20 to 55 Gallons - Page 2

Nereaga · 03-15-2008, 04:39 PM

Hey Zibasue,

Welcome to the forum, first off!

The film that is forming at the top of the water is a build up of dissolved organic compound(DOC's), which is best removed by a protein skimmer. It is probably caused from the live rock you recently added; most likely from some die off. While a tank is cycling is a good time to add a skimmer. Usually they take up to 2 weeks to break in before performing at their capacities. IMO, a good hang on the tank model is an Aqua C Remora.

Water flow will vary from tank to tank. It all depends on what you want to house. If you are leaning towards softies and LPS, then I would suggest at least 10 times the tanks volume. So around 550 gallons per hour(gph). I would even say more, IMO. The more flow the better chance you have to trap DOC's and detrius in the water column, so it can be removed by skimming.

You can never go overboard with water flow, IMO.

HTH,

Brad

zibasue · 03-15-2008, 11:21 PM

I keep hearing about Remoras the Aqua C Remora Skimmer with Maxi Jet 1200 pump should be big enough for the 55 gallon shouldn't it?

Thanks for the welcome! I have read lots of good information from everyone. I still feel like I need to know a lot, lot more! I appreciate a place to ask questions.

Nereaga · 03-15-2008, 11:28 PM

Yes it is. I had the exact one on my 55g tank. It worked like a champ!

I sold it to Shock and he loves it aswell!

Brad

zibasue · 03-16-2008, 09:22 AM

If anyone else that has upgraded has one to sell, let me know. I keep looking at the price and wondering why I can't just find one at a garage sale!

Also, on the LR even though I moved it straight from one tank to the other, it would still have a period of "die off" ?? I don't understand exactly how it works. Can you just bring LR home from the LFS and put it in your tank?

When I see peopel talk about scrubbing their LR it's mostly been in reference to GHA (green hair algae?) how do you scrub it? when would you decide it needed to be scrubbed? I don't have a big problem with this right now, I'm just curious. Why would you scrub the rock instead of buy some more snails to eat the algae?

zibasue · 03-17-2008, 04:50 AM

Hello? what's going on...people that aren't sick are trying to sleep so they can go to work, that's what?! when you get a chance, I'd like to know about the live rock....

also, I planned to paint in the room with the aquarium...there is a cover, but the fumes would be in the air. Anyone else do this? will the fish be ok if I have windows open? Thanks!

Nereaga · 03-17-2008, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zibasue

If anyone else that has upgraded has one to sell, let me know. I keep looking at the price and wondering why I can't just find one at a garage sale!

Also, on the LR even though I moved it straight from one tank to the other, it would still have a period of "die off" ?? I don't understand exactly how it works. Can you just bring LR home from the LFS and put it in your tank?

When I see peopel talk about scrubbing their LR it's mostly been in reference to GHA (green hair algae?) how do you scrub it? when would you decide it needed to be scrubbed? I don't have a big problem with this right now, I'm just curious. Why would you scrub the rock instead of buy some more snails to eat the algae?

Hey Zibasue,

If you moved your live rock and it was exposed to air less than a minute or two, there will be in theory NO die off. If it was out for 5 minutes, then you might see an ammonia spike from die off.

If the rock is cured in their tanks and brought home submerged under water....yes.... Most of the lfs just wrap the live rock in wet newspaper and put it in a box. This will create some die off, from being exposed to air. Sponges will die when exposed to air, aswell as other things too.

Yes one of the reasons to scrub rock is to remove unwanted algae. Also when you get new LR from the lfs, you can scrub it really good before adding it in bins to "cure". You will need a scrub brush of some sorts and a couple of 2-3 gallon buckets. The next time you do a water change fill up the buckets with your old tank water. Then remove rock from display one piece at a time. Line the buckets up so you can go from one bucket to another rather quicly. Scrub the rock in the first bin, then move to next bucket to scrub some more, and then rinse it off in another.

Keep in mind that you want the rock submerged as much as possible, hence less of a chance of die-off.... Did you get all that? lol

Brad

zibasue · 03-17-2008, 10:29 PM

thanks, Brad, that was a lot of good information! I haven't had my rock out more than 5 minutes, and when I have had to work on the tank, I have put the rock straight into a styrofoam container with some of my old water and then put it back.

can bad things live on LR from the fish store? if I put it in my tank straight away, will it possibly cause problems?

so far, the snails have kept the algae down, no scrubbing required....but we shall see what happens with this tank that is cycling.

zibasue · 03-23-2008, 10:34 PM

ok, here's the latest picture...I put the rock in there without order yet...I was too tired after scrubbing it to rearrange everything. no matter how I try photobucket wohn't work, so here is the attachment.... I am going to rearrange it better later...in the meantime, how do y'all keep everything from falling over? what tips do you have in that regard?

my son said that his starfish got so big that he pushed the rocks around sometimes...

I hate Sunday night...it means that the weekend is over and it's time to go back to work tomorrow...I usually want more time off!! LOL

las4444 · 03-24-2008, 08:51 AM

One thing you may try to post a picture is right click the picture selected on photo bucket and go to properties. Make sure it's not the thumb but the big picture. Copy the web(URL) address and paste. I post pictures from my personal web site and this is the only way it works.

I have never cleaned my life rock after I brought it home from the LFS. I just toss it in. Now that my tank is established I only add 5-10 lbs at a time. My tank can handle the die off without affecting the fish.

Yes. I have had to rid mantis shrimp and bad anemones. However, I think the good extras out weight the bad.

zibasue · 03-24-2008, 08:48 PM

ok, let's try that.....

all I see is a little red x

darn it! I was hoping it would work!!!