Tanuki's First Saltwater Tank (Lots of learning to be done)

[tanuki]

^I guess that it flooded enough yesterday that I probably got my first 10 gallon water change done too.
So here is how I am thinking about this. If the water level in the tank is too high, it rushes into the overflow box, then drains down to the sump. If the water rushes into the sump, than the sump floods before the pump can get it all out. I left the tank level lower so that the water drains down slower. I wish the overflow box could just be adjusted to fill up in the box a little more before dropping down.
I also wanted to be careful so if I have a power outage I don't end up with a swamp in my lounge.

 

[tanuki]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Siptang http:///forum/thread/386132/tanuki-s-first-saltwater-tank-lots-of-learning-to-be-done/20#post_3390576
looks very good! looks from your picture, you replaced your tv with your tank lol.
I figured that this was the best 3D tv on the market. Even comes with smellovision!

 

[siptang]

smellovision don't like too much lol. I have smelled vodka dosed tank before and I liked it! lol.

 

[tanuki]

I was having a hard time hooking up my skimmer (Probably too big, but I am going to run it anyway). The skimmer wouldn't fit in my tiny little sump, so I got creative on how to add on to my already running sump. I measured out the openings and dimensions of my tank stand and determined that nothing bigger would fit in there. So I bought a 41 quart tupperware storage container from walmart. I went with this because I knew it could bend and fit into the stand (barely). I was able to bend it just enough to slide it in through the front door, and in between the side supports. With a little work I got it under the sump. Once it was under the sump, I got my drill out, tipped the sump back to keep the acrylic from getting into the water, and drilled holes on the end of the sump to let the water fill up the tuperware addition. I then placed the skimmer and power head in the new section and plugged it all in. I also drilled holes in the return lines just below the water line to stop the water from siphoning when the pump stopped. I think I finally have this thing set up the correct way.
Next I will look into improved lighting and a UV Sterilizer.

 

[btldreef]

Whatever works....

 

[jerth6932]

lol blue leds huh? Interesting spin.
It helps to be creative in this hobby and it sounds like you are! I hope your tempoary fix work for you!

 

[tanuki]

YeAh my brother was throwing them out maybe a year ago and asked if I wanted them. I figured one day I'd think of something to do with them. This seems appropriate haha.

 

[tanuki]

Found a 48" T5 Fixture with LED Moonlighting for $120 locally. Should I jump on this?

 

[luvmyreef]

How many bulbs does this fixture hold? And do you know the brand of this fixture? I used to have a 75g and I used the nova extreme pro 6 bulb fixture with ati bulbs and it was great. Kept an anemone, sps, etc.

 

[tanuki]

I did leave him a message last night asking about the number of bulbs though, so I should know soon. Not sure on the brand. He offered me the entire 75g tank with sump, skimmer, overflow, stand, and lighting for $250, but I am not ready for MTS yet.

 

[tanuki]

^why can't I see that post? I have had this problem a couple of times.

 

[spanko]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tanuki http:///forum/thread/386132/tanuki-s-first-saltwater-tank-lots-of-learning-to-be-done/40#post_3390948
^why can't I see that post? I have had this problem a couple of times.
Do you have a picture in that post too? That has happened to me also. Remove the picture and I bet the words show up.

 

[tanuki]

Quote:
Originally Posted by spanko http:///forum/thread/386132/tanuki-s-first-saltwater-tank-lots-of-learning-to-be-done/40#post_3390949
Do you have a picture in that post too? That has happened to me also. Remove the picture and I bet the words show up.
hmmm picture related indeed.

 

[luvmyreef]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tanuki http:///forum/thread/386132/tanuki-s-first-saltwater-tank-lots-of-learning-to-be-done/40#post_3390947
I did leave him a message last night asking about the number of bulbs though, so I should know soon. Not sure on the brand. He offered me the entire 75g tank with sump, skimmer, overflow, stand, and lighting for $250, but I am not ready for MTS yet.
Well, if it is a 6 bulb fixture, I would consider it. But, it would really depend upon the brand. Some are nicer than others, even with less bulbs.

 

[tanuki]

So he confirmed that it is a 4 bulb fixture and will verify the brand tonight.

 

[tangs rule]

In regards to the sump pump moving water out of the sume too fast, how about a PVC ball valve in the return line to throttle down the flow? - That's what I do to all mine

 

[spanko]

Or a Tee on the return line with a ball valve so that you can divert some of the water back to the sump or refugium.

 

[tanuki]

^I played with all the overflow/sump/return lines for a couple of hours last night and think they are well balanced now.
My skimmer doesn't seem to be skimming. It pumps up the first chamber full of water, and the water comes out the side with the sponge, but nothing is making it to the top chamber where the waste goes. Is the tank just not dirty enough to produce protein to skim?
Also how soon should i be thinking about tank cleaners? Will I be developing some nasty stuff if I don't maintain it from the beginning?

 

[tanuki]

^By that I meant snails and hermits, not filters.

 

[tangs rule]

Are you getting lots of bubbles and what level do you have the bubble level set at? and yes - clean water will not skim, cause there's nothing there to pull out.