Fishkeeping - I've read the FAQ-Need Help (part 5)

Mort wrote:

It's 75gal with a wet/dry, a protein skimmer (Aquarium Systems-no model
number-looks cheap) a RIO 2100 for the return, nice stand, substrate
(mixture of crushed coral and sand) and a few odds and ends.

Buy a new pump for the return. The Rio 2100 and 2500 are the worst for failure,
shock, and destruction of your tank. Get a Mag drive instead.

First off, I am completely tearing this thing down, giving it a good
cleaning and setting it back up. It's got a lot of salt creep and that just
irritates me so I am going to start all over with the cycling

You may cause it to cycle again during a good cleaning, but perhaps not.

With that, how should I cycle the tank? It will be FO. I have read that
damsels are good to use for cycling. My goal is to have a Picasso Trigger
and I am thinking he will take care of those damsels when I add him. Am I
right so far?

If the tank has no livestock, you can use a piece of raw shrimp from the deli to
get things started. It will rot.

Also, how long should I let the tank cycle. I have read conflicting reports
that range from 2 weeks to 2 months =/

Your cycle will occur along its own timeframe. Test your water daily for
Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. The ammonia will shoot up for a week or two.
Then overnight, it will drop to 0 and your Nitrites will go up. A few days
later thosee drop to 0 and your Nitrates will begin to rise.

Now the tank is ready for a new item. Remember, add items one at a time over a
period of a week or two. Adding many items will overload the tank's biological
filter quickly and lead to disaster.

I have almost no info on the skimmer other than it is a venturi style and
made by Aquarium Systems and its about 3" in diameter and about 18" high
(sump type). Anyone have a recommendation on a pump for it?

Sounds like something a Rio600 would be connected to. That's standard. I'd opt
for a Maxijet, but I've used the Rio. It simply is bad about restarting after
being shut off.

One more question, can anyone refer me to a good compatability chart?
I'd like to know what else I'll be able to keep with my Picaso Trigger (aka
humuhumunukunukuapua'a or Humu Trigger)

Check Reef Central with the Search option, or use Google.

Marc

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com