advice for new reef tank

[ONJ]

I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank. I have done sal****er
over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
filter.

I acquired a 55 gallon system and my plan is to purchase 60 lbs of live
rock, not sure whether to use crushed coral or sand yet...and I am looking
at the Tom Aquatics PS3 protein skimmer/canister filter all in one.

Any suggestions? Words of wisdom? Anyone have an opinion on the PS3
skimmer/canister system?

[Wayne Sallee]

You want a calcium based sand, the finer the better.
Are you going reef?
As for your filter question, I'm not a big fan of
all in one deals.
If you are going reef, be sure and purchase a few
good books on reef keeping.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets


ONJ wrote on 4/11/2007 12:12 PM:
> I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank. I have done sal****er
> over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
> filter.
>
> I acquired a 55 gallon system and my plan is to purchase 60 lbs of live
> rock, not sure whether to use crushed coral or sand yet...and I am looking
> at the Tom Aquatics PS3 protein skimmer/canister filter all in one.
>
> Any suggestions? Words of wisdom? Anyone have an opinion on the PS3
> skimmer/canister system?
>
>

[Wayne Sallee]

Also, you want to identify your real identity?

Onj,onj,onj is nonsense.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets


ONJ wrote on 4/11/2007 12:12 PM:
> I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank. I have done sal****er
> over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
> filter.
>
> I acquired a 55 gallon system and my plan is to purchase 60 lbs of live
> rock, not sure whether to use crushed coral or sand yet...and I am looking
> at the Tom Aquatics PS3 protein skimmer/canister filter all in one.
>
> Any suggestions? Words of wisdom? Anyone have an opinion on the PS3
> skimmer/canister system?
>
>

[CanaDUH---Sucks!]

On Apr 11, 12:12 pm, "ONJ" > wrote:
> I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank. I have done sal****er
> over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
> filter.
>
> I acquired a 55 gallon system and my plan is to purchase 60 lbs of live
> rock, not sure whether to use crushed coral or sand yet...and I am looking
> at the Tom Aquatics PS3 protein skimmer/canister filter all in one.
>
> Any suggestions? Words of wisdom? Anyone have an opinion on the PS3
> skimmer/canister system

Gt a ****ing grip Wayne. Evidently he doe snot have an ISP that
requires him / her to use a real name now does it. Nothing worse than
TheRock or Pszemol now is it. Would ylu feel much better if he /she
stated their name was John T. Hughs or suych. Your a real ****ing gem
there wayne, as everyone doe snot have to pay any attention to any so
called imposed rules in this ****ed up group..........You and the rest
of these nit wits should be glad yur at least getting a real poster
here and not a troll...........or would you all rather the trolls be
summoned back to give this screwed up group some credibility.

[[email protected]]

> On Apr 11, 12:12 pm, "ONJ" > wrote:

> > I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank. I have done sal****er
> > over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
> > filter.

> > I acquired a 55 gallon system and my plan is to purchase 60 lbs of live
> > rock, not sure whether to use crushed coral or sand yet...and I am looking
> > at the Tom Aquatics PS3 protein skimmer/canister filter all in one.

> > Any suggestions? Words of wisdom? Anyone have an opinion on the PS3
> > skimmer/canister system

The CPR units are great, you can use anything similar on a 55 fairly
easy.
Good light is essential, lots of current etc.

I like DBS's and Refugiums over skimmers, but you can try both,
generally you will not get any skimmate if the refugium is running
correctly.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[Pszemol]

> wrote in message oups.com...
>> On Apr 11, 12:12 pm, "ONJ" > wrote:
>
>> > I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank. I have done sal****er
>> > over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
>> > filter.
>
>> > I acquired a 55 gallon system and my plan is to purchase 60 lbs of live
>> > rock, not sure whether to use crushed coral or sand yet...and I am looking
>> > at the Tom Aquatics PS3 protein skimmer/canister filter all in one.
>
>> > Any suggestions? Words of wisdom? Anyone have an opinion on the PS3
>> > skimmer/canister system
>
> The CPR units are great, you can use anything similar on a 55 fairly
> easy.
> Good light is essential, lots of current etc.
>
> I like DBS's and Refugiums over skimmers, but you can try both,
> generally you will not get any skimmate if the refugium is running
> correctly.
>
> Regards,
> Tom Barr

Tom, why are you crossposting reef subject between freshwater forums??

