what next?

cyacop · 08/30/2008, 07:55 PM

i have a 75 gal tank. it has a cascade 1000 and a wet dry for filtration. i have a in sump protein skimmer but it doesn't work well at all. what would be a good protein skimmer for a 75 gal set up and what would be my next step after that?

crvz · 08/30/2008, 08:15 PM

octopus needlewheel 150? something on that order should do well.

cyacop · 08/30/2008, 10:19 PM

so after a decent protein skimmer . what should i get? already plan on ro/di set up for doing water changes. what else would be a big benefit?

gimmic · 08/31/2008, 12:35 AM

Lighting, water flow?

cyacop · 08/31/2008, 07:04 AM

i have two 175 watt 14k metal halides

crvz · 08/31/2008, 07:05 AM

yep, the next things to focus on are your lighting and how you handle water flow. what have you got with that right now?

cyacop · 08/31/2008, 07:20 AM

well lighting is as stated above. as far as water low i have maxi-jet 1200 with the mod kit

Sk8r · 08/31/2008, 07:24 AM

What skimmer are you using now? Maybe we can help you get some extra oomph out of that.
Also you say you have a sump, but you're running a filtration system. It would be better and safer generally (especially in case of power outages) to run without a filter, with just the live rock and sand. That way you don't have a mass of nitrate sitting still in your water system if the power goes out. And all your waste gets processed more efficiently, and released as gas. The main need for a filter system is if you're a FOWLR or filter-based fish-only tank. Reefs are generally filterless.
A potent skimmer, however, is a real asset.
Maxijet 1200 as a skimmer pump for a 75 would be ok, but I'd prefer a Mag 5 with a more potent skimmer (overpower a skimmer and it will do nothing but spit water) ; but for a return pump in a 75, I'd recommend something above a Mag 9.5, unless there are particular reasons for low flow. Can you explain your system's focus? Reef, type, FOWLR, fish load, etc?

cyacop · 08/31/2008, 07:29 AM

seaclone 100

J.russell · 08/31/2008, 07:33 AM

No getting extra oomph out of that one. I hade one when I first started. Worst POS I ever had.

cyacop · 08/31/2008, 07:35 AM

lol . yes i have heard that myself. got any suggestions on good protein skimmers. i only want to do it once. this one was given to me. guess i see why.

Sk8r · 08/31/2008, 07:38 AM

Ah. How big is your sump? Have you got about an 8x10 space with some overhead room? An Aqua C EV series has a fairly low profile, takes about that footprint. They can work either inside or outside the sump (leaving room for a fuge). Mine sits on eggcrate above the sump. I use the EV 120 for a 54g tank and 30g sump/fuge, reckon it as somewhere near 80 system gallons. It works well for me and was reasonable in cost---plus easy to clean, but others will recommend other skimmers. I think you are right to take this step: a better skimmer will improve your water and is a safety measure---if you should get a cyano outbreak, etc.

Also if you are going to run corals, I'd phase out the wet-dry little at a time, and maybe install a small lighted fuge in that space.

Also consider a used skimmer: as long as the system has no cracks and has all its pieces, at least with the Aqua C, it is darned hard to break. A little overnight soak in straight white vinegar (they can clog) and it will work like a charm.

cyacop · 08/31/2008, 07:44 AM

fuges confuse me. i will have to do some reading on that. i know the bio balls are a nitrate no no . tested nitrates yesterday and got a "0" but i know i need to change things. get rid of canister and such. maybe get rid of it and put in a bigger sump

cyacop · 08/31/2008, 07:54 AM

WOW. i ran into this , http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html, it seems like a perfect set up for me. mentions your protein skimmer and everything sk8r

08/30/2008, 07:55 PM	#1
cyacop Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: marion,arkansas Posts: 120	what next? i have a 75 gal tank. it has a cascade 1000 and a wet dry for filtration. i have a in sump protein skimmer but it doesn't work well at all. what would be a good protein skimmer for a 75 gal set up and what would be my next step after that?

