saltcrazy
New Member
:happyfish Hi all! I'm not really new to salt water (used to have a 20 gallon show about 15 years ago), but I was not having terrific success then with the methods I was using (basically just LR and CC and 1 shrimp, and a dwarf lionfish. Now I'm trying to get back in the picture and wow has everything changed. For starters I have a 55 gallon, red prizm skimmer, emperor 400 biowheel filter, and 2 maxijet power heads, and CC. I also have been using RO/DI for awhile. It seems now that CC is bad and can trap unwanted wastes? But doesn't the DSB also trap wastes? Ok so the CC is going going gone to be replaced with argonite sand (by the way-my salt books say stay clear of play sand) has anyone had long term success with it IE yardright I think is one. I'm in the process of building my stand/canopy so any help would be appreciated!!! Ok so my plan is to build the stand/canopy buy metal halide and vho combo unit with 3-4" fans on both side of the canopy (can I buy the fans from Radio Shack or does the wiring differ for water?) Now, after this I will purchase lots of LR according to what my books say I need. Now for the part that keeps stumping me- what type of filtration. I've read that I can get away with a canister filter if I keep cleaning 2x/week. I have 2 small kids and this keeps me running so what is this refugium setup and is this more or less maintenance than a canister? I would like to purchase a uv sterilizer in the future so where does this go if I have a canister filter? My tank is not drilled-can I make a refugium without drilling? Lastly is there a great book offering detailed setup help for refugiums? :help: