Well, I knew that someday I'd get the saltwater bug and apparently that day is here. A friend of mine is giving me his 45G tank to clean out his basement which I hope to over the next year or so turn into a reef tank. So I'm starting the learning process all over again and would like some questions and oppinions answered if you guys all would be so kind.
Firstly, a little bit about the setup I'm getting and think I'm leaning towards. The tank is 45gallon obviously, coming with compact flourescent fixtures (ballast included but no bulbs), 300W heater, some form of protein skimmer (not sure of type, model, etc), a mess of powerheads (some rios, vias, and mags), and we THINK as much sand as I want. It was a reef tank prior to being decommissioned, hence all the appropriate equipment. From all the benefits of a sump system that I've read in many articles, and the sheer engineering challenge, I'm going to go with a DIY setup. Through out this whole process, anything that I can DIY, you can bet I'll try. I'm one of those sick people that love working with their hands and have a machine shop at my disposal to do all manner of scheming
For example, I built my hood, ballast, and stand for my 20 gal.
Anyway, down to the questions. Because I'll be running a sump with skimmer, how often will I realisitically have to change my water? Its my understanding that the algal and macro plant growth should in the sump suppport the load of nitrates that my system creates (if large enough of course) and balance out the end of the nitrogen cycle. Then from the little I understand about protein skimmers, they'll help with the remainder of floating detritous, toxins, and amino acids created by the tank. "Cleaning crews" help finish off the excess waste of larger organisms leaving to my untrained eye, very little waste products to clean out of the system. Coming from a freshwater world, I just did water changes when I vaccumed cause I dont have freshwater critters that eat fish poop, but that doesnt seem to be the case with salt water. So, realistically how much and how often do I have to do water changes?
Also, I'm having trouble grasping exactly how protein skimmers work... If anybody knows any good sites or articles I can read up on them that'd be helpful. Moreover if you could point me in the direction of some types and models that might be suitable for a 45G setup, perhaps I can find out how the work from there. I understand what they're used for and the service they perform, but I really want to know how, from a physics/engineering standpoint they work. I'm secretly thinking of making my own skimmer if the one I'm going to be inheriting is too small/broken/old/etc. Lathe time is always fun
As always, you guys rock and thanks for your oppinions
Firstly, a little bit about the setup I'm getting and think I'm leaning towards. The tank is 45gallon obviously, coming with compact flourescent fixtures (ballast included but no bulbs), 300W heater, some form of protein skimmer (not sure of type, model, etc), a mess of powerheads (some rios, vias, and mags), and we THINK as much sand as I want. It was a reef tank prior to being decommissioned, hence all the appropriate equipment. From all the benefits of a sump system that I've read in many articles, and the sheer engineering challenge, I'm going to go with a DIY setup. Through out this whole process, anything that I can DIY, you can bet I'll try. I'm one of those sick people that love working with their hands and have a machine shop at my disposal to do all manner of scheming
For example, I built my hood, ballast, and stand for my 20 gal.Anyway, down to the questions. Because I'll be running a sump with skimmer, how often will I realisitically have to change my water? Its my understanding that the algal and macro plant growth should in the sump suppport the load of nitrates that my system creates (if large enough of course) and balance out the end of the nitrogen cycle. Then from the little I understand about protein skimmers, they'll help with the remainder of floating detritous, toxins, and amino acids created by the tank. "Cleaning crews" help finish off the excess waste of larger organisms leaving to my untrained eye, very little waste products to clean out of the system. Coming from a freshwater world, I just did water changes when I vaccumed cause I dont have freshwater critters that eat fish poop, but that doesnt seem to be the case with salt water. So, realistically how much and how often do I have to do water changes?
Also, I'm having trouble grasping exactly how protein skimmers work... If anybody knows any good sites or articles I can read up on them that'd be helpful. Moreover if you could point me in the direction of some types and models that might be suitable for a 45G setup, perhaps I can find out how the work from there. I understand what they're used for and the service they perform, but I really want to know how, from a physics/engineering standpoint they work. I'm secretly thinking of making my own skimmer if the one I'm going to be inheriting is too small/broken/old/etc. Lathe time is always fun
As always, you guys rock and thanks for your oppinions
that makes some sense.
