My SWC 160 Protein Skimmer IS NOT WORKING
- Thread starter al&burke
- Start date
2quills
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3414611
Has anyone been running LEDs on their scrubbers?
Yes, there have been a few paving the way with leds on scrubbers. Remind me tonight and I'll link you to a good thread over on the scrubber site. Warm white, high reds and blue seems to be the winning combination. But I think the same could be achieved with neutral whites and reds. JMO I'll need to try it out to be sure.
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3414611
Has anyone been running LEDs on their scrubbers?
Yes, there have been a few paving the way with leds on scrubbers. Remind me tonight and I'll link you to a good thread over on the scrubber site. Warm white, high reds and blue seems to be the winning combination. But I think the same could be achieved with neutral whites and reds. JMO I'll need to try it out to be sure.
al&burke
Active Member
Hey Corey those are pretty cheap - considering we have to change them every three months, I am going to have to buy some on line - thanks for the link, I thought that 6500K was better for growing algae?
LED would be sweet - I hate how much room the reflectors on the CFL's take up.
LED would be sweet - I hate how much room the reflectors on the CFL's take up.
2quills
Well-Known Member
No problem Al. 6500k works. But folks are saying that warm white 2700k-3000k works better. Much heavier in the red spectrum = better plant growth. In fact I've seen quite a few folks now just running strait grow light bulbs. I'd like to do leds simply for the fact of not having to worry about changing bulbs every few months. Build cost might be a little more money up front, but a lot less hassle and money saved down the road. Plus if you go with a dimmable driver you have the ability to fine tune the output if you need a little more or little less light. Interestingly enough there are folks trying to pin down specific spectrums for using LED's. Some evidence seems to show that certain types of algae does better under certain areas of the spectrum. And the warm whites seem to do best for growing the bright green hair algae which is now the choice algae to have growing on your screen over turf algae.
From the scrubber site....
Q: What's the best wattage/power bulb to use?
A: Generally, up to 45 watt CFL bulbs. The more powerful the light, the faster your nitrate, phosphate, and nuisance algae will be reduced, and the lower they will stay. The bare minimum for any setup is a 23W CFL Floodlight, 2700K or 3000K. A maximum might be a 45 watt bulb, but it’s better to have multiple smaller bulbs in order to reach your recommended total wattage. The ultimate are T5HO bulbs, which spread the light out so that the most light-power can be placed near the algae, without "burning" it in one spot like a CFL.
Q: I have some extra lights that I was using for my display; can I use those?
A: Only if they are 6500K or less. 10K is problematic. 14K and 20K will not work at all. And the power on each bulb still needs to be at least 23W, on each side of the screen.
Q: What's the best bulb color/spectrum?
A: The best would seem to be the "plant grow" spectrum. These bulbs looks "pink", and don't seem bright at all. But 2700K and 3000K seem to grow even better. No special testing has been done for this, however.
Q: How long should I leave the lights on?-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; " />
A: 18 hours. Never run the lights 24/7, because the algae will "burn" and stop growing near the light. Algae needs rest. Amazingly, algae does most of it’s filtering in the dark; it just grows bigger in the light.
Q: I see many times that people try a certain bulb, and then they are told it's not the right one. What bulbs should I not use?
A: Don't use incandescent, blue or green "plant lights", desk lamps, reading lights, heat lamps, halogens, black lights, colored lights, actinics, bug lights, or fog lights. Do use CFL floodlights or T5HO bulbs, in 2700K, 3000K, or "grow" (pink) spectrums.
From the scrubber site....
Q: What's the best wattage/power bulb to use?
A: Generally, up to 45 watt CFL bulbs. The more powerful the light, the faster your nitrate, phosphate, and nuisance algae will be reduced, and the lower they will stay. The bare minimum for any setup is a 23W CFL Floodlight, 2700K or 3000K. A maximum might be a 45 watt bulb, but it’s better to have multiple smaller bulbs in order to reach your recommended total wattage. The ultimate are T5HO bulbs, which spread the light out so that the most light-power can be placed near the algae, without "burning" it in one spot like a CFL.
