Kendall B
New Member
Glad to be a part of reef sanctuary as a new member. I am on day 13 of cycling my 49 gallon breeder which I converted from fresh water to saltwater. Thanks to love of coworkers and friends I have only had to come out of pocket very lightly For this build. I was donated the following free of charge:
-20lbs of live rock
-40lbs of dry rock,
-two 850 wavemaker powerheads,
-an Evergrow LED Intelligent Lighting ($300 value) has the sun rise to sunset, moon lights and simulates lightning.
-Hydrometer
- 60gpm HOB pump was already there
-and even got donated two adult clown fish which I added 2 days ago to speed up the cycle (**PICTURE ATTACHED)
So really I only came out of pocket for the live sand, nutria seawater and 2 jugs of R/O water. As of today all my levels are normal with 0ppm of ammonia but my Nitrates were spiked today to 8,0ppm so rather than do a water change I started shopping for a protein skimmer.... and right on que another buddy gave me his Eshoops' PSK-100H Protein Skimmer which he doesn't use since he upgraded to a 109 gallon and has a sump. I do my research on the skimmer and by research I mean youtube and i am on board to get her set up plus it was free.
As soon as I plug it up I got my arse handed to me. The Eshoop' PSK-100H Protein Skimmer starts over flowing uncontrollably even st the lowest setting. This goes on for hours until I saw a YouTube hack by placing the back top of a "bic" in the air hose to reduce intake until the skimmer breaks in... works perfectly. The next day I see the skimmer pump is leaking. Carefuly take it apart to find the gasket (O-Ring) is dry rotted and has many cracks... and the big slap in the face is I find the impeller shaft is broken in two... oh and it is ceramic. I've searched every for s replacement shaft which 2 1/2 inches long. The gasket in sure I can find t Lowes. Need some help.. any help in what to do about this broken impeller shaft. I also welcome any positive tips any of you experienced reefers might have... oh and FYI "Nemo" and "Florence" (kids named them" are doing just fine.
-20lbs of live rock
-40lbs of dry rock,
-two 850 wavemaker powerheads,
-an Evergrow LED Intelligent Lighting ($300 value) has the sun rise to sunset, moon lights and simulates lightning.
-Hydrometer
- 60gpm HOB pump was already there
-and even got donated two adult clown fish which I added 2 days ago to speed up the cycle (**PICTURE ATTACHED)
So really I only came out of pocket for the live sand, nutria seawater and 2 jugs of R/O water. As of today all my levels are normal with 0ppm of ammonia but my Nitrates were spiked today to 8,0ppm so rather than do a water change I started shopping for a protein skimmer.... and right on que another buddy gave me his Eshoops' PSK-100H Protein Skimmer which he doesn't use since he upgraded to a 109 gallon and has a sump. I do my research on the skimmer and by research I mean youtube and i am on board to get her set up plus it was free.
As soon as I plug it up I got my arse handed to me. The Eshoop' PSK-100H Protein Skimmer starts over flowing uncontrollably even st the lowest setting. This goes on for hours until I saw a YouTube hack by placing the back top of a "bic" in the air hose to reduce intake until the skimmer breaks in... works perfectly. The next day I see the skimmer pump is leaking. Carefuly take it apart to find the gasket (O-Ring) is dry rotted and has many cracks... and the big slap in the face is I find the impeller shaft is broken in two... oh and it is ceramic. I've searched every for s replacement shaft which 2 1/2 inches long. The gasket in sure I can find t Lowes. Need some help.. any help in what to do about this broken impeller shaft. I also welcome any positive tips any of you experienced reefers might have... oh and FYI "Nemo" and "Florence" (kids named them" are doing just fine.