What Am I Doing Wrong?
- Thread starter Scuba Steve
- Start date
Scuba Steve
Member
I intend to apply most if not all your ideas to my aquarium but have just a few more enquiries if you have the time.
Could you please suggest a skimmer that would be appropriate for my system? A brand and possibly where to get it would be good.
I intend to get rid of the marble chips. Coral sand, Live sand or sand? Which do I use and what are the differences? I tend to lean toward the 4" deep angle but more recomendations would be great. Hopefully I can source it over here.
The biggest concern I have is the refugium. This is going to be difficult to add due to space and logistic requirements. Could I convert my sump into a refugium?
What order should I undertake all this to do and what time period?
I suspect I may have doubled up on my posts. If this is the case I apologise.
Thanks again to all for your invaluable assitance.
Kind regards
Scuba Steve
Could you please suggest a skimmer that would be appropriate for my system? A brand and possibly where to get it would be good.
I intend to get rid of the marble chips. Coral sand, Live sand or sand? Which do I use and what are the differences? I tend to lean toward the 4" deep angle but more recomendations would be great. Hopefully I can source it over here.
The biggest concern I have is the refugium. This is going to be difficult to add due to space and logistic requirements. Could I convert my sump into a refugium?
What order should I undertake all this to do and what time period?
I suspect I may have doubled up on my posts. If this is the case I apologise.
Thanks again to all for your invaluable assitance.
Kind regards
Scuba Steve
Scuba Steve
Member
In considering all the replies I have had I think my only alternative is to start again. ( Don't ask me how I tell my partner this lol) Could someone please tell me the appropriate Protein Skimmer to get for my system?
Cheers
Cheers
lcstorc
Well-Known Member
Personally I love my ASM skimmer. They are nice in sump skimmers that pull out a lot of nasty skimmate. I have read many times that the manufacturers overrate their skimmers so the one I have is actaully rated for double my water volume. I got mine from Premium Aquatics. They are one of our sponsors and have great customer service. I wouldn't hesitate to order from any of our sponsors. I have always gotten great service regardless of which one I use.
For the sand it is really a matter of opinion. You could go bare bottom if you like or have a shallow sand bed or a deep sand bed. It is really a matter of opinion. I have heard all of them recommended by various people. As to what kind of sand there is really no need to buy live sand. You can use a nice sugar sized dry sand and soon it will be live for you. The stuff that they sell as live sand really has very little in it that is alive by the time you purchase it and it is really expensive. If you know any reefers near you, you could ask them for a cup or two of their sand to seed yours but that will just speed the process.
If you have extra room in your sump you can have a combo sump/refugium. Many people use this method. Check out the DIY section here and check out Melevsreef.com for plans that will show you various ways that poeple have accomplished it. There are many options depending on your setup.
Hope that helps.
For the sand it is really a matter of opinion. You could go bare bottom if you like or have a shallow sand bed or a deep sand bed. It is really a matter of opinion. I have heard all of them recommended by various people. As to what kind of sand there is really no need to buy live sand. You can use a nice sugar sized dry sand and soon it will be live for you. The stuff that they sell as live sand really has very little in it that is alive by the time you purchase it and it is really expensive. If you know any reefers near you, you could ask them for a cup or two of their sand to seed yours but that will just speed the process.
If you have extra room in your sump you can have a combo sump/refugium. Many people use this method. Check out the DIY section here and check out Melevsreef.com for plans that will show you various ways that poeple have accomplished it. There are many options depending on your setup.
Hope that helps.
Scuba Steve
Member
I Live in the state of Victoria in Australia. I am prepared to spend what is required to skim my 800 litre tank appropriately. Thanks! If I go with anything less than a deep sand bed aren't I losing the denitrifing effect of this?
Steve
Steve
lcstorc
Well-Known Member
Deep sand beds are a topic of much debate. Some people love them for their denitrifying capablities, but some people have had problems particularly if the sand bed becomes stagnant once it is a few years old. That is why some go with bare bottom tanks or a shallow sand bed. Personally I have a DSB in my pony tank and my fuge, but a SSB in my display. i figure this give me a good combination of the two methods.
KimPossible
Well-Known Member
A lot of excellent advise. Good luck Steve on the rebuild. and remember, patience is a virtue. It will all come together and I suspect you will be very pleased with the outcome. I will be going with a SSB in my current build and a smaller DBS in my refugium. I am ordering CaribSea Seaflor Fiji Pink Reef Sand for my needs.
You can get some denitrification even with a SSB but the deeper it is the more surface area for anaerobic bacteria.
Here's a couple of sites that have some good skimmers I believe they're located in Australia.
Reef Octopus Australia
The Deltec is excellent
Protein Skimmers
