Just Starting Out......

[MadMan-JaMeS]

Hey guys,

I just brought a second hand acrylic aquarium for £80 including a stand.

The tank was hand made, and so was the stand for an old guy and because he has moved into a new flat he has had to get a smaller tank because his housing association said so

Anyway.... It measures 24"x24"x24" a Perfect cube

He used it for marine and me and my dad want to have it setup for marine, weve been into Tropical for a few months now and have 4 Tanks. My mum is going mad

So anyway here are my quoestions.

1. What Does A Protein Skimmer Actually Do ?
2. For A Fish Only Tank Do I Need High Lighting ?
3. I Have A Eheim 2215 Filter Coming And Wondered Would It Be Sufficent For This Tank ?
4. The Tank Has A 2 Inch Rim All The Way Around The Top Is There A Protein Skimmer Which Works Under Water Or An External One ?
5. How Do You Measure Salinity In Water ?
6. What Salinity Level Does The Water Need To Be ?

These are just a few of my questions there are plenty more to come so if any of you have some time to help a newbie please pm me.

Or even better if you live near Oxford, Uk and feel like telling me in person then again Pm Me.

Thanks.

 

[MadMan-JaMeS]

Hey guys,

I just brought a second hand acrylic aquarium for £80 including a stand.

The tank was hand made, and so was the stand for an old guy and because he has moved into a new flat he has had to get a smaller tank because his housing association said so

Anyway.... It measures 24"x24"x24" a Perfect cube

He used it for marine and me and my dad want to have it setup for marine, weve been into Tropical for a few months now and have 4 Tanks. My mum is going mad

So anyway here are my quoestions.

1. What Does A Protein Skimmer Actually Do ?
2. For A Fish Only Tank Do I Need High Lighting ?
3. I Have A Eheim 2215 Filter Coming And Wondered Would It Be Sufficent For This Tank ?
4. The Tank Has A 2 Inch Rim All The Way Around The Top Is There A Protein Skimmer Which Works Under Water Or An External One ?
5. How Do You Measure Salinity In Water ?
6. What Salinity Level Does The Water Need To Be ?

These are just a few of my questions there are plenty more to come so if any of you have some time to help a newbie please pm me.

Or even better if you live near Oxford, Uk and feel like telling me in person then again Pm Me.

Thanks.

nobody gonna help ?

i've read al the stickies but they havn't answered my questions

 

[Robert247]

You proborbly need someone more experienced to tell you in more detail as i am just starting up a marine tank as well so i will try and answer some of the questions

1. a protien skimmer skimms the top of the water to take out all the suspended and dissolved waste that floats near the top of the water you will normaly have a sort of cup thing on the top which you will have to empty out regualy depending on how much waste is bieng produced i belive this is a must have for any marine aquarium even if it is not used all the time.
2. I am not to shure i am just getting the best lights i can so in the future if i want to grow corrals i can. you dont need amazing lighting but i would advise you to get some good lighting T5HO marine glow are good.
3.I am not to good on filters but i googled it and it said it is suitable for aquariums up to 350 litres.
4.There are loads of different types and there will always be somthing suitable but 2" should be fine even for most hang on skimmers.
5.There are 2 ways that i know of Hydrometers and refractometers if you put these in the search there are loads of topics on which is the best so you can see for yourself. But i dont know a lot about refractometers but hydrometers work by measuring the specific gravity of the water you fill them up to a level infide and then the pin should indicate the specific gravity.
6. it should be around 1.023-1.025 SG try and keep it at 1.024 for a bit of leaverage if it drops or rises.

I have tried ot answer your questions but there are many conflicing views on the net what you need to do is go to your local fish shop and have a look. shop arround and price up. have a look at the lights and the skimmers and filtres and ask the people at the shop.
all you questions can be answerd on this this forum and there is a topic on every aspect of a marine aquarium just do a bit of searching.

