Marine Depot Forums / Equipment Forums / Filtration

40 Breeder & Live Rock

cheetum — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:30:07 GMT

I set up a 40 breeder about a month ago with about 40pounds of dry & 20 pounds of live rock mixed . I'm using an old wet/dry for my sump. I put about 10 pounds of the mix in the bio ball chamber instead of bio balls. My question is would it be better to just have all the live rock in the display tank instead of how I have it set & also should I have light on the sup will it help the live rock in any way ? .....TIA ....Vernon

Being this question is on the main return pump, I post it here as I should

Old Man Of The Sea — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:19:52 GMT

The chiller and calcium reactor with the Co2 tank has arrived 1/2 hour agoe by FedX, And soon I will get the skimmer with its pump.

The question is on the return pump idea I have, the piping in place right now is 1" and it will all be taking down once the new stand is decided on and brought here. But is I were to have the Sequence ReeFlo Dart Pump, 3600 GPH as my main return pump, what you believe that the PVC piping should be?

Buddy

Chemical Residue in MD socks?

Algae — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:14:30 GMT

Residue Chemicals in Filter Socks?

In the past I've used a few different brands of socks. Most recently I've been using JBJ socks without incident. However, I changed out my old JBJ for a new Marine Depot sock and my skimmer went crazy. Microbubbles everywhere. Can't even run the skimmer. Went back to no sock and the skimmer just went off again with bubbles. This lends me to believe that there is a chemical present in the Marine Depot filter(s)?
My question is; What is the best way to remove the chemicals. Baking soda or bleach wash, or what? I just ordered 16 socks so I would like to find a solution rather than doing a partial return. By the way, the material is 200 micron, made by Purolator.

Member: Pacific Northwest Marine Aquarium Society

EV-180 Skimmer Startup - Foam Level Question

kwilson — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:03:14 GMT

I have installed a new Aqua-C EV-180 Skimmer with a RIO3100 Pump running in a sump with about 1' of 3/4" tubing between the pump and the skimmer . Using the gate valve, I have adjusted the water level with the air valve closed (and the JG fitting plugged off - which will remain plugged off till I install my Korralin Calcium Reactor) to be at about the top of the dark box, where the clear cylinder starts up. Then I open the air valve and I get immediate foam, but it is only about 1.25' - 1.50" high with violent turbulence as expected - it does not go any higher and is still about 3" from the top of the 1st clear tube below the collection cup. Is this a normal foam height for a startup? If it stays this way, I'll never see any collection in the cup.

Does anyone have any pictures of a properly operating EV-180 skimmer so I can see what the foam should look like and where it (the foam) should be after the break-in period as far as height in the lower clear chamber?

Kold Ster-il upgrade

RaZorMix — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:09:16 GMT

Hi,

I currently have a Spectra Pure RO/DI that I want to change to the Kold Ster-il unit sold at Marine Depot.

The RO unit is currently running through standard 1/4" RO tubing.

I noticed the Kold Ster-il has 3/4" threaded holes for install.

What else should I purchase with the unit and can I still use the 1/4" tubing or do most people use something bigger?

Any help would be apreciated.

- Steve

Identify this protien skimmer please! (blue body, supposedly commercial-grade)

xltom — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:15:39 GMT

Hey people,

I traded some frags for this protien skimmer and I'm trying to decide what pump to buy for it(if any). I was wondering if anyone here has seen one like it or knows what pump it was designed for. The main body with collection cup is 18 inches I think. The guy who had it only knew that it is a commercial grade skimmer. Thanks for looking and feel free to give your opinion on a pump even if you don't know the model/make....xltom

Starting Refugium Too Late??

Dexter — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:07:15 GMT

I've got a 200 gallon reef tank with a refugium sump (sump has the three sections for skimmer, refugium and return). The refugium area of the sump was never set up and is just an empty compartment. The tank has been running like this for four years.

Is it safe to set up the refugium after all this time? How would you start? Thanks!

Critique my sump design please.

Davez — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:32:05 GMT

Hi all,

I am in the process of upgrading to a 4x2.5x2 tank and am working out all the different aspects that need to be designed. The sump will be aprox 4x2x 18 inches high. There is a pic and explanation of what I have planned so far. The display will be predominantly SPS reef.

The first section will house the skimmer pump, and will probably be fitted with filter socks to stop debris collecting in here.

The water enters from the display, then flows over the sectioned Deep Sand Bed. I've partitioned it like that so that I have the option of pulling 1/3 of the sand bed out every 12 to 18 months to replace or clean it, without destroying the sand bed. Hopefully this will help avoid any problems down the track.

