So it begins

[Craig Manoukian]

180 litres is roughly 48 US gallons. Using 1.5 lbs per gallon as a benchmark, about 75 lbs, or 34 kilograms, of Live Rock is what you need. Make sure you leave the top 1/2 to 1/3 of the tank, water column, open for the lateral swim behavior of most fish.

[gussy]

I think the cheaper Berlin Airlift by the same company is even better, and cheaper, than the Prizm. The Prizm didn't do a thing for me. I got the AqauC Remora which takes about the same space as the Prizm as it has about the same thickness.

[sarah]

I know the Aqua Medic Turbo Floater 1000 Muti is available in the UK/European markets. While it is more than enogh for a 55 gallon, the great thing is it will accomodate a larger tank, something that always seems to be the natural progression in this hobby!

.

Hi Shyeep...i use this on my tank and it works a treat...it should fit on the back of you tank too

Sarah xxx

P.S they are about the same price as a prizm too...but do a better job..IMO

[Craig Manoukian]

It's all in the needle wheel, eh sarah?

[badboy]

how about a Aqua Medic - Biostar Flotor ?

[Craig Manoukian]

This is the Turbo Floter Multi and a link to the Aqua Medic website. You can do click on the link for dealers. I didn't see the Biostar Floater badboy (welcome!), I either missed it or maybe you could find a link for us.

Turboflotor Multi SL motor driven outside protein skimmer for aquaria from 600 Liter (150 Gallons)



The Turboflotor Multi SL is our most versatile protein skimmer. It can be fixed to the side of the aquarium (´hang-on´ mode), or placed inside or outside the sump of the filter. Its compact size makes it small enough to be stored under the cabinet.
In the ´hang-on´mode, only the pump is placed inside the aquarium. The pump Ocean Runner PH 2500, 37 W, features a venturi with the patented Aqua Medic needle wheel. The skimmer itself has the conical collection cup inner tube (also patented), and a lid, and two outflow boxes for directing the outflow back into the aquarium.
As an option, a large 1.2 litre (0.3 gallon) Filter Box can be placed at the outlets, for use as a first stage biological filter.
Height: 55 cm, c. 22"
Total width: 17 x 17 cm, c. 7" x 7"

http://www.aqua-medic.de/index0.html

[shyeep]

Hi all just an update for you and a few pictures , My tanks now being running for two weeks and my levels are as follows

KH 7
PH 8
Nitrite 0.02 mg/l
Ammonia 0.05 mg/l
Nitrates 2-3 mg/l

So it looks like my tanks nearly cycled :-))

As you can see i have started adding Live Rock and have about 14 kg so far and will be adding more over the next two weeks or so, Also as you can see i have got diatom growth(think that a good sign) and also have some lovely things sprouting on my rock,(see pics) I think its a cocoa worm?? and some polyps i think also i have hairy crabs :-(( and had some bristle worms..now gone,also got a ribbon worm a strange slug like thing with an armoured back?? and lots of dusters etc.


Sheep

[cheeks69]

Very nice shyeep ! Very cool HH's, why did you get rid of the bristle worms ?

[shyeep]

I had been warned by several people that they were a bad thing to have and could cause problems as they got bigger, Although i havent got rid of them all and to be honest am reluctant too unless they do cause damage to my livestock in the future, The problem i find is that there are so many different opinions about what is good and what is bad to have, I have hairy crabs which have banded legs which are another creature i am told are bad but to be honest i havent seen that much supporting evidence (being a newbie ) so do i leave them as well? Any advice about so called "pests" would be gratefully recieved as i dont like playing God and feel uncomfortable removing creatures unless there is a real need to,

Sheep

PS i am probably being thick but what does HH's mean?? :-)

[mt79]

Originally Posted by shyeep

"I have hairy crabs which have banded legs which are another creature i am told are bad but..."

They are bad! It's only a matter of time. I have one that HH'ed in on LR and has recently developed an appetite for SPS coral and atleast doubled in size in less than 6-7 months. I think it took out my purple firefish too recently arghh...get rid of it now while your ahead!
BTW, HH's="Hitchhikers" found on live rock.

[cheeks69]

BTW, HH's="Hitchhikers" found on live rock.

Yes what he said

I had been warned by several people that they were a bad thing to have and could cause problems as they got bigger, Although i havent got rid of them all and to be honest am reluctant too unless they do cause damage to my livestock in the future

Bristle worms are excellent detrivores and do a great job keeping the substrate well oxygenated. There are some that get really big like several feet long that can be a problem but in general their a good thing.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-04/rs/index.php

[mt79]

I forgot to mention the tank looks great so far Shyeep

[cheeks69]

Pests in the Reef Tank, Part 1

Pests in the Reef Tank, Part 2

[shyeep]

Thanks all i now have a much better idea of what to do, I will leave the remaining few worms unless they get too big, But as for those pesky crabs well after reading those links Cheeks69(thanks) their days are seriously numbered, Thanks mt79 the tank is in a very early stage as i will be getting a lot more LR before i even think of putting anything in yet although would a clean up crew in the near future be a wise move?

Sheep

[Craig Manoukian]

Sheep,

Your tank looks great!

What did you decide as far as the skimmer? Just curious, thanks!