I apologize in advance for the length of this post, but I've been keeping saltwater tanks for about 15 years, and I think it's time for me to adjust to the modern world. I took my big system (six interconnected tanks of various sizes) down a few years ago after continual frustration with brown slime growth and general maintenance. It was a very complicated system. I figured it was time to give up the hobby, but I missed the fish.
So I decided to start up again with a simple, self-contained little fish only 40 gallon hex that I designed to be easy to maintain. I built a custom stand with a 10 gallon wet/dry filter/sump, an Aqua C remora skimmer and an old Eheim mechanical filter for added water circulation. Good multi spectrum lighting and an in-line heater.
After another couple more years of fighting brown slime, I shut this one down as well. But, in the spirit of good old fashioned pig-headed persistance, I'm going to give it one more try. I finally decided that my well water was the source of the bacteria or whatever is promoting the brown slime growth, so this time I'll be using an RO water system. Last chance!!
Anyway, I'd like to keep the little hex, as it fits the living room so well, and I think the wet/dry sump is a good place for the skimmer, but I think I should replace the mechanical filter with just a power head for circulation. I was also having problems keep the temperature in the tank down, so I think getting rid of the Ehiem will help that and I plan on adding a fan to the enclosed area of the sump.
Right now the system is happily circulating a heavy dose of chlorine to kill EVERYTHING that might contain the dreaded brown slime or anything else that might pollute the new system. Once the system has run on pure chlorine for a while, I'm not even going to let my well water near it. I'm going to drain it all and put it out on the deck and let the rain rinse it off. Then I'll start over.
I sort of missed out on the live rock revolution, so this time I'm looking for advice on a new setup and maybe I'll actually listen this time!! I have a ton of really pretty old decorative coral, and I may use a little for decoration, but this time I'm thinking of starting with a large live rock base and maybe even live sand. Let it run that way for a few weeks to stabilize, and then maybe add a few snails, hermits, etc. Then a few fish (percs, a pygmy angel, etc) and that's it. I'm not a reefer. All I want is a few colorful fish and maybe a few cleaners.
Any thoughts or ideas on this plan? I'm listening. REALLY, I am! This is my LAST STAND! I WILL shut up and listen to any and all advice!!:lipssealedsmilie:
Thanks!
Jim
So I decided to start up again with a simple, self-contained little fish only 40 gallon hex that I designed to be easy to maintain. I built a custom stand with a 10 gallon wet/dry filter/sump, an Aqua C remora skimmer and an old Eheim mechanical filter for added water circulation. Good multi spectrum lighting and an in-line heater.
After another couple more years of fighting brown slime, I shut this one down as well. But, in the spirit of good old fashioned pig-headed persistance, I'm going to give it one more try. I finally decided that my well water was the source of the bacteria or whatever is promoting the brown slime growth, so this time I'll be using an RO water system. Last chance!!
Anyway, I'd like to keep the little hex, as it fits the living room so well, and I think the wet/dry sump is a good place for the skimmer, but I think I should replace the mechanical filter with just a power head for circulation. I was also having problems keep the temperature in the tank down, so I think getting rid of the Ehiem will help that and I plan on adding a fan to the enclosed area of the sump.
Right now the system is happily circulating a heavy dose of chlorine to kill EVERYTHING that might contain the dreaded brown slime or anything else that might pollute the new system. Once the system has run on pure chlorine for a while, I'm not even going to let my well water near it. I'm going to drain it all and put it out on the deck and let the rain rinse it off. Then I'll start over.
I sort of missed out on the live rock revolution, so this time I'm looking for advice on a new setup and maybe I'll actually listen this time!! I have a ton of really pretty old decorative coral, and I may use a little for decoration, but this time I'm thinking of starting with a large live rock base and maybe even live sand. Let it run that way for a few weeks to stabilize, and then maybe add a few snails, hermits, etc. Then a few fish (percs, a pygmy angel, etc) and that's it. I'm not a reefer. All I want is a few colorful fish and maybe a few cleaners.
Any thoughts or ideas on this plan? I'm listening. REALLY, I am! This is my LAST STAND! I WILL shut up and