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	I won't have any fish for awhile because unlike my first attempt I'm going to take this nice and slow and let my tank establish a bit before I add any fish. And my DSB will be in a 5g bucket that will be plumbed to my fuge. I figured splitting it up would be a good idea because I'd think it would be hard for the bristleworms and other larger "critters" to make it throughout the system. __________________ Planning on new tank, been about 5-6 years since I've been in the hobby

05/28/2009, 07:11 PM	#13
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	OK, a remote DSB. Sure split it if there are no predators to eat the kits inhabitants. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

05/28/2009, 07:17 PM	#14
eric@tampa Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tampa,Fla Posts: 322	A generator ain't overkill here in Hurricane alley aka Fla.The store i work at has one that is about the size of a semi-trailer.Battery back up is still a safe way to go,just hope your tank is drilled.