[ONJ]

> wrote in message
oups.com...
>> On Apr 11, 12:12 pm, "ONJ" > wrote:
>
>> > I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank. I have done
>> > sal****er
>> > over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
>> > filter.
>
>> > I acquired a 55 gallon system and my plan is to purchase 60 lbs of live
>> > rock, not sure whether to use crushed coral or sand yet...and I am
>> > looking
>> > at the Tom Aquatics PS3 protein skimmer/canister filter all in one.
>
>> > Any suggestions? Words of wisdom? Anyone have an opinion on the PS3
>> > skimmer/canister system
>
> The CPR units are great, you can use anything similar on a 55 fairly
> easy.
> Good light is essential, lots of current etc.
>
> I like DBS's and Refugiums over skimmers, but you can try both,
> generally you will not get any skimmate if the refugium is running
> correctly.
>
> Regards,
> Tom Barr

Ok..help me out here....what is a CPR unit and DBS?

[~Windsong~[_2_]]

Pszemol still being the dumbass he always has been.What makes you
think he is cross posting FW crap there dumbass?



> wrote in message oups.com...
<<>>>> On Apr 11, 12:12 pm, "ONJ" > wrote:
<<>>>
<<>>>> > I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank. I have done sal****er
<<>>>> > over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
<<>>>> > filter.
<<>>>
<<>>>> > I acquired a 55 gallon system and my plan is to purchase 60 lbs of live
<<>>>> > rock, not sure whether to use crushed coral or sand yet...and I am looking
<<>>>> > at the Tom Aquatics PS3 protein skimmer/canister filter all in one.
<<>>>
<<>>>> > Any suggestions? Words of wisdom? Anyone have an opinion on the PS3
<<>>>> > skimmer/canister system
<<>>>
<<>>> The CPR units are great, you can use anything similar on a 55 fairly
<<>>> easy.
<<>>> Good light is essential, lots of current etc.
<<>>>
<<>>> I like DBS's and Refugiums over skimmers, but you can try both,
<<>>> generally you will not get any skimmate if the refugium is running
<<>>> correctly.
<<>>>
<<>>> Regards,
<<>>> Tom Barr
<<>>
<<>>Tom, why are you crossposting reef subject between freshwater forums??



-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

[George Patterson]

ONJ wrote:

> Ok..help me out here....what is a CPR unit and DBS?

A CPR is short for Creative Plastic Research. They make aquarium equipment. One
of their popular items is the "Backpak" skimmer. As for DBS, I suspect Tom meant
DSB, which is short for deep sand bed.

George Patterson
If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
to anything.

[George Patterson]

ONJ wrote:

> I acquired a 55 gallon system and my plan is to purchase 60 lbs of live
> rock, not sure whether to use crushed coral or sand yet...and I am looking
> at the Tom Aquatics PS3 protein skimmer/canister filter all in one.

With a reef tank, sand is preferred; about 1" in the main tank. There are many
neat fish that prefer sand. Crushed coral is used mainly with undergravel
filtration, and you won't have that (I hope).

Usually, cannister filters aren't used with tanks that depend on live rock for
filtration. Typically you just set up some sort of water circulation system
capable of pumping the entire volume of your tank every five minutes (I your
case, at least 750 gallons per hour). This pushes the water around the rock and
gives it a chance to work. A protein skimmer handles the job of pulling crud out
of the water. A refugium is nice to have, and you may eventually need other
equipment (like phosphate or calcium reactors). The rock, a good circulation
pump, and a skimmer will do for now.

George Patterson
If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
to anything.

[George Patterson]

Pszemol wrote:

> Tom, why are you crossposting reef subject between freshwater forums??

If you look at his posting, he's replying to one of Tristan's idiotic rants;
fortunately cutting out all of Tristan's garbage. Tristan always adds his little
laundry list of other groups to his replies to posts in this one. If you take a
further look at Tom's posting history in this group, he has *only* replied to
posts in this manner. That leads me to believe that he does not subscribe to
this group and only replies to things he gets indirectly through the flames.

I notice that you left all the cross-posting in for your reply. That's smart -
that should ensure that Tom sees it. Let's hope it does some good.

George Patterson
If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
to anything.

[ONJ]

"George Patterson" > wrote in message
news:87tTh.33782$AS6.27504@trnddc04...
> ONJ wrote:
The rock, a good circulation
> pump, and a skimmer will do for now.

kewl...now as far as circulation....I was thinking 2 Hydor Koralias.....is
this sufficient? If so...how about their placement on a 4 foot tank?

[George Patterson]

ONJ wrote:

> kewl...now as far as circulation....I was thinking 2 Hydor Koralias.....is
> this sufficient? If so...how about their placement on a 4 foot tank?