Q: I have some extra lights that I was using for my display; can I use those?
A: Only if they are 6500K or less. 10K is problematic. 14K and 20K will not work at all. And the power on each bulb still needs to be at least 23W, on each side of the screen.
Q: What's the best bulb color/spectrum?
A: The best would seem to be the "plant grow" spectrum. These bulbs looks "pink", and don't seem bright at all. But 2700K and 3000K seem to grow even better. No special testing has been done for this, however.
Q: How long should I leave the lights on?-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; " />
A: 18 hours. Never run the lights 24/7, because the algae will "burn" and stop growing near the light. Algae needs rest. Amazingly, algae does most of it’s filtering in the dark; it just grows bigger in the light.
Q: I see many times that people try a certain bulb, and then they are told it's not the right one. What bulbs should I not use?
A: Don't use incandescent, blue or green "plant lights", desk lamps, reading lights, heat lamps, halogens, black lights, colored lights, actinics, bug lights, or fog lights. Do use CFL floodlights or T5HO bulbs, in 2700K, 3000K, or "grow" (pink) spectrums.
acrylic51
Active Member
Guys still on the fence.....Try to help me understand......
I believe the ATS has good potential, but the "stuff" stating no water changes needed, just doesn't sit well, and not a believer in that.....Then I hear conflicting info that you can run both at the same time.....Just you won't get the massive;mad growth you'd get just ATS alone.....I believe both can work in conjunction with each other, and again the biggest issue is I keep seeing is people touting ATS as a "cure all"?????
2quills
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3415129
Guys still on the fence.....Try to help me understand......
I believe the ATS has good potential, but the "stuff" stating no water changes needed, just doesn't sit well, and not a believer in that.....Then I hear conflicting info that you can run both at the same time.....Just you won't get the massive;mad growth you'd get just ATS alone.....I believe both can work in conjunction with each other, and again the biggest issue is I keep seeing is people touting ATS as a "cure all"?????
Shawn water changes are nothing more than something that people do to reduce nutrients in the system and or a way to replenish elements in a reef. If you don't want to do water changes then you don't have to but you will have to dose and test for elements. Other than that what other reason is there for regular water changes?
A scrubber isn't a cure all it's just a really effective way of reducing nitrates and phosphates. Skimmers don't remove those things, they remove organics/doc's/fertilizer/coral food before they break down into the nutrients. When you have an effective scrubber than you don't need to worry about those organics breaking down because they will be readily removed once they get to that point. That's it, that's all there is to it.
If you run a softies tank then you need to scrub a little less since they like a little bit of nitrate and phosphates. If you're going lps/sps dominant that you'll want to build your scrubber for high filtering capabilities so that you can feed heavy since those types of corals like high food and low nutrient waters.
Take a look at this guys tank. It's been skimmer less for the last 2 years. Nice lps/sps tank. http://algaescrubber.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=197
Or check out Floyds tank. It's not sps dominant but it's a nice reef. Again, a scrubber only tank. Check out this growth that he pulls out of his 120g every 7 days...
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3415129
Guys still on the fence.....Try to help me understand......
Shawn water changes are nothing more than something that people do to reduce nutrients in the system and or a way to replenish elements in a reef. If you don't want to do water changes then you don't have to but you will have to dose and test for elements. Other than that what other reason is there for regular water changes?
A scrubber isn't a cure all it's just a really effective way of reducing nitrates and phosphates. Skimmers don't remove those things, they remove organics/doc's/fertilizer/coral food before they break down into the nutrients. When you have an effective scrubber than you don't need to worry about those organics breaking down because they will be readily removed once they get to that point. That's it, that's all there is to it.
