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Hi - New Here and need advice

Sunny

Sunny

NJRC Member
Article Contributor
Hello Everyone

I have been keeping African Cichlids for 4 years but now am getting into saltwater. I am getting a 125G reef ready tank.
I need advice on which skimmer and wet/dry filter to get. I read the comparison chart for the skimmers. I am looking for some personal preferences that you guys may have. I am look at ETSS model 600 XR or Evolution 750. I also like the ASM G4.

I have read the sump should be atleast 20% of the tank size? How are the marineland acrylic sumps? Any other recommendations?

Thanks for the time.

Thanks
Sunny
 
Phyl

Phyl

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
I ran a wet/dry when I first setup my 120 (would be willing to sell it if you've got your heart set on one). I soon traded that out for just a sump (currently a rubbermaid tub, but any box of water will due). I ran an ETSS skimmer for a while and didn't really find it easy to use. I traded that for an MRC skimmer. I wouldn't write home about that either. Spend all the money you can find on the best possible skimmer. It will be worth it.
 
Daniel

Daniel

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Yes Phyl is right on the protein skimmer. Spend the money on getting a good skimmer it will make a world of difference. I all so had a MRC skimmer and was not happy with it. I finally spent some hard cash and got a Very good skimmer and it made a world of diffidence.
 
C

chuck116

I also agree, I started with a wet dry filter and am currently installing a rubbermaid 100 gal. sump. I also had a cheap or maybe I should say inexpensive skimmer and currently have an ASM G4+ that I am very happy with. Im no pro but I would also suggest as much skimmer as you can afford, maybe even more. My experience was as my interests changed I had to upgrade my equiptment and wished I had done it in the first place. Just my opinion. Welcome to the wonderful world of saltwater . Good luck. Chuck P & Anna Maria
 
mikem

mikem

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Welcome to NJRC.
I've went threw many skimmers and EuroReef is my favorite.
 
onefish2fish

onefish2fish

build a sump out of a used tank. a 40 breeder or 55 would be nice. way cheaper then premade or custom made sumps which look nice but if you keep it in a stand/fish room/basement who cares? and spend the extra cash on the skimmer for sure.
 
Sunny

Sunny

NJRC Member
Article Contributor
Thanks for the advice on making a sump from a used aquaruim. Any tips or reading material/direction on how to go about that? I have a used 55 gallon that I can use.

Thanks
Sunny
 
W

williah

Hi Monroereef,

Here's a link in youtube on a guy building his own sump. I found it useful:
part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxnugJGiT3o&feature=related
part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgNe_OYgoL8&feature=related


Also, look into Algae Turf Scrubbers (ATS) for the future. I wouldn't run one by itself. I run one, along with my filtering and skimmer, to control Nitrates. This and Sulfur DeNitrators are the only 2 things I've found that actually work for keeping the Nitrate low/zero, and I find some of corals don't react well to high Nitrates.
 
onefish2fish

onefish2fish

williah said:
Also, look into Algae Turf Scrubbers (ATS) for the future. I wouldn't run one by itself. I run one, along with my filtering and skimmer, to control Nitrates. This and Sulfur DeNitrators are the only 2 things I've found that actually work for keeping the Nitrate low/zero, and I find some of corals don't react well to high Nitrates.
Click to expand...

get rid of the filter, the skimmer should be plenty. unless you keep the filter clean its just building up detritus.
 
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