Upgraded my tank!

[Brooks_McClary]

I just upgraded my tank about 3 weeks ago with T5s (I used to have PCs) and a HOB fuge.

WOW what a difference!!

The Cyano disapeared within 10 days of adding the fuge. I am running cheto with an 18w light over the fuge. The cheto is growing like, well... macro algae! Now at 3 weeks the fuge is crawling with pods. My manarin is super happy. I am getting better polyp extension in all my corals with the new light and I am already seeing growth on my first Acro that I added at the same time I upgraded the lights.

One problem...

Now that I dont have a HOB filter (Emperor 280) on the tank breaking the surface tension... I am getting all kinds of scum on the water surface. It is getting really yucky. I tried directing the output of my Fluval 204 across the water surface but that makes a lot of swirly scum... It does not get rid of it.

How do you guys without an overflow get the guck gone?

Did I mention that the T5s and Fuge were the best things EVER?!? I am still amazed how much better my tank looks and... and... and...

[ClarkiiClown]

What size is your tank?

[Brooks_McClary]

20 gal tall.

[landon]

Brooks,

I had the same issue in my old 55gal. I did not have a sump, and therefore did not have an overflow/surface skimmer in the tank. When I added an Aqua C Remora Protein Skimmer, with the Skimmer Box option, the film on my water went away forever.

[theop]

What type of HOB fuge are you using? You could add a skimmer box to it to pull water off the surface.

[Brooks_McClary]

I am using the CPR HOB. I actually have the skimmer box that they make for the SPR skimmer.

DUH!!! I can't believe I didn't think of that.

I moved the output of my Fluvalt to the very top of the water for the most agitation possible. The scum eventually went away... I have a Power Head right next to my power head for circulation... I don't know if I can fit the box with the PH right there. If the scum comes back I'll give it a try though. Thanks so much for the advice.

Also, I just purchased a Lee's Air stone driven Protien Skimmer to stick in the fuge too. I know before everyone tells me... Not as good as a venturi or needle wheel... I know but those make so much noise my wife banned them from the house. I do with what I can and I figure at worst... It makes some bubbles in the water for more O2!

Did I mention how much I love this hobby...!?!

[Brooks_McClary]

Quick question on Skimmate...

The Lees skimmer is in and has been running for about 12 hours. It has pulled out about 1/8 cup of dark green tea colored skimmate.

I have heared a lot about skimming wet and dry. How do I know how dry or wet I'm skimming? What are the advantages of each? Disadvantages?

[Agu]

This is strictly my opinion........

With smaller/lower powered skimmers a wet skimmate is preferable. Logic is that they lack the contact time to be really efficient so you need to remove more water with impurities to get the best results. In the process you're compensating for their inefficiency by removing more water.

I only have one skimmer running and it takes out a dark green tea colored skimmate.

[Brooks_McClary]

Thanks a ton.

I am amazed...

I have been on the "I don't need a skimmer" bandwagon for a long time.

1/2 because my wife made me get rid of the "#$%*@" noise maker 10 minutes after I set up a CPR backpack skimmer on my tank.

and...

1/2 because I have gotten along just fine for 14 months without one.

I do 3 to 4 gallon water changes almost weekly (I skip every now and then :-) ) I run carbon every month for a week.

I started this upgrade adventure because I just could not get rid of my cyano problem. It was driving me crazy. With the fuge the cyano went away. (Yeah for macro algae!!!).

Then I had the munge on the surface issue and I said to my self, "hey, I've got a spot in the fuge for a skimmer!"

I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE WATER SO CLEAR/CLEAN/SPARKLING!

So what have I learned from all of this?

1) Refugiums are good.

2) Protien Skimmers are good.

3) I can listen and learn every once in a while.

I'll post some pics soon...

[Agu]

What powerhead did you have on the CPR ?


because my wife made me get rid of the "#$%*@" noise maker 10 minutes after I set up a CPR backpack skimmer on my tank.

My bet is you had the maxijet :lol: .........

[Brooks_McClary]

Help!!!

I just did a top off and used Tetra AquaSafe dechlorinator. I usually use the SeaChem dechlorinator. I heared that some additives can overactivate a skimmer. Evidently this is one of those things that will do that. My skimmer started blowing tons on bubbles (beyond wet skimmate). I had to shut it off. How long does it take before that skimmer starts working like normal again?!?

Is there hope for me?

[wav3form]

What kind of water are you using for your tank?

[Brooks_McClary]

Sorry, I missed your Post Agu. It WAS the Maxijet.

I am using tap water. The same water I always use. I know...

Use RO/DI water...

but that isn't what changed. Just my dechlorinator.

It is 6 hours later and STILL foaming up a storm.

[wav3form]

Here's a surface skimmer that you can probably hook up to a power head.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=12703&Ntt=surface%20skimmer&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

[Brooks_McClary]

Awesome!!! I had not thought of hooking it up to my power head. As long as the crud gets pulled off of the top, it will eventually go through a filter.

UR the man WAV!!

[AIMFish]

Glad to see someone else using and loving the air driven lee's skimmer! For everyone else, a medium will fit perfectly in a tank/sump that is 12" :)

[Brooks_McClary]

Am I missing out on why the air driven skimmers are bad?

Mine is pulling out a cup full of dark brown/green crud every 5 days or so...

Is not all that skims, by definition... good?

[Brooks_McClary]

I thought you might like to see my fuge/light set up that saved me from the Cyano scourge...

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g115/Brooks_Mcclary/7d2d6990.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g115/Brooks_Mcclary/e59203ee.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g115/Brooks_Mcclary/45a3447f.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g115/Brooks_Mcclary/c2e11ab8.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g115/Brooks_Mcclary/6db1df39.jpg

[Brooks_McClary]

Also...

Here is a full tank shot with the T5s...

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g115/Brooks_Mcclary/2c0fa852.jpg

[Brooks_McClary]

and another possible better shot...

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g115/Brooks_Mcclary/ba40ab00.jpg