If you run a softies tank then you need to scrub a little less since they like a little bit of nitrate and phosphates. If you're going lps/sps dominant that you'll want to build your scrubber for high filtering capabilities so that you can feed heavy since those types of corals like high food and low nutrient waters.
Take a look at this guys tank. It's been skimmer less for the last 2 years. Nice lps/sps tank. http://algaescrubber.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=197
Or check out Floyds tank. It's not sps dominant but it's a nice reef. Again, a scrubber only tank. Check out this growth that he pulls out of his 120g every 7 days...
acrylic51
Active Member
I was over reading again on the scrubber "basics" thread......I know you'll always have nay sayers regardless of what you try or attempt. I'm seriously considering employing a scrubber on the new system. If I do it will be a similar setup/design such as Floyd's. I understand the theory/concept of what water changes are for....but seriously; realistically, we can't test for all elements; minor or major trace elements that are to be present or should be present. So in my mind again water changes are still a "vital" part of a well balance system.
I fully understand the concept/aspect of skimmers stripping the necessary elements that the corals can utilize and thrive. Sounds fantastic in a nutshell, but not whole heartily sold on just relying on 1 primary means of filtration. Where does redundancy come into play????? Even with a basic system we utilize redundancy. Be it a skimmer, carbon, GFO reactors....Ozone, filter socks, fuges; again we have a backup in the event something does become an issue; hopefully to "buy" as a bit of breathing room to realize something is a miss!!!!!
I fully understand the concept/aspect of skimmers stripping the necessary elements that the corals can utilize and thrive. Sounds fantastic in a nutshell, but not whole heartily sold on just relying on 1 primary means of filtration. Where does redundancy come into play????? Even with a basic system we utilize redundancy. Be it a skimmer, carbon, GFO reactors....Ozone, filter socks, fuges; again we have a backup in the event something does become an issue; hopefully to "buy" as a bit of breathing room to realize something is a miss!!!!!
al&burke
Active Member
I look at it as a natural way off cleaning our tanks. It is like the swamps and wetlands of the world, what do they do (besides breed mosquitos). I don't think it can hurt.
On a side note I bought a few things so I can switch my AS to a 4 - 23 watt bulb system - of course I am going to draw it up first. Does anyone think there is a problem with aluminum reflectors?
On a side note I bought a few things so I can switch my AS to a 4 - 23 watt bulb system - of course I am going to draw it up first. Does anyone think there is a problem with aluminum reflectors?
2quills
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3415178
I look at it as a natural way off cleaning our tanks. It is like the swamps and wetlands of the world, what do they do (besides breed mosquitos). I don't think it can hurt.
On a side note I bought a few things so I can switch my AS to a 4 - 23 watt bulb system - of course I am going to draw it up first. Does anyone think there is a problem with aluminum reflectors?
Shouldn't be a problem Al. Reflectors are recommended anyway. I was kicking around just buying some aluminum sheeting and polishing it myself. Interested to see what you come up with.
Shawn: Not saying you would have to give up your back ups. Just sayin that there are some nice reef tanks out there being done just fine with out them. I wouldn't give up water changes completely either. And I'd still like to pick up a skimmer myself, regardless.
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3415178
I look at it as a natural way off cleaning our tanks. It is like the swamps and wetlands of the world, what do they do (besides breed mosquitos). I don't think it can hurt.
On a side note I bought a few things so I can switch my AS to a 4 - 23 watt bulb system - of course I am going to draw it up first. Does anyone think there is a problem with aluminum reflectors?
Shouldn't be a problem Al. Reflectors are recommended anyway. I was kicking around just buying some aluminum sheeting and polishing it myself. Interested to see what you come up with.
Shawn: Not saying you would have to give up your back ups. Just sayin that there are some nice reef tanks out there being done just fine with out them. I wouldn't give up water changes completely either. And I'd still like to pick up a skimmer myself, regardless.
al&burke
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3415205
Shouldn't be a problem Al. Reflectors are recommended anyway. I was kicking around just buying some aluminum sheeting and polishing it myself. Interested to see what you come up with.