 

[MadMan-JaMeS]

You proborbly need someone more experienced to tell you in more detail as i am just starting up a marine tank as well so i will try and answer some of the questions

1. a protien skimmer skimms the top of the water to take out all the suspended and dissolved waste that floats near the top of the water you will normaly have a sort of cup thing on the top which you will have to empty out regualy depending on how much waste is bieng produced i belive this is a must have for any marine aquarium even if it is not used all the time.
2. I am not to shure i am just getting the best lights i can so in the future if i want to grow corrals i can. you dont need amazing lighting but i would advise you to get some good lighting T5HO marine glow are good.
3.I am not to good on filters but i googled it and it said it is suitable for aquariums up to 350 litres.
4.There are loads of different types and there will always be somthing suitable but 2" should be fine even for most hang on skimmers.
5.There are 2 ways that i know of Hydrometers and refractometers if you put these in the search there are loads of topics on which is the best so you can see for yourself. But i dont know a lot about refractometers but hydrometers work by measuring the specific gravity of the water you fill them up to a level infide and then the pin should indicate the specific gravity.
6. it should be around 1.023-1.025 SG try and keep it at 1.024 for a bit of leaverage if it drops or rises.

I have tried ot answer your questions but there are many conflicing views on the net what you need to do is go to your local fish shop and have a look. shop arround and price up. have a look at the lights and the skimmers and filtres and ask the people at the shop.
all you questions can be answerd on this this forum and there is a topic on every aspect of a marine aquarium just do a bit of searching.

thanks for your reply buddy

will take your advice

 

[n3ont3tra]

Hey guys,

I just brought a second hand acrylic aquarium for £80 including a stand.

The tank was hand made, and so was the stand for an old guy and because he has moved into a new flat he has had to get a smaller tank because his housing association said so

Anyway.... It measures 24"x24"x24" a Perfect cube

He used it for marine and me and my dad want to have it setup for marine, weve been into Tropical for a few months now and have 4 Tanks. My mum is going mad

So anyway here are my quoestions.

1. What Does A Protein Skimmer Actually Do ? ---- Not sure on that, I THINK it takes out dissolved solids or something like that.
2. For A Fish Only Tank Do I Need High Lighting ? ----Nope
3. I Have A Eheim 2215 Filter Coming And Wondered Would It Be Sufficent For This Tank ? ----Not sure, never used eheims, I'm guessing it would be okay.
4. The Tank Has A 2 Inch Rim All The Way Around The Top Is There A Protein Skimmer Which Works Under Water Or An External One ? A lot of protein skimmers need a sump, I'm not sure on the brands and stuff
5. How Do You Measure Salinity In Water ? You can use either a refractometer or a hydrometer to measure specific gravity and salinity. Refractometers are much more accurate and easier to use and generally recommended.
6. What Salinity Level Does The Water Need To Be ?The specific gravity should be about 1.022 for a fish only, for a fish only with live rock most people keep it at 1.025 or 1.026, as do people with reefs.

These are just a few of my questions there are plenty more to come so if any of you have some time to help a newbie please pm me.

Or even better if you live near Oxford, Uk and feel like telling me in person then again Pm Me.

Thanks.

 

[MadMan-JaMeS]

huh ?

 

[n3ont3tra]

huh ?

What? I quoted your post... and I put my reply in your post... Is it not showing up for you or something?

 

[MadMan-JaMeS]

huh ?

What? I quoted your post... and I put my reply in your post... Is it not showing up for you or something?

sorry yeah it is but i just overlooked it sorry mate

 

[n3ont3tra]

No prob, I've done that before.

 

[Betta5]

Im getting the same tank (in glass) so it will be intresting to see the results. I am getting this filter

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/AQUAVITAL-AVEX1200-E...0QQcmdZViewItem

As for a skimmer TMC V2 skimmers are highly recomended a 400-600 version would be good on the tank. I am also doing a FO (is that what your doing?) There are lights everywhere about, if your doing FO then any lights will do.

