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Pet Forum / Aquaria / Marine Reef / April 2007



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advice for new reef tank

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ONJ - 11 Apr 2007 18:12 GMT
I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank.  I have done saltwater
over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
filter.

I acquired a 55 gallon system and my plan is to purchase 60 lbs of live
rock, not sure whether to use crushed coral or sand yet...and I am looking
at the Tom Aquatics PS3 protein skimmer/canister filter all in one.

Any suggestions?  Words of wisdom?  Anyone have an opinion on the PS3
skimmer/canister system?
Wayne Sallee - 11 Apr 2007 22:12 GMT
You want a calcium based sand, the finer the better.
Are you going reef?
As for your filter question, I'm not a big fan of
all in one deals.
If you are going reef, be sure and purchase a few
good books on reef keeping.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets
Wayne@WaynesPets.com

ONJ wrote on 4/11/2007 12:12 PM:
> I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank.  I have done saltwater
> over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Any suggestions?  Words of wisdom?  Anyone have an opinion on the PS3
> skimmer/canister system?
Wayne Sallee - 11 Apr 2007 22:14 GMT
Also, you want to identify your real identity?

Onj,onj,onj is nonsense.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets
Wayne@WaynesPets.com

ONJ wrote on 4/11/2007 12:12 PM:
> I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank.  I have done saltwater
> over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Any suggestions?  Words of wisdom?  Anyone have an opinion on the PS3
> skimmer/canister system?
CanaDUH---Sucks! - 11 Apr 2007 22:33 GMT
> I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank.  I have done saltwater
> over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Any suggestions?  Words of wisdom?  Anyone have an opinion on the PS3
> skimmer/canister system

Gt a f.cking grip Wayne. Evidently he doe snot have an ISP that
requires him / her to use a real name now does it. Nothing worse than
TheRock or Pszemol now is it. Would ylu feel much better if he /she
stated their name was John T. Hughs or suych. Your a real f.cking gem
there wayne, as everyone doe snot have to pay any attention to any so
called imposed rules in this f.cked up group..........You and the rest
of these nit wits should be  glad yur at least getting a real poster
here and not a troll...........or would you all rather the trolls be
summoned back to give this screwed up group some credibility.
BarrReport@gmail.com - 12 Apr 2007 01:54 GMT
> > I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank.  I have done saltwater
> > over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
> > filter.

> > I acquired a 55 gallon system and my plan is to purchase 60 lbs of live
> > rock, not sure whether to use crushed coral or sand yet...and I am looking
> > at the Tom Aquatics PS3 protein skimmer/canister filter all in one.

> > Any suggestions?  Words of wisdom?  Anyone have an opinion on the PS3
> > skimmer/canister system

The CPR units are great, you can use anything similar on a 55 fairly
easy.
Good light is essential, lots of current etc.

I like DBS's and Refugiums over skimmers, but you can try both,
generally you will not get any skimmate if the refugium is running
correctly.

Regards,
Tom Barr
Pszemol - 12 Apr 2007 03:52 GMT
>> > I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank.  I have done saltwater
>> > over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Regards,
> Tom Barr

Tom, why are you crossposting reef subject between freshwater forums??
~Windsong~ - 12 Apr 2007 16:48 GMT
Pszemol still being the dumbass he always has been.What makes you
think he is cross posting FW crap there dumbass?


<<>><BarrReport@gmail.com> wrote in message news:1176339285.759880.261080@d57g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
<<>>>> On Apr 11, 12:12 pm, "ONJ" <o...@onj.onj> wrote:
<<>>>
<<>>>> > I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank.  I have done saltwater
<<>>>> > over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
<<>>>> > filter.
<<>>>
<<>>>> > I acquired a 55 gallon system and my plan is to purchase 60 lbs of live
<<>>>> > rock, not sure whether to use crushed coral or sand yet...and I am looking
<<>>>> > at the Tom Aquatics PS3 protein skimmer/canister filter all in one.
<<>>>
<<>>>> > Any suggestions?  Words of wisdom?  Anyone have an opinion on the PS3
<<>>>> > skimmer/canister system
<<>>>
<<>>> The CPR units are great, you can use anything similar on a 55 fairly
<<>>> easy.
<<>>> Good light is essential, lots of current etc.
<<>>>
<<>>> I like DBS's and Refugiums over skimmers, but you can try both,
<<>>> generally you will not get any skimmate if the refugium is running
<<>>> correctly.
<<>>>
<<>>> Regards,
<<>>> Tom Barr
<<>>
<<>>Tom, why are you crossposting reef subject between freshwater forums??

