questions for the experts

[skiper gre]

I have posted a thread asking about my skimmer that quit working. I just noticed a lot of the brown stuff (Diatoms) is gone from the sand bed and the water is not as clear as before. The skimmer is now overflowing and filling the collection chamber with water in less than a minute. I think all of these Diatoms may be the cause. There is not any measurable ammonia in the water. The new drain sock I installed yesterday is already brown. I was advised by the (EXPERTS) on this board the Diatoms would go away. Sure enough it is going away, all at the same time (I think) clouding my water and causing my skimmer to operate incorrectly. What do you think???? And what should I do???? Today while I am out I am going to pick up some carbon bags from the LFS to put over the intake in the sump, please (experts) give me your advice on this. I will check in when I get home before adding the carbon.

 

[skiper gre]

Bang, what do you think?

 

[dholmblad]

I know with my skimmer there are these little nobs that control how much water is released from the skimmer down the release tubes. Is there anything like that on yours?

 

[nm reef]

May just need to be adjusted...on my euroreef there is a riser tube that adjusts the height of the bubbles....is there any adjustment on that skimmer? What brand skimmer is it?

 

[skiper gre]

it is an AcuaC EV 180 there is a valve on the drain, it is all the way open, the air valve dosn't seem to help ether. it had been functioning well the last week. I am kinda of thinking it ir related to what ever is making the water cloudy, maby the ditom stuff?

 

[nm reef]

Try closing the valve on the drain side and see if that helps any.:thinking:

 

[skiper gre]

the water level goes up inside of the skimmer and the skimmer stops making bubbles all togher.

 

[ophiura]

Originally posted by theDude
i stand corrected...... but i still think its a dumb idea

I think it a great idea if collected from offshore. I would gladly use only natural ocean water - mother nature has worked out a balance far better than synthetic salt manufacturers. I wouldn't take it from a marina, but if I could get a few miles off shore regularly? Would definitely do it.

 

[smarls]

Ophiura,
As usual, I agree with your opinion. My post above should be edited to state the following:
"If there is noteable deisel fuel on the surface of the oceean water, go home, and mix up some salt!"

Stewart

 

[thedude]

I think it a great idea if collected from offshore. I would gladly use only natural ocean water - mother nature has worked out a balance far better than synthetic salt manufacturers. I wouldn't take it from a marina, but if I could get a few miles off shore regularly? Would definitely do it.
ok ok ok, im still eating my words....i didnt know they took it from catalina and brought it all the way back...I just had a funny mental image of some store owner down at the Santa Monica pier with a bunch of 5 gallon buckets floating in the water. plus...all the LFS owners around here are really sketchy (at least the ones I know), and I really wouldnt be surprised to see that

 

[stuckinfla]

70gl tank, bilge pump, a batery, and some hose. I filled my 180 in 3 trips. I also have a 55 thats all ocean water. Water changes are done this way also. 55 has hair alge prob (before I stated using OW) but corals flourish!!! There mostly in the 180 now, and they are still luvin it. If you can get it IMO use it.

 

[skiper gre]

?stuck, how deep do you take the water in from. the pick up for my washdown in about 2 foot under surface? what do you do if any thing to filter the water?

 

[stuckinfla]

Skipper - Im going to hear it now.
I go to the inlet one hour before the end of high tide. Back up the van, and start pumping. I lower the pump approx 1.5'. I do nothing to "filter" the water. Actually the first time I went to do it, there was a van in the spot with "Living Reef" on the side. I came to find out all our local stores do it the same way. Im just cutting out the middle man. The only thing I noticed I picked up was one little pod.

 

[skiper gre]

cool deal stuck why not. how long have you been doing this?

 

[ophiura]

Hey Stuck - if it works for you and your animals, which would be the first to show the trouble - then don't take no lip about it. I agree with Smarls advice, which I think is pretty sound

 

[tuningvis]

i use real ocean water for water changes

 

[stuckinfla]

Skiper - I switch the 55 changes about 4 months ago. The 180 I set up 1 wk before thanks giving. After about a week, I started adding corals and only one fish from my 55 (cardinal - was getting picked on). This is just from the ocean water, base rock, aprox 3-5lbs live rock(added 15 more a week ago) and 2 cups of sand from the 55. If I had a cycle, I didnt even notice. Although I do not recommend everyone run out and do this, it worked for me.