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cmantis

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So I need some advice. The JBJ K-2 Viper 150w Mh I got was modified at some point to have a 40mm computer fan inside. It wasn't working/wired up when I got it so I need to order a new fan and do so. It was mounted on the inside and it fits but is tight. I was thinking about maybe putting a larger (wider) one on and just mounting it outside. The thing is the one I am looking at is 16cfm (vs maybe 4-5cfm the slim ones are) but is 45db. I was planning on putting one of the adjustable power supplies on: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004I5ERUW/?tag=reefs04-20 but not sure if I really need the extra cfm or noise issues. What do you guys think should I stick with the original design and stick a small cfm slim one inside with a simple power converter or should I get the more powerful one and regulate it?

7hwd.jpg


original
9k7e.jpg


high cfm
lpwf.jpg
 

Tbone Reefer

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My plan was to set this up as a frag tank maybe with a pair of clowns or something. I wasn't really planning on using sand and wasn't sure about rock. I have some rubble rock for the back but am running out of space due to my equipment.

What are your thoughts on this? Do I need rock and if so how much and what about chaeto?

WHat do you Plan on for maintenance? If you are just doing frags and a couple clowns, you don't need the skimmer. Just do weekly water changes and you could export nitrate in that manner.

You should do away with the skimmer and get a refugium. You can put biological and mechanical in there.
 

cmantis

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WHat do you Plan on for maintenance? If you are just doing frags and a couple clowns, you don't need the skimmer. Just do weekly water changes and you could export nitrate in that manner.

You should do away with the skimmer and get a refugium. You can put biological and mechanical in there.

The problem with most of the hob refugiums including I believe the aquaclears is how the back is partitioned into three sections so they won't fit they way the are meant to. What about taking the simmer section out (it lifts out of the acrylic box) and making that into a DSB/rubble rock/chaeto area?

Dimensions are 7.5 x 3 x 17
 
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Tbone Reefer

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The problem with most of the hob refugiums including I believe the aquaclears is how the back is partitioned into three sections so they won't fit they way the are meant to. What about taking the simmer section out (it lifts out of the acrylic box) and making that into a DSB/rubble rock/chaeto area?

Dimensions are 7.5 x 3 x 17

That should work. It seems like there is a decent amount of space in there once the skimmer is out. That space filled, and some rubble in the back should be good. As long as the flow rate through the rubble/chaeto is sufficient. What is the GPH on the pump/ powerhead?

Do you have a light for the chaeto?

Are you going to get chemical filtration (purigen, cpe), if so do you plan on putting it in the back?

You might be able to stand the skimmer casing up so that it is slightly higher than the tank, but no hanging on it, behind. just to free up some viewing space on the side.
 
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cmantis

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The Aero Force has a Hydor Pico 400 pump:

4w
flowrate = 385 l/h
head h max = 70 cm

Would you put sand in there also or just rubble rock and chaeto? I have a small clip on light (tiny desk light) I was going to use.

I also have the middle section of the back of the tank free I could use for rubble/chaeto instead and just put some rock in the display section as well. That area is 4x3. What do you think about just filling that and keeping the skimmer?

As for chemical I have a cpr nano reactor I was going to run BRS bio pellets in.
 
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Tbone Reefer

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I don't think you can put sand in the skimmer housing, as it seems the pump is at the bottom.

I think the back is the best bet for rubble. I didn't realize the opening of the skimmer housing was partitioned and tapered so much for the electrical cords. Get some more live rock for the DT too.

Where will you have floss/sponge to filter out free floating detritus?
 

cmantis

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I don't think you can put sand in the skimmer housing, as it seems the pump is at the bottom.

I think the back is the best bet for rubble. I didn't realize the opening of the skimmer housing was partitioned and tapered so much for the electrical cords. Get some more live rock for the DT too.

Where will you have floss/sponge to filter out free floating detritus?

No that whole skimmer housing (tapered part and pump) comes out just leaving a box. Its basically a box that goes inside a box. For now I just put rubble in the back section of the tank.
 

cmantis

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Its up and running. I hooked up the ATO but did something really dumb. I had the water line running below the surface. So all night Im getting really annoyed my pump keeps running. Of course when I wake up I realize it was back siphoning into the reservoir.

I added some chaeto this weekend and also found that there is an ever so tiny drip leak in my skimmer where the tube coming off the pump goes into the housing so need to get some silicone to fix that. Otherwise its looking good going to test the water tonight and see where I am.
 

cmantis

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So here is what I did in the first chamber on the left will be the media reactor and heater. Second chamber is filled with rubble and chaeto and the third has my return and ATO.
pttp.jpg


I need to get a CUC I should have grabbed some snails from my tanks in NJ and was hoping to find some nice hermits on here or maybe visit one of the vendors this weekend. I am going to test the water soon to see where I am at but this week is so hectic anyways I am just going to let it ride for a few days.
 

cmantis

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If I use a clear acrylic frag rack can I still grow coral underneath or will it filter the light?

I remember from raising lizards that glass would filter out beneficial uv rays so wonder if the same phenomenon would happen here.
 

Tbone Reefer

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You should go for for a fly screen/mesh for a cover. Allows for better gas exchange and won't dull down the lighting, too much.

Are you going to run some floss for debris and detritus?

Looking good. New pics?
 

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