jpcoll01
10/04/2008, 07:25 PM
Hello All,
I have posted a couple questions about skimmers, etc. At this point I feel like I'm kind of at a crossroads. My current set up is a 125 gallon (undrilled) with 150 lbs of live rock in tank, I also have a couple cannister filters (honestly probably doing more harm than good) have 2 Koralias (a 3 and a 4) moving the water around. I have 1 Condi Anemone (thriving, getting huge) 1 Chocolate Chip Star, 40 or so crabs, 2 Percula's 1 Yellow and 1 Hippo Tang. I have a small (tiny) Emperor Angel and a red lip Blenny in Quarantine waiting to be added to this tank. Currently the surface of my water looks like it has a layer of scum on it, I'm thinking a protein skimmer is in order. My numbers are all good Nitrate,Nitrite, Ammonia all 0.
I feel that a sump with a refugium would be a great alternative for me but my tank isn't drilled and u tube overflows scare the crap out of me, just hate the thought of emptying the sump contents over the rim of the display and into my floor. What would be the best way to move forward?
A. Keep everything as it is, turn off the cannisters (except for water polishing when needed) and get a Octopus HOB (or similar).
B. Get some type of HOB Overflow and run that to a sump, I already have a really good return pump so that expense wouldn't be a big deal. I'm alright at DIY so I will probably figure out what size I tank I could fit under my setup and do my own baffles (split the return for fuge, etc. This would require me to purchase a good in-sump skimmer. but would make water changes/top off a ton easier
C. Buy a new 125 drilled and do a swap. along with the rest of option B (this one really isn't a viable option right now as it would cost a good bit of cash).
I like the idea of getting some of the live rock out of my display, although it is beautiful in there, it's just too crowded and I have a ton of decorative coral I would like to add that I just don't have room for. I appreciate everyone's feedback and I understand a lot of it is personal preference just looking for opinions, I go back and forth, the easiest at this point would be to drop a HOB skimmer on it and call it a day but in the long run that might be a stupid move.....
Thanks for your time,
Pat
I have posted a couple questions about skimmers, etc. At this point I feel like I'm kind of at a crossroads. My current set up is a 125 gallon (undrilled) with 150 lbs of live rock in tank, I also have a couple cannister filters (honestly probably doing more harm than good) have 2 Koralias (a 3 and a 4) moving the water around. I have 1 Condi Anemone (thriving, getting huge) 1 Chocolate Chip Star, 40 or so crabs, 2 Percula's 1 Yellow and 1 Hippo Tang. I have a small (tiny) Emperor Angel and a red lip Blenny in Quarantine waiting to be added to this tank. Currently the surface of my water looks like it has a layer of scum on it, I'm thinking a protein skimmer is in order. My numbers are all good Nitrate,Nitrite, Ammonia all 0.
I feel that a sump with a refugium would be a great alternative for me but my tank isn't drilled and u tube overflows scare the crap out of me, just hate the thought of emptying the sump contents over the rim of the display and into my floor. What would be the best way to move forward?
A. Keep everything as it is, turn off the cannisters (except for water polishing when needed) and get a Octopus HOB (or similar).
B. Get some type of HOB Overflow and run that to a sump, I already have a really good return pump so that expense wouldn't be a big deal. I'm alright at DIY so I will probably figure out what size I tank I could fit under my setup and do my own baffles (split the return for fuge, etc. This would require me to purchase a good in-sump skimmer. but would make water changes/top off a ton easier
C. Buy a new 125 drilled and do a swap. along with the rest of option B (this one really isn't a viable option right now as it would cost a good bit of cash).
I like the idea of getting some of the live rock out of my display, although it is beautiful in there, it's just too crowded and I have a ton of decorative coral I would like to add that I just don't have room for. I appreciate everyone's feedback and I understand a lot of it is personal preference just looking for opinions, I go back and forth, the easiest at this point would be to drop a HOB skimmer on it and call it a day but in the long run that might be a stupid move.....
Thanks for your time,
Pat