08/30/2008, 08:15 PM	#2
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	octopus needlewheel 150? something on that order should do well. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

08/31/2008, 07:05 AM	#6
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	yep, the next things to focus on are your lighting and how you handle water flow. what have you got with that right now? __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

08/31/2008, 07:24 AM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	What skimmer are you using now? Maybe we can help you get some extra oomph out of that. Also you say you have a sump, but you're running a filtration system. It would be better and safer generally (especially in case of power outages) to run without a filter, with just the live rock and sand. That way you don't have a mass of nitrate sitting still in your water system if the power goes out. And all your waste gets processed more efficiently, and released as gas. The main need for a filter system is if you're a FOWLR or filter-based fish-only tank. Reefs are generally filterless. A potent skimmer, however, is a real asset. Maxijet 1200 as a skimmer pump for a 75 would be ok, but I'd prefer a Mag 5 with a more potent skimmer (overpower a skimmer and it will do nothing but spit water) ; but for a return pump in a 75, I'd recommend something above a Mag 9.5, unless there are particular reasons for low flow. Can you explain your system's focus? Reef, type, FOWLR, fish load, etc? __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%. Last edited by Sk8r; 08/31/2008 at 07:33 AM.

08/31/2008, 07:38 AM	#12
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Ah. How big is your sump? Have you got about an 8x10 space with some overhead room? An Aqua C EV series has a fairly low profile, takes about that footprint. They can work either inside or outside the sump (leaving room for a fuge). Mine sits on eggcrate above the sump. I use the EV 120 for a 54g tank and 30g sump/fuge, reckon it as somewhere near 80 system gallons. It works well for me and was reasonable in cost---plus easy to clean, but others will recommend other skimmers. I think you are right to take this step: a better skimmer will improve your water and is a safety measure---if you should get a cyano outbreak, etc. Also if you are going to run corals, I'd phase out the wet-dry little at a time, and maybe install a small lighted fuge in that space. Also consider a used skimmer: as long as the system has no cracks and has all its pieces, at least with the Aqua C, it is darned hard to break. A little overnight soak in straight white vinegar (they can clog) and it will work like a charm. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%. Last edited by Sk8r; 08/31/2008 at 07:43 AM.

08/30/2008, 10:19 PM	#3
cyacop Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: marion,arkansas Posts: 120	so after a decent protein skimmer . what should i get? already plan on ro/di set up for doing water changes. what else would be a big benefit?

08/31/2008, 12:35 AM	#4
gimmic Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 515	Lighting, water flow?

08/31/2008, 07:04 AM	#5
cyacop Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: marion,arkansas Posts: 120	i have two 175 watt 14k metal halides

08/31/2008, 07:20 AM	#7
cyacop Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: marion,arkansas Posts: 120	well lighting is as stated above. as far as water low i have maxi-jet 1200 with the mod kit

08/31/2008, 07:29 AM	#9
cyacop Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: marion,arkansas Posts: 120	seaclone 100

08/31/2008, 07:33 AM	#10
J.russell What was I thinking??? Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Norfolk Va. Posts: 738	No getting extra oomph out of that one. I hade one when I first started. Worst POS I ever had.

08/31/2008, 07:35 AM	#11
cyacop Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: marion,arkansas Posts: 120	lol . yes i have heard that myself. got any suggestions on good protein skimmers. i only want to do it once. this one was given to me. guess i see why.

08/31/2008, 07:44 AM	#13
cyacop Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: marion,arkansas Posts: 120	fuges confuse me. i will have to do some reading on that. i know the bio balls are a nitrate no no . tested nitrates yesterday and got a "0" but i know i need to change things. get rid of canister and such. maybe get rid of it and put in a bigger sump

08/31/2008, 07:54 AM	#14
cyacop Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: marion,arkansas Posts: 120	WOW. i ran into this , http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html, it seems like a perfect set up for me. mentions your protein skimmer and everything sk8r