Funny you should say that - I was at HD - I remember you saying something about polished aluminum, I bought some aluminum capping - comes in sheets rolled up - I am going to bend it to make a reflector I bought these lamp holders that are waterproof - going to make a plexi box that these lampholders go in and make my own reflector - 2 bulbs per side, HD had 23 watt soft white bulbs on sale. I will post my drawing and the light bulb holder. The only reason I am making my own reflector is to get two bulbs per side and I dont have a lot of room in my sump. I will post a picture soon.
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3415205
Shouldn't be a problem Al. Reflectors are recommended anyway. I was kicking around just buying some aluminum sheeting and polishing it myself. Interested to see what you come up with.
Funny you should say that - I was at HD - I remember you saying something about polished aluminum, I bought some aluminum capping - comes in sheets rolled up - I am going to bend it to make a reflector I bought these lamp holders that are waterproof - going to make a plexi box that these lampholders go in and make my own reflector - 2 bulbs per side, HD had 23 watt soft white bulbs on sale. I will post my drawing and the light bulb holder. The only reason I am making my own reflector is to get two bulbs per side and I dont have a lot of room in my sump. I will post a picture soon.
2quills
Well-Known Member
Sounds cool. That was actually pretty much the same idea I had. To make a couple of acrylic boxes and mount two sockets in each box for two bulbs and then just doing like a basic parabolic shaped reflector.
Shawn, was thinking about what you said about measuring elements and such in water. I think really the only things missing are your basics, calcium, mag, strontium etc. Vitamine wise, you should be covered. Thought you might want to see this...
Although almost no aquarist knows this (athough every marine biologist does), algae produces all the vitamins and amino acids in the ocean that corals need to grow. Yes these are the same vitamins and amino acids that reefers buy and dose to their tanks. How do you think the vitamins and amino acids got in the ocean in the first place? Algae also produces a carbon source to feed the nitrate-and-phosphate-reducing bacteria (in addition to the algae consuming nitrate and phosphate itself). Yes this is the same carbon that many aquarists buy and add to their tanks. In particular, algae produce:
Vitamins:
Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Vitamin B6
Beta Carotene
Riboflavin
Thiamine
Biotin
Ascorbate (breaks chloramines into chlorine+ammonia)
N5-Methyltetrahydrofolate
Other tetrahydrofolate polyglutamates
Oxidized folate monoglutamatespadding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; " />
Nicotinate
Pantothenate
Amino Acids:
Alanine
Aspartic acid
Leucine
Valine
Tyrosine
Phenylalanine
Methionine
Aspartate
Glutamate
Serine
Proline
Carbohydrates (sugars):
Galactosemargin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; " />
Glucose
Maltose
Xylose
Misc:
Glycolic Acid
Citric Acid (breaks chloramines into chlorine+ammonia)
Nucleic Acid derivatives
Polypeptides
Proteins
Enzymes
Lipids
Studies:
Production of Vitamin B-12, Thiamin, and Biotin by Phytoplankton. Journal of Phycology, Dec 1970:
-8817.1970.tb02406.x/abstract" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(16, 82, 137); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 138, 210); ">http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1 ... x/abstract
Secretion Of Vitamins and Amino Acids Into The Environment By Ochromanas Danica. Journal of Phycology, Sept 1971 (Phycology is the study of algae):
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1 ... x/abstract
Qualitative Assay of Dissolved Amino Acids and Sugars Excreted by Chlamydomanas Reinhardtii (chlorophyceae) and Euglena Gracilis (Euglenophyceae), Jounrnal of Phycology, Dec 1978:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1 ... x/abstract
Shawn, was thinking about what you said about measuring elements and such in water. I think really the only things missing are your basics, calcium, mag, strontium etc. Vitamine wise, you should be covered. Thought you might want to see this...
