New Year... New Questions!

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Alright guys! I'm VERY close to getting my 20gal wet. The stand has taken ALOT longer than I wanted, but its looking really good. I've just got a few finishing touch questions...

- Sand... Should I just go with silica sand from HD or lowes and seed it with live sand from another reefer? Or, would buying a reefing, calcium-based sand pay off for me?

- Rock... I've got a chance to buy some LR that is covered in Aiptasia at $3 / pound. Or, I could buy some other LR for 5-6 per pound. Is it worth 60-80 bucks to get LR that is aiptasia-free? Also, how many pounds do you all think I'll need?

- ATO - should the ATO resivoir be a sealed container? Also, I don't plan on doing a gravity-fed ATO, so which pump would be good to use?

- Skimmer - Has anyone had any experience running a Coralife Super Skimmer - 65gal externally? If so, how'd you set it up? HOTB? or plumbed?

[jojo22]

First I would get the live rock with no aptasia. Second The sand from HD is fine the silica will just cause a diatom bloom untill it is gone (should be by the end of your cycle or shortly after). Third I wouldn't worry about a sealed container, you want a way for air to get in as the watter is taken out to avoid a vacume effect I would just ust a small pwoerhead connected to the float switch in whatever manner is suggested by the switch manufacturer. and on the skimmer I am sorry but I can not help you there!

[graphixx]

JD, you could get the rock with the aptaisia and start killing it off while the tank cycles. I think that would be plenty of time. but if you can afford good LR then that would be less hassle.
also I would not worry about sealed container for ATO.
and the skimmer, I use a coralife skimmer and I personally think it works great. it needs adjusted a little more frequent than others but it sure pulls out some gunk.
NOW GET THAT DAMM TANK WET!!!!

[greg97527]

I did'nt realize that the aptaisia rock was 3 bucks a pound, that's steep considering LR around here is 3-6 anyway but if thats how you can save you can cycle with it like graphics said or even use a kalk paste and kill it off etc.
I actually use a super skimmer 65 on my tank and it is a great skimmer.

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Alright. Back from lunch...

K, for the 2 gregs, are your skimmers setup in-sump or being used externally? If externally, are they plumbed, or hotb?

Also, the LR situation. Has anyone ever bough LR off of ebay from a LR distributor? I've found some Walt Smith Fiji for 2.19 / lb before shipping, and right at $3.00 / lb after shipping. I've found it HERE. What do you all think? The seller has gotten RAVE reviews on the rock and delivery time. So, I think it may be legit.

[greg97527]

ive used the skimmer all the ways listed but its in sump now.

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k, so, how would I plumb it to pull water from the tank, and then return it?

[greg97527]

is it in sump or HOB?

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it will be hob since i don't have a sump. I'd REALLY like to be able to put it in my stand and just plumb it in line, but I doubt that will be possible eh?

[greg97527]

you could plum it in but you will most likely need a bigger skimmer pump because it will be sitting lower and you will have another couple feet of pvc or tubing running to the tank which will cut down your gph.