What should I do, new HOB protien skimmer, HOB refrugium or both?

Discussion in 'General Reef Discussion' started by Kim, Jun 28, 2013.

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  1. Kim

    Kim Secretary Staff Member

    Hiya,

    Okay, getting pretty discussed with my tank. Used a product to kill off all the red slime algea and crap then did almost a 50% water change, sucking all the dead crap off the sand bed. Within 24 hours, I'm getting the stuff back.

    I'm thinking part of the problem maybe the protein skimmer I have, a Prism. It's probably 8 years old and only rated for a 75 gallon. I'm thinking it's time to replace it, but with what? Should I just get another HOB protein skimmer and if so, which brand?

    I'm also considering a HOB refrugium...but will this take the place of a protein skimmer and the one's I've seen seem kinda small. Should I look into getting both?

    I'm just so tired of fighting this stuff, my tank looks terrible. I wish I'd never upgraded!!!!

    Ohhh tank specs are 75 gallon, T-5 lighting, on for about 10 hours, been doing weekly water changes, not to deep a sand bed, Prism skimmer and a HOB penguin with just chemi pure and filter pad in it.

    Kim/Benton, AR
     
    Kim, Jun 28, 2013
    #1
  2. graciesdad

    graciesdad Treasurer Staff Member

    Do you have a sump?

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
     
    graciesdad, Jun 28, 2013
    #2
  3. Kim

    Kim Secretary Staff Member

    Nope, no sump, which is why everything is HOB. I didn't have the money to invest in a sump when I set it up.

    Kim/Benton, AR
     
    Kim, Jun 28, 2013
    #3
  4. whippetguy

    whippetguy Super Moderator

    I think you'd have to have a lot larger refugium than a hob to take the place of a skimmer. You could still opt for refugium to add to your nutrient export but imo you'll want to keep a skimmer going.
     
    whippetguy, Jun 29, 2013
    #4
  5. Kim

    Kim Secretary Staff Member

    Hiya,

    That's what I thought about the HOB refugium. I didn't see one with a large volume of water in it. So, I'm back to putting a HOB skimmer on it, which is fine. What brand would you recommend?

    I'm probably just being impatient....Scott did say it would take a while to get this stuff to go away, but I just feel my current equipment can't handle it.

    Kim/Benton, AR
     
    Kim, Jun 29, 2013
    #5
  6. 501scionxb

    501scionxb Moderator

    Take your time making changes to your tank, upgrade to a bigger skimmer of course. They make the HOB ruge's you can get them from ebay.
     
    501scionxb, Jun 29, 2013
    #6
  7. Kim

    Kim Secretary Staff Member

    Hiya,

    Was hoping to find someone local with a good skimmer. Northside has an Octopus BH-100SS in stock...everyone else carries, well, less then ideal skimmers. Has anyone used this skimmer? It's rated for a 75-100 gallons.

    Kim/Benton, AR
     
    Kim, Jun 29, 2013
    #7
  8. Uperepik

    Uperepik Administrator

    Haven't used it but I think you can get them cheaper on eBay. I would really do some research on which hang on the back to get. Read some reviews and ratings. The last things you want is to be in the same boat a few months down the road.
     
    Uperepik, Jun 30, 2013
    #8
  9. 501scionxb

    501scionxb Moderator

    I have a HOB refugium.
     
    501scionxb, Jun 30, 2013
    #9
  10. fisher12

    fisher12 Past BOD Director

    Kim,
    You may not want to hear this, but I believe you should just start over and drill your tank and add a sump and refigum or a sump/refugium under the cabinet. This will solve the problems you seem to be having and avoid all the problems with HOB equipment. As everyone knows I am fan of ASM skimmers and for the price are one of the best I have tried. I believe it is always best to get a skimmer rated for twice the volume you plan to have. When you get a tank at least 75gal you need better equipment than is available in HOB for that volume. I have a 125 that is not drilled and has power heads for circulation and a canister filter for filtration, but it is a softie/fish only tank. It has macro algae and is a very natural looking tank without the sterile look of a nutrient free SPS tank. You could consider this option and make a softie tank which I believe is the simplest to maintain and even when I have all my other tanks set up, it get the most comments as far as coral movement and natural look. Remember Scott F. showed some pics of softie tanks and they were very interesting. Give it a try, you can always save for optional equipment while you try it out. Just my opinion everyone don't blast me about HOB equipment, I know there are some very good products out there, but for a nice tank with little expense, softie is the thing to try.
     
    fisher12, Jun 30, 2013
    #10
  11. Kim

    Kim Secretary Staff Member

    Hiya,

    Isn't there a way to add a sump without drilling a tank? I started doing some research on HOB and I can't find many rated for more then 100 gallons. I did find a few with filtration systems in the, auto top offs and surface skimmer, all octopus, but they're rated for 75 gallons. There's a refugium with a protein skimmer in it, but it seems to small for this size tank.

