Reeflo/Sequence Skimmer Club

[blenny90]

jwwill0

I currently have a similar setup - 210 with a 25g sump running a G3 with only the gate valve mod. I have about twenty fish, several 4" tangs and grow mainly SPS very successfully ... so far.

I clean my skimmer at least twice a week - very wet, stinky but I know I could be doing better. My skimmer was delivered today - trying to figure out how I can escape work :0

To me it sounds like you have very little bio-load - but the hair algae indicates either phosphates or nitrates. What corals are you growing?

[jwwill0]

I have a mixed-reef setup. Except for problems with the hair algae growing into/around corals and killing them, everything seems ok. I have a derasa clam that is getting huge (about 10-12" now) A couple of small acros, very large hammer, several large pieces of a once very large trumpet, orange and green monti caps. (grow very well), mixed zoos and mushrooms around the bottom. Overall, LPS and softies are doing great, m. caps are doing great, acros don't do alot but I think I could improve that if I just had a little more time to watch it.

It just hasn't seemed like I was getting the water clean due to the low skimmate and hair algae. I haven't added anything new (fish or coral) in about two+ years, and have been worried about adding more because of the algae problems.

[wizsmaster]

have you tested for phosphates? How high/low are they?

That is not a very acurate test in your case anyway, since the algae sucks up alot of the phosphates & uses them to grow.

Can you post a picture of your hair algae growth? I would add a Sailfin Tang, maybe a Yellow tang if you're into it ... they LOVE the algae. A cleanup crew would do wonders for you, red/blue legged crabs & scarletts, maybe some turbo snails as wel.

But it does sound like your skimmer may not be up to par ... If you're in the market, look att he smaller version fo the reeflo once it'll be released, that should fit well for you, based on what jeremy has been saying.


Best of luck.

[jwwill0]

PO4 test shows zero (Salifert), but I know they are there. I need to order a new nitrate test kit. I've just done recent clean out of the tank, so the hair isn't so bad on the rocks right now.
Anyway, thanks for the help.

Now, about my second question regarding not having a flood with an external skimmer......

[JenDub]

Hi to all,

I've been working hard on the new system and have some updates on my progress.

I built a wet table for my skimmer by using a heavy duty "Gorilla Rack" as the stand for the skimmer. The shelves were replaced with 3/4" plywood and a hole drilled in one for a 1.5" bulkhead. Next I used a sheet of pvc (similar to pond liner) from the shower department at home depot as a liner on top of the the plywood. A hole was cut for the bulkhead and it was placed through the pond liner & through the plywood forming a basin. In order to creat the sides of the basin I used a set of shelves without the wood which creats a 3" lip around the entire basin. This was plumbed back to my sump and viola--no more overflows =)

I did use a gate valve on mine which makes tuning much easier. If I had mine to redo (my drain pipes are glued) I would use the adapter pipe (tooled down on one edge) directly into the union on the body. A gate valve would go on top followed by a tee and the usual pipe arrangement.

BTW- I feed mine with a quiet one 4000 (50w) which also feeds my carbon reactor. A quietone 3000 (35w) would be the best choice if you are only feeding the skimmer.

So far mine has been producing nice dark skimate on my 480g holding system. I keep my air at 3/4 open and then tune the top of the foam to the top of the cup's inner rim. I could not get any production with the air wide open but I get a thick shaving foam consistency foam haed using this method.

It's a great skimmer, definitely a winning purchase!

[JRaquatics]

JenDub- do you have any pics of your setup?

[JenDub]

I'm gonna take some for my Blog soon. As a business I can't post any pics of my tanks on RC but I could email some to those of you who are interested (I hope that's not a problem).

It's a pretty cool rig and the wet table is a must in my eyes (and under $100 to build).

[blenny90]

JenDub - very interested in pics of your setup. When available please email to :

mkplumlee@sbcglobal.net

I received mine yesterday - came in very good shape - if it wasn't for Paul Whitby's instructions it would have been next to impossible to put together.

Interested in your gate valve mod. - Also, in Whitby's instructions he states that the tee for the return should be pointing in a specific direction. Does it matter? It will be several weeks before I have it hooked up to my main system, but I may test run this weekend.

[HDAlien]

What is the link to Whitby's instructions?

[blenny90]

1st page

http://www.swfmas.com/pdf/Reeflo_Skimmer.pdf

[HDAlien]

Thanks!

[benf]

Got to ask, how did u guys manage to get the hole for the air valve to be at the 12 o'clock position on the 90 when screwing into the pump. Twice i unscrewd the 90 and each time i put it back in, the hole winds up being on the side right next to the hole for the plastic screw, which of course made it a pain to get the screw in.

[wizsmaster]

doublepost.deleteme.please.thankyou.

[wizsmaster]

i don't have it at the 12 o'clock position .. i have it whereever it ended up ... i think around 2-3 o'clock ... works for me.

[benf]

Thats where mine is...more to the 3 though which made it a pain getting the plastic screw in.

[Jeremy B.]

Just an fyi, but I received the smaller version today, and am getting it ready to take to MACNA for this weekend. I will be showing it there, then bringing it back here to hook up and run to see how well it performs.

[JRaquatics]

Come on Jeremy show some pics, give some specs. What do you think of it?

[Jeremy B.]

Well, I'm getting ready to plug it in here in about 10 mins, I'll let you know then!

[benf]

any mods such as a drain valve or standard fittings opposed to metric?

[Lunchbucket]

Oh come on Jeremy specs and pics!!!

Lunchbucket

[raddogz]

Stop keeping us in suspense!

[Rwinfrey]

lets go ,lets go c'mon the specs

[speedstar]

Originally posted by Jeremy B.
Well, I'm getting ready to plug it in here in about 10 mins, I'll let you know then!

long 10mins... What size system is this smaller one gonna be rated for any air info for it yet?

[benf]

Originally posted by speedstar
long 10mins...

I think its so powerful it pulled him in!

[wizsmaster]

lol