Ted
Living one day at a time
is your hang on filter also a skimmer?
New with some questions (photos too)
- Thread starter ltkenbo
- Start date
bobby
I like to do bad things.
No it's not a skimmer, but you didn't mention that either. Does you skimmer work on it. I have read bad things about those fuge/skimmers, and they kinda look like the CPR back pak design which I did have and it got no skimate at all.
ltkenbo
Reefing newb
Ok the only thing I'm wondering is using just live rock and a protein skimmer for the filtration as suggested my most, what is my mechanical filtration like to get non organic particles out of the water?
Ted
Living one day at a time
well i get about a inch of dark brown/greenish skimate every day. Would be nice if it was dryer but havent been able to get it to do that.
Ted
Living one day at a time
skimmer pulls docs the clean up crew eats anything bigger.
ltkenbo
Reefing newb
Ok so I have the tank filled up, powerheads mounted, and one of the lights in place.
Ok so here's the RO / DI unit:
So I used several plumbing fittings to tap into the cold side of the bathroom sink. I then connected another output valve with a barb fitting so I can connect the RO / DI unit whenever I want to use it. I then ran tubing all the way to my bedroom to the RO / DI unit then into the tank and the waste water tube out the window. I think I'm going to build a stand for it so I can move it around (instead of leaning it up against something).
Ok so I went to Wal-mart and got some of those hanging suction cups. I then took the mounting parts apart leaving just the suction cup. I then took a saw to cut off the plastic piece that the original parts mounted to. Then I used my glue gun to glue the suction cup to the back of the powerhead. I did this for each one. It works great.
I also ran tubing to the air inlet valve of each powerhead and then to a T fitting and to a valve so if I want to use the powerheads to airate or send a stream of bubbles I can open the valve and control the ammount of bubbles using the valve.
I cleaned out one of the fluorecents lights (there's two) so it looks pretty good so far.
I also have an idea for the powerheads. I thought that maybe I could get a length of PVC pipe, drill holes down the it and attach it to the inlet of the powerhead that way it would also draw water from farther down in the tank allowing better circulation. Is this a good idea?
Also if you couldn't tell from the hydrometer in the picture I haven't added salt yet. I also have heater but I have to get a new suction cup mount clip for it. Also I have another dilemma, with the hood on and the protein skimmer mounted, whenever the hood door is lifted it pushes against the protein skimmer. What's a good way to fix this?
Ok so here's the RO / DI unit:
So I used several plumbing fittings to tap into the cold side of the bathroom sink. I then connected another output valve with a barb fitting so I can connect the RO / DI unit whenever I want to use it. I then ran tubing all the way to my bedroom to the RO / DI unit then into the tank and the waste water tube out the window. I think I'm going to build a stand for it so I can move it around (instead of leaning it up against something).
Ok so I went to Wal-mart and got some of those hanging suction cups. I then took the mounting parts apart leaving just the suction cup. I then took a saw to cut off the plastic piece that the original parts mounted to. Then I used my glue gun to glue the suction cup to the back of the powerhead. I did this for each one. It works great.
I also ran tubing to the air inlet valve of each powerhead and then to a T fitting and to a valve so if I want to use the powerheads to airate or send a stream of bubbles I can open the valve and control the ammount of bubbles using the valve.
I cleaned out one of the fluorecents lights (there's two) so it looks pretty good so far.
I also have an idea for the powerheads. I thought that maybe I could get a length of PVC pipe, drill holes down the it and attach it to the inlet of the powerhead that way it would also draw water from farther down in the tank allowing better circulation. Is this a good idea?
Also if you couldn't tell from the hydrometer in the picture I haven't added salt yet. I also have heater but I have to get a new suction cup mount clip for it. Also I have another dilemma, with the hood on and the protein skimmer mounted, whenever the hood door is lifted it pushes against the protein skimmer. What's a good way to fix this?
Last edited:
yote
In Memoriam
You've done some good work there.
But dont worry about those air hoses going to your powerheads.Those are not good in saltwater.#1 they'll fill the tank full of micro-bubbles that can get caught in the gills of fish and inverts and kill them.And #2 they'll cause a lot of salt creep which will build up and just look nasty.
Even though running the PVC off the powerheads is a great idea,you'll still need a lot more flow in the bottom of the tank.Once you get the rock in it,you'll probably end up adding a couple more powerheads to keep the flow moving around the rock in the bottom.
Post a pic of the canopy and skimmer together.That'll help us come up with ideas.
But dont worry about those air hoses going to your powerheads.Those are not good in saltwater.#1 they'll fill the tank full of micro-bubbles that can get caught in the gills of fish and inverts and kill them.And #2 they'll cause a lot of salt creep which will build up and just look nasty.
Even though running the PVC off the powerheads is a great idea,you'll still need a lot more flow in the bottom of the tank.Once you get the rock in it,you'll probably end up adding a couple more powerheads to keep the flow moving around the rock in the bottom.
Post a pic of the canopy and skimmer together.That'll help us come up with ideas.
ltkenbo
Reefing newb
So is any device that produces bubbles bad like what about airstones and stuff for aeration?
daugherty
part time reefer
you dont want air bubbles in a salt tank they can kill fish and the little bubbles get stuck to everything
ltkenbo
Reefing newb
Well I am install confused on this issue. See this is a direct quote from my Saltwater Aquariums for dummies book:
"Although most filters provide water circulation and aeration to the aquarium, it is a very good idea to have an external air pump moving air through one or more airstones in the tank. An air pump increases circulation in the tank, promotes oxygen exchange at the surface, and increases the escape of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and free ammonia from the tank. In addition , this increase in circulation acts to mix all the aquarium levels so that a uniform temperature is maintained throughout the tank."
