Switching over to BB?

[bobwhy]

I know ideally its best to pull the rock and cook it for a while- or have already cured/cooked rock ready to switch out for this- but....

If I just remove the sand and regularly blow the detritus off the rocks with a powerhead and siphon water through a filter sock daily/weekly etc. will I be okay???


I have 120 gallon in wall setup with a 40 gallon sump.. The sump is currently three chambers.. large fuge, center return area and the last area is for the skimmer.

If I make the switch would it be okay to use the fuge area for just LR (no light) ? I was thinking of adding a pump in that area to provide circulation?

What would be a good skimmer for my size tank? Running g3 right now and it works fine with the current setup.

Im currently using a mag 7 for return and 2 koralia 4s and a seio 800 for circulation. I do have another seio 1100 id like to add ( cant right now cause im about to stir up a sandstorm as it is.) I have a new 9.5 –maybe use that for return instead of the mag7?

On a side note- seio 1100 shaft broke- anyone using Stainless steel or carbon fiber instead?

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fly Guy]

You can totally just remove the sand as you are thinking to start you BB tank. Its of course ideal to cook the rock before starting, but the same can be said for a tank with sand. The bb will just make it easier to clean.

I wouldnt use the fuge area for anything. Just let it be a settling area with nothing in it so any detritus that accumulates there can easily be vacuumed out at water change time. If you put rock in there it will just make it harder to clean, will collect more crap that will rot, and you shouldnt need that extra rock for biological filtration anyway.

The G3 will suffice, just as it has on your current tank, but you could do a lot better regardless of your substrate choice.

Assuming you are just using the return pump for just the return, and not powering any canister filters or chillers with it as well, there is no reason to change to a larger pump. No reason to send any more water by your skimmer than it can process.

hth

[bobwhy]

so what skimmer is the best in the 500-600 range????

i have someone bugging to buy the asm

[bobwhy]

my rock is fully cured- has been in my system for about a year- i did cook it for a few weeks when i was moving/setting up the new tank although i do get some matter that comes off when i blast it with the power head
thanks!

[medicdiver]

I agree that the ASM will be fine. I am currently cooking my rock (redoing my 120 to BB) and I was looking to get a g4. I also agree that cooking your rock would greatly benefit you into going to BB. If you simply shift your old rock into a BB tank, you'll have to have a lot of bottom flow to keep that crud from building up on the bottom. IMO I look to what skimmer I am going to use, then choose the return rated the same as the skimmer. That way you get the most water skimmed, with little water getting bypassed. Good luck

[Fly Guy]

I actuall think its more important to cook your rock in a tank that you intend on getting much longevity out of a sandbed with than a BB system, as in a bb system it CAN be easily removed and you want that good flow across the floor of the tank anyway just for normal operation.....

If you have $5-600 to spend, and looking for a in sump skimmer I would seriously look into getting a Bubblemaster 200 for your tank and go ahead and sell the g-3. You will be much happier than limping along with the ASM.

jmo

[bobwhy]

ati bm 250 or euroreef rs 250?

what about UV? I have a 18w coralife unit that i got for free (so dont laugh- and it was brand new
but id like to get something much bigger/better

TIA!