Next is a refugium that will have some live rock and maybe macro algae. I have had no luck growing it in my current setup, but will have another go.

Next is a frag section. I'll be able to hang a 150W hallide over the top and stick a circulation pump in there as well.

The last section will house the return pump, heaters, auto top off, probes etc. There will also be room for a second pump should I decide to plumb in a dedicated frag tank.

Any feed back appreciated. Any ideas or extra things that I should incorporate, let me know, I'll take it on board.

Cheers,
Dave.

Sump filter

crazyc-5fe — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:23:37 GMT

Ok here my problem...... I have sump i am going to set up and get running to make the tank easier to use. I am going to put a mag pump 3 and I am hereing no bio balls, why is that and what would I use to fill the space in the pump. My nitrate leve is high, right now i have a magnum 350 packed with nitra-zorb and another nitrate remover packed in the pump side of my refugium. getting ready to do a 15 gallon water change in my tank trying to lower them. I have a 4 inch sand bed the rock has been in the tank for over 4 months and i have had the rock for 3 years, but some snail looking for crabs and maybe a brittle star to hlp clean up. I have a bottle of azno3 on the way here to help but i am running out fo things to do.....read a cople of forums on the subject never really got a g ood answer......is there a cure all or am i just doomed to fight nitrates for the rest of my life. I hope to figure this out. when i lived in florida i never had a problem with my tank but now it is in texas the nitrates wont come down.....i hate texas.

Alternative to canister filtration

ddotfish — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:15:05 GMT

I have a 55 gal freshwater tank and have been using a Magnum 350 canister for filtration. The filter is difficult to access easily so cleaning becomes a real chore. Now my canister is leaking so this is the perfect opportunity for me to improve my setup. Is there an alternative to canisters that would be easier to maintain? I've seen the Lifegard Aquatics Mechanical filter but I don't know if that's appropriate for freshwater tanks of my size or how to hook it up if it is. I'd appreciate any information. Thank you!

Tubing size for Fluval 305 question

marinetankdiver — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:44:19 GMT

Does the tubing size affect the output of the Fluval canister filters? I have the output going to a chiller which feeds back into the tank. The chiller's output tubing is only 1/4". I figured I would lose some output pressure running the water through the chiller but there is barely feel the output now.

Here is how I have it set up:

Original fluval tubing for the input from the tank. Then using the original tubing from filter output to chiller. From the filter to the chiller is basically a horizontal line. From the chiller to tank is 1/4" tubing to a spray bar.

I'm wondering if the smaller tubing is creating too much pressure for the pump and slowing everything down, doesn't seem right but I am just guessing here. Probably the filter pump is just too small to push through the extra tubing length of the chiller, but thought I would ask for others opinions.

Thanks

Sam

homemade protein skimmer and results question

tmhartle1s — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:19:41 GMT

I have a 20 gallon nano and yesterday i built my own very simple protein skimmer. Yeah yeah I know I could buy one for a reasonable price but i just love building my own stuff!, i also built my refugium. Anyway my question is in regard to my skimmate... I am only producing brown foam though there is some black residue inside the pvc leading up to my spillover cup. My tank is only two and a half months old and i don't really have much of a bioload and was wondering if this might be why im only getting light brown skimmate. All i have is two clowns, maybe 15 pounds of live rock which i will be getting more of, and one rock full of mushrooms. Oh and seven snails and twelve hermits. I am including pictures of my fuge, skimmer and tank. Thanks for any help.

Coralife Super Skimmer Parts

Talfish — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:18:36 GMT

I need a new shaft for the needle wheel pump used on the 125. What type of pump is it so I can get the correct part?

Thanks, Tal

Good Protein Skimmer for a 75 gallon with sump

bschaff — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:48:29 GMT

Good morning everyone,

I am looking for a good quality protein skimmer for a new 75 gallon reef tank with 20 gallon sump. My existing skimmer sporadically makes bubbles and with this tank upgrade i need something better to handle the coral and animal bioload.

Obviously price is an object, although I dont' want to go so low as to compromise the effectiveness.

I currently have a corallife protein skimmer (good to 65 gallons).

Thanks for all your help,

Brad

Pump for DIY Sump.

chinoy — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:30:18 GMT

Hi
Ive been waiting 5 days for a query e-mailed in.
Do you sell any Pumps that work on 220 Volts.
If so what make and model. Im looking for a 4500 Ltr / HR pump.
Or a pump that can pump 500 Gal per hour at 8 ft of head.

Thanks

Glass or Acrylic Sump/Refugium????

sunkisd69 — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:54:32 GMT

looking to buy a sump/refugium and was wondering what would be better a glass or acrylic tank??

