Getting back into the Hobby

xxxjwxxx · 06/20/2006, 12:26 PM

I have so many questions... I hope you guys can help

Currently I have a 15 Gallon Via Aqua tank that has been setup for about 7 months. It has about 20lbs of LR, a Colony of mushrooms and zoo's. The Zoo's have acutally attached onto the rock, so thats a good sign...

I recently got rid of the 36w PC lights and upgraded to the 70w JBJ K-2 Viper.

Questions for this tank:

1. I'm trying to find a good Protein Skimmers, I recently purchased a Aqua-C Remora but that wouldnt fit so I put it on my 37G (I will talk about this tank later) With this JBJ Lighting system I find that I really can't put anything on the back anymore.... I was thinking about using the Tunze Nano SKimmer, has anyone used this before?

2. I want to put Hard corals and Clams in this tank, is this lighting sufficient?

On to my second tank

I purchased a Via Aqua 37G Tall tank that is about 3 weeks old...

This tank was setup with about 50lbs Arganoite (SP?) Live sand and I put about 15lbs of Live rock in there. Purchased 45lbs of Lace rock to mix it all in.

About a week later, I purchased a Damsal and threw it in there for cycling purposes.

I'm on week 3... Possibly 3 1/2, I get a lot of brown algae growth on the rock and sand.... Yesterday I purchased about 6 Torchus (SP?) Snails and 2 Nassirus Snails. They look like they are doing the right thing.

Oh ya, I got a Aqua C remora hang on skimmer that i added it to. It's pulling some brown foam for sure. I'm not sure if I should be doing this... since its cyling so I need advice on that.

My questions for this tank...

Lighting: I plan on buying a 24" MH fixture for it. Would the Sunpod 24" 150w MH w/ 12 Lunar lights be fine? The only reason why I want to get this over the Outer Orbit is because I tend to forget to replace the PC blubs... I plan on trying to keep clams, hard corals with variations of soft corals.

Protein SKimmer: Should I be using my aqua C right now during the cycling period?

Refugium: I don't have room for a Sump system so I'm forced to use a HOB refugium. Is this even worth it?

Please help if you can, and recommend what to do.

I don't have room for sump systems and I really dont like the look for canopies because these tanks are silver FYI.

bertoni · 06/20/2006, 09:42 PM

The smaller tank might not really need a skimmer if you do enough water changes. I think there are a couple of baby skimmers for nano tank, one from ASM, for example. Tunze products in general have a good reputation, too.

Can you post a link to the exact lighting setups you mentioned? I think this is one of them:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113030

I would run the skimmer during the cycle. I haven't used any of the hang-on refugiums, but I don't see any reason that they might not be useful in some situations.

xxxjwxxx · 06/20/2006, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bertoni
The smaller tank might not really need a skimmer if you do enough water changes. I think there are a couple of baby skimmers for nano tank, one from ASM, for example. Tunze products in general have a good reputation, too.

Can you post a link to the exact lighting setups you mentioned? I think this is one of them:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113030

I would run the skimmer during the cycle. I haven't used any of the hang-on refugiums, but I don't see any reason that they might not be useful in some situations.

The one you mentioned is the one I was referring to and this is the Outer Orbit

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...roduct=CU01040

SOrry =) Do you think this would be good?

Currently my skimmer is pulling out a bunch of brown waste.

I acutally went to vivid aquarims today and I'm going to try to get a sump system going on for the 37 gallon.

bertoni · 06/21/2006, 01:23 AM

I'm always skeptical about the units with the tiny reflectors. I am not sure that they really do the job. That said, it might be good enough.

xxxjwxxx · 06/21/2006, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bertoni
I'm always skeptical about the units with the tiny reflectors. I am not sure that they really do the job. That said, it might be good enough.

Are you referring to both having a tiny reflector? I was debating that and the 250w Ocean Medic AB light. I just dont have a way to mount it and in my apartment, I would hate to have big holes
=(

Any other suggestions on how I might be able to mount this lighting if possible?

