Any Filtration Experts That Can Help Me Out?

[kaltir]

I'm sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong area - I didn't really see an area for filtration issues. This is kind of an odd issue anyhow... I just got a new setup, and I have no idea what I'm doing... Well, no idea might be a stretch... I get the basics, but this setup is rather large for me, and has been used, so I want to be sure I'm not missing anything. I'm adding a picture or two, (yes, I'm aware it needs to be completely cleaned, and set up), and my first question is about the canister looking piece in the middle - with the red top. Am I right in thinking this is a skimmer? It seems it should have another tube in it, to the area below it? The piece coming off the side of it is ribbed for a tube, but has a small cap sealing it at the moment. Any ideas on how this is to be set up? Any other tips or info on setting this whole thing up would be great too. I appreciate any help at all, as I'd hate to go wrong. I have the bio balls set aside too. And have ordered the filter sheets - just the plain blue ones, and a special one that is supposed to filter out ammonia better. I don't know how well that will work, but I figured it's worth a shot. Aside from that, please excuse me if I'm using any of the wrong terms. I'm ok with setting up and maintaining the tanks we have, but I'm AWFUL at remember what anything is called, lol!

 

[sweatervest13]

looks like it might be a skimmer, but I don't see a pump. Is this everything that came with it?? A skimmer needs a pump to work. Do some research on bioballs. They are kinda old school. Not many use them anymore. Those that do (successfully) have to keep on top of the maintenance, and it can be a PITA.

 

[kaltir]

Yes, this is all. We have a pump ordered to run the whole setup, but no pump for this particular piece. I have a biocube with a skimmer that uses a small air pump. Would it be the same concept to apply to this one? And thank you for the heads up about bio balls. Any recommendations on what to replace them with?

 

[sweatervest13]

Lots of folks replace them with LR. Bioballs are just a way to add biological filtration (they have a lot of surface area). I keep about 30lbs of LR in my sump. Here is a pic of a close up of my LR in the sump with some Macro algae growing.
You probably ordered a return pump (the pump that gets water from the sump tank to the display tank). A skimmer should have a dedicated pump to power the thing. Looking at it again, I am not sure that its a skimmer. I dont see a bubble plate (it may be there, but the pic is hard to see everything inside). I would try to contact the seller and see exactly what it is.

 

[kaltir]

I'm all for using LR instead. Thanks You take a great pic by the way Yes, a return pump is what I meant. I figured an air pump would be needed for the "skimmer". I'm not certain what a bubble plate would look like? Sorry if it's something I should know off hand, but I'm new to this more extensive filtration for sure. I would ask the seller - but I already have, and he doesn't have a clue. It hasn't been set up in so long, and he never really got into it enough, to know much about it off hand. I just couldn't pass up a deal on it, and figured the puzzle would be worth it

 

[sweatervest13]

No worries. It looks like a decent sump anyways. Research skimmers you will probably need a new one and if you got a good deal, you can't beat that. A skimmer pump uses an air like to draw air and water into the main skimmer body (thats what produces the bubbles that get the gunk out of the tank and into the collection cup). It does not look that quality anyways (sorry, I don't mean to burst your bubble {no pun intended}).
Tell us a little more about the system you are planning on running?? Size and such. There a lots of good skimmers out there. People here can give you some name brands to research.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Hello there! Welcome to the forums! I hope you enjoy your stay.
You are right to come here and ask questions! Don't worry about the terminology, we will all take it easy on you here and you will find that it will become second nature over the next few weeks.
Bioballs are old school, I agree with that. They do require monthly maintenance which is why a lot of people don't like them for reef tanks. For fish only or fish only with live rock (FOWLR) tanks bioballs is actually something that will cut down on ammonia. Sweatervest is right to say that many people do replace it with live rock rubble. However, just like bioballs, live rock rubble can get clogged with debris/detritus as well and also has to be maintained over time.
What I suggest is to completely get rid of the black box if you can. Replace it with a large filter sock. Filter socks are simple mechanical filtration devices that can be switched and washed easily. When you take out that big box you are left with a large area to put live rock rubble in, as well as macroalgaes. Macroalgaes help remove nitrates, phosphates and ammonia from your water column - and during your display tanks night time hours - it can help keep your pH constant at 8.2.
That is an old school skimmer! Do not be afraid! lol You can easily get a mag drive pump with a specially designed skimmer intake and a cool little needle wheel pump for it. It should cost about $60 for a mag drive 3 pump to drive that skimmer. Shouldn't take more than that. Make sure you buy some kind of ball valve when you hook it together so that you can control the height of the water level in the skimmer. Not all skimmers are efficient, however. I feel like if you are going to do some light to moderate stocking of the tank your skimmer should be just fine to use - in combination with some additional live rock rubble and macroalgae in the first chamber of the sump.
Filtration is very important in a saltwater aquarium - especially dealing with fish only with live rock tanks. However, you should take time to stock your tanks. Having patience, more than anything, while stocking your tank is going to be more of a key to your success then starting with a kick butt filtration system and dumping fish in.
Read up on the Nitrogen Cycle and try to understand it in detail before going further! I hope all this helps. Good luck!

 

[kaltir]

Sweatervest - Thank you. I've done ok with the 55 we have for awhile now, but we are switching over to a 75. We had a 150 to use this for, but someone cracked the bar across the top, and it gave. It doesn't hold any water anymore. But 75 is enough for now;-) I didn't figure this skimmer would be anything special, given the age especially, but go ahead an burst my bubble - I'll be making a lot more when I figure it out;-) I am going to see how this skimmer does for now, and if I have any trouble with it I'll be letting you guys know for sure I've gotten away with running the 55 without a skimmer and just using regular maintenance, and a lack of fish. Right now we just have live rock, a couple tiny feather duster looking things that come out of them (not sure what they are, but they just showed up one day, and I don't mind the added color), lots of tiny snails and hermit crabs, a flame scallop, a sally lightfoot crab, a couple snails bigger than a golf ball (see? awful with names, lol), and a sea hare sea slug. They've all done well, but we've been waiting on fish until we get everything moved over. No point in stressing out more little guys than need be. I'm headed out soon to pick up the tank, then will be making a day of cleaning and setting it up. I'll be sure to post any questions and how it goes here

 

[kaltir]

Snakeblitz - Thank you for the welcome, and the added info I'm confident we can get this going well enough now I forgot in my last reply on here to mention that we ordered a pump for the whole setup, and it will be here sometime this week. I'll be using the filtration from the 55 and setting this up all I can to get it ready for that to arrive. So in the meantime we are going to add in a trip to town today - we're in a very rural area and have to make a day of this if we'll get anywhere, lol - and we will be looking into the right pump and a filter sock We have a long list of things to grab today, so I'm making sure to jot it down just in case it's added to the much longer list of things I forget;-) I forgot to add in the last reply I posted too (I'm on a roll) - We have a mushroom thing growing on one of the live rocks. Are there certain types of these guys? Or is it just a broad term for all of them, and the colors just kind of vary? I really like the blue/purple on ours and was thinking of adding a few more, but have the option of ordering some in to the pet shop. But based on their lack of knowledge before, I'd like to know if I should be very specific with them when ordering, or if I can't be. Thanks again for the help. You guys have been awesome already

 

[flower]

Hi..Just a welcome to the site from me...LOL...I have never seen a skimmer like that, I'm glad Snake could identify it, I was thinking it was some kind of reactor. Anyway you are in good hands with Snake and Sweatervest.