    I guess I don't mind a softy tank to much, I do like zoa's, rooms, and leathers. But right now, those aren't even happy in my tank! My torch coral isn't expanding though the trumpets are looking good. I'm down to my one SPS colony and it's not a happy camper. The base is bleaching out and it looks like I'm going to loose the frags we got at the event too. I knew I should have given them to someone until I could get this problem solved. Zoa's aren't opening up, and room's are coming off their rocks. Last time I checked my water paramiters, which was a few days ago, PH and Alk were low, which caused me to put in additives. Which fed all the bad crap in the tank, which caused me to do the chemical warfare and water change. Water flow isn't an issue I've got three korella's churning up my water.

    I did get a suggestion at northside to have Kevin check his RO filter and make sure they're still putting out good water. So I'll try and broach that subject soon.


    I'm about out of patience...can someone lend me some?

    Kim/Benton, AR
     
    Kim, Jun 30, 2013
    #11
  12. 501scionxb

    501scionxb Moderator

    They Have HOB overflows that require a lift pump. I've seen them on ebay for 40 something.
     
    501scionxb, Jun 30, 2013
    #12
  13. Uperepik

    Uperepik Administrator

    You may also want to check salinity. I've had multiple occasions where my salinity was very high from there. Not saying that's your problem, but I would keep an eye out.
     
    Uperepik, Jun 30, 2013
    #13
  14. Uperepik

    Uperepik Administrator

    What parameters are you checking? Do you top off with ro/di water? How long have you been doing weekly water changes, and how much per week? Exactly what chemicals are you putting in? There's no doubt you need a better skimmer but something else is going on. Is there anything that doesn't get cleaned that maybe leaching phosphates in the water. Norman is right that the best thing is a sump but your not having those problems just because you don't have a sump.

    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
     
    Uperepik, Jun 30, 2013
    #14
  15. Kim

    Kim Secretary Staff Member

    Hiya,

    Salinity has been a little low the last couple weeks, between 1.022-1.024. Ran out of salt both times..trying to upgrade my salt from reef crystals to Marine Tropic pro salt, Kevin just hasn't gotten it in yet. Otherwise, I check PH, Cal, ALk, and Nitraites. I do top off with RO/DI water from Paradise Pets.

    Just started weekly water changes after reefest, so I may not be giving them a chance. I just can't stand seeing my corals so stressed out and all that crap on the substrate and rocks. I'll look on ebay for a new skimmer, but I've got credit at Northside, which I think will make it cheaper to buy it there.

    Would a HOB overflow allow me to install a sump? How secure and safe would it be? I'd hate to have water end up all over the house if the hoses came loose.

    Kim/Benton, AR
     
    Kim, Jul 1, 2013
    #15
  16. fisher12

    fisher12 Past BOD Director

    There are people that swear by HOB overflows and say they never have a flood event. That is not my experience. I still say if you are going to have a sump, drill it !! Before you decide on a skimmer, make the sump decision, an in sump skimmer will be the best if you are concerned with an overflow event. I know it will be a lot of trouble, but you don't seem to be satisfied with the set up you have now. I say farm out your corals and fish you have now, have a tank party and get it all done in one afternoon. I'm sure the members will rally for you and get you set up so you can enjoy your tank without all the problems.
     
    fisher12, Jul 1, 2013
    #16
  17. whippetguy

    whippetguy Super Moderator

    I use a LifeReef overflow without difficulty. Just make sure you keep your sump water level low enough so that if you have a power outage what is siphoned from the display won't overflow your sump and you'll be fine. That's what gets most people in to trouble. They guesstimate the amount that will siphon down and end up with a flood.
     
    whippetguy, Jul 1, 2013
    #17
  18. graciesdad

    graciesdad Treasurer Staff Member

    Love my lifereef overflows. Never any issues with any of them. Sump would be a great idea.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
     
    graciesdad, Jul 1, 2013
    #18
  19. 501scionxb

    501scionxb Moderator

    See if somebody could house your corals. I know your attached to them.
     
    501scionxb, Jul 1, 2013
    #19
  20. Kim

    Kim Secretary Staff Member

    Hiya,

    Now I'm back to a money issue with installing a sump. Not sure I have the money for it. A protein skimmer I can swing right now.

    John, Jason, is there any way I can come over and look at your overflows? It might help me make a decision. Though, I just looked at his prices and I wanted to cry.

    Kim/Benton, AR
     
    Kim, Jul 1, 2013
    #20
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