The search for perfect Water

keith10 · 06/13/2018, 08:50 AM

First, It's been a while since I visited. This site has been an incredible help to me during me Reef building career. I want to thank everyone for your help.

Ok, Although my Pars are pretty darn good, (amm. 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 10, Salt. 1.240, Calcium 420) I'm looking for better water. I know I should have a sump, but that is not an option at this time.

Would it be better to add another Canister filter, or a HOB skimmer. I could do either one.

Any opinions would be certainly appreciated.

timnem70 · 06/13/2018, 09:04 AM

As long as you're working towards getting "better" more effective and most importantly REEF speciific equipment, you're alright. SG is a bit low but to each their own. I don't wanna be the bearer of crappy news but without more water volume for good bacteria to grow (a canister is not that) and a place for skimming and whatever else you wanna do, (you will be cleaning out detritus and whatever else gets trapped in that dark, oxygen depleted space in a canister) have a better chance of it. Not to mention stability of water and elements therin. Afer all, stability and happy creatures are my personal measure of "perfect water". Canister filters are primarily used for freshwater applications and although it willl work for a while, your post is asking about better water/ Perfect water. Save your cash and get that equipment. You will be so happy you did in the long run and have a much easier time keeping animals thriving for longer periods.
Best luck to you and show us some pics. Have a good one!

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timnem70 · 06/13/2018, 09:05 AM

Sorry misread SG at first. You're good

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sde1500 · 06/13/2018, 09:23 AM

Hard to really provide you directions without knowing more. To start with, what are you using to define "better"? Also, I'm sure you mean 1.024, or your tank is dead and I can see why you want better water

mcgyvr · 06/13/2018, 09:35 AM

If your definition of "perfect" is zero nitrates and phosphates you would be dead wrong....

thegrun · 06/13/2018, 09:37 AM

It would be nice to know if there is a specific issue you are having with your tank, or are you in search of a solution to a problem that does not exist. I would recommend raising your salinity to something closer to natural sea water's salinity of 1.0265

keith10 · 06/13/2018, 10:21 AM

Thanks for all your replies. I guess the best thing to do is maybe try a DYI sump. I don't have a lot u of room under the tank. It is a 36 inch tank. It would probably take a 20 gallon aquarium made into a sump. That would be the best option ... Agreed?

sde1500 · 06/13/2018, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith10

Agreed?

No, because we literally have no idea what you are looking to do here.

mcgyvr · 06/13/2018, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sde1500

No, because we literally have no idea what you are looking to do here.

So funny..
"thanks for all the replies.. I really didn't read nor understand a single one but I'm dead set on thinking I need a sump... agreed?"

@keith10 your posted numbers (salinity typo of 1.240 assumed to be 1.024) are all totally fine...
No tank needs a sump or canister filter or skimmer to be successful..
Is there a specific problem you are having or are you just looking for something to spend time/money on?

nereefpat · 06/13/2018, 11:09 AM

It looks like you are keeping some stony corals, so I would start testing for alk before I did anything else.

rustyjames · 06/13/2018, 11:14 AM

Agree that no tank "needs" a sump or skimmer. I'm assuming at this point if you added a sump you'd be using a u tube style overflow. I ran one back in the day for almost two years without incident but I was nervous every time I came home and checked the tank.

lpsouth1978 · 06/13/2018, 01:25 PM

I guess the bottom line is...

Do what you feel is best for your system. If it were me, and my tank was not drilled, I would add a HOB skimmer to the tank. That will at least remove a lot of the "nastiness". Having a sump does not automatically mean better water, it simply gives you more water volume, which can lead to more stability. It also gives you a place to put all of your equipment that is not in the main display.

If your tank is, or can easily be, drilled then add a sump. I also have a 40B with a 20L DIY sump. Once the sump is done, you can get a skimmer and any other equipment you want and put it in there.

If you choose not to add any equipment to the tank, you can still be VERY successful if you regularly test ALL params and stay on top of regular water changes.

I hope this helps clarify a little bit. Good luck.

RioReefr · 06/13/2018, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith10

better water.

Are you looking to polish your water? I use 50-micron filter pad like this if I have a "guest" come over and it make the water look crystal-clear. Between that and taking a razor blade to the inside glass makes everything "look" good, but not necessarily good.

https://www.amazon.com/Polishing-Fil...water+aquarium

Shooting for 0 nitrates and 0 phosphates isn't always a good thing without taking into account water flow, lightning and other water parameters.

