very confused (1 Viewer)

[Guest]

ok... this is what i have obtained.. 55 gal 36x18x17 oceanic reef ready tank. Has 2 Precision marine sump and ES100 protein skimmer. sedra 7000 to run the skimmer and sedra 12000 to run the sump. I have everything hooked up right no more leaks etc, but what im not understanding or not seeing is where is the filtration system for this tank? I know thats what the protien skimmer is for in a sense, but the way the guy i bought it from said to hook it up, theres a tube going from the top of the protien skimmer, where suposedly all ths junk is going and just spitting it back into the sump, wich just recycels everythign back in to the tank. So how is that filtering anything? Am i missing something or just not seeing it? Also When i turn the pumps on it cavitates for a while wich lets me know that the impellar on the pump is clogged wich means that something is not filtering right. I am so confused and frustrated and help and advice woudl be greatly appreciated. Also how do i upload a pic of what i have set up?

Thank you so much
katie

 

[dobber99]

Sounds like information someone tried to feed me when buying a used tank once. First clean out the pumps to make sure there is nothing in there clogging it up. Give them a try in a bucket to make sure they are working before hooking up to your system. On the top of the skimmer there is a collection cup where the skimmage will deposit. You don't want this stuff back in your tank, whats the point. Attach the hose from the collection cup to a separate container and keep an eye on it. If your skimmer is not set right it will cause the skimmage container to overflow unless you get a sealed skimmage container with a ball stopper. As far as filtration, live rock, sand, and macro algae in the sump (for nitrate) are what some people are using. If you go with the macro algae, your going to need a light with that as well. Hope this helps.

 

[Guest]

so what do you suggest i buy, or should i just dump everything i got and start over? if so whats the cost gonna run me?

 

[dobber99]

It sounds like a nice set-up. If your pumps are bad, then get some new ones. If you don't have any livestock in your tank, then just take your time and do it right. Reefcentral has lots of pictures you can look at to pattern you system after. To load your pictures, you a need webspace to store your pictures in, then copy and paste url between the

 

[Guest]

ya... right now theres just water and sand in the tank until i can get evreything right. I have everythign sitting in my 11gallon right now so im in no rush.. How do i get webspace? There is no way i can just load them right here? i have seen it done before

 

[Guest]

You can post pics here.


http://marsh.webreefs.com/


Just make sure the pics are not too big.

 

[Guest]

http://marsh.webreefs.com/images/451.jpg
http://marsh.webreefs.com/images/452.jpg

that is what i have..... ignore the writing and the way the pump is set up in the 452 pic... that was a pic that i was emailing the person i bought it from.... it looks different now, but that is the best pic of the whole system

 

[Guest]

whoops those are both the same.... try this one

http://marsh.webreefs.com/images/453.jp

 

[Guest]

the 453 picture is the most current pic of whats set up, except there is a piece fo tubing going from the piece of pipe protruding from the top of the protien skimmer that goes back down into the sump

 

[Guest]

Katie281, I have the same skimmer. The pipe protruding is a waste output line. You are supposed to connect it to a waste canister, but NOT back into the sump or return line to the tank.

 

[Guest]

where do i get a waste canister?

 

[Guest]

This is what it looks like,

. But it runs about 80 to 100 dollars. You can use a jug or bucket if you don't mind the smell.

 

[Guest]

Also by the looks of one of the pics it looks like the skimmer plumbing is incorrect. The venturi, black tube with a nipple out the side, needs to be screwed into the 1/2" input on the skimmer chamber, not on the input of the pump. It will work the way you have it but it will slow down the pump and will not be as efficent.

 

[Guest]

Does this use bio balls?

 

[Guest]

From what I can see, its just a sump with the skimmer in it. Dont look like there any room for bios.

 

[Guest]

ya it uses bio balls. So if i fix that the pump should flow better?

 

[robrog]

In your pictures I can't really see what the water level my be near the pump intake. The intake needs to be fully sumberged so that the pump is not sucking any air which could cause cavitation. Also, if there is anything restricting the water flow into the pump like a clogged sponge for filter, that could cause problems too. The bio balls shouldn't affect water flow.