Pictures of my tank

[McTeague]

Well, I finally got the tank in halfway decent shape to post some pics:

[reeferman00]

looks good i think some xenia would look good in there.
thats my favorite!

[McTeague]

//googles xenia...

[McTeague]

Oh yeah, the "pulsing" coral! The guy at the LFS tried to sell me some today. I will def get some but I want to get some hammer coral or sun coral first.

[NYIntensity]

What have you got for filtration? I see the skimmer, have you anything else? I'm just wary of having heaters in the display (especially glass heaters).

[McTeague]

Here are some more but I used the flash this time:

[McTeague]

Originally posted by NYIntensity
What have you got for filtration? I see the skimmer, have you anything else? I'm just wary of having heaters in the display (especially glass heaters).

I have a skimmer and undergravel filter and live rock only. The Ebo Jager is pyrex glass like all Ebo Jager heaters. I have used Ebo Jager for years never had a problem. Someday this tank will be my sump for a BIG tank to I am not going to build a sump for this.

[zhenjw]

I love GS maroons .

[demonsp]

Dude get some flow in there fast pls.That clown looks hungry for some O2.

[McTeague]

Originally posted by demonsp
Dude get some flow in there fast pls.That clown looks hungry for some O2.

Is that why he always stays at the top? Would the skimmer not inject enough oxygen? What do you suggest I add? Ihave a skimmer and a powerhead that drives the UGF, I could immediately add another powerhead unless you have something else to suggest that would be better.

[Shooter7]

Flow is very important in reef aquariums. I typically recommend 30x volume flow, not only to keep the waste materials kicked up so that they can get to the skimmer, but also to keep good surface agitation going which is where much of your tank oxygenation takes place.

Under gravel filter? I thought Paul B. was the only one still running one of those, and his is reverse flow. Will be interesting to see how this setup does. Kind of a retro look...

[McTeague]

Originally posted by Shooter7
I typically recommend 30x volume flow, not only to keep the waste materials kicked up so that they can get to the skimmer, but also to keep good surface agitation going which is where much of your tank oxygenation takes place.

Can I include the flow of the skimmer pump in my calculations for the 30x flow? Thanks for the guidance.

[Shooter7]

I wouldn't. I would not consider what water movement it produces as really doing a whole lot to move water about the tank. You need some powerheads in there. You might be ok with even 20 - 25x flow, but you need something to keep the waste stirred up so that skimmer can even get to it, and so that you keep the water surface constantly rolling over and moving.

[McTeague]

I will add at least one more powerhead when I get home from work tonight. Thanks! I am not doing reverse flow because that does not do anything for circulation since all the powerhead's output gets directed down under the plates.

[killingseed]

remove the undergravel filter system, can trap bad gases in them. not good. undergravel filter system not recommanded for saltwater.

[McTeague]

Its staying...

I did add another powerhead however, the water is really moving now. I think I am at about 12-15 times per hour turnover.

[killingseed]

your smile face doesnt change the fac that the undergravel filter system is not good for saltwater tanks in anyway.

[McTeague]

Please elaborate... I am listening, for sure.

[killingseed]

An undergravel filter provides inadequate biological filtration for marine reef. In saltwater aquaria, which has much lower levels of dissolved oxygen, undergravel filters should not be used, as the submerged aerobic bacteria in the gravel are competing directly with the fish for oxygen.

thats beside the trap gases that can form in the underground filter system.

[McTeague]

What if I cap them off and grow anaerobic bacteria under them?

[killingseed]

then you will have a build up of gases and that it not good. working around it isnt going to help. i would just remove and move on.

[McTeague]

That would require completely breaking down the tank. Perhaps some day I will do so. Maybe I should test the dissolved O2? Is there a way to do that?

[demonsp]

The fact that your in RC and wanting info is a great start. I beleive you may have got alot of bad info or basing your setup on FW tanks. If you want a clean successfull reef tank you need to take a step back , slow down , and keep asking like you are.

The undergravel filter is possible but not needed and nothing but a nitrate factory. Same as the crushed coral another nitrate factory. The skimmer and return cannot put enough flow for proper water quality and bio filtration and O2 exchange and a few more.

Your LR is your best Bio filter with proper flow and CUC. If kept up and enough flow then it will convert nitrate and ammonia into harmless nitrogen.And a proper SB will convert nitrate into nitrogen. Skimmer removes disolved solids for the most part . There is no one way to control any problem. Its all about controlling the water condition and tools like fuges , skimmers , powerheads that we use to control these. Heres some great articles that may help GL.

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/sta...opmistakes.htm

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/1/aafeature/view

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/ar...id=285&aid=243

[McTeague]

How is the bacteria that grows in the gravel bed any different from the bacteria that grows in the live rock? Would a gravel bed not "use oxygen" just like a bunch of live rock would? What is the difference?

[killingseed]

CC is can trap gases as well and build up nitrate over time unlike LR.