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[ronin253]

Just like to say hello and ask for any general advice. I am just returning to the marine life since the early 80's. I am the proud new owner of a 55 acrylic hex that I recently won on ebay. The tank now resides on a home built pine stand that will soon be replaced with a custom one from Crow's Ridge (see sponsors links). There are many different corals including: 4 kinds of mushrooms, a leather coral, a variety of zooanthids, many tree corals, a noctural strawberry coral and a beautiful favites brain. The aquarium came with, a yellow damselfish, 2 yellowtailed damselfish, a spotted tiger gobie, some snails, hermit crabs and small seastars (they are white with a red center). There is approximately 80lbs of cured live rock currently in the tank along with 50lbs of live sand and crushed coral. The lamp is a 150 watt Metal Halide HQI bulb with two 15watt philips actinic bulbs. There is a fluval 404 filter, one seaclone protein skimmer rated at 100gallons and one power head to move water around. I posted some pictures in the full tank pictures area. I have been told to get rid of the fluval filter as it is not needed with all the live rock...any suggestions? Things have changed so much since the 80's any advice on books or just general advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[CurvBall]

Welcome back to the hobby Ronin253.

Reef Frontiers is an awesome community and I don't think it will be long before the resident experts will start chimming in and giving you the best advice.

As far as me, I would have to say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[wanareef]

Welcome back to the maddness:lol:

The fluval is not needed as you were told that the LR will do most of the filtering. It will be a nitratite factory, but you can use it now and then for carbon, just remember to clean it out - often. The proten skimmer will take out the "gunk". You do not list a sump or fuge, will you be have these later on?

With those damsels in there, you will not be able to add any other fish unless it's a good size. Those damsel are very territerial and you have 3 of them. I have 3 yellowtails but in a 100 aga and they leave the other fish alone. (tomatos, tang, psudochromis)

Sounds like a nice setup - post some pictures :lol:

 

[ronin253]

Wanareef

No actually this tank has been running now for over a year without a sump, so I wasn't planning on adding one. The nitrite, nitrate, pH etc all seem to be very stable. Do I really need one even though it has been stable after over a year? Yes the damsels do seem very territorial, they will eventually find there way into someone elses tank. I have already added a copperband Butterflyfish, he is doing great, the damsel's seem intimidated by his size for now. Check out my pictures in the Full Tank Pictures
link in the photos

 

[Alice]

Welcome to Reef Frontiers!

You might want to look at getting a better skimmer in future; seaclones are pretty notorious for not doing a very good job. The skimmer hangs on the back of the tank? You might want to look at some of the CPR models.

I'd add another powerhead too, to boost up water movement and help to eliminate dead spots before nuisance algae can build up. A PH down low, shooting into/behind the rocks can help quite a bit.

Enjoy!

Alice

 

[ronin253]

Alice

So what do you think about the fluval delima? Should I keep it or remove it? So with a better skimmer do you think I will be ok without the sump? I have already started looking into adding another PH as I feel there may be some dead spots.

Thank you all for your posts...keep the flow of advice coming!!!

 

[Ray Pollett]

Wanareef

No actually this tank has been running now for over a year without a sump, so I wasn't planning on adding one. The nitrite, nitrate, pH etc all seem to be very stable. Do I really need one even though it has been stable after over a year? Yes the damsels do seem very territorial, they will eventually find there way into someone elses tank. I have already added a copperband Butterflyfish, he is doing great, the damsel's seem intimidated by his size for now. Check out my pictures in the Full Tank Pictures
link in the photos

First, I agree if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Yes, you can run the Fuval 404. I have a number of tanks with canister filters on them. Just do routine maintenance.

No, you do not need a sump. I hate sumps and do not set up tanks with them for any of my customers anymore.

Ray

 

[Ray Pollett]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Keep the protien skimmer you have. A lot of people no longer even use protein skimmers.

It you like the tank do not let others talk you into changing it. Every change you make will effect the tank in some way, quite often in not the way you think.

Ray

 

[Alice]

Well ronin, as you can see, everyone has different ideas on how to set up tanks. It's one of the things that keeps this hobby so interesting. And also why, when someone posts pics of their tank, you'll see posts asking for equipment/set up pics.

Asking questions and for advice is a good thing, but always look at the whole picture and find what will work best for you and your tank.

I know some people don't use skimmers, some use them on a schedule and not 24/7, but IMO, good skimming can save you a lot of trouble.

Alice

 

[Al G.]

I'd say keep the fluval for water movement. You could even attach a spray bar to the output for a wider dispersion.