Loads of micro bubbles from my overflows

sme177 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:33:40 GMT

Hey guys, my first time on this forum and i have a question for everyone. My tank is 180 gallons with dual corner overflows that house overflow kits.. I have a 75 gallon refugium which is split into three chambers. The first one has live rock rubble, cheto and the plumbing from my overflows into the refugium. The second has a dsb, and the third has a slanted piece of acrylic (ATS) that dumps into the last chamber with both my return pumps. The problem i'm having is that the pipes that return to the refugium are bringing LOADS of micro bubbles with them. I'd rather stay away from filter socks, and i've thought about adding a few more baffels but im' just looking for some ideas from everyone.

overfiltration????

ebjamin — Sat, 16 May 2009 15:23:15 GMT

I have a 40g reef tank. The set-up is 3 months old. I have live rock, live sand, and a protein skimmer. I was using an Aquaclear 110 powerfilter, but recently purchased the JBJ Reaction EFU-25 Canister filter with a built in UV sterilizer. The return is too low in the aquarium and not giving proper oxygen/gas exchange. After the first day I noticed some fish where gasping for air. I re-installed my old filter while leaving the new one going as well for the UV feature. Is this overkill and dangerous to my aquarium? Can I acctually overfiltrate my tank?

ot set up

geoplane2 — Sun, 10 May 2009 06:27:29 GMT

hello again can you tell me the best way for a ot set up ? how big of a tank what kind of filter and lighting ? and what water to use , does it have to cycle ? thanks i have a short memory and i went brain dead on how i did it before !!

Where to buy Self-Priming pumps

SantaMonica — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:27:53 GMT

Anyone know where to buy marine self-priming pumps? The pump needs to be able to pull water up and out of the display. So far, the only thing found is the Eclipse nano hoods with small pumps built in, and a few other HOB filters with small self-priming pumps built in. But these are built-in and molded to the other parts. What is really needed is a self-contained pump that is separate from the other parts, and which of course is aquarium safe, and in the 70 to 150 gph range (266 to 570 lph).

chemical filtration only

OneTrickPony — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 11:43:33 GMT

Greetings

I am in the process of gathering equipment for my next reef setup 250g

after reading this article was thinking of using chemical filtration only

GAC , Purigen, Phosphate media, in a canister filter or some other media reactor

GAC is inexpensive , purigen can be re-charged,

money not spent on a expensive protein skimmer could be used to purchase the needed filter media

So what does every one think

thanks

Ken

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/9/aafeature2/view?searchterm=toc

"The somewhat subversive thesis that perhaps skimmers do not contribute much to TOC removal/water purification was raised in the discussion of Figs. 5 and 6; the exceedingly low TOC values in the skimmerless tank #2 provide further support for this notion. What then, distinguishes this tank from the other skimmerless tank, #3, which has exceedingly high TOC levels? Both tanks lack sandbeds and have similar fish loads and soft coral/invertebrate populations. The one identifiable difference in husbandry between them involves GAC"

Anyone have the new improved JBJ UV Submariner?

Louie — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 02:45:54 GMT

Anyone have the new improved JBJ UV Submariner? I have the older model which picked up from here last year and love it . Was going to order new bulb for it and saw MD now has newer version.

Wanted to ask dimensions of it? I ask as read has internal built in ballast which older version has ballast on the outside. Might just order it if same size or smaller .

Thanks

Aqua C & Magdrive parts

kramer9 — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:56:21 GMT

Does anyone have a parts list to connect a EV-120 to a MagDrive 7?

Filtration/Freshwater Set-Up/UGF?

cathyreese — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:06:33 GMT

I have a 29 gallon freshwater aquarium. Right now there is no one in it because we had an ice storm a few weeks back and lost our fish. I am running a Biowheel 150 and also a UGF with a power head and a wad of filter medium in its uptake tube.

Here's my problem. I am NEVER happy with my aquarium's appearance! The fish seem fine w/it but it just never looks clean. There is always hard algae on the glass & a lot of junk all down in that gravel. I have had the aquarium empty for 2 weeks and am still changing the filter medium every day, just trying to catch up on gunk before I think of adding some new guys (maybe angels?). Vacuuming just does not get enough of that gunk out of the gravel.

Do you have any suggestions for other types of filtration I might try? I do have to watch my money but was wondering if I should try something else. I usually have some sort of cichlids and I have read in several cichlid books statements like, "No one uses undergravel filters any more so we won't even talk about them." This has all made me wonder if I am a bit behind the times and should try something new! What is your advice? I really appreciate you!

