i am starting over just need some advice
- Thread starter bricsr
- Start date
spanko
Active Member
Right here:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/301033/101-tips-to-beginning-and-maintaining-a-saltwater-aquarium
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/160830/beginners-12-step-program
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/264597/a-list-of-extremely-helpful-threads-for-all-hobbyists
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/301033/101-tips-to-beginning-and-maintaining-a-saltwater-aquarium
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/160830/beginners-12-step-program
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/264597/a-list-of-extremely-helpful-threads-for-all-hobbyists
flower
Well-Known Member
Proper equipment.
Most fish only tanks do not have lights strong enough for coral. Unless you go with low light coral and there are plenty of those to choose from. They are very colorful, some, like chili coral and gorgonian's are a little more difficult to keep...however mushrooms of all types and color are very hardy.
The live rock, filter, skimmer and power heads used for fish only are the same for coral...MAYBE better power heads, depending on what you had before.
bricsr
Member
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3169668
Proper equipment.
Most fish only tanks do not have lights strong enough for coral. Unless you go with low light coral and there are plenty of those to choose from. They are very colorful, some, like chili coral and gorgonian's are a little more difficult to keep...however mushrooms of all types and color are very hardy.
The live rock, filter, skimmer and power heads used for fish only are the same for coral...MAYBE better power heads, depending on what you had before.
thanks that was some great and uesful stuff
twood
Member
Originally Posted by bricsr http:///forum/post/3169698
now i have cc, should i change it to live sand? I also have a wet/dry filter can i use the main part were the bio/balls go, change that into a refugium? and use some of the live rock and cc for that. If so what other stuff do i put in the refugium.should i do all of this first?
I did this. I got the idea from Meowzer and her thread here: https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/349709/my-new-refugium
I would not use crushed coral in either you tank or refugium. It traps detritus and imo, does not look natural. Live sand will work better. In my wet/dry, I pretty much did the same thing Meowzer did. I removed the bio balls and added some acrylic panels to make baffles. I put live sand and live rock along with chaetomorpha maco algae in the fuge section. I installed a compact fluorescent light above the fuge that I run 24 hrs a day.
now i have cc, should i change it to live sand? I also have a wet/dry filter can i use the main part were the bio/balls go, change that into a refugium? and use some of the live rock and cc for that. If so what other stuff do i put in the refugium.should i do all of this first?
I did this. I got the idea from Meowzer and her thread here: https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/349709/my-new-refugium
I would not use crushed coral in either you tank or refugium. It traps detritus and imo, does not look natural. Live sand will work better. In my wet/dry, I pretty much did the same thing Meowzer did. I removed the bio balls and added some acrylic panels to make baffles. I put live sand and live rock along with chaetomorpha maco algae in the fuge section. I installed a compact fluorescent light above the fuge that I run 24 hrs a day.
bricsr
Member
Originally Posted by twood http:///forum/post/3169711
I did this. I got the idea from Meowzer and her thread here: https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/349709/my-new-refugium
I would not use crushed coral in either you tank or refugium. It traps detritus and imo, does not look natural. Live sand will work better. In my wet/dry, I pretty much did the same thing Meowzer did. I removed the bio balls and added some acrylic panels to make baffles. I put live sand and live rock along with chaetomorpha maco algae in the fuge section. I installed a compact fluorescent light above the fuge that I run 24 hrs a day.
thank you so much. i have alot of work to do. now what does the baffles do? will my pump get clogged up?
I did this. I got the idea from Meowzer and her thread here: https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/349709/my-new-refugium
I would not use crushed coral in either you tank or refugium. It traps detritus and imo, does not look natural. Live sand will work better. In my wet/dry, I pretty much did the same thing Meowzer did. I removed the bio balls and added some acrylic panels to make baffles. I put live sand and live rock along with chaetomorpha maco algae in the fuge section. I installed a compact fluorescent light above the fuge that I run 24 hrs a day.
thank you so much. i have alot of work to do. now what does the baffles do? will my pump get clogged up?
rlablan
Active Member
Baffles break up the flow allowing for micro bubbles to dissipate before reaching the pump. Also, they prevent things from getting into your pump, like chaeto and micro bubbles.
