Starter Q's

[Derfdiggler]

Hi all, Im new to the site and to SW. I purchased a skimmer from the LFS today for my 75 gallon. It's a Sea Clone 100. The tank has been running salt water for 3 weeks (cycling w/ damsels and 20 lbs of live rock). My skimmer is somewhat confusing to me. The water/ bubbles do not reach the neck in the collection cup, they bubble right at the collection cup "o ring". How will they ever reach the cup? the neck on the cup is like 4 inches of dry plastic. Will it eventually "break in" and rise the 4 inches to the cup?

On a side note, my ammonia zero'd out and im just waiting for my mile high nitrites to diminish. Should i expect this in a week or so?


Thanks for helping a newbie along. Ive had BIG FW cichlids for 10 years in this tank. Its about time for a change.

[Ominous]

Welcome to TRT. I have that exact skimmer, and let me tell you they're not too bad. Most people will tell you they don't like them and truth be told, there are many much better skimmers out there, the 100 is really just "entry level". But I've had some good experience with mine. They are a little touchy at first, and you do need to give them a couple of days to break in. After that, just adjust the air intake until you start seeing some foam coming out the top. It may take a couple of minutes before it really starts to froth up, but right now I am collecting a significant amount of skimmate each day, so just give it a good break in period and you should be fine.

[xaoss23]

Ive got one as well as its...eh... ok. I found that Im getting better skimmate out of mine if I let in alot of air (to the point where the flow out is really slow). With this setting Ive found that I dont get any microbubbles in the tank and better funk removal.
Give it a week or two to really break in and then start playing around with the air levels and find out what works best for you. (with my other tank's skimmer, I adjust it every day or two to get best results)

[xaoss23]

also... what are you plans for the tank? Who/what do you want to put in it? Tell us more, AND POST SOME PICS!!!! We llooovvee pictures!!!

[Derfdiggler]

well, to be honest, im not too sure. right now i have some live rock, i want some tangs, (naso, blue hep), an angel (blue face or an imp). As far as corals etc, i need to do more reading and researching. Im not too sure about the angels as i have read most are not reef friendly, but **** pretty. But like I said, i have no "set game plan" as of yet.

What would you guys and gals do with a 75 gallon? I like larger fish, but want a reef. I hope this is not an oxymoron. Ill post pics of tank when i have something to show you. lol.

Thanks for the help so far thou.

This site is great.

[xaoss23]

well if youre planning a reef, Id say you need about 50-70lbs more of LR. And not to be a crasher of the party, but I dont think that a 75 could house a tang, nor an angel. Most of the tangs require alot of swimming room and usually need tanks 125 or larger (yellow tang could be ok in a 75 tho I think). Angels get so large that they usually need really big tanks as well. You are correct with the Angel/reef mix. How about some dwarf angels? There are still some beautiful species to choose from (and some are reef safe as well)
Be careful with those damsels... they have a tendancy to turn into beasts from hell after cycle is complete. (they can be aggressive and they typically arent afraid to nip are fish more than twice its size)

Here are the trends of todays marine aquarist:
Live rock... lots of it (usually 1-1.5lbs per gallon)
Skimmer=good (also = $$$)
Lights, the more the better
Flow flow flow you tank... (typically atleast 10x volume (someone correct me if Im wrong on this number)) oh, and random current is a +
RO/DI filter is a standard home appliance
Heater=temperature up
Fan=temperature down
Refugium is a bonus (cheato is the new green)
and sump=more water volume=less effect bad things have in a short ammount of time.

What Ive found to be helpful is think about what you want to keep, then reverse engineer your system (and livestock choices) around it. Also:

What type of lighting do you have?
Whats your annual salary?
Are you married?
(if yes, do you still want to be?)
How well do you cope with addictions?

All of these factors will take part in your new lifestyle. Welcome to the BEST HOBBY IN THE WORLD!!!

My name is Tony, and Im an addict. Cheers!

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT!The skimmer will take a couple of days and once you add stuff it will pull more stuff out.Before you go to far,you should know what your plan for the tank.So you know what to put in 1st(like with fish)lease argrisive fish 1st and the most arggesive fish last,so there is less stress.

[pnkpanther]

and dont forget to research and ask away


I"ve seen a lot of sites that offer ways to improve the seaclones performance, you may want to google it. but it'll take a bit of time

[Twitterbait]

I'm not an addict... I can give it up anytime i want to. Welcome to the club. good advice so far. watch out for the tangs and angels. your tank is barely big enough for most of them. I would do plenty of research before you buy any fish.

[skeety]

Originally Posted by Twitterbait

I'm not an addict...

hmmm...

sounds like denial to me!

[xtopher]

the fish you listed are way too big for a 75 gallon but keep asking questions and do LOTS of research oh and by the way welcome to TRT

[Mr.Reef]

This would of been a good skimmer to go with...

http://cgi.ebay.com/AquaC-Remora-w-M...QQcmdZViewItem

[Derfdiggler]

ok, so basically you are all millionaires.

I make good money, but this is the most expensive hobby known to man.


Ok, so i need:


A better skimmer: Aqua C remora. ( will i ever want to upgrade it, or will i be happy with this one for years?)

I need UV (I hate dealing with algae / buggers)

I need good lighting, ( the 40w bulbs dont cut it, WHat is a semi affordable option?)

Im running a fluval 300. Is there a better way? Ill spend some money but lets not get crazy.

More live rock. ( i burnt 100.00 already on 20 lbs of "cured in LFS rock")


Smaller fish. ha!

Basically, I want a good setup. Something that will keep all healthy. I will spend like 800.00 on total system. I dont want to "cheap out" in the sytem. What should i get? links would be great!!! Place to buy all would be better.

please spend my money and build me a setup:P


Thanks all of you for making my TRT experience a great one!


Freddy

[rangerfan]

maybe you should go fish only it would be cheaper

[Derfdiggler]

i might like that.

Actually i want to do a FO.

would my fluval be ok, or should i look into wet / dry?