Starting over - Suggestions?

Hueneme · 11-07-2003, 01:09 AM

I ahve a 75 gal tank with a few fish, a few corals, some live rock and live sand. I actually had 150 lbs of rock and sold most of it and replaced it with branch rock to give it an open look.. The tank sits between the living room and the loft, so I don't want a bunch of stuff ahng off it. It is visible from both sides. I have three Fluval 404 filters, a fluidized bed, UV sterilizer all plumbed through the bottom. A Cyclone skimmer is on the side hidden by a large plant.
I have Metal Halides and actinic power compacts up top.
I've never been happy with this setup. Always seem to have algae problems and the water really doesn't look crystal clear.
I want to totally start over with the filer system. I'll probably change the tank while I'm at it , just because of numerous scratches.
Where do I go from here? Wet-Dry? Ecosystem with miracle mud? Skimmer only? I'm not opposed to plumbing through the floor into the garage if necessary to accomodate a large sump. Of course, I'd rather not do that unless I have to. My plan is to have a lot of corals and a few more fish. Where do I go from here?
Thanks

Krux · 11-07-2003, 04:16 AM

lots of corals and a few more fish reads to me as a good sized sump with a very effecient skimmer, a calcium reactor, and a refugium to keep the water clean, especially with a higher fish load. so basically the works. plumbing will be easier to figure out once you outline a budget, which is gogin to be the real deciding factor. i would definately look at getting your tank drilled though, or make sure the new one that you replace it with is. also, there is no better time to upgrade than the present if you are looking at a new tank. if you are going to go through the hassle of putting together a whole new filtration system, you might consider going to a nice 120 or so, to give you more room and more flexibility as far as livestock goes. the above mentioned filtration system will not be drastically different in cost going from a 75 to a 120, as long as you plan to do it from the outset, such as spending the extra 20 bucks for the next size up pump, as opposed to buying a whole new one a year or two down the line.

basically though, fixing your water quality by always using ro water (theres something to buy if you dont have it, an ro unit), by using a powerful enough and effecient skimmer, and by exporting nutrients effectively (such as in a refugium for example) you will really make a huge dent in the algae issue, which will in turn allow you to spend more time enjoying your tank, and less time working on it or being upset by it.

i underwent a fairly massive upgrade (4 times system volume) and by taking my time, planning out exactly what i wanted, and by shopping everywhere, i was able to make a system that i am very proud of, for what i consider to be a very reasonable cost.

wanareef · 11-07-2003, 08:48 AM

Most don't use canister filters on a reef or a wet-dry.
As Krux mentioned a sump, a fuge and a good skimmer with a calicum reactor, pumps and something new a closed loop to get the PH's out of the tank. For that tank circulation.

good luck

Geoff · 11-07-2003, 11:04 AM

Welcome to TRT!!!

great advice so far! unless those cannisters are cleaned weekly you will always have an algae problem.

G~

Hueneme · 11-07-2003, 11:39 AM

Great so far. So do I keep the UV sterilizer ?
Is the Ecosystem with miracle mud and caulerpa the same as a refugium or can you buy a complete refugium setup already built? They advertise that no skimmer is needed. Yes, no?
No carbon or mechanical filtration?
It looks like I'll have to go through the floor into the garage to house all this stuff. It would be alot easier to get at everything that way. Also the heat from the ballasts would be away from the sump.
Any more advise is welcome. Thanks.

Dr.King · 11-07-2003, 12:46 PM

I would not even consider running a reef tank without a protein skimmer, period. Spend the money on the best protein skimmer you can afford, I recommend either a "Becket" type skimmer or a Euro-reef model. Get the best live rock you can find, as this serves as the filtration and foundation of the reef. Nice pourous rock that is easy to stack in interesting open formations with lots of encrusting coraline algae is preferable. I would run carbon as needed to keep the water clear, maybe a few days a month at most with the right skimmer attached. Lastly export nutrients any way possible from the system. Growing macros in the Fuge and harvesting it regularly really helps keep the phosphates and nitrates low and reduced micro algae in the display. Good luck!

Hueneme · 11-08-2003, 11:35 AM

Anyone know where I can just buy a complete refugium system? I'd just like to place one order and get everything I need. Pump hoses, everything. What about the UV sterilizer? Do I keep it and , if so, how to I plumb it into the system?
Thanks again

CAT · 11-08-2003, 09:18 PM

You don't really need to buy a 'refugium kit'. If you buy a reef-ready tank (or an overflow), all you need is a tank (or rubbermaid container), some sand, some l.r., some macro algae like caulerpa, and a pump to move the water back up to the display. That's all I have in mine. Some people incorporate a refugium inside the sump. I have a design of one somewhere, I'll see if I can find it.

CAT · 11-08-2003, 09:22 PM

Found the plan, can't remember now whose design it was but it seems like a good place to start.

Hueneme · 11-10-2003, 12:57 AM

Thanks.
I'm going to put my 75 gal down in the garage and make it inta a sump/ refugium. I decided to get a 120 All Glass ( 48 x 24 X24) for the living room and plumb it all through the floor into the garage below. Sound like a plan?

Krux · 11-10-2003, 01:39 PM

sounds awesome!