Although almost no aquarist knows this (athough every marine biologist does), algae produces all the vitamins and amino acids in the ocean that corals need to grow. Yes these are the same vitamins and amino acids that reefers buy and dose to their tanks. How do you think the vitamins and amino acids got in the ocean in the first place? Algae also produces a carbon source to feed the nitrate-and-phosphate-reducing bacteria (in addition to the algae consuming nitrate and phosphate itself). Yes this is the same carbon that many aquarists buy and add to their tanks. In particular, algae produce:
Vitamins:
Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Vitamin B6
Beta Carotene
Riboflavin
Thiamine
Biotin
Ascorbate (breaks chloramines into chlorine+ammonia)
N5-Methyltetrahydrofolate
Other tetrahydrofolate polyglutamates
Oxidized folate monoglutamatespadding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; " />
Nicotinate
Pantothenate
Amino Acids:
Alanine
Aspartic acid
Leucine
Valine
Tyrosine
Phenylalanine
Methionine
Aspartate
Glutamate
Serine
Proline
Carbohydrates (sugars):
Galactosemargin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; " />
Glucose
Maltose
Xylose
Misc:
Glycolic Acid
Citric Acid (breaks chloramines into chlorine+ammonia)
Nucleic Acid derivatives
Polypeptides
Proteins
Enzymes
Lipids
Studies:
Production of Vitamin B-12, Thiamin, and Biotin by Phytoplankton. Journal of Phycology, Dec 1970:
-8817.1970.tb02406.x/abstract" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(16, 82, 137); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 138, 210); ">http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1 ... x/abstract
Secretion Of Vitamins and Amino Acids Into The Environment By Ochromanas Danica. Journal of Phycology, Sept 1971 (Phycology is the study of algae):
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1 ... x/abstract
Qualitative Assay of Dissolved Amino Acids and Sugars Excreted by Chlamydomanas Reinhardtii (chlorophyceae) and Euglena Gracilis (Euglenophyceae), Jounrnal of Phycology, Dec 1978:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1 ... x/abstract
al&burke
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3415231
Sounds cool. That was actually pretty much the same idea I had. To make a couple of acrylic boxes and mount two sockets in each box for two bulbs and then just doing like a basic parabolic shaped reflector.
Here you go Corey let me know what you think - I hope the drawing is clear it is a plan view.
Sockets
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I will be supplementing my little 20g with Kent Essential Elements. It contains Calcium Chloride, Cobalt chloride, Iron EDTA, Lithium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Manganese EDTA, Nickel Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Iodide, Sodium molybdate, Strontium chloride, Zinc EDTA, Copper EDTA, and potassium bromide. I'm questioning the copper in it, but it's probably in such trace amounts that it doesn't hurt anything. Infact, most algaes suck up copper from the water column for export, so I'm not worried about it.
Other things that I'm going to look out for as far as supplements is calcium and alkalinity, which anyone with a reef tank should.
Other things that I'm going to look out for as far as supplements is calcium and alkalinity, which anyone with a reef tank should.
2quills
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3415240
Exactly two bulbs one on top of the other - I am also thinking of putting a 1/8 acrylic splash guard on the light in front of the reflectors, if it wasn't 11pm I would go build this right now. LOL
Well I think it's gonna help a lot. Did I hear you say before that you had a little bit of algae growing in the tank that wasn't wanted?
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3415243
I will be supplementing my little 20g with Kent Essential Elements. It contains Calcium Chloride, Cobalt chloride, Iron EDTA, Lithium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Manganese EDTA, Nickel Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Iodide, Sodium molybdate, Strontium chloride, Zinc EDTA, Copper EDTA, and potassium bromide. I'm questioning the copper in it, but it's probably in such trace amounts that it doesn't hurt anything. Infact, most algaes suck up copper from the water column for export, so I'm not worried about it.
Other things that I'm going to look out for as far as supplements is calcium and alkalinity, which anyone with a reef tank should.
The copper shouldn't be a big deal. Like you said the scrubber will probably pick it up. And besides there is trace amounts of copper and other metals in sea water in small trace amounts anyway. Last I read no one was really sure if corals actually might be utilizing copper in some way shape or form. But ya never know.
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3415240
Exactly two bulbs one on top of the other - I am also thinking of putting a 1/8 acrylic splash guard on the light in front of the reflectors, if it wasn't 11pm I would go build this right now. LOL
Well I think it's gonna help a lot. Did I hear you say before that you had a little bit of algae growing in the tank that wasn't wanted?
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3415243
I will be supplementing my little 20g with Kent Essential Elements. It contains Calcium Chloride, Cobalt chloride, Iron EDTA, Lithium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Manganese EDTA, Nickel Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Iodide, Sodium molybdate, Strontium chloride, Zinc EDTA, Copper EDTA, and potassium bromide. I'm questioning the copper in it, but it's probably in such trace amounts that it doesn't hurt anything. Infact, most algaes suck up copper from the water column for export, so I'm not worried about it.
Other things that I'm going to look out for as far as supplements is calcium and alkalinity, which anyone with a reef tank should.
The copper shouldn't be a big deal. Like you said the scrubber will probably pick it up. And besides there is trace amounts of copper and other metals in sea water in small trace amounts anyway. Last I read no one was really sure if corals actually might be utilizing copper in some way shape or form. But ya never know.
al&burke
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3415245
Well I think it's gonna help a lot. Did I hear you say before that you had a little bit of algae growing in the tank that wasn't wanted?
Yes - I think it might be due to ambient light from windows and doors, yay thats it - ambient light, LOL
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3415245
Well I think it's gonna help a lot. Did I hear you say before that you had a little bit of algae growing in the tank that wasn't wanted?
Yes - I think it might be due to ambient light from windows and doors, yay thats it - ambient light, LOL
acrylic51
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3415178
I look at it as a natural way off cleaning our tanks. It is like the swamps and wetlands of the world, what do they do (besides breed mosquitos). I don't think it can hurt.
On a side note I bought a few things so I can switch my AS to a 4 - 23 watt bulb system - of course I am going to draw it up first. Does anyone think there is a problem with aluminum reflectors?
Some Mothers aluminum polish or another quality aluminum polish and some elbow grease or if your in a rush a buffer will produce a very good finish.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3415205
Shouldn't be a problem Al. Reflectors are recommended anyway. I was kicking around just buying some aluminum sheeting and polishing it myself. Interested to see what you come up with.
Shawn: Not saying you would have to give up your back ups. Just sayin that there are some nice reef tanks out there being done just fine with out them. I wouldn't give up water changes completely either. And I'd still like to pick up a skimmer myself, regardless.
Thanks Corey....I'll have to check out Floyd's tank.....Any tanks SPS dominant?
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3415178
I look at it as a natural way off cleaning our tanks. It is like the swamps and wetlands of the world, what do they do (besides breed mosquitos). I don't think it can hurt.
On a side note I bought a few things so I can switch my AS to a 4 - 23 watt bulb system - of course I am going to draw it up first. Does anyone think there is a problem with aluminum reflectors?
Some Mothers aluminum polish or another quality aluminum polish and some elbow grease or if your in a rush a buffer will produce a very good finish.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/386748/my-swc-160-protein-skimmer-is-not-working/60#post_3415205
Shouldn't be a problem Al. Reflectors are recommended anyway. I was kicking around just buying some aluminum sheeting and polishing it myself. Interested to see what you come up with.
Shawn: Not saying you would have to give up your back ups. Just sayin that there are some nice reef tanks out there being done just fine with out them. I wouldn't give up water changes completely either. And I'd still like to pick up a skimmer myself, regardless.
Thanks Corey....I'll have to check out Floyd's tank.....Any tanks SPS dominant?