Ready to do it right!

i have to agree with you. you dont want to much lighting. all you need is 3 - 5 watts per gallon.

 

Watts per gallon is only useful when talking about the same type of light and even then leave much to be desired since it it only a expression of the electricity produced and not the light produced.

 

Yes, I am using the silencer. I added about 10 inches of tubing that seems to help a little.


The pump is about as shallow as I can get it. Maybe about 3 inches from the surface to the top of the pump.


See what I mean about the pump being BIG. (at least in a 30gal) :

How does the skimmate look? Should it be thicker?

 

Did that valve on the output of the pump come with the skimmer or did you add that? Your tank looks nice. The pump is big but it is more capabile than the pump your going to find on other small skimmer. It will produce way more bubbles than a maxi-jet or Rio RVT will. Besides when it is in your sump it won't matter.

 

Skimate looks okay how high are you running the water in the skimmer?

 

The valve came with it. Do they not all come with the valve?

The water level is about 1/4 inch above the bottom of the cup.

 

My 125 didn't come with that valve. If you can run the pump any more shallow it will draw more air. If it draws more air it will skimm better and you can run the water level lower to reduced the chance of an overflow. Can you take a pic of the body of the skimmer.

 

I will when I get home.

 

Is there a certain angle you are looking for?

 

Looks like it is doing pretty good.