Yeah, two of the 400 gph units should do the trick. Or one of the 800 gph units.
I don't know about placement; I have a single Tunze on my 125 gallon tank. It's
down at one end in the back corner. Some of the fish like to hang around that
end 'cause the flow isn't as strong in the front corner there. My firefish, on
the other hand, are down at the other end where the currents get chaotic.

George Patterson
If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
to anything.

[[email protected]]

On 11 Apr 2007 17:54:45 -0700, wrote:

(snip)

Please do not cross-post this thread to rec.ponds.

Thank you,.

ron

[[email protected]]

On Thu, 12 Apr 2007 10:21:51 -0500, "ONJ" > wrote:

Please do not cross-post this thread to rec.ponds.

Thank you.

ron

[[email protected]]

On Wed, 11 Apr 2007 21:52:55 -0500, "Pszemol" >
wrote:

(snip)

Please do not cross-post this thread to rec.ponds.

Thank you.

ron

[Wayne Sallee]

Yep, and that's why I never even saw his post,
because he is in my kill file.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets


George Patterson wrote on 4/12/2007 11:53 AM:
> Pszemol wrote:
>
>> Tom, why are you crossposting reef subject between freshwater forums??
>
> If you look at his posting, he's replying to one of Tristan's idiotic
> rants; fortunately cutting out all of Tristan's garbage. Tristan always
> adds his little laundry list of other groups to his replies to posts in
> this one. If you take a further look at Tom's posting history in this
> group, he has *only* replied to posts in this manner. That leads me to
> believe that he does not subscribe to this group and only replies to
> things he gets indirectly through the flames.
>
> I notice that you left all the cross-posting in for your reply. That's
> smart - that should ensure that Tom sees it. Let's hope it does some good.
>
> George Patterson
> If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
> to anything.

[RGB]

On Apr 12, 1:21 pm, wrote:
> On Wed, 11 Apr 2007 21:52:55 -0500, "Pszemol" >
> wrote:
>
> (snip)
>
> Please do not cross-post this thread to rec.ponds.
>
> Thank you.
>
> ron

Whats this crosspost thingie? CPR makes good skimmers. Don't know if
they would be any good in a freshwater pond or tank though.

[Pszemol]

> wrote in message ...
> On Thu, 12 Apr 2007 10:21:51 -0500, "ONJ" > wrote:
>
> Please do not cross-post this thread to rec.ponds.

Ron, don't crosspost your words to all these groups!

[Blackheart]

On Apr 11, 1:12 pm, "ONJ" > wrote:
> I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank. I have done sal****er
> over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
> filter.
>
> I acquired a 55 gallon system and my plan is to purchase 60 lbs of live
> rock, not sure whether to use crushed coral or sand yet...and I am looking
> at the Tom Aquatics PS3 protein skimmer/canister filter all in one.
>
> Any suggestions? Words of wisdom? Anyone have an opinion on the PS3
> skimmer/canister system?

the 2 greatest words of wisdom i can impart is as follows.

1) do NOT purchase anything until you have read -everything-

2) post your questions on forums like reefcentral.com . This newsgroup
is currently overrun by idiots and has ceased the usefulness it once
had. Another good resource is wetwebmedia.com

[ONJ]

"Blackheart" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> On Apr 11, 1:12 pm, "ONJ" > wrote:
>> I am going to take my first foray into a reef tank. I have done
>> sal****er
>> over the last 10 years with just a simple undergravel filter and power
>> filter.
>>
>> I acquired a 55 gallon system and my plan is to purchase 60 lbs of live
>> rock, not sure whether to use crushed coral or sand yet...and I am
>> looking
>> at the Tom Aquatics PS3 protein skimmer/canister filter all in one.
>>
>> Any suggestions? Words of wisdom? Anyone have an opinion on the PS3
>> skimmer/canister system?
>
> the 2 greatest words of wisdom i can impart is as follows.
>
> 1) do NOT purchase anything until you have read -everything-
>
> 2) post your questions on forums like reefcentral.com . This newsgroup
> is currently overrun by idiots and has ceased the usefulness it once
> had. Another good resource is wetwebmedia.com


Oh I am researching my arse off...LOL. I want to do this right.

I also looked into just getting a skimmer and forgetting the canister.

