My 55 gallon adventure

asp762

asp762

Member
I am strongly considering adding a HOB overflow box and sump to my system. Clearly pre-drilled is a better option; however, I will make due with a HOB.
Since I am currently running a single Fluval 305 for filtration, would it be necessary to keep it running if I have a sump as well? From my understanding the mechanical filtration system will host good bacteria, and if I remove it, the tank can crash. What would be the best method of removing the Fluval 305 without causing the tank to crash? Note: I do have about 35-40 lbs of Live Rock, so I am not sure if it would still be an issue. I rather be safe than heartbroken.
Equipment I wish to add in the future:
ATO
Sump 20 gallons (DIY project)
HOB overflow box
 
tonysearsjr

tonysearsjr

Member
if it were mine id keep the 305 on and use as closed loop and plug it in to seperate circit as other pumps and if anything causes breaker to trip youll still have movment...just a thought
 
rlablan

rlablan

Active Member
The corals all look good.
Seems like things are doing fine in there. Which is good.
Micro bubbles happen. My very nice setup with a $300 deltec skimmer makes bubbles sometimes. It sucks but I can't really do a lot about it... it happens. Atleast it's working and pulling stuff from the water :)
Hopefully someone else will chime in for you, because I am not the best about knowing everything. I only know what I know from trial and error through my own tanks, or people here (that I trust) telling me good advice.
Have you changed the lighting schedule or are you keeping it at 12 hours?
Also- when it comes to the HOB overflow... I have heard that they stand up to their name quite well and overflow IF they are not setup right? Just make sure you get some opinions on here and doing research on your own and make sure it is properly set up. I don't see a lot of HOB stuff around but I know that LFSs have tried to sell it to me before. I ran a reef off of a fluval 405 for a while. It was a 48 gal. Worked well. Good filter.
 
asp762

asp762

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by rlablan http:///t/392546/my-55-gallon-adventure/20#post_3487458
The corals all look good.
Seems like things are doing fine in there. Which is good.
Micro bubbles happen. My very nice setup with a $300 deltec skimmer makes bubbles sometimes. It sucks but I can't really do a lot about it... it happens. Atleast it's working and pulling stuff from the water :)
Hopefully someone else will chime in for you, because I am not the best about knowing everything. I only know what I know from trial and error through my own tanks, or people here (that I trust) telling me good advice.
Have you changed the lighting schedule or are you keeping it at 12 hours?
Also- when it comes to the HOB overflow... I have heard that they stand up to their name quite well and overflow IF they are not setup right? Just make sure you get some opinions on here and doing research on your own and make sure it is properly set up. I don't see a lot of HOB stuff around but I know that LFSs have tried to sell it to me before. I ran a reef off of a fluval 405 for a while. It was a 48 gal. Worked well. Good filter.

My lighting schedule has changed.
Thanks for the good info!
 
asp762

asp762

Member
Update:
I went to Vegas for three days. I had someone care for the fish while I was away; however, there was a power outage for a few hours. Since the power outage, I have had a massive outbreak of diatoms in my tank. I am quite stunned at how fast this all transpired. According to those watching the fish, the diatoms came soon after the power outage.
 
