Hello

[WDT]TardFarmer · 05-18-2007, 04:23 PM

Hello all, Just thought I would introduce myself. My name is Josh and I am the senior engineer at Coulee Region Solutions in La Crosse. We build, maintain, and fix networks. I am 35 and married to the owner of the Womans shoe store "Kick". I run a gaming clan called Wisconsin Death Trip, we get together and network our p'cs together drink beer and play games together.

I am fairly new to reef keeping, I have wanted to do it for years but never did because I wanted to be in one location for a while (I used to have a 55 gallon freshwater and moved 4 times in one summer so I gave up on aquariums until I settled down) I started a nanocube 12DX Last September and I am thoroughly bitten by the saltwater bug. I am working on a 30 gallon tank right now. If anyone has any equipment they are looking to get rid of send me an email at Tard@wisconsindeathtrip.org .

Currently in my NanoCube I hve two false percula's a Yellow watchman Goby. Along with some mushrooms, Zoanthids, and a brain Coral. I am looking for some pulsing Xenia so if anyone has some they want to get rid of please let me know.

**** this hobby

Loverotties · 05-18-2007, 07:48 PM

Welcome to TRT!

hansmatt · 05-18-2007, 09:22 PM

Welcome Josh,
We have a good group of saltwater groupies that have been getting together for the last 8 months or so. Some with 15+ years experience, some newcomers. I know people always have equipment to get rid of cheap. At our meetings members often bring equipment and coral frags to sell & trade. Keep checking in (and submit your name to the LARK members page ) so we can put you on an email list.
Matt
Onalaska

Hendersonracing · 05-18-2007, 10:20 PM

welcome!!! feel free to ask any questions....there are alot of great people on here that can help....

pogodzib · 05-21-2007, 10:32 AM

Welcome to TRT Josh. I have you on our member's list posted in the member's only area and I'll get you added to my LARK distribution list.

I'm going to be moving this fall and I won't be re-setting my 45 gal tank up after the move. In fact, I have even thought about taking it down now instead of waiting until when I move. All of the equipment on that tank will be available for sale once I take the tank down, or sooner if you really want something. Let me know what type of equipment you are looking for.

Afish4u · 05-22-2007, 08:14 PM

Brian can you put me on the list in the email?

Jrmass · 05-22-2007, 10:10 PM

Hey there guys, figured seeing the thread had already been started I would just toss my name up here as well... Moved to Sparta last July and actually just bought a house here three weeks ago. I have a 70 gallon Reef tank w/ 10 gallon sump and 6 gallon HOB CPR refugium containing chaetomacro algae (if anyone is looking for some) lol... I'm in the process of setting up my 125 gallon dual overflow. Have everything except my skimmer... I'm thinking I'm going to go with the ASM 3... but, if anyone has any better ideas I'm sure I might be open to the info... That tank will be run with a 75 gallon sump and it will be on an open loop with the 70 gallon tank with the option to be shut off if I want to use the 70 gallon tank as a quarantine tank ever.

So, like I said hey guys and feel free to add me to the list.

Jason

hansmatt · 05-23-2007, 08:33 AM

Hi Jason, Welcome!
We had a meeting a few weeks ago with several others looking at getting new/upgrading skimmers. Several of us use Euroreef skimmers and love them. Two have Aqua C skimmers and have had good luck too. I personally have an ER skimmer and love it. It is in-sump, very quiet, and adds little heat to the system. There is little tuning/upkeep necessary. You can often find them on reefcentral or TRT used for 2-$250, or new for 2-$400+. Mine is an older 5-3 system, rated for 90g or so, on a 90g mixed reef with 40g sump. The ER systems are rated pretty conservative, so a 130g rating is pretty true, where as some other companies rate the same type skimmer for 250g. PM me if you have any ER questions.
Matt

Jrmass · 05-23-2007, 09:31 AM

Well, I actually looked at the ER line and found that I would probably need to run with (not sure I have the right model or not) ER-150 or the ER-180... I remember the ER-80 was good up to about 100 galls if my memory serves me right... So, I would need a skimmer that could easily handle roughly 210-270 gallons depending on if I make this skimmer the primary for both display tanks as well as the sump (which is my ultimate goal). My current skimmer on my 70 gallon is an AQUA C urchin and I've had average success with it... I'm not getting much production out of it lately... got any ideas how I can better the output? I know that my rubbergasket is getting a bit fray'd could this be my culprit?

Thanks again guys,

keep me updated on any meetings that will be upcomming... Because, I'll show up.

Jason

I don't have a whole lot to offer as far as corals though...

I've got Starburst polyps and Brown buttons,
Anemones I have a Carpet, and a Flower/Rock

hansmatt · 05-23-2007, 09:53 AM

I'll let those with the Aqua C's comment on tweeking them, but from what I've heard (I was looking at the G3 too) it is over-rated in capacity, and comperable to the ER RS135, a 135g skimmer. For that volume of water, many online have been loving & raving about the bubblemaster 250, but that's a newer skimmer, in a different class. There are several in the club that have nice coral frags for sale for great prices, even whole corals too for half what the local fish stores sell.

pogodzib · 05-23-2007, 02:25 PM

Jason & Aaron - If you send me your e-mail addresses, I'll get you on my list.

As far as skimmers go, I have an AquaC Remora and AquaC EV-150 (heavily modded) and have decent results, but nothing spectacular. The key to all of the AquaC skimmers is to make sure that you use the largest recommended pump as a starting point and upsizing the pump a little higher usually gets better results. Upsizing the tubing between the pump and skimmer, along with keeping the tubing length short will also reduce friction losses and improve your skimming. Cleaning the pump and skimmer (including the injection nozzle) should also help. I wouldn't think that the frayed rubber gasket wouldn't hurt your skimming, but you could try replacing it with a new gasket. AquaC usually sends them out for free it you e-mail them and tell them that it broke.

Sndwave80 · 05-26-2007, 09:35 PM

Welcome new comers!

c_blazek · 05-27-2007, 01:11 AM

Welcome Jason!
You are looking for a skimmer for your new tank, i have a Euroreef rs-80 on about 200 gallons of water, and it does a pretty darn good job. I have the gate valve mod done, i am also looking into doing the mess wheel mod. I just don't want to cute off all of the pins. Anyways I really like my Euroreef and you can't go wrong with them if you want to spend that kind of money on a skimmer. That is just my two cents if you can call it that. On a side not congradulations on buying a new house, I work in sparta, and could probably bring some frags over. Otherwise i look forward to meeting you at the next meeting.

Chris

Jrmass · 05-27-2007, 09:37 AM

Where in Sparta do you actually work? I work for Beyer Cabinets in West Salem. I'm the paint department supervisor... Anyhow, I don't have a whole lot of corals (just starbursts and brown buttons).

Jrmass · 05-27-2007, 11:15 AM

pogodzib, what kind of mods have you done to that ev-150 you were talking about? Because that's what I actually just bought... It's a used model but, that really shouldn't make a difference. Comes with a rio 3100. So, it's a bit larger than they recommend but, it should be good... But, any ideas that you have for me getting max production would be helpful.

Thanks,

Jason