Jan

Thanks for the links! I will definitely check these out.

I'm pretty sure my skimmer can process 500-600 gph. I understand what you're saying, though. Yes, the skimmer (looks this way from the photo) has a narrow tube through the middle of it that is filled with bioballs, and I believe the water goes down through that tube and gets aerated/bubble-ized in the process. if the overflow box has a 1" hole then its capable of 1000 gallons per hour (someone correct me if im wrong?). Good. Okay, I'll explore this more. I'll have to check. I believe its a total of 180 watts florescent in 4 tubes, 2 "white" and 2 "blue." I think it may be T-5 but I'm not certain. Yes, very much, thanks. I live way up in Lynnwood, WA as a matter of fact. Are most people in Portland area, then?

Here are my thoughts on that, and purchases so far: I have a 40 gallon acrylic tank, not drilled. Filled with seawater & 40 lbs of LR. Dimensions of tank are 36" long x 15" deep x ?? " high The stand is a low dresser top (drawers but no cabinet underneath). I want to have a sump w/refugium but that setup has to fit behind the display tank on the dresser. I have ~13" of space between main tank and the wall. I bought a used skimmer & pump off Ebay: ETSS Evolution 500 Downdraft Protein Skimmer Skimmer footprint 7" x 7" x 22" Supreme Mag-Drive 9.5 Water Pump Flow Rate: 950 GPH Maximum Flow with a 14` Shut-Off Power Consumption: 93 Watts Pump Size (L x W x H): 5.0" x 3.0" x 5.5" Then I bought a refugium kit, it can be assembled a variety of ways. · 30"L x 12"W x 14"H · two standard pvc 1" bulkheads · can be used with internal or external pump · 400 - 500 GPH recommended water flow rate · rated for up to 250 gallon system Last I bought an E-sump overflow box U-tube style 6"x3.25"x10" and rated to 75 gallon tank size. That's all I know about it. My goal for the main tank is to have a "marginal reef" if I understand that term correctly--I want mostly corals & inverts of the hardier type, plus some fish. My goal for the refugium is 1) to create food for the corals, and 2) to reduce nitrites and nuisance algae in the main tank. I want to store my skimmer & pump in there as well. Some questions I have in mind: 1. What is the correct strength of return pump to buy (should I get the same gph rating as the skimmer pump? --or one rated to 500 gph per sump specifics?). If I want 20x total flow for my main tank, is 500 gph enough through-put for the type of inhabitants I've described and the tank size? 2. Did I buy a big enough overflow box? 3. Are there any other parts I've neglected to buy that I need? (I don't know if I want to propagate anything at this time...) 4. Do you see any major problems with the parts I have purchased? 5. The skimmer comes with bio-balls; if I replace those with LR rubble will the skimmer still work as well? Or should I stick with the bio-balls? 6. How would (and should) I make the return flow into the main tank the "chaotic" type flow direction? (I have two other powerheads in the tank that are uni-directional, flowing in a circle. One placed med-high, the other low. I'm fine with leaving these in the main tank.) 7. How much wattage do I need on the light for the refugium? Any special spectrum needed for growing algae and 'pods? Thanks again--

Thanks, everyone.

Thankyou, RG. My ammonia, NO2 & NO3 were all at zero after 1 week. I posted on saltwaterfish.com with this info, and most people thought that it wasn't possible for the tank to have cycled in 1 week. Someone suggested spiking the tank with a bit of raw seafood and watching the levels. I did that, and after 48 hours my amonia was at ~.1, nitrite at 0, nitrate at 5. So the raw seafood did something. Sounds like you believe that after the levels come back to zero, I can bring in a few live things. (I am very anxious...I'm sure you've never seen that before. (laugh) ) And thanks for the welcomes!

Hi all, I am brand new to this hobby. I have a 10-day old 40 gallon aquarium with 40 lbs of live, allegedly cured rock in it. Does it always have to take ~a month to cycle a new aquarium, even with cured rock in it? Am I waiting for proliferation of the right bacteria throughout my tank water, and it just takes that long? What if I think my rock is cured but its really not? (The lfs I bought it from said it was cured.) Second question, the salesguy at the lfs said I should use tap water to set up my tank, and that RO/DI water was a waste of money because our water is "so clean here." So I did. Have I just guaranteed the destruction of my future fauna?? (scratch) I live in Lynnwood, WA, for what it's worth. Last question...I'm struggling to design a sump/skimmer/refugium system. Is there anyone on here who especially loves giving advice on this subject? I'd like to bend your ear...