BC-29 Filtration/Skimming

[cbjt3905]

Hello... I've read so much of late here about protein skimmers, I feel like my head's gonna implode. It all started when I realized I didn't like the air-driven Oceanic skimmer in my BC29. The skimmate is nominal, I have to adjust the airflow every day, and it's really not very stable hanging in chamber one. Mine is a well-established, standard RT with a couple damsels & clownfish, various shrooms & inverts, standard cuc of turbos & blue hermits, etc. Everything is healthy except for the long tentacled plate coral, which has been looking kinda puny lately. Water parameters are basically good - Calcium and kh are on the high end.
Filtration setup: Oceanic skimmer & heater in chamber 1 (took out the plastic "grate"), chamber 2: LR rubble and blue filter floss stuff cut to fit betw LR and drip plate, chamber 3: stock pump and bag of chemipure (mods I am thinking about are taking out the blue sponge, and increasing flow from chamb 1 to 2 by removing about a half inch of plastic?).
I don't mean to sound dumb here- sorry- but could somebody tell me whether there is a better protein skimmer which fits into chamber 1 without making anymore mods? I'd love to get a good skimmer, but I don't understand how to get that and the LR both into chamber 2. Where would the Blue filter floss go, and would you just take out the LR, put in the skimmer, and cram the LR back in around it? What about the drip plate?
I'm sure my answers are all in this forum, but I'm having trouble assimilating all the pieces of information here and there.

You guys are great, and It thank you very much!

 

[mojo46825]

I havent seen any for the bc 29. I have one as well. The only other ones go in chamber 2.
I have a question though. I have been going to college for about 8 years now as a automation major(eet) and mechanical engineer. And from my learnings cutting the plastic between the chamber 1 and 2 doesnt increase flow. your pump only pushes put so many gph. Ctting this doesnt change that. Cutting it will lower the tank level slightly. If you go with a larger pump you may want to cut this section. I just think it is silly thinking you gain flow by cutting this out. If this was a closed loop having a wider oepning or larger pipe would be less restrictive. But being it is not. I cant see how this helps. Sorry if I rambled on in your thread. Just wanted to point this out.
By the way. I have tried the CPR sr3 skimmer and didnt really care for it. I have tried the biocube skimmer and well I got the same results as you. It was ok. I took it out. I guess I am used to the skimming power of some of the bigger skimmers out there. Good luck.

 

[cbjt3905]

Thank you... that is a very good point about widening the opening between chambers 1 and 2. I expect the pump does push the same amount of water, as you say, regardless of how large that opening is. Hmmmm... more fodder for thought.

 

[perfectdark]

Unless you place the skimmer in a part of the tank that isnt affected by evaporation you are always going to deal with issues of regulating the flow in your skimmer. Auto top off systems, or in a sump perhaps. As far as the biocube is concerned with out major changes or $$ I dont think its an easy fix. Although I am not an expert on skimmers I maybe way off. But I have the Oceanic skimmer, aside from topping off my tank daily which affects its performance minimally, IMO it works well.

 

[joe-l]

I have a BC29 with a Tunze doc 9002 skimmer in chamber 2, check my thread for more info on it if you want. I also heard Sapphire makes a quality skimmer that fits but I had trouble locating a retailer, I think their no longer in business.. I did a lot of research on skimmers for the BC29 and the Tunze seemed to be the favorite.

 

[cbjt3905]

Beautiful BC, Joe-L! You've got a real knack for it, and you've been really successful in growing such a great RT.
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Okay- I came up with a plan/ experiment?

With a BC29 I am not 100% sure whether my bio-load is enough to warrant a skimmer, but from what I have read, the majority of reefkeepers consider it a must-have. My plan is to remove the air-driven Oceanic skimmer from chamber one and put aside. I had removed the false-floor in chamber 1, so I'll take the some of the LR rubble out of chamber 2 and fill the bottom of 1. I will then replace the vented false floor, reinsert the stock filter pad frame only, and put my heater and the rest of the LR rubble into chamber 1. That should leave a nice 3/4" space between the filter pad frame and the wall between chambers 1 & 2 into which I can cut and insert a perfectly-sized piece of blue filter floss.
A lot of research hs indicated the CPR-SR3 is a very good skimmer and a perfect fit for chamber 2 on the BC29 without having to do any mods. Blue sponge betw 2 & 3 will come out, and a bag of chemipure will go between 2 & 3. I need to take some pics to post, because I really want to grow my reef tank and plan for having an increased bioload. My water parameters are all good, although for some reason my calcium and Kh run a little high, and my ph seems to always hang from 7.8 to 8.0. I've seen a some really beautiful, healthy BC's posted here, and I really appreciate that since it provides great inspiration. Thanks for that! Any thoughts?

 

[spanko]

Not sure about how your plan will work but here are a couple of thoughts.
First, why add more rock to the back chamber(s)? The amount is so minimal that it really does nothing (IMO) to increase bio filtration, and is just another sprot for detritus to accumulate that you cannot easily get to for cleaning.
Mojo, IMO and IME the amount of water the pump pushes is a constant no matter what just like you stated. The problem come on the input side, not enough water gets to the chamber the pump is in without the wall cut down some. This in turn starves the pump and you get the cavitation and resultant air bubbles. I have a rio 6hf replacing the stock pump and when I installed it could not keep the water level up enough to get the pump to work without cavitation. When I widened the slot took care of the problem.
CBJT just for a point of reference here is what my bc29 has:
Chamber #1 false floor removed, oceanic skimmer in place. I too like this skimmer for the most part.
Chamber #2 a modified drip shelve with a pc. of phosphate removing pad and a pc. of carbon impregnated pad on it. This has eliminated the water fall noise. under that a bag of Purigen and Chemipure Elite. A ball of Chaeto. A 100w Stealth. A clip on Azoo palm light over the Chaeto.
Chamber #3 the Rio 6hf pump and the float valves and hose for the ATO.
I am not running the standard hood, I have a 150w Sunpod light and a fabricated pond screen top.
Here is a link to my tank with some pics of the back chambers and top if you would like to take a look.
Just trying to give you some more input and options here. Not saying my plan is better than your, some some more to think about.
Post some pics of your tank so everyone can see!

https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/305547/and-in-the-beginning

 

[joe-l]

Originally Posted by cbjt3905
http:///forum/post/2615095
Beautiful BC, Joe-L! You've got a real knack for it, and you've been really successful in growing such a great RT.
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Thanks! Post some pics when your tanks up and running