rlablan

rlablan

Active Member
Well, a new tank will almost always go through a diatom stage. I am not a chemistry people so I can't tell you why, but when I got my first tanks, every LFS and most people here told me that this would occur. When I knew it was coming around, I didn't freak out about it.
When was the last water change you did? If it's been more than two weeks, do a small water change and check all of your params, just to be sure. (this is what I would do, btw.) Are all the fish alive and accounted for? If something died, do a little bigger water change. If nothing died, I would do a 10% (you have a real small bioload.) If anything is missing/or if you just want to, I would do 20/25%. It will help even the chemistry in the tank.
Do you know what caused the power outage? If this happens often, you'll need to prepare. You have a small tank, So if you live in an area where this happens more than 1 or two times a year, Purchase a battery back up. They can be bought at ANY computer store. Get whatever holds the most charge for the most time and whatever is the biggest bang for the buck. Looking online will help you find a good deal (probably). I would not buy a used one, as the battery loses it's capacity over time, fairly quickly. It's not worth it. If you do this, plug it in two one outlet near the tank, and then plug in only 1 power head. Your tank is small enough that 1 larger power head will be enough to keep enough flow for 4 or 5 hours. If you plug in anything else, the back up will deplete very fast. You don't need light or a skimmer or filter. The tank can go without it. The fish just need flow and surface agitation for gas exchange and comfort.
Now... Do you have a clean up crew? Snails, hermits... etc. If not, I would pick up some turbo snails. They will rid the tank of diatoms pretty quick. I wouldn't go nuts, because there is not a ton in your tank. If you buy too many, they will starve after the bloom is down. I would buy 2 to 4. You can get a couple of hermits or something if you feel you need. Some people don't like hermits. I personally keep just 3 or 4... but tons of different types of snails. For you, I would say just the turbos for now.
 
asp762

asp762

Member
Hey rlablan!

I just found out the power was out due to workers in the neighborhood doing repairs. Nothing has died and everything is still thriving.
I did a water test when I got home and everything is just fine.
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrites 0 ppm
Nitrates approx 10/mg/L
PH 8.0
Specific Gravity: 1.024
I am doing a 20% water change tomorrow. Mixing the water today.
I have about 20 small hermit crabs and two ginormous turbo snails. They have been busy as hell.
My last water change was less than two weeks ago. I did a 25% water change.
I am looking at setting up an emergency generator in the event of future power outages.
ALMOST forgot... I worked on the protein skimmer and found the sweet spot. It is pulling crap out of the water now, so I'm happy with it.
 
rlablan

rlablan

Active Member
Sounds good... Glad everything is doing well and everything survived the power outage. :)
Keep us up on what is going on with this guy.
Will you be getting some other coral and live stock?
 
asp762

asp762

Member
Next on the list will probably be a purple firefish.
For a time I was seriously considering a fuzzy dwarf lionfish; however, my research has shown that they can have quite an appetite.
I guess I am still undecided on that one.
 
rlablan

rlablan

Active Member
Very nice! I believe I have one of those on the way too. I hope mine likes to hang out as much as yours does.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
I hope you have your tank covered or Red hot chilli pepper may go carpet surfing. I love the name!
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I think it's funny how I have seen more people on here with "snake related names" aka Asp.

by the way, I do like the name of your fish. :D
 
asp762

asp762

Member
Hahaha thanks everyone. I have fiberglass mesh serving as a tank cover. I don't think he can squeeze through those holes.

Today I am working on cleaning the canister filter as it escaped my memory as I was doing a water change last weekend. DOH!
 
rlablan

rlablan

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by asp762 http:///t/392546/my-55-gallon-adventure/20#post_3488832
Hahaha thanks everyone. I have fiberglass mesh serving as a tank cover. I don't think he can squeeze through those holes.

Today I am working on cleaning the canister filter as it escaped my memory as I was doing a water change last weekend. DOH!
I forget what type of filter you have but I ran a 405 fluval on a 45 gal and cleaning the filter and dumping the water out of it served as my water change. That way, I never forgot :) I only changed/cleaned half of the filter media at a time.
 
asp762

asp762

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by rlablan http:///t/392546/my-55-gallon-adventure/20#post_3488836
I forget what type of filter you have but I ran a 405 fluval on a 45 gal and cleaning the filter and dumping the water out of it served as my water change. That way, I never forgot :) I only changed/cleaned half of the filter media at a time.
I have a 305 running right now. Once the impeller is fixed on the 405, I will run that by transferring the filter media over to that filter.
I just dumped out the water inside and rinsed the sponges with tank water. I left the other media alone for now. The carbon bags look old, so I need to replace them soon. It's OK to replace all the carbon bags at once and nothing else from my understanding.
 
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