Hello to all.
I am not sure if I am in the right forum or not but have a few things that I would like to get some opinions and advice on.
I have decided not to sell. The last time I posted I had made a decision to sell everything but the bug was too strong to let go. It is in my future to have a well working and beautiful reef tank. I have read a ton and done research on the tank and inhabitants I want to keep. With that being said, I have determined that I am needing to replace some equipment that I already have.
First, I have a Coralife Super Skimmer 125 with the needle wheel impeller. I have come to the conclusion that this thing is a piece of poo and I dont even want to mess with it. Yes I have read reviews and peoples opions that it is a decent skimmer but more often the reviews and opinions have been against it rather than for it. I have set aside $400 for a new and improved kick butt skimmer and would like to know what is the best option out there. I know it is a preference of what I would like to have but with just getting started in the hobby I would like to have the best for that amount of money right out of the gate. That ties in to my next issue...
I have a semi modded refugium/sump that I am going to work with. When I say semi modded I mean that I have cut out part of the skimmer area on the left side to put in the piece of poo coralife I have now. The skimmer area is 6.5" wide by 12" long. That plays in to what type of skimmer I can have as well. I like the internal skimmer but may have many more options for an external skimmer if that is what would work best. The refugium area is in the middle and the return is on the right side. I am wondering if I should get a different refugium/sump altogether but if possible would like to work with the one I have.
As far as plumbing goes... I have a mag 24 for my return and a mag 9.5 for a closed loop system. The MAG 24 is an over-kill I know but I have it so I want to use it. I was wondering how many times I could tee this pump off and it still work properly. I have a phosban reactor and another reactor that I am going to set up for carbon. Can I tee off for the two of those plus possibly an additional pump option if need be for my skimmer and still use it as a return? I was thinking about ditching the mag 9.5 closed loop and using it specifically for the chiller and have it return straight to the tank and then adding a vortech mp40 to the system for my flow. I have 700 watts of lighting with mixed MH, compact flourescents and moon lights.
So many options, I know. I guess I just want to make sure that I do it right the first time and getting my questions and concerns out on the forum can only help me no matter how confusing or newbie they may be.
I look forward to adding more to this new topic of discussion and everyones responses and opinions. Thank you.
I am not sure if I am in the right forum or not but have a few things that I would like to get some opinions and advice on.
I have decided not to sell. The last time I posted I had made a decision to sell everything but the bug was too strong to let go. It is in my future to have a well working and beautiful reef tank. I have read a ton and done research on the tank and inhabitants I want to keep. With that being said, I have determined that I am needing to replace some equipment that I already have.
First, I have a Coralife Super Skimmer 125 with the needle wheel impeller. I have come to the conclusion that this thing is a piece of poo and I dont even want to mess with it. Yes I have read reviews and peoples opions that it is a decent skimmer but more often the reviews and opinions have been against it rather than for it. I have set aside $400 for a new and improved kick butt skimmer and would like to know what is the best option out there. I know it is a preference of what I would like to have but with just getting started in the hobby I would like to have the best for that amount of money right out of the gate. That ties in to my next issue...
I have a semi modded refugium/sump that I am going to work with. When I say semi modded I mean that I have cut out part of the skimmer area on the left side to put in the piece of poo coralife I have now. The skimmer area is 6.5" wide by 12" long. That plays in to what type of skimmer I can have as well. I like the internal skimmer but may have many more options for an external skimmer if that is what would work best. The refugium area is in the middle and the return is on the right side. I am wondering if I should get a different refugium/sump altogether but if possible would like to work with the one I have.
As far as plumbing goes... I have a mag 24 for my return and a mag 9.5 for a closed loop system. The MAG 24 is an over-kill I know but I have it so I want to use it. I was wondering how many times I could tee this pump off and it still work properly. I have a phosban reactor and another reactor that I am going to set up for carbon. Can I tee off for the two of those plus possibly an additional pump option if need be for my skimmer and still use it as a return? I was thinking about ditching the mag 9.5 closed loop and using it specifically for the chiller and have it return straight to the tank and then adding a vortech mp40 to the system for my flow. I have 700 watts of lighting with mixed MH, compact flourescents and moon lights.
So many options, I know. I guess I just want to make sure that I do it right the first time and getting my questions and concerns out on the forum can only help me no matter how confusing or newbie they may be.
I look forward to adding more to this new topic of discussion and everyones responses and opinions. Thank you.