 

[MadMan-JaMeS]

Im getting the same tank (in glass) so it will be intresting to see the results. I am getting this filter

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/AQUAVITAL-AVEX1200-E...0QQcmdZViewItem

As for a skimmer TMC V2 skimmers are highly recomended a 400-600 version would be good on the tank. I am also doing a FO (is that what your doing?) There are lights everywhere about, if your doing FO then any lights will do.

yer filter looks good.

trouble is my tank has a 3inch lip round the top so might have to cut it to get an protein skimmer on

i'll post a pic 2morrow

 

[Betta5]

Oh is it the sort of glass lip that that a Condensation tray lays on? As its acrylic shouldn't be to much of a problem to cut a small peice out.

 

[andywg]

1. a protien skimmer skimms the top of the water to take out all the suspended and dissolved waste that floats near the top of the water you will normaly have a sort of cup thing on the top which you will have to empty out regualy depending on how much waste is bieng produced i belive this is a must have for any marine aquarium even if it is not used all the time.

It actually works on the principle of foam fractionation to remove dissolved hydrophobic organic compounds before they start breaking down into nitrogenous waste. It isn't directly related to the oily film that can occur on the surface of the water.

For more information than you could ever want on protien skimmers try here:

http/reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.p...threadid=680552

 

[Musho3210]

protein skimming extracts the proteins, fatty acids and some other stuff everywhere in the tank. Its just the surface has the most due to density differences. So although it skims a lot from the top, it doesnt only skim the top. Complicated made simple

Inside skimmer bubbles are made (many different ways, venturi, needle-wheel, spray injection, air stones, downdraft etc)
Bubbles are like magnets to proteins, fatty acids and some other stuff
THose stuff stick to the bubble
Bubble rises while continuously getting coated with the "stuff"
reaches air
becomes foam (doesnt pop as fast)
gets piled up with other bubble/foams
Overflows or pops into a collection cup
Collection cup is filled with the "stuff"

As for the refractometer, it works on the basis of light reflection i think somehow light is reflected off a thin layer of liquid and it shows how much salt is in it or something. Not too sure how they work but they are more accurate than hydrometers, but obviously more expensive. Take your pick, go the cheap way and have sometimes inaccurate readings of salinity which may harm fish and then spend even more money when you've had enough of your hydrometer and upgrade to a refractometer, or, buy a refractometer from the start.

Get a tunze skimmer, excellent craftsman ship, quiet, i love mine, and they dont need sumps. THere are 3 ways to set up the skimmer in the tank and you chose which way works for you. There european made (which is good) not some cheapo chinese product.

 

[andywg]

protein skimming extracts the proteins, fatty acids and some other stuff everywhere in the tank. Its just the surface has the most due to density differences. So although it skims a lot from the top, it doesnt only skim the top. Complicated made simple

It only skims from the surface if the intake is up high. Most have submerged intakes so are not pulling in teh surface scum that can accumulate (thius is defeated just by having a high turnover rate in the tank).

As for the refractometer, it works on the basis of light reflection i think somehow light is reflected off a thin layer of liquid and it shows how much salt is in it or something. Not too sure how they work but they are more accurate than hydrometers, but obviously more expensive. Take your pick, go the cheap way and have sometimes inaccurate readings of salinity which may harm fish and then spend even more money when you've had enough of your hydrometer and upgrade to a refractometer, or, buy a refractometer from the start.

Actually, if you speak to scientists they will point out that the refractometers we use are not that much better than an equal cost hydrometer. Try firing a PM off to nmonks on which is better (remembering he has a degree in marine biology). Pretty much every hobby refractometer calibrated to 0 with RO will be reading wrong for marine salinities. Also, many people fail to take into account the effect of temperature on the reading from a hydrometer.

Get a tunze skimmer, excellent craftsman ship, quiet, i love mine, and they dont need sumps. THere are 3 ways to set up the skimmer in the tank and you chose which way works for you. There european made (which is good) not some cheapo chinese product.

Not so much European, as German. That is the important part.