Thank you

Cathy Reese

How Often Do You Change Your Filter Socks?

Jasonanatal — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:09:56 GMT

Hello everyone, this is the first setup where my sump includes a single 4 Inch Filter Sock as a part of its filtration. However, I'm noticing the my 100 Micron and 200 Micron Filter Socks start to overflow every 4 days. Also I read in the instructions that you can actually wash the filter sock in the washer machine. My questions are this.

1. How often do you have to change your filter socks?

2. How do you clean your filter socks? Do you wash out your filter socks in the wachine machine?

3. Do you just replace your filter socks every time they start to overflow?

which skimmer to buy

jiujitsu — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:19:39 GMT

i had a 45 gal reef aq but the tank was damaged during the move.so i am getting a new one soon and i need a good protein skimmer. i have a prism skimmer but i think its a P.O.S. i could never get the flow just right and when i did it didnt skim worth a crap anyways. i am able to spend about $200 on a new skimmer so if anyone knows the best one for the money let me know. any help would be greatly appreciated.

need skimmer help

Mahrdol — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:30:55 GMT

I have a ETSS 1800 XR skimmer. It no longer works. I need to replace it or get it fixed.

Can you refurbish skimmers?

if not

I need external skimmer for 600 gallon tank. I want to get a good one that is easy to maintain and won't break after a year or 2.

thanks

quiet skimmer?

skygirl997 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:56:39 GMT

Hi all,
I just bought an AquaC Remora hang-on skimmer. In the Customer Comment area, many people mentioned it's noisiness; however many also mentioned that eventually the skimmer quieted down either by using a paper towel or something to do with the break-in process. I was wondering what these people actually did to quiet it down? Where does the paper towel go or how long does the break-in process take?
Thanks in advance,
TJ

Two Little Fishies Phosban Reactor 150

Freddybnj — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:51:21 GMT

Hey all, quick question... I am going to setup these two reactors in series , one with phosphate remover and the other with carbon... my question is... what do I do about a pump... I know the flow rate is 80-90 gph for the reactor.. but if i'm pushing thru two (in series)... should I double the GPH flowrate? Thanks.

hi-q zero water change filtration

PhilT — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:21:59 GMT

anone used this?

http://www.hiq-usa.com/

I doubt that it would completely eliminate water changes but if it even reduced the need by 1/3 I'm game..

I would like to hear from someone that has used this product and your review.
I tried searching and didnt find anything on the subject here.

Anyone used an Eco Aqualizer?

PhilT — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:55:52 GMT

I just purchased one of these units. It has a 180 day money back guarantee but I was just wondering if anyone here has heard of the device? http://ecoaqualizer.com/aquarium.htm

I also purchased an AquaC Remora Pro Hang-On Protein Skimmer w/ Drain Fitting + Mag-Drive 3 Pump from Marine Depo and supposed to get that tomorrow.

I gave up on my fish hobby several years ago because I got tired of constantly losing the fight to Algae. The tank is 90 gallons, its a beauty, a Tenesson with cherry surround cabinetry and it was quite costly (around $4K).

But it always looked UGLY with algae popping up all over regardless of what I did with limited lighting, live sand etc.

Back when I bought this unit, the store never educated me on protein skimmers and maybe back in 1999, there wasnt even such a thing but hopefully between the skimmer and this Ecoaqualizer my algae will stay away and I will finally be able to enjoy the hobby.

If you go to the link I provided the unit sounds pretty interesting using far side infra red and magnets to make the water more "reactive" allowing the skimmer to be 300% more efficient.

It's a passive device and requires no wiring or maintenance and supposedly lasts for ten years. they have plenty of testimonials on the site and show before and after pics of water that was cleared up in 8 hours.

Ill report back it if it works.

Im interested to see if anyone here has already tried one and their feedback.

Coralife RO/ DI unit question

Fishguy — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:04:12 GMT

Hi everyone! I am currently looking into buying and ro/ di unit. I was wondering though. One comes with a pump and the other doesnt. the one that does says it's for low pressure areas. DO I need one if I am just hooking it right up to my sink? I've never used one so I have no clue how to. I was told it could be hooked right up to my sink and it should be fine. I was never told about a pump. on the websites it doesn't say I necessarily need one and I hope I don't because I can't afford it right now! anyway thanks in advance everyone! I really appreciate the help!

Coral Reef Sand Substrate DSB

775coral — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:16:54 GMT

Looking to understand some DSB design ideas:

I am putting together a larger sized Coral Reef aquarium (96x48x31) where I am planning to use 5-6” of sand. I believe this will help control Nitrates, and provide habitat for burrowing critters. I am looking for lower cost alternatives for the 1200 + lbs of sand this would require. I have read in numerous places that silica sand is okay – “but for those who need more buffering…” use aragonite.