I.E. buy a Light stand and tear it apart and put mountain chains on it?

picnic · 06/21/2006, 03:24 AM

Have you thought about hanging the lights from the ceiling with ceiling hooks and some chain?

xxxjwxxx · 06/21/2006, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by picnic
Have you thought about hanging the lights from the ceiling with ceiling hooks and some chain?

They are vaulted ceilings

I didnt want to go that route =(

bertoni · 06/21/2006, 02:49 PM

I'm skeptical about both units. I put together my own 175 W setup using a Lumen Max 2 reflector. A bit of work, but a lot of light.

I built a rather ugly stand to sit on the tank. The lights hang from them. No need for it to be ugly, though.

06/20/2006, 12:26 PM	#1
xxxjwxxx Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 365	Getting back into the Hobby I have so many questions... I hope you guys can help Currently I have a 15 Gallon Via Aqua tank that has been setup for about 7 months. It has about 20lbs of LR, a Colony of mushrooms and zoo's. The Zoo's have acutally attached onto the rock, so thats a good sign... I recently got rid of the 36w PC lights and upgraded to the 70w JBJ K-2 Viper. Questions for this tank: 1. I'm trying to find a good Protein Skimmers, I recently purchased a Aqua-C Remora but that wouldnt fit so I put it on my 37G (I will talk about this tank later) With this JBJ Lighting system I find that I really can't put anything on the back anymore.... I was thinking about using the Tunze Nano SKimmer, has anyone used this before? 2. I want to put Hard corals and Clams in this tank, is this lighting sufficient? On to my second tank I purchased a Via Aqua 37G Tall tank that is about 3 weeks old... This tank was setup with about 50lbs Arganoite (SP?) Live sand and I put about 15lbs of Live rock in there. Purchased 45lbs of Lace rock to mix it all in. About a week later, I purchased a Damsal and threw it in there for cycling purposes. I'm on week 3... Possibly 3 1/2, I get a lot of brown algae growth on the rock and sand.... Yesterday I purchased about 6 Torchus (SP?) Snails and 2 Nassirus Snails. They look like they are doing the right thing. Oh ya, I got a Aqua C remora hang on skimmer that i added it to. It's pulling some brown foam for sure. I'm not sure if I should be doing this... since its cyling so I need advice on that. My questions for this tank... Lighting: I plan on buying a 24" MH fixture for it. Would the Sunpod 24" 150w MH w/ 12 Lunar lights be fine? The only reason why I want to get this over the Outer Orbit is because I tend to forget to replace the PC blubs... I plan on trying to keep clams, hard corals with variations of soft corals. Protein SKimmer: Should I be using my aqua C right now during the cycling period? Refugium: I don't have room for a Sump system so I'm forced to use a HOB refugium. Is this even worth it? Please help if you can, and recommend what to do. I don't have room for sump systems and I really dont like the look for canopies because these tanks are silver FYI. Last edited by xxxjwxxx; 06/20/2006 at 12:40 PM.

06/20/2006, 09:42 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The smaller tank might not really need a skimmer if you do enough water changes. I think there are a couple of baby skimmers for nano tank, one from ASM, for example. Tunze products in general have a good reputation, too. Can you post a link to the exact lighting setups you mentioned? I think this is one of them: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113030 I would run the skimmer during the cycle. I haven't used any of the hang-on refugiums, but I don't see any reason that they might not be useful in some situations. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

06/21/2006, 01:23 AM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'm always skeptical about the units with the tiny reflectors. I am not sure that they really do the job. That said, it might be good enough. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

06/21/2006, 03:24 AM	#6
picnic Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Surrey,B.C.,Canada Posts: 119	Have you thought about hanging the lights from the ceiling with ceiling hooks and some chain? __________________ I hate fish that do the Houdini on ya!!! Current Tank Info: 33gal salt,29gal fresh,10 salt

06/21/2006, 02:49 PM	#8
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'm skeptical about both units. I put together my own 175 W setup using a Lumen Max 2 reflector. A bit of work, but a lot of light. I built a rather ugly stand to sit on the tank. The lights hang from them. No need for it to be ugly, though. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni