A New Beginning

[DrHank]

Distance for the 400w should be the same. You're going to notice a definite drop off on the 250w with that water depth. I'm eurobracing my 210 so it's down and every thing is split between my 65 and 110. No where as much light with my 250s at 31" as there was at 21".

[cheeks69]

How far off the water should I be hanging my MH lights? I want to make sure I getting the proper light to the bottom of the tank but at the same time I want to make sure I don't cause any problem for the acrylic?

Are you using spider reflectors or pendants ?
If it's just a spider reflector with no cover then you don't want them too close to the water particularly with the 400 watters or a shattered bulb could result from splashing. I would suggest 10 to 12" over the water. AFA the acrylic since the tank is euro-braced it shouldn't be a problem.

[cheeks69]

Originally Posted by stilgore

I know I am probably not making much sense but I am having a hard time putting it into words. The reason I am worrying about this is because I don't want to have a lot of flow coming from the first output and much less from the second.

Stil

How large is the sump and is it placed under the tank between both overflows ?

[stilgore]

The sump is about 15' away from the tank in the fish room

Stil

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by stilgore

Got an unusual question.

I am running a Sequence Manta Ray for my return and the new tank has an output on each end of the tank.

I am debating whether I can run the return in series (meaning the water flow gets to one side of the tank then the other) or if I should run the output underneath the tank to the center of it, then run the returns to the overflows.

I know I am probably not making much sense but I am having a hard time putting it into words. The reason I am worrying about this is because I don't want to have a lot of flow coming from the first output and much less from the second.

Stil

Run the returns up the middle and split it even with a Y fitting. Not a T. I did this on my closed loop with a gate valve to even out the two sides.

[stilgore]

Thanks Frankie. I will run the returns to the center and split it with a y connector.

I am thinking about running the return to the sump directly to the protein skimmer rather than back to the sump to then be pumped into the skimmer. Can anyone tell me what advantages this would offer (other than using one less pump)

Any advice is appreciated. I will post some pics after I have made some progress this weekend.

Stil

[sasquatch]

Great question Stil, I have pondered this as well but have grave fears of it backing up the overflow causing a flood

[hma]

Originally Posted by stilgore

Any advice on the lighting distance?

Hi stilgore,

I can describe only briefly like I have done it as me on HQI am changed.

To avoid a "light shock" of his animals, one should raise the lighting "step by step". The fact that tells to reduce the distance of the lights about the tank from day to day and to raise / or the luminous duration of the HQI lights from day to day increasingly. But the animals (corals) could take amiss of this. When I on HQI changed I have done it as follows. I have hung my lights HQI for the first time approx. 50 cm (20 inch) above the water surface. Then all from two to three days in each case some cm / inch less. Today they hang approx. 30 cm (11 inch) about the water.

This approach has not taken amiss to me my animals, on the contrary ... they have properly been glad about this many "new" lights.

[stilgore]

Thanks HMA. I'll make sure the lights are around one foot from the top of the tank.

That leads me to another question. When acclimating new fish do most of you not use lights for awhile? If so, how long do you keep the fish "in the dark"?

Any input on the direct flow to the protein skimmer? What are the advantages to that over using a pump from the sump

Thanks,
Stilgore

[hma]

1 -I acclimating all my fish and corals in small 10 gal tank, then put I them for approx. 10-14 days in my QT. I wear light for min 12 hours during the day.

2 -Whether you put the Skimmer in a Sump, or, however, at any other place beyond the Aquariuims no effect on his impact has. It makes no difference as where you him places, importantly is to be used a Skimmer and he is cleaned regularly. Only a clean Skimmer is a well working Skimmer

[cheeks69]

Originally Posted by stilgore

Any input on the direct flow to the protein skimmer? What are the advantages to that over using a pump from the sump

Thanks,
Stilgore

Well you getting a direct feed of raw water into the skimmer is the best method IMHO but it depends on what type of skimmer your running, I don't think this would work with the needlewheel skimmers.

When acclimating new fish do most of you not use lights for awhile? If so, how long do you keep the fish "in the dark"?

It all depends on where you purchased your fish. If though an on-line store I would keep them the first few hours in complete darkness and then just run the actinics for the rest of the day. If purchased from an LFS the lighting isn't really an issue unless you have territorial fish that are well established and would go after the new introduction immediately, in this case I would give him a few hours in complete darkness for him to acclimate to the tank and find a hiding spot.

[stilgore]

I have a dual recirculating skimmer. Would that benefit from running the water directly from the tank?

I am almost done plumbing everything so I want to see if it would be worth my wild to do it.

I promise I will have some pics soon

Stil

[cheeks69]

Originally Posted by stilgore

I have a dual recirculating skimmer. Would that benefit from running the water directly from the tank?

Yes I think this would be the most efficient method. Is the skimmer external or internal and are you going to place a ball valve to control the flow into the skimmer from the drain ? If the skimmer is external you have to be mindful of the fact that these skimmers can overflow especially when not dialed in yet and there have been cases of them spilling several hundred gallons as what happened with Steve Weast.

[stilgore]

It is an external skimmer and does have a ball valve to control the flow into the skimmer.

Man, that really scares me about the potential for a spill. Not sure if I should run it that way or not.

It sure seems like I would get better skimming as it is skimming all of the water rather than the amount that gets pumped in.

Hmm....is it worth the risk?????

[cheeks69]

Well since the sump is in the basement you can easily place the skimmer in a large rubbermaid tub or something like this:

Aquatic eco-systems