-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!
George Patterson - 12 Apr 2007 17:53 GMT
> Tom, why are you crossposting reef subject between freshwater forums??

If you look at his posting, he's replying to one of Tristan's idiotic rants;
fortunately cutting out all of Tristan's garbage. Tristan always adds his little
laundry list of other groups to his replies to posts in this one. If you take a
further look at Tom's posting history in this group, he has *only* replied to
posts in this manner. That leads me to believe that he does not subscribe to
this group and only replies to things he gets indirectly through the flames.

I notice that you left all the cross-posting in for your reply. That's smart -
that should ensure that Tom sees it. Let's hope it does some good.

George Patterson
    If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
    to anything.
Wayne Sallee - 12 Apr 2007 21:52 GMT
Yep, and that's why I never even saw his post,
because he is in my kill file.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets
Wayne@WaynesPets.com

George Patterson wrote on 4/12/2007 11:53 AM:

>> Tom, why are you crossposting reef subject between freshwater forums??
>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>     If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
>     to anything.
rons515@localnet.com - 12 Apr 2007 19:21 GMT
(snip)

Please do not cross-post this thread to rec.ponds.

    Thank you.

               ron
RGB - 12 Apr 2007 23:47 GMT
On Apr 12, 1:21 pm, rons...@localnet.com wrote:

> (snip)
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
>                 ron

Whats this crosspost thingie? CPR makes good skimmers. Don't know if
they would be any good in a freshwater pond or tank though.
swarvegorilla - 17 Apr 2007 05:06 GMT
> On Apr 12, 1:21 pm, rons...@localnet.com wrote:
>>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Whats this crosspost thingie? CPR makes good skimmers. Don't know if
> they would be any good in a freshwater pond or tank though.

nah skimmers only just work on most brackish setups.
In freshwater they are about as helpful as an airstone at removing waste.
ONJ - 12 Apr 2007 16:21 GMT
>> > I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank.  I have done
>> > saltwater
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> Regards,
> Tom Barr

Ok..help me out here....what is a CPR unit and DBS?
George Patterson - 12 Apr 2007 16:57 GMT
> Ok..help me out here....what is a CPR unit and DBS?

A CPR is short for Creative Plastic Research. They make aquarium equipment. One
of their popular items is the "Backpak" skimmer. As for DBS, I suspect Tom meant
DSB, which is short for deep sand bed.

George Patterson
    If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
    to anything.
rons515@localnet.com - 12 Apr 2007 19:21 GMT
Please do  not cross-post this thread to rec.ponds.

   Thank you.

             ron
Pszemol - 13 Apr 2007 05:35 GMT
> Please do  not cross-post this thread to rec.ponds.

Ron, don't crosspost your words to all these groups!
rons515@localnet.com - 12 Apr 2007 19:21 GMT
(snip)

Please do not cross-post  this thread to rec.ponds.

    Thank you,.

               ron
George Patterson - 12 Apr 2007 17:28 GMT
> I acquired a 55 gallon system and my plan is to purchase 60 lbs of live
> rock, not sure whether to use crushed coral or sand yet...and I am looking
> at the Tom Aquatics PS3 protein skimmer/canister filter all in one.

With a reef tank, sand is preferred; about 1" in the main tank. There are many
neat fish that prefer sand. Crushed coral is used mainly with undergravel
filtration, and you won't have that (I hope).

Usually, cannister filters aren't used with tanks that depend on live rock for
filtration. Typically you just set up some sort of water circulation system
capable of pumping the entire volume of your tank every five minutes (I your
case, at least 750 gallons per hour). This pushes the water around the rock and
gives it a chance to work. A protein skimmer handles the job of pulling crud out
of the water. A refugium is nice to have, and you may eventually need other
equipment (like phosphate or calcium reactors). The rock, a good circulation
pump, and a skimmer will do for now.

George Patterson
    If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
    to anything.
ONJ - 12 Apr 2007 18:21 GMT
The rock, a good circulation
> pump, and a skimmer will do for now.

kewl...now as far as circulation....I was thinking 2 Hydor Koralias.....is
this sufficient?  If so...how about their placement on a 4 foot tank?
George Patterson - 12 Apr 2007 19:20 GMT
> kewl...now as far as circulation....I was thinking 2 Hydor Koralias.....is
> this sufficient?  If so...how about their placement on a 4 foot tank?