I also use some of my baffle for filtering and I place sheets of filter media there to catch small debris. I only have to change it when it is dirty and since I have a pre filter, that is only like every few months.
Baffles also separate the compartments in the sump like if you have shrimp or crabs living in your fuge, it'll prevent them from being were they aren't supposed to be. The snails won't stay though... lol I have to move mine around.
I also use some of my baffle for filtering and I place sheets of filter media there to catch small debris. I only have to change it when it is dirty and since I have a pre filter, that is only like every few months.
Baffles also separate the compartments in the sump like if you have shrimp or crabs living in your fuge, it'll prevent them from being were they aren't supposed to be. The snails won't stay though... lol I have to move mine around.
bricsr
Member
Originally Posted by rlablan
http:///forum/post/3169729
Baffles break up the flow allowing for micro bubbles to dissipate before reaching the pump. Also, they prevent things from getting into your pump, like chaeto and micro bubbles.
I also use some of my baffle for filtering and I place sheets of filter media there to catch small debris. I only have to change it when it is dirty and since I have a pre filter, that is only like every few months.
Baffles also separate the compartments in the sump like if you have shrimp or crabs living in your fuge, it'll prevent them from being were they aren't supposed to be. The snails won't stay though... lol I have to move mine around.
im sorry im new
but what does the baffles and chaetos look like? thanks
http:///forum/post/3169729
Baffles break up the flow allowing for micro bubbles to dissipate before reaching the pump. Also, they prevent things from getting into your pump, like chaeto and micro bubbles.
I also use some of my baffle for filtering and I place sheets of filter media there to catch small debris. I only have to change it when it is dirty and since I have a pre filter, that is only like every few months.
Baffles also separate the compartments in the sump like if you have shrimp or crabs living in your fuge, it'll prevent them from being were they aren't supposed to be. The snails won't stay though... lol I have to move mine around.
im sorry im new
rlablan
Active Member
Baffles are acrylic dividers that are either "welded" (like plastic weld) or siliconed into place. There is generally more than 1 in a sump or sump/fuge combo. I am not the expert, so I am sure that henry or someone can give you the fancy pants science explanation but to put it bluntly... they divide. lol
the chaeto, to me, looks like those plastic kitchen scrubbies... they are like big balls of plastic spaghetti... The chaeto even feels kinda like them too. It's seems like it is made from rubber or plastic but it's algae alright.
here is SWF.com's pic of chaeto-
the chaeto, to me, looks like those plastic kitchen scrubbies... they are like big balls of plastic spaghetti... The chaeto even feels kinda like them too. It's seems like it is made from rubber or plastic but it's algae alright.
here is SWF.com's pic of chaeto-
bricsr
Member
Originally Posted by rlablan http:///forum/post/3169741
Baffles are acrylic dividers that are either "welded" (like plastic weld) or siliconed into place. There is generally more than 1 in a sump or sump/fuge combo. I am not the expert, so I am sure that henry or someone can give you the fancy pants science explanation but to put it bluntly... they divide. lol
the chaeto, to me, looks like those plastic kitchen scrubbies... they are like big balls of plastic spaghetti... The chaeto even feels kinda like them too. It's seems like it is made from rubber or plastic but it's algae alright.
here is SWF.com's pic of chaeto-
thank you so much
now what other live stock can i put in there
Baffles are acrylic dividers that are either "welded" (like plastic weld) or siliconed into place. There is generally more than 1 in a sump or sump/fuge combo. I am not the expert, so I am sure that henry or someone can give you the fancy pants science explanation but to put it bluntly... they divide. lol
the chaeto, to me, looks like those plastic kitchen scrubbies... they are like big balls of plastic spaghetti... The chaeto even feels kinda like them too. It's seems like it is made from rubber or plastic but it's algae alright.
here is SWF.com's pic of chaeto-
thank you so much
twood
Member
You can add some turbo or astrea snails to eat the algae that will grow on the walls. If you put sand in there, you could also add some nassarius and/or cerith snails to clean the sand bed.
