pics of my newly setup tank

[quote author=MacnReef link=board=General;num=1103061994;start=0#3 date=12/16/04 at 11:56:00]You have to understand that CPR got a bad rep because most of us used them before the pumps...So the damage was done.

I see a problem with your system.  The inlet of the mag drive 18 is way to constricted.  If you are going to make an elbow on the inlet, they you need to make sure the plumbing is one size bigger and reduce at the pump.  Also, you use to many hose barbs.  Those put a lot of restriction on pumps.  I would think you have a ton of micro bubbles in the tank.  Do you?  If not it would truly amaze me.  Does the mag 18 run through anything else besides the main returns?  Seems like those overflows would be struggling if it was running wide open...although all of those hose barbs are probably reducing the flow by a lot.

Besides that, its a good start.

Oh yeah, almost forgot...lose the berlin skimmer those are just as bad as cpr overflows without the pump.

Mike[/quote]

I too have used a Berlin skimmer and liked it just fine. While the Excaliber is my favorite skimmer by far, I'd use the Berlin again if I had to.

 

[quote author=birdlady link=board=General;num=1103061994;start=0#8 date=12/16/04 at 20:11:04]
If water quality is excellent, why change?  I can use that money for other items on my tank. ;D

There is another fella here that uses this skimmer also on a heavily loaded tank...here...
http://www.3reef.com/cgi-bin/album.pl?album=da_colts
with the same skimmer with excellent results also.
[/quote]

Wow that tank is stocked.........with algae! The tank does have some nice corals but most people are going to notice the algae before brown and white corals. I am serious though, if you have only tried CC skimmers and venturi, get a EuroReef or a becket skimmer they will change the way you think. But you see how you had to modify the berlin to get it to skim? That is what I am talking about...

Mike

 

Modify? I needed a pump....it cost me $50. The skimmers you refer to cost about $500, right?

People are always modifying things to make them more efficient. Lights, pumps systems, skimmers, reactors, etc. It is part of the fun in this hobby...."how can I trick this out a little better"...it's like a car ;D

And by the way, the ocean is full of algae. Does God need a better skimmer?

 

Haha!  That is so funny, the ocean is full of algae huh?  Last time I went diving I don't remember seeing problem algaes anywhere.  Actually there is a perfect balance in the ocean...so no, God doesn't need a bigger skimmer.  I studied Oceanography in college so please, make sure you know a little about it before you come to me...lol

Mike

 

[quote author=MacnReef link=board=General;num=1103061994;start=0#13 date=12/17/04 at 06:14:04]I studied Oceanography in college so please, make sure you know a little about it before you come to me...lol

Mike[/quote]
Wow...that's not too condescending of a statement.

 

Sorry that was probably taken a little out of context.

Mike

 

There is nuisance algaes all over jettis at the beach, and macroalgaes throughout the ocean is there not? The balance is there that is true. Herbivorous animals devour algae and keep it in check do they not? Macro Algaes process nutrients and help keep the water nutrient deficient.

Did you graduate from college? I did.

Its a shame, just when I thought you were being more of a normal , conversational type person here. Oh well.

 

Too bad the study of Oceanography doesnt include Reef tank cycling because this is a new tank right? New tank algae grows its part of the cycle. while you have a pretty sweet setup you must also have a large wallet, not all reefers do and the berlin setup properly works well. Productive advice is great, attacking something someone does is foolish. This board and most others are filled with people who do a little different here and there. I didnt study Oceanography but have had huge success with multiple setups so I do know a little here so my advice to you is play nice and have fun, nobody has the final answer for the tiny oceans we create.

 

Right On Phil! [smiley=2thumbsup.gif]

 

[quote author=Phil5613 link=board=General;num=1103061994;start=15#17 date=12/17/04 at 21:05:42]New tank algae grows its part of the cycle. while you have a pretty sweet setup you must also have a large wallet, not all reefers do and the berlin setup properly works well. [/quote]

Hey Phil...I have never talked to you before...how is life? You seem to be a very nice guy, everyone on this board is VERY nice! And I am not be a sarcastic ass at all, promise. Well algae is not always part of the cycle. I have yet to have a lick of algae in my tank! Zero, ziltch, nada. I used all new water and all base rock. Nothing from my 90 was carried over except fish and corals. But I don't have a big wallet, I can assure you of that...I just paced my self in buying stuff before I began to set it up.

Oceanography doesn't go over the exact process in a reef tank, your right. However, it does go over the natural cycle and how the ecosystem works as a whole. I am no expert, I can assure you of that...I have my flaws, as seen on this thread. But in my defense, I have a true passion for this hobby (my wife will vouch for that). And I truely care about what we remove from the ocean and what we kill. I see a lot of mistakes that reefers make, hell I made them when I first started. All of the mods on here are exactly right, I have been out of line! I have been a member of this forum for a long time, actually I joined a few days after Karlas but I left and returned every once in a while and for some reason. I always attack when I come back here. I am an idiot. 3reef has an amazing staff that truely keeps this board free of asses like myself. I wanted to be a member of the 3reef family but that never happened. I guess what I am trying to say is, I'm sorry!

Mike