New Reef Keeper with some Questions.

Doolin · 03/08/2009, 09:36 PM

Hey guys! I've been keeping a saltwater tank for about 9 months now and I'm starting to switch it over to a reef tank.

I've got a 29 gallon with a 10 gallon custom made sump/fuge. Stocked with two small clusters of button polyps. A PJ Cardinal, Maroon Clown, Yellow Tail Damsel, Condylactis Anemone and a Convict Goby. And of course the usual cleanup crew.

Okay, here goes...

As stated I've got a DIY sump. So far I'm pretty happy with it, but I've just started using it.

How many micro bubbles can you have before it is considered unsafe? I don't have many, maybe a 100-300 hundred at a time. Should I be concerned?

I have a used skimmer and i've only had it running for a few hours so far. It is running pretty poorly, it fills the cup quickly, pulses, etc. I know they have a break-in time but is the only for brand new skimmers or it is 'breaking in' the water?

Could I drill a hole in the collection cup and run some tubing to a milk jug to ease my fear of a flood?

In the center compartment of my sump is a 4 gallon fuge. Soon I'll be adding some macro and LR rubble to grow some pod, etc. No question here, just wanna know if anyone has anything to say about it

Is a 13W-60W equivalent Compact Florescent enough lighting for macro?

I had a marineland 350 canister filter before my sump. Right know the only mechanical filtration I have is a tube sock on the inlet to the sump. Is this okay? Unnecessary? Frugal?

Is it worth installing the "polishing" filter in the 350 and run it as well?

Okay... I think thanks it. Thanks so much guys. I looked at ton of reef keeping forums before I chose you guys, I think I made the right choice.

Konadog · 03/08/2009, 09:52 PM

Doolin,

To Reef Central

If your tank is new, don't worry much about micro bubbles, they will go away as time goes on and your tank/plumbing/skimmer gets a coating of bacteria/slime.

What type of skimmer do you have? It may just be an adjustment that you need to make to keep it from overflowing.

Canister filters, polishing filters are not necessary, but just be sure to keep them clean.

Doolin · 03/08/2009, 10:10 PM

Konadog,

Thanks. I have a Coralife skimmer. I know its not great but the price was right. I've been following the manual and cutting some of the flow to the pump to help control the level, but it still is really pumping out the froth. This is the first time in the 9 months I've used a skimmer, could it just be pulling out alot of DOC's? The skimmate is pretty clear.

PRDubois · 03/08/2009, 10:16 PM

Turn down the valve that is above the pump.
When in calms down you can turn it back up.

Also make sure your water level is at least 1/4 in below the top of the skimmer cup

Konadog · 03/08/2009, 10:17 PM

It's possible, but it sounds like it's just not adjusted correctly. Try getting it so that all the bubbles are stopping about an inch from the top of the neck. It should start to form a foam that doesn't pop the same that will be pushed up and into the collection cup. It will take some time to get it adjusted correctly.

Doolin · 03/08/2009, 10:20 PM

Would it be okay to add a drain to the collection cup? I already had a spill and I'm worried about flooding.

PRDubois · 03/08/2009, 10:23 PM

It works good if you get it adjusted.
Make SURE you re-adjust it when you add water.

Doolin · 03/08/2009, 10:57 PM

PRDubois, Do you have one?

Konadog · 03/09/2009, 06:29 AM

Yes you can add a drain. It's best to also add a valve so you can turn off the drain when you empty the collection cup.