I would also get a protein skimmer if you don't already have one. My wet/dry filter has a skimmer built in, which is why I chose to convert it to a sump/refugium.
I would also get a protein skimmer if you don't already have one. My wet/dry filter has a skimmer built in, which is why I chose to convert it to a sump/refugium.
rlablan
Active Member
I have a pencil urchin living in mine, and 2 peppermint shrimp. I also have like 2 hermits and maybe just 2 or so snails. The peppermints will probably move but I don't know...
The urchin is there because he developed a taste for leathers and he won't leave them alone. for an animal who doesn't have eyes, he sure knows how to spot those leathers....
The urchin is there because he developed a taste for leathers and he won't leave them alone. for an animal who doesn't have eyes, he sure knows how to spot those leathers....
bricsr
Member
Originally Posted by twood
http:///forum/post/3169768
You can add some turbo or astrea snails to eat the algae that will grow on the walls. If you put sand in there, you could also add some nassarius and/or cerith snails to clean the sand bed.
I would also get a protein skimmer if you don't already have one. My wet/dry filter has a skimmer built in, which is why I chose to convert it to a sump/refugium.
Well I have a berlin air lift skimmer. Is that good and should I put it in there too
http:///forum/post/3169768
You can add some turbo or astrea snails to eat the algae that will grow on the walls. If you put sand in there, you could also add some nassarius and/or cerith snails to clean the sand bed.
I would also get a protein skimmer if you don't already have one. My wet/dry filter has a skimmer built in, which is why I chose to convert it to a sump/refugium.
Well I have a berlin air lift skimmer. Is that good and should I put it in there too
twood
Member
Originally Posted by bricsr http:///forum/post/3169817
Well I have a berlin air lift skimmer. Is that good and should I put it in there too
To be honest, I am not qualified to answer this. Based on my limited knowledge of skimmers, I would say its probably not one of the better ones. However, it is better than nothing, so I would put it in until you can upgrade. Reef Octopus and AquaC skimmers are supposed to be very good.
While it is true a skimmer is not required, most people that keep reef tanks use them. They help to remove dissolved organic waste and oils from the water. Of course water changes do that as well. Doing both certainly won't hurt.
Here is a good article on protein skimming:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/proteinfiltersetups/ss/proteinskimmer1.htm
Originally Posted by bricsr http:///forum/post/3169817
Should I take out the filter pads? I took out the bio balls
Its up to you. If you stay on top of keeping the pads clean, then leave them in. You will probably need to clean/replace them every 3-4 days. Once a week at minimum. If you don't, organic waste and other detritus will start to accumulate and decay in the filter pad. This decay releases nitrates into the water which will promote algae growth and hinder the growth of corals.
Well I have a berlin air lift skimmer. Is that good and should I put it in there too
To be honest, I am not qualified to answer this. Based on my limited knowledge of skimmers, I would say its probably not one of the better ones. However, it is better than nothing, so I would put it in until you can upgrade. Reef Octopus and AquaC skimmers are supposed to be very good.
While it is true a skimmer is not required, most people that keep reef tanks use them. They help to remove dissolved organic waste and oils from the water. Of course water changes do that as well. Doing both certainly won't hurt.
Here is a good article on protein skimming:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/proteinfiltersetups/ss/proteinskimmer1.htm
Originally Posted by bricsr http:///forum/post/3169817
Should I take out the filter pads? I took out the bio balls
Its up to you. If you stay on top of keeping the pads clean, then leave them in. You will probably need to clean/replace them every 3-4 days. Once a week at minimum. If you don't, organic waste and other detritus will start to accumulate and decay in the filter pad. This decay releases nitrates into the water which will promote algae growth and hinder the growth of corals.