58 gallon build

Well, I got my 58 gallon build started. I was able to find a sweet deal on craigslist. Anyway, I got everything hooked up and running but since this is the first build I've ever done, I've got a couple questions

1) Chiller - I need a chiller because the temp is around 84. It's already getting in the 90s outside and will soon be in the 100s. I think a 1/10 HP chiller should work, but I want to make sure. Also, JBJ is running a deal that comes with a pump. I didn't realize that the chiller needed a separate pump, is that correct? And I have heard not too put the chiller in the cabinet under that tank because it is counter-productive. Is it really bad to do this? I really don't want to have to put it where it is visible.

2) Filter - I have a wet/dry filter. After I got everything hooked up i noticed that the filter is louder than I think it should be. It kind of sounds like it splashing from the input hose to the filter. I put a foam filter at the top where the water comes in but that doesn't seem to help much. I am wondering if maybe air is trapped in the input hose and maybe it's not getting a steady stream of water? Does that happen?

3) Skimmer - I have the skimmer hooked up and the pump is pushing water through it but I don't see any bubbles forming in the top canister. How can I tell if my skimmer is working correctly?

Thanks for the help

Wayne

 

congrats on the new purchase bulldogniner

chiller = 1/10 HP does not sound right to me for a 58 - Im using a 1/4 HP on my 70
dont put the chiller in the cabinet - the heat molecules it removes from water will build up and ruin the good work its doing - locate the chiller as far away from the tank as you can is better
seperate pump is sensible IMO - if you do loop it in on your return then of that pump fails you get a double whammy negative = water standing still and getting warmer thus losing oxygen content , Id rather have my chiller independant for that reason

noise in wet/ dry - sorry cant offer any comment there

skimmers can take a few days to break in, oils and residue from manufacturing process can make it difficult for a foam to build up

Steve

 

Thanks steve. I went ahead and ordered a 1/6 HP chiller and I'll put it outside my cabinet. I currently have a mag 7 pump as my main return pump but I if I'm going to have to get a new one for the chiller I might just get a mag 9.5 and swap the two...make the 9.5 the return pump and the 7 going to the chiller. Would that make sense? Would the 9.5 be too much for the 58 gallon on the return?

bulldog

 

bulldog

check out the pump rating in GPH or LPH for the chiller - there will be a min and a max

I always aim for about the middle - so if its says 1500 - 2500 - aim for 2000 ish ( you cant always get a pump exactly)

if the flow is to slow through the chiller the thing can overheat and it shortens its life span
if the flow is to quick it does not have enough time to remove heat molecules so your wasting power and energy= cost increases

Steve

 

Thanks.

I am waiting to get my chiller tomorrow. I went with the 1/6 hp since my room can get a little warm in the summer. My current water temp is about 83 with the lights off and can get to 86 with them on, so I don't run them more than about 4 hours a day now. I have corals in there from the pervious owner, so I am trying to do my best to keep them alive.

I also got a water test yesterday and everything looked good except my phosphates...through the roof at 1. I put some phosphate remover in a bag in the sump yesterday that I'll remove today. I hope I can throw a fish or two in next week and want to get a couple more inverts for my cleanup crew. Right now I have 1 large snail and about 20 very very small ones(babies i guess). I want to get a couple emerald crabs and maybe a brittle star.

Since I kept about half the water from the original owner I am hoping my tank doesn't need to cycle for long. The live rock looks great now with mostly purple algae with a little green mixed in. I have had about 4 aiptasias that i am using a solution on to kill. Overall, I am happy with the setup.