Yeah, two of the 400 gph units should do the trick. Or one of the 800 gph units.
I don't know about placement; I have a single Tunze on my 125 gallon tank. It's
down at one end in the back corner. Some of the fish like to hang around that
end 'cause the flow isn't as strong in the front corner there. My firefish, on
the other hand, are down at the other end where the currents get chaotic.

George Patterson
    If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
    to anything.
Blackheart - 14 Apr 2007 09:37 GMT
> I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank.  I have done saltwater
> over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Any suggestions?  Words of wisdom?  Anyone have an opinion on the PS3
> skimmer/canister system?

the 2 greatest words of wisdom i can impart is as follows.

1) do NOT purchase anything until you have read -everything-

2) post your questions on forums like reefcentral.com . This newsgroup
is currently overrun by idiots and has ceased the usefulness it once
had. Another good resource is wetwebmedia.com
ONJ - 14 Apr 2007 14:34 GMT
>> I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank.  I have done
>> saltwater
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> is currently overrun by idiots and has ceased the usefulness it once
> had. Another good resource is wetwebmedia.com

Oh I am researching my arse off...LOL.  I want to do this right.

I also looked into just getting a skimmer and forgetting the canister.

The skimmer I'm looking at got some good reviews.  It is a Precision Marine
HOT-1 Skimmer.
It was #3 on the list on the following website.  I liked it because it
sounds like it is easy to maintain, and can add on a bigger collection
canister.  It also has an option to make it free standing
The site is here:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/proteinskimmers/tp/TPhangons.htm

And it has to be a hang because I have decided against a sump.
Basically I don't want to spend 3 and $400 on a skimmer, but I don't want a
piece of crap either.

Have you read anything about these Precision Marine units?
George Patterson - 15 Apr 2007 04:28 GMT
> Have you read anything about these Precision Marine units?

Haven't heard anything about them, but I think that Stan & Debbie Hauter run a
pretty good site. Lots of good info in their newsletters.

George Patterson
    If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
    to anything.
Pszemol - 15 Apr 2007 00:26 GMT
> the 2 greatest words of wisdom i can impart is as follows.
>
> 1) do NOT purchase anything until you have read -everything-

When do you know you read everything?
I keep reef tanks since 2002 and I know I have not read everything yet.
I think you should start buying stuff much sooner ;-)

> 2) post your questions on forums like reefcentral.com . This newsgroup
> is currently overrun by idiots and has ceased the usefulness it once
> had. Another good resource is wetwebmedia.com

I do not see idiots here, they are in the kill-file, updated daily.
I see only reef tank threads from people asking for help.
Do not exagregate the role of trolls and spammers.
You can deal with them efficiently using standard newsgroup software.
swarvegorilla - 16 Apr 2007 05:23 GMT
>> the 2 greatest words of wisdom i can impart is as follows.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> I keep reef tanks since 2002 and I know I have not read everything yet.
> I think you should start buying stuff much sooner ;-)

At least get the tank cycle started at some point, these things take weeks
to get started and heck to mature it may take 12 months!!
Have to agree....   just so much to read, every day so much new stuff!

>> 2) post your questions on forums like reefcentral.com . This newsgroup
>> is currently overrun by idiots and has ceased the usefulness it once
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Do not exagregate the role of trolls and spammers.
> You can deal with them efficiently using standard newsgroup software.

Would have to agree, it sucks but it ain't the end of the world.
Some days I need to killfile a few more than others
but all in all
I'm here to read Pszemol and Wayne and everyone else here.
See I'm sucking you dry of your valuable data.
When I'm full of all ya secrets
I'll bail
but until everyone stops giving good advice I'm hanging around....
like the smell of a blenny under the tank stand!
WooooT
George Patterson - 15 Apr 2007 04:33 GMT
> This newsgroup
> is currently overrun by idiots and has ceased the usefulness it once
> had.

As long as someone can ask a question here and get helpful answers, this will
never be true.

Actually, I notice that all of you guys use the same language. "This group has
been destroyed." "This group has lost its usefulness."

I'm beginning to think there's one idiot out there who wants to be able to claim
he's "destroyed" a group. All of you are the same person.

Go away, Tristan.

George Patterson
    If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
    to anything.
Blackheart - 22 Apr 2007 03:19 GMT
> > This newsgroup
> > is currently overrun by idiots and has ceased the usefulness it once
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Go away, Tristan.

you may wanna reconsider the reduced dosage on your meds pal.
George Patterson - 22 Apr 2007 17:30 GMT
> you may wanna reconsider the reduced dosage on your meds pal.

In that case, quit wasting bandwidth and time posting bullshit here. If you
think the group isn't useful, unsubscribe.

George Patterson
    If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
    to anything.
 
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