1: is silica sand really a safe choice to use in a coral reef set up that will likely be set up for long period of time?

2: The system volume may reach 1000 gal & I plan to use a calcium reactor (and perhaps a DYI kalk stirrer) to supplement alk & calc to assist the corals that will be in the system. So I don’t really understand why I may need aragonite substrate? I am thinking for it to help it will need to dissolve - over time. As I understand it would not (really) help reduce the daily pH swings – that is already done with the calc reactor pushing my alkalinity to up to maintain the Calcium.

Skimmer recommendation

anthony — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:13:21 GMT

I currently have a noname skimmer that came with the sump and am looking to upgrade my protien skimmer - I have a 92 gallon tank + a 20 gallon sump and a future 30 gal refug. Tank has 4" of sand, live rock, mushrooms, bubble tip anenome, leathers, polyps, 4 fish ++++

Can you recommend a skimmer for around $200-$300??

Also, should I put the skimmer in the sump or in the refug?

Hang -on or external??

Thoughts??

14G Biocube upgrade question

SilverDak — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:56:22 GMT

Hey everyone! New guy here, name is Collin and I have been in saltwater fish for about 6 months now,a nd freshwater for about 3 years. I have a 14G cube set up from my saltwater and I am trying to get more flow out of it, I have a decent amount of hair algae and figure a better return pump would help turn the tank over a few more times per hour. right now with the 137GPH pump I am getting it to filter 9 times per hour which isnt too bad but I am looking to double that. what would a good return pump be that fits in the 3rd chamber? I am also thinking adding a powerhead would help too, more flow is always better form what I have read. so I am looking for some good, bang for the buck kind of stuff.

for the mods this isnt a "wanted" add either, just need some info. I have been browsing around this site but have no idea what might or might not fit in that chamber. so any info would be a great help.

also is there no "introduction" area where I can introduce myself? lol this will have to do then. if you need more info on my tank and whats in it dont hesitate to ask!

-Collin

AquaC Remora Pro Hang-On Protein Skimmer w/ Drain Fitting ???

Gemini — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 17:07:55 GMT

Can you explain what the purpose of the "drain fitting" is? Would you recommend this skimmer for a 55gal reef tank with no sump?

Thanks

DYI skimmer between nano and sump

kevensquint — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:53:07 GMT

Hello, I had a 125 reef with all the bells and whistles, eventhough I noticed that for example my old fashioned air stone skimmer did just as good a job as my modern needle wheel skimmer. I would now like to try a little DYI'ing on a small 20 gallon to see how simple I can keep it and get nice results. I want to know if anyone has tried to make a very tall air stone skimmer with the overflow from the tank going directly into the reaction area of the skimmer and the outlet of the skimmer flowing down into the refugium under the display. I would control the height in the reaction chamber of the skimmer by means of a valve on the return pipe....would this work? Basically the skimmer would be working with gravity making the water flow downward throught the chamber against the tons of bubbles rising up. The sump pump return to the display would be responsable to make the display rise to overflow into the skimmer. I hope Im clear enough, english is not my first language. Thank-you

Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel - up to 125 Gallon

Burbo — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:04:50 GMT

My Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel - up to 125 Gallon isn't creating any foam, I've clean it right down to the needle wheel, cleaned intake and runs good (creating foam) for a while and then stop making foam, it is making minimal bubbles in the chamber but not in any way or form as it should. When it stops making bubbles i unplug it and wait about 1/2 hour plug it back in and work fine for a while and then it's back to making very little bubbles. It's about a year and half old. Any suggestion or ideas (besides buying a new skimmer) I'm all ears

Thank you

Install ozone to my 100gal tank safely

aquariaman — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:09:34 GMT

I have been trying to install ozone to my 100gal tank that i am converting to a reef. I have a 0 to 500mg/hr corona discharge unit that has the air pump in the unit. Also a Milwaukee ORP controller with the probe in the main tank and a ozone safe Coralife 125 protien skimmer.Can somebody please help me.

canister filter

Skye — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 11:02:11 GMT

Hi!

I'm new to the site, and have a viaaqua 750 external filter for my 100 gl fresh water tank.

I'm just trying to refresh my memory as to what goes where in each of the 3 compartments.

I start with compartment 1 at the top moving to 3 at the bottom. Loose at the top, carbon in the middle with nitrate sponge and then fine at the bottom.

Can anyone comfirm that I'm doing that correctly?

thank you!