The skimmer I'm looking at got some good reviews. It is a Precision Marine
HOT-1 Skimmer.
It was #3 on the list on the following website. I liked it because it
sounds like it is easy to maintain, and can add on a bigger collection
canister. It also has an option to make it free standing
The site is here:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/proteinskimmers/tp/TPhangons.htm

And it has to be a hang because I have decided against a sump.
Basically I don't want to spend 3 and $400 on a skimmer, but I don't want a
piece of crap either.

Have you read anything about these Precision Marine units?

[Pszemol]

"Blackheart" > wrote in message ups.com...
> the 2 greatest words of wisdom i can impart is as follows.
>
> 1) do NOT purchase anything until you have read -everything-

When do you know you read everything?
I keep reef tanks since 2002 and I know I have not read everything yet.
I think you should start buying stuff much sooner ;-)

> 2) post your questions on forums like reefcentral.com . This newsgroup
> is currently overrun by idiots and has ceased the usefulness it once
> had. Another good resource is wetwebmedia.com

I do not see idiots here, they are in the kill-file, updated daily.
I see only reef tank threads from people asking for help.
Do not exagregate the role of trolls and spammers.
You can deal with them efficiently using standard newsgroup software.

[George Patterson]

ONJ wrote:

> Have you read anything about these Precision Marine units?

Haven't heard anything about them, but I think that Stan & Debbie Hauter run a
pretty good site. Lots of good info in their newsletters.

George Patterson
If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
to anything.

[George Patterson]

Blackheart wrote:
> This newsgroup
> is currently overrun by idiots and has ceased the usefulness it once
> had.

As long as someone can ask a question here and get helpful answers, this will
never be true.

Actually, I notice that all of you guys use the same language. "This group has
been destroyed." "This group has lost its usefulness."

I'm beginning to think there's one idiot out there who wants to be able to claim
he's "destroyed" a group. All of you are the same person.

Go away, Tristan.

George Patterson
If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
to anything.

[swarvegorilla]

"Pszemol" > wrote in message
...
> "Blackheart" > wrote in message
> ups.com...
>> the 2 greatest words of wisdom i can impart is as follows.
>>
>> 1) do NOT purchase anything until you have read -everything-
>
> When do you know you read everything?
> I keep reef tanks since 2002 and I know I have not read everything yet.
> I think you should start buying stuff much sooner ;-)

At least get the tank cycle started at some point, these things take weeks
to get started and heck to mature it may take 12 months!!
Have to agree.... just so much to read, every day so much new stuff!


>
>> 2) post your questions on forums like reefcentral.com . This newsgroup
>> is currently overrun by idiots and has ceased the usefulness it once
>> had. Another good resource is wetwebmedia.com
>
> I do not see idiots here, they are in the kill-file, updated daily.
> I see only reef tank threads from people asking for help.
> Do not exagregate the role of trolls and spammers.
> You can deal with them efficiently using standard newsgroup software.


Would have to agree, it sucks but it ain't the end of the world.
Some days I need to killfile a few more than others
but all in all
I'm here to read Pszemol and Wayne and everyone else here.
See I'm sucking you dry of your valuable data.
When I'm full of all ya secrets
I'll bail
but until everyone stops giving good advice I'm hanging around....
like the smell of a blenny under the tank stand!
WooooT

[swarvegorilla]

"RGB" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> On Apr 12, 1:21 pm, wrote:
>> On Wed, 11 Apr 2007 21:52:55 -0500, "Pszemol" >
>> wrote:
>>
>> (snip)
>>
>> Please do not cross-post this thread to rec.ponds.
>>
>> Thank you.
>>
>> ron
>
> Whats this crosspost thingie? CPR makes good skimmers. Don't know if
> they would be any good in a freshwater pond or tank though.
>

nah skimmers only just work on most brackish setups.
In freshwater they are about as helpful as an airstone at removing waste.

[Blackheart]

On Apr 14, 11:33 pm, George Patterson > wrote:
> Blackheart wrote:
> > This newsgroup
> > is currently overrun by idiots and has ceased the usefulness it once
> > had.
>
> As long as someone can ask a question here and get helpful answers, this will
> never be true.
>
> Actually, I notice that all of you guys use the same language. "This group has
> been destroyed." "This group has lost its usefulness."
>
> I'm beginning to think there's one idiot out there who wants to be able to claim
> he's "destroyed" a group. All of you are the same person.
>
> Go away, Tristan.

you may wanna reconsider the reduced dosage on your meds pal.

[George Patterson]

Blackheart wrote:

> you may wanna reconsider the reduced dosage on your meds pal.

In that case, quit wasting bandwidth and time posting bull**** here. If you
think the group isn't useful, unsubscribe.

George Patterson
If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
to anything.