test kits

[808Rob]

That skimmer is undersized and bottom-of-the-line. I also suspect that an increase in skimmate when you added live rock indicates that you have less than ideal live rock. I've never been able to identify a rock, but what was the history of the rock? It's a shame you couldn't just bring some of the ocean legally since it says you live in Hawaii. Is Hawaiian live rock available in Hawaii for reefing?

The live rock can be bought at the LFS for $7 a lb. (I know that's crazy, i think it's cultured here in Hawaii). I believe it is illegal to collect them from the ocean but I'm not sure. I know for a fact that coral collection is illegal though (what a shame).

use nothing in its place...thats old technology that has proven to not be of benefit. You could possibly put some Cheato in were they were at. I don't know how your sump is set up but if there is water flow and a way you can get enough light to it you could use it to hold some of that.

My sump gets water from 2 overflow wells in the tank with bottoms drilled out and perforated pvc to flow water to sump. I wrap batten around the PVC to act a filter media before going to the sump. The water is plumbed to 2 chambers in the sump with more batten to act as filter media then trickles through the balls. It settles to another chamber where I have the skimmer and the pump back to tank.
I didn't realize bioballs was old technology. Perhaps I could convert my sump if I had some sort of plans on the newer tech. It's funny the LFS sells the same types of trickle filters still today.

[808Rob]

I just got the book Marine Aquariums The Beginners Guide. I hope that book is not old technology.

[RonMidtownStomp]

I'd be super careful with all of those filters. If any of them back up, then you're going to have a flood on your hands. The return pump will drain the water on the other side of the filter into the display tank, it will overflow into the sump before the filter and overflow over the top of the sump. Equally bad, the filters on the return pump drains into the sump will back up and the display tank will overflow. I'm surprised that hasn't happened yet. Most people who want some mechanical filtration use filter socks that the overflow drains into and if it gets clogged up, it just dumps into the sump. You don't want any flood conditions to exist in the system. The problem with filter socks is they're a pain to clean safely and they need be cleaned every other day to work right. If they start to get anything collecting in them, they also become nitrate generators. I use no mechanical filtration.

[westwind1124]

+1 to Ron. Socks seem to be a preference thing....I personally didn't see any difference in my tank with or with out so I just left em off....one less thing to pay attention to....cuz its not like there is other things going on that need more attention right.

[808Rob]

any pics on any of your filter systems?

[RonMidtownStomp]

Water into sump, divider for return chamber, return pump. Mines only slightly more complicated because my skimmer is in a different tank. Pictures would confuse you because my system is simpler than it looks.

[RonMidtownStomp]

What's your book say?

[808Rob]

so you strickly have biological filtration?

[RonMidtownStomp]

Google "Euro Reef CS 12-2". I run a big skimmer and a dual GFO reactor. That's it. 50 gallon water changes at least once a week on ~400 gallons of water.

[808Rob]

the dual GFO reactor kinda looks like a RO/DI filter.
What kind of salt do you use?

[808Rob]

I only have 20" under the display tank for a skimmer. very limited

[808Rob]

How does a Bullet 1 injected filter sound. Any one tried one of these?

[RonMidtownStomp]

I trust Reef Crystals more than I trust my test kits

[westwind1124]

I have never even seen one of those Bullet skimmers. The key really is in how well it foams and collects in the skimmer cup. The finer the foam the better. merely just making bubbles wont do as well as it should. In principal that bullet should work but i would do a lot of research before I buy one. Try to find some people that have used one and get their input. Sorry I don't have better news I just am I firm believer that lights and skimmers are two places you just don't want to think about skimping on.

[808Rob]

Those skimmers are by Precision Marine. It was a link that Ron had mentioned.

As far as filtration, reef tanks are all biological filtration?

[808Rob]

I'd be super careful with all of those filters. If any of them back up, then you're going to have a flood on your hands. The return pump will drain the water on the other side of the filter into the display tank, it will overflow into the sump before the filter and overflow over the top of the sump. Equally bad, the filters on the return pump drains into the sump will back up and the display tank will overflow. I'm surprised that hasn't happened yet

I may have misinformed you Ron. It's not really separate chambers for everything, rather just upper chambers for the balls but all the water resides at the bottom of the sump where the return pump sits. There is also a hole in the return spout just below the water surface for a siphon stop. The pvc in the overflow wells are not totally covered with batten, the top is exposed.

pic of sumpDSC01594.jpg