And I really here mixed opinions about this everywhere which kind of makes sense from this: Mything the Point, Part Three: Conclusion - Reefkeeping.com
"Although most filters provide water circulation and aeration to the aquarium, it is a very good idea to have an external air pump moving air through one or more airstones in the tank. An air pump increases circulation in the tank, promotes oxygen exchange at the surface, and increases the escape of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and free ammonia from the tank. In addition , this increase in circulation acts to mix all the aquarium levels so that a uniform temperature is maintained throughout the tank."
And I really here mixed opinions about this everywhere which kind of makes sense from this: Mything the Point, Part Three: Conclusion - Reefkeeping.com
dcantucson
Reef pro
I too have been confused about this issue. I have pumps, battery powered, in case of a power failure. I think the biggest downfall to bubbles is salt creep. It's a mess and will deteriorate your cabinet hood. If you have a sump you will have plenty of oxygen exchange.
bjohanson1234
.........
If you have plenty of circulations in the tank and the power heads rippling the water, you will have planty of oxygen exchange. The bubbles IMO are going to just create salt creep and be more of an annoyance than a problem.
It will be harder to maintain proper salinity and to keep everything looking nice.
Brian
It will be harder to maintain proper salinity and to keep everything looking nice.
Brian
yote
In Memoriam
Like the guys said,bubbles cause salt creep.Which is a pain to clean up.
If you'll get a good ripple going on the surface,it'll do the exact same thing as airstones and air intakes on powerheads,without the bubbles.
If you'll think about it,about all bubbles are doing is causing the water to in the bottom part of the tank to be brought to the surface.Same thing as pointing a powerhead at the surface.Then the ripples cause gas exchange.Plus you've got all the bubbles in the skimmer doing the same thing.
If you'll get a good ripple going on the surface,it'll do the exact same thing as airstones and air intakes on powerheads,without the bubbles.
If you'll think about it,about all bubbles are doing is causing the water to in the bottom part of the tank to be brought to the surface.Same thing as pointing a powerhead at the surface.Then the ripples cause gas exchange.Plus you've got all the bubbles in the skimmer doing the same thing.
ltkenbo
Reefing newb
Well I can see what your saying about the salt creep but I definitely do not agree about the equal gas exchange between current vs. current + bubbles. It's basically an increase in surface area. Instead of air contacting just the surface of the water as the water is turned over, it also permeates the water increasing the rate of gas exchange. Though some might say that the simple rippling of the water provides plenty of gas exchange, I don't think there should be any argument that adding bubbles has an equal gas exchange rate. Honestly I think it can do nothing but help aeration and at least while I have nothing in the tank it will help initially aerate the tank.
Bifferwine
I am a girl
That quote from the book is outdated. That was the state of the hobby about 15 years ago. No one uses airstones anymore.
ltkenbo
Reefing newb
Well it is the 2nd edition copyrighted as of 2007 plus this:
The Importance of Proper Aeration in Saltwater Aquariums - Are Air Stone Bubbles a Sufficient Source?
That's also why I have a valve though so I can control it. If anything all it can do is help, salt creep happens no matter what, you just have to keep it cleaned up.
The Importance of Proper Aeration in Saltwater Aquariums - Are Air Stone Bubbles a Sufficient Source?
That's also why I have a valve though so I can control it. If anything all it can do is help, salt creep happens no matter what, you just have to keep it cleaned up.
Bifferwine
I am a girl
No, air bubbles are harmful to fish and corals, and can make them sick and even kill them. So if anything, it can be very detrimental.
Think about it. Air bubbles are AIR. The oxygen is in the bubbles of air, not in the water. Fish do not use air to get their oxygen. They need dissolved oxygen in the water. Air stones do not dissolve oxygen into the water. The just release oxygen in air bubbles, which rise and pop at the surface. Air stones will do nothing to oxygenate your water and will not help your fish if there is a dissolved oxygen problem in your tank. Because the air stones are not actually dissolving any oxygen into the water.
ltkenbo
Reefing newb
I disagree because if I went by your statement then none of the gas in the room is dissolving at the surface of the water. Yes you are right that not all of the bubbles dissolve because well then they wouldn't be bubbles any more.The solubility of a gas in water is all dependent on pressure, temperature and the gas being dissolved. Do you know how carbonated water is made (yes I know this is CO2 but this isn't just a rule that applies specifically to that gas)? It is bubbled through water... hmm.... Essentially with the surface of the water you could model the entire room as a giant bubble contacting the water as the water moves (like a bubble moving).. Therefore gas exchange.
The only place I have heard of these bubbles being harmful is on forums and people talking on the internet to each other. Never in books, or in articles by experts. If they were so deadly then I would think that people who have had aquariums for 40 years would take the time to write about them. That would also mean that the fish in the ocean would be in big trouble because there is lots of bubbles there too. True you do not want so many bubbles that it displaces all of the water around a fish but that is why I have a regulator allowing me to turn them on and off and control the amount.
The only place I have heard of these bubbles being harmful is on forums and people talking on the internet to each other. Never in books, or in articles by experts. If they were so deadly then I would think that people who have had aquariums for 40 years would take the time to write about them. That would also mean that the fish in the ocean would be in big trouble because there is lots of bubbles there too. True you do not want so many bubbles that it displaces all of the water around a fish but that is why I have a regulator allowing me to turn them on and off and control the amount.
dcantucson
Reef pro
:shock: :fechten2: :shock:
bigfishman
Reefing newb
