Surface skimmer to Protein Skimmers

Discussion in 'Protein Skimmers' started by Otty, Nov 22, 2006.

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  1. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

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    Location:
    Elizabethtown, IN
    I just started a salt water aquarium and I am using my Fluval 305 as a filter and surface skimmer off my pick up tube. Will this be enough to keep a reef alive or will I have to purchase a protein skimmer. Everything that goes down the surface skimmer goes through the canister and media before it put back in the tank.
    I am starting to see life off my LR and I just put 2 Peppermint shrimp in to help the tank cycle. It has been running 4 weeks with a Clown (Nemo to my daughter) for 1 1/2 weeks.
    The Fluval was already running a brackish tank for about 3 years when I started taking out the rock and driftwood for live sand and rock. The same media is still in the container at this time.:-/
     
    Otty, Nov 22, 2006
    Otty, Nov 22, 2006
    #1

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  2. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

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    Is this a bad subject??????:worried:
     
    Otty, Nov 24, 2006
    Otty, Nov 24, 2006
    #2
  3. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

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    After some intense reading on the subject I ordered a Remora Aqua C.
     
    Otty, Nov 24, 2006
    Otty, Nov 24, 2006
    #3
  4. Pisces23

    Pisces23 Sea Dragon

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    What size tank do you have Otty? How are your water parameters this far into the cycle?
    I have a Remora and think that it does an excellent job skimming. It's also super easy to use for a new reefer. A tad loud and can create more microbubbles than you'd like at first, but an important piece of equipment all the same.
    Good luck!
     
    Pisces23, Nov 24, 2006
    Pisces23, Nov 24, 2006
    #4
  5. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

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    It is a 55 gal. Hope it is not too loud becuase it is near the family room and I would hate to turn the TV up any louder then I already have to because of the kids...lol;D
    MY ammonia is 0 and all other things I test for are in the safe area. I see feather dusters aleady.
     
    Otty, Nov 24, 2006
    Otty, Nov 24, 2006
    #5
  6. Malachi

    Malachi Sea Dragon

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    you will like the Remora, its idiot proof. made for people just like me!
     
    Malachi, Nov 24, 2006
    Malachi, Nov 24, 2006
    #6

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  7. sssnake

    sssnake Montipora Digitata

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    Ammonia and nitrite should be zero and your nitrates should be as close to zero as possible to consider that the tank has cycled. If you have any reading at all for nitrite then you are still in the cycling process.

    Besides your ammonia what are your actual readings for the rest?
     
    sssnake, Nov 24, 2006
    sssnake, Nov 24, 2006
    #7
  8. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

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    Red Sea Test Kit

    Here they are as of 10:09 EST 11-24-06
    PH 8.2
    Ammonia NH3/NH4 0
    Nitrite NO2 I think .1 Hard to get the color correct
    Nitrate 0
    Ackalinity upper part of normal

    I have a Red Sea test kit and it came with a Marine Success Buff bottle??? :-/ What is that for???:confused:
     
    Otty, Nov 24, 2006
    Otty, Nov 24, 2006
    #8