06/13/2018, 08:50 AM	#1
keith10 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 47	The search for perfect Water First, It's been a while since I visited. This site has been an incredible help to me during me Reef building career. I want to thank everyone for your help. Ok, Although my Pars are pretty darn good, (amm. 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 10, Salt. 1.240, Calcium 420) I'm looking for better water. I know I should have a sump, but that is not an option at this time. Would it be better to add another Canister filter, or a HOB skimmer. I could do either one. Any opinions would be certainly appreciated. __________________ 75 Gal, 10 gal sump 165wLED, 59w/led strip CBAngel, Six-L Wrsse. BCS, SerptStar, hmits, snls. Xenia, Trumpet, Polyp, Toadstool Lth, shrooms, LTE, Frogspawn, Duncan, Stylo.

06/13/2018, 09:23 AM	#4
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	Hard to really provide you directions without knowing more. To start with, what are you using to define "better"? Also, I'm sure you mean 1.024, or your tank is dead and I can see why you want better water __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

06/13/2018, 09:35 AM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	If your definition of "perfect" is zero nitrates and phosphates you would be dead wrong.... __________________ Who me?

06/13/2018, 10:21 AM	#7
keith10 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 47	Thanks for all your replies. I guess the best thing to do is maybe try a DYI sump. I don't have a lot u of room under the tank. It is a 36 inch tank. It would probably take a 20 gallon aquarium made into a sump. That would be the best option ... Agreed? __________________ 75 Gal, 10 gal sump 165wLED, 59w/led strip CBAngel, Six-L Wrsse. BCS, SerptStar, hmits, snls. Xenia, Trumpet, Polyp, Toadstool Lth, shrooms, LTE, Frogspawn, Duncan, Stylo.

06/13/2018, 11:09 AM	#10
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	It looks like you are keeping some stony corals, so I would start testing for alk before I did anything else. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

06/13/2018, 09:04 AM	#2
timnem70 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 462	As long as you're working towards getting "better" more effective and most importantly REEF speciific equipment, you're alright. SG is a bit low but to each their own. I don't wanna be the bearer of crappy news but without more water volume for good bacteria to grow (a canister is not that) and a place for skimming and whatever else you wanna do, (you will be cleaning out detritus and whatever else gets trapped in that dark, oxygen depleted space in a canister) have a better chance of it. Not to mention stability of water and elements therin. Afer all, stability and happy creatures are my personal measure of "perfect water". Canister filters are primarily used for freshwater applications and although it willl work for a while, your post is asking about better water/ Perfect water. Save your cash and get that equipment. You will be so happy you did in the long run and have a much easier time keeping animals thriving for longer periods. Best luck to you and show us some pics. Have a good one! Sent from my LG-LS997 using Tapatalk

06/13/2018, 09:05 AM	#3
timnem70 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 462	Sorry misread SG at first. You're good Sent from my LG-LS997 using Tapatalk

06/13/2018, 09:37 AM	#6
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	It would be nice to know if there is a specific issue you are having with your tank, or are you in search of a solution to a problem that does not exist. I would recommend raising your salinity to something closer to natural sea water's salinity of 1.0265

06/13/2018, 11:14 AM	#11
rustyjames EMT-B Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 879	Agree that no tank "needs" a sump or skimmer. I'm assuming at this point if you added a sump you'd be using a u tube style overflow. I ran one back in the day for almost two years without incident but I was nervous every time I came home and checked the tank. __________________ I see your Schwartz is as big as mine. Current Tank Info: 20 long

06/13/2018, 01:25 PM	#12
lpsouth1978 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 915	I guess the bottom line is... Do what you feel is best for your system. If it were me, and my tank was not drilled, I would add a HOB skimmer to the tank. That will at least remove a lot of the "nastiness". Having a sump does not automatically mean better water, it simply gives you more water volume, which can lead to more stability. It also gives you a place to put all of your equipment that is not in the main display. If your tank is, or can easily be, drilled then add a sump. I also have a 40B with a 20L DIY sump. Once the sump is done, you can get a skimmer and any other equipment you want and put it in there. If you choose not to add any equipment to the tank, you can still be VERY successful if you regularly test ALL params and stay on top of regular water changes. I hope this helps clarify a little bit. Good luck. __________________ Current tank: 40B work in progress w/20L sump