Exciting upgrades!

[Alfredo De La Fe]

Hey All:

I'm pretty excited... For the first time since the black outs I feel as if I have made some serious progress and the thought of tearing down my system and selling everything has not occured to me in months. Not just progress in fixing the horrible mess that was left after the blackouts, but I have upgraded just about everything in my system. I am making the following changes/additions:

1. Changed out worn oscilating returns.
2. Changed the equivalent of 200%+ of the water volume.
3. Rearranged the rockwork
4. Purchased ReefKeeper controller for temp, lights and wavemaker if I choose to add powerheads.
5. Calcium reactor with controller going in TOMORROW!
6. 1/3 HP Chiller going in TOMORROW!
7. Upgraded to 400W Metal Halide lighting
8. Changed out my skimmer to an ASM-G2
9. Got rid of the damsel from sheol
10. Changed a lot of my livesand.

I am considering upgrading my return pump so that I can eventually T off for the chiller and a UV Sterilizer. (I currently use an Iwaki 55-RLT) I am also considering increasing the number of oscilating heads OR adding a few "power heads" to reach the dead spots. I'm definately gearing up to go mostly SPS. I had figured on going mostly soft coral, but with all of the upgrades I just cant resist. But I have always thought that a mixed tank looks best. (I'm not getting rid of my Elegance or some of the beauties I have picked up)

Any suggestions?

-Alfred

 

[jackson6745]

What size tank?

 

[jackson6745]

Well since you need a 1/3hp chiller I'm guessing this tank is pretty large like 150 or 180 or larger.
In that case, if you want to go SPS, an ASM G2 will not be enough, You will have a nutrient problem which will make it very difficult to color up your SPS. Don't listen to skimmer rating they are underrated. For an SPS system you should get a quality skimmer that can handle almost double the size of your water volume(according to rating). I'm not saying that you cant have colorful acros with the g2, just saying you'll have to feed less with less fish, and possibly run po4 removing media along with more frequent water changes. Its easier with a big skimmer

For the dead spot you should consider a tunze stream.

 

[Alfredo De La Fe]

I have a 180. As for a larger skimmer, I thought so at first, but I started looking at other peoples systems that had NO skimmers and I slowly changed my viewpoint on it.

What I DO want to do is upgrade the pump on my ASM and make the mods to it that will make it more efficient. I had to change from my ETS-1000 to an ASM because I got married. ;-) My wife LOVED the tank, she just hated the big ugly thing in the corner. If I can find an under tank skimmer that is better I would consider upgrading.

In the meantime, I do make major water changes (25% each month), I use carbon continuously and I am adding a filter sock which I will swap out at least twice a week.

-Alfred

 

[herman]

There are plenty large skimmers that will fit under your cabinet dude!!!

 

[inkblue]

:sgrin: thiS is exCiting...caNt wait t0 seE piCs :smokin: :yeah:

 

[DEEPWATER]

There are plenty large skimmers that will fit under your cabinet dude!!!

Tunze make a smikker small enuff to fit under your tank,PM Alhra he has one ,Im going to him this weekend to seehow it woorks
the foot print is like 5x5 and 16 to 19" high
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_protein_skimmers_tunze_doc_comline_nano_classic.asp?CartId=

 

[jackson6745]

Alfredo which tanks did you see run skimmerless that made you lean towards less skimming?