03/08/2009, 09:36 PM	#1
Doolin Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 260	New Reef Keeper with some Questions. Hey guys! I've been keeping a saltwater tank for about 9 months now and I'm starting to switch it over to a reef tank. I've got a 29 gallon with a 10 gallon custom made sump/fuge. Stocked with two small clusters of button polyps. A PJ Cardinal, Maroon Clown, Yellow Tail Damsel, Condylactis Anemone and a Convict Goby. And of course the usual cleanup crew. Okay, here goes... As stated I've got a DIY sump. So far I'm pretty happy with it, but I've just started using it. How many micro bubbles can you have before it is considered unsafe? I don't have many, maybe a 100-300 hundred at a time. Should I be concerned? I have a used skimmer and i've only had it running for a few hours so far. It is running pretty poorly, it fills the cup quickly, pulses, etc. I know they have a break-in time but is the only for brand new skimmers or it is 'breaking in' the water? Could I drill a hole in the collection cup and run some tubing to a milk jug to ease my fear of a flood? In the center compartment of my sump is a 4 gallon fuge. Soon I'll be adding some macro and LR rubble to grow some pod, etc. No question here, just wanna know if anyone has anything to say about it Is a 13W-60W equivalent Compact Florescent enough lighting for macro? I had a marineland 350 canister filter before my sump. Right know the only mechanical filtration I have is a tube sock on the inlet to the sump. Is this okay? Unnecessary? Frugal? Is it worth installing the "polishing" filter in the 350 and run it as well? Okay... I think thanks it. Thanks so much guys. I looked at ton of reef keeping forums before I chose you guys, I think I made the right choice.

03/08/2009, 09:52 PM	#2
Konadog Master of the 16 hour day Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East Long Beach, So Cal Posts: 13,151 Blog Entries: 4	Doolin, *To Reef Central* If your tank is new, don't worry much about micro bubbles, they will go away as time goes on and your tank/plumbing/skimmer gets a coating of bacteria/slime. What type of skimmer do you have? It may just be an adjustment that you need to make to keep it from overflowing. Canister filters, polishing filters are not necessary, but just be sure to keep them clean. __________________ Save the Reefs................................................................Save the world! -Ken Current Tank Info: Currently tankless, and loving it!

03/08/2009, 10:10 PM	#3
Doolin Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 260	Konadog, Thanks. I have a Coralife skimmer. I know its not great but the price was right. I've been following the manual and cutting some of the flow to the pump to help control the level, but it still is really pumping out the froth. This is the first time in the 9 months I've used a skimmer, could it just be pulling out alot of DOC's? The skimmate is pretty clear. __________________ Treasurer of WORC, a reef club in Western Ohio. www.worcreef.org

03/08/2009, 10:16 PM	#4
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	Turn down the valve that is above the pump. When in calms down you can turn it back up. Also make sure your water level is at least 1/4 in below the top of the skimmer cup __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

03/08/2009, 10:17 PM	#5
Konadog Master of the 16 hour day Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East Long Beach, So Cal Posts: 13,151 Blog Entries: 4	It's possible, but it sounds like it's just not adjusted correctly. Try getting it so that all the bubbles are stopping about an inch from the top of the neck. It should start to form a foam that doesn't pop the same that will be pushed up and into the collection cup. It will take some time to get it adjusted correctly. __________________ Save the Reefs................................................................Save the world! -Ken Current Tank Info: Currently tankless, and loving it!

03/08/2009, 10:20 PM	#6
Doolin Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 260	Would it be okay to add a drain to the collection cup? I already had a spill and I'm worried about flooding. __________________ Treasurer of WORC, a reef club in Western Ohio. www.worcreef.org

03/08/2009, 10:23 PM	#7
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	It works good if you get it adjusted. Make SURE you re-adjust it when you add water. __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

03/08/2009, 10:57 PM	#8
Doolin Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 260	PRDubois, Do you have one? __________________ Treasurer of WORC, a reef club in Western Ohio. www.worcreef.org

03/09/2009, 06:29 AM	#9
Konadog Master of the 16 hour day Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East Long Beach, So Cal Posts: 13,151 Blog Entries: 4	Yes you can add a drain. It's best to also add a valve so you can turn off the drain when you empty the collection cup. __________________ Save the Reefs................................................................Save the world! -Ken Current Tank Info: Currently tankless, and loving it!