Hello reefers, Like most all of you, I sift through article after article and forum after forum searching for "great" information or that missing piece to the puzzle of a successful sustainable reef tank. I do find lots of great information, but much of it is conflicting. Simply meaning that there are so many ways and combinations for a successful reef. That being said, I'm curious to know about our members successful reef tanks and the equipment used. What kind of skimmer and how big. Do you use carbon reactors, GFO reactors, or nitrate reactors? Do you use a sump/fuge system and if so do you find that it's beneficial? I'm also in the midst of changing my setup and I'm thinking of running a couple large GFO reactors, a nitrate reactor, and some form of system to maintain pH. CO2 reactors sound very interesting but are they really necessary??? And should I go Ca+ reactor or Kalk, or both. I hope that all of your responces will be useful to the newer members who really want a great reef in their home. All responces I'm sure will be beneficial, but I'm working to change my tank over to SPS dominated.
My suggestion would be to get out and visit other members and look closely at what they do. Everyone does things differently, and I feel the most important thing to do is decide what you want to be the main dominating species in the system. I think you have decided on a SPS dominated tank. First decision covered. From here it's a matter of getting a system and staying with it. Don't make a lot of changes and be consistent. Look and ask questions. I don't think any member on here would be hesitant to let you "look under the hood" and take photos for reference about type of equipment and plumbing. Good luck with your project and keep us posted on you progress.
I can say for sure you don't want a CO2 reactor, unless you want an algae filled tank, maybe you meant a calc. reactor., which uses CO2 to melt the media, but can cause low PH and an algae issue, so alot of people run a Kalk reactor at the same time. What that does is let one run the calc. reactor with less output, which means less CO2 being used, as Kalk also helps keep calc. and alk levels up. It also helps keep the PH level higher by counteracting the effects of the CO2 as Kalk well raise PH and also some think it binds phosphates and helps remove them. GFO has to be done with knowledge as if it is tumbled to fast and fine particles get into the tank on the corals it well kill them. As Norman said, nose around and see whos tanks impress you and then find out what they are doing, but remember you can run all the reactors you want and it still is not the main reason for success. First off is proper husbandry, water changes, keeping things clean so they work as they should, water flow, substrate system, care in feeding, and a big a-- skimmer of quality.
CO2 reactor may be incorrect. BRS has CO2 media inside a chamber that hooks up to the air intake hose on a protein skimmer. Reduces CO2, increases amount of skimmate, and slightly increases pH. I use a phosban reactor and love it. I think they're wonderful and everyone should use one to help keep algea to a minimum. Currently I maintain Ca+ by simply adding Tropic Marines product. But thinking of a reactor. I tend to think the easier the better with equipment but some of the equipment is so well thought out and put together it ends up making things more simple.
Who is BRS??? CO2 media must be something new that I haven't kept up with. I always thought CO2 was a gas that you bought at a welding supply place. Or do you mean there is a media that you can put in a reactor to remove CO2??? That kind of seems like a sale gimmick to me as if you have good water circulation, especially on the surfaces of the main tank, and the sump the CO2 gas is dispersed into the air as it is a gas. Where the problem comes is when the house gets a high CO2 level because of what can be caused by several different circumstances, the setup can become saturated with CO2. Although I'm no expert on Ozone, as I don't think it is nessesary and there is much debate about how effective it is at the levels we use it, I know that some of the ones that do use it run it into the protein skimmer to help deperse the ozone if I'm not mistaken. Anyway, as stated above, go and see someones setup and if it is impressive pick their brain as anyone can tell you any number of ideas, but that doesn't mean they can put it into practice, and I well bet good husbandry is at the top.
I would love to go around and look at everyones tank. They're all different and great in their own way. And everyone has a system that works for them. The purpose of me starting this post was simply to get the people who have been doing this for some time now and very knowledable to share what kind of equipment you've used with success, or tried and realized over time it's not necessary. I've seen a couple very successful systems already and slowly trying to imitate those systems. I seriously doubt every new member to this site can jump from home to home and "look under the hood." I was hoping this would get a discussion about what really works.....and what equipment is a must have and what is a luxury. I am very fortunate to live near Sam.....as he has helped me tremendously and continues to do so. And Norman has a ton of knowledge to offer anyone. I would not know to save up for an ASM skimmer if this knowledge had not been shared.
I use the basics good protein skimmers, BRS carbon reactor, Nitrate reactor, refugium, and ATO(auto top off). I think some times people get a little carried away by all the bells and whistles that are available. I try to keep it as simple as I can,but as stated by John good husbandry will go along way to a very sucessfull reef tank.
It seems ASM is a widely recogmended skimmer. What about some other skimmers you guys recogmend? BRS reactors also look highly rated by users. I'm learning simplar is better......it's easy for me to be distracted by all the brands and ads and promises from the different companies. They all look great. Kinda why I wanted to start this thread.....I know some of you on here have tried a few brands and have some you trust and others you don't.....I'de like to know what they are. And I'm thinking other new comers would as well.
Marine Solutions sells SWC skimmers under their banner for usally less money. Also I would not waste my money on a cone, they are way over priced for what you gain. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/catalog/Protein-Skimmers-MSX-Skimmers/c22_48/index.html
John the SWC skimmer are made by a new start up company in Canada I beleive, I think the MSX skimmers are made in China (I could be wrong). I know of three people that bought the SWC skimmers for thier sumps & just love them, I am sure there are better skimmers on the market but for the price I think the SWC ones are very good. All the best ! Glenn Â
One and the same Glen. Marine solutions used to be the only outlet for them here in the US. I think there are others now. I know several people who have bought theirs from Marine Solutions and they have SWC etched on them. Here is a picture of one from Marine Solutions website, look closely and you well see SWC on the body. I know that SWC is a Canadian co., as to where the skimmers are made I know not, but they are one and the same. MSX is just Marine Solutions designation and the numbering is the same.              http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/catalog/popup_image.php?pID=373&image=0
So I've been looking at SWC skimmers and octopus skimmers vs ASM. Â I haven't used any of the three and relying on the internet and reviews for my biased info. Â The ASM I was going to get is the G4xx, it has a Sedra 15000 pump. Â It's rated for 450gal, but unlike octopus and SWC, ASM doesn't list a per bioload(meaning large bioload rated for 200gal, ect, ect) which I found to be quite helpful of the other two brands. Â Besides that one detail, ASM appears to be a better buy, based on price and total gallons. Â I've read some reviews that the smaller G4 Sedra pumps, 5000 I believe were not worth buying, but when people added larger pumps it performed well. Â So the 15000 should rock. Â If anyone has an opinion on this I would love to hear it.
I am not familiar with ASM. I think Sam and Norm uses them. I do know that MSX [SWC] are great skimmers and have achieved great results in skimmer test done by some on RC. I would think either would be fine as there is usally pros and cons to any of them.
