New equipment needed...but what first?

jarice1978

jarice1978

Member
Hello everyone!
I have a 55 gallon tank that has been up and running for over a year now.
Here is the setup:
Filtration and water movement:
Emperor 400 power filter
maxi jet power head (900)
off brand power head (not sure - but really low GPH)
Lights:
48'' CoralLife with 4 65 watt Power Compact bulbs
Stock:
40lbs Live Rock
Maroon Clown
LemonPeel Angel
Lawnmower Blenny
2 Green Chromis
2 Chalk Basslets
Royal Gramma
Brittle Star
12 Astrea Snails
1 Mexican Turbo Snail
2 emerald crabs
5 red-legged hermits
4 camelback shrimp
Params:
amonia = 0
nitrites = 0
Ph = 8.2-8.3
nitrates = 10-20
My questions are:
I am trying to decide what equipment to get next. I would eventually like to add inverts to the tank
I can only afford to get either a protein skimmer OR a RO/DI unit.
Which one would be more benificial?
I am thinking the protein skimmer(it would probably reduce the level of nitrates). I was thinking the Backpack...(I forget what it is called!). Where is a good place to buy one of these for a decent price? Please email me at
jarice1978@yahoo.com
with suggestions about where I can purchase this.
If you think I need a RO/DI unit first, which one and where can I get it? I do not need a high output, but I would like something that gives me pristine water quality.
Also,
Since I purchased the new lights, the algae has gotten out of control! I have to scrape the glass about every 4 days because it completly covers it! Is this because of the lights or because of the water?
Thanks in advance for your help. Let me know if you have any questions:
Adam
 
khilgers

khilgers

Member
I would get a skimmer first before the RO unit. I bought a Prizm skimmer from my LFS for around $120, but I'm sure you can find them cheaper online. IMO the skimmer is more important than the RO unit, you can always go up to the grocery store to get RO water and it's cheaper for now. I would definately get one in the future once your budget can afford it. As for the algae problem, how long are your lights running. I have been battling an algae problem and I think I am winning. I cut my lights down to about 8 hours a day and I will soon be getting some phosphate pads to run in my filter. I'm still a newbie so take this adive lightly. This is just what I've learned so far.
 
steveoutla

steveoutla

Member
Ditto - You can always pay $5 a week for RODI water from the local supermarket. I never knew just how much muck was in my tank until I got my skimmer. I would advise you not to skimp on the skimmer though. I've found that with this hobby you truly get what you pay for!
 
jarice1978

jarice1978

Member
Thanks for the info.
I had been running my lights for 12 hours a day but switched to about 8 hrs a week ago. Hopefully I will start seeing some results.
The skimmer I had read about on here was the CPR Backpack hang-on. Some people on the board have recomended it. I have seen it priced $130 - $150. I would really like to get one for $100 or less. anyone have any ideas?
Adam
 
steveoutla

steveoutla

Member
I would recommend the Aqua C Remora. As hang on skimmers go it is one of the best. DO NOT skimp on the skimmer. If you skimp now you're going to pay more later.
 
jarice1978

jarice1978

Member
Thanks for the info!
Does anyone else have any thoughts on what skimmer to buy?
Comments on
CPR Backpack?
Aqua C Remora?
Red Sea?
Euro-Reef?
Reef Concepts?
Tunze?
A.E. Technology?
LifeReef?
Anyone know about these?
Where can I get a good price on them? email me with any websites at jarice1978@yahoo.com.
Thanks
Joe
 
jarice1978

jarice1978

Member
Anyone?
What about the two hang on skimmers sold on this site?
Prizm?
Via?
The Via deluxe says it comes with a UV sterilizer and it is only $119. That's good right?
 
jarice1978

jarice1978

Member
Okay I got one!
I ordered and recieved the AquaC Remora. It seems to be working great. It has been running for about 4 days and already pulling a lot of scum outa the tank.
Few complaints though:
1. Being my first skimmer, I did not know a whole lot about them and how to set up. The directions that came with the skimmer were crap!
2. The Rio 800 pump that came with connects to the skimmer but seems to be too big to fit inbetween the input nozzle and the tank itself. The suction cups seem to be placed on the wrong side of the pump.
Other than that, it seems to be working well.
I currently have a emperor 400 mechanical filter also running in the 55 gallon. Is this necessary anymore?
Adam
 
thegrog

thegrog

Active Member

Originally posted by jarice1978
Okay I got one!
I ordered and recieved the AquaC Remora. It seems to be working great. It has been running for about 4 days and already pulling a lot of scum outa the tank.
Few complaints though:
1. Being my first skimmer, I did not know a whole lot about them and how to set up. The directions that came with the skimmer were crap!
2. The Rio 800 pump that came with connects to the skimmer but seems to be too big to fit inbetween the input nozzle and the tank itself. The suction cups seem to be placed on the wrong side of the pump.
Other than that, it seems to be working well.
I currently have a emperor 400 mechanical filter also running in the 55 gallon. Is this necessary anymore?
Adam
1. You must not have gotten the full set of instructions as mine were fine. Strange. Anyway, set the skimmer up so it is perpindicular to the floor (level upright). Use the little knobs on the bottom to adjust it. Then set up the cup height so that you are getting dark skimmate....about a cup every 2-3 days. Clean the cup with clean water in your sink twice a week. A clean uptake tube (part of the cup assembly) will help the skimmer perform.
2. The rio pumps are not the greatest. Some time in the future, think of getting a MaxiJet 1200 pump. More reliable and better performing. As far as the suction cups go, don't bother with them. Let the skimmer hang on the tank and the pump to hang free.....no need to attach it to the tank. Arrange the pump location to fit in your tank.
A suggestion that I have to further improve your skimmer performance is to add a surface skimmer to it. I tried the overflow box and think it is big, bulky, ugly and does not work very good. Fluval makes one (like $10 on ----....search "surface skimmer"). Buy a peice of black, flexible pond hose (or clear) at your local hardware store to hook it to the pump as the one they supply is too short to work for this application. This will get the surface scum out and allow for more oxygen exchange in the process. I use one on my reef tank and it works great!
Hope this helps!
Good luck
 
jarice1978

jarice1978

Member
Thanks for the info. I will look into the surface skimmer.
Also,
Do I need to keep running my emperor 400 filter? Can I take it off?
Adam
 
thangbom

thangbom

Active Member
well i say get the ro/di first.. y u ask?? well.. they way i see it. is that good water quality is a must for a reef tank.. yes a skimmer will help but if your water is bad to begin with.. then u have nothing... not only that but u can do without a skimmer for a little while.. all u have to do is do a lil more maintence thats all.. so a 10% water change very 2 weeks and 1 30% waterchange at the end of the month... ... if u do a maintenece like that no one will need a skimmer imo... but yes it is more work... but hey it's up to u..aww crap hehe .. i dint read all ^^^^ and that u already got a skimmer.. he he n/m then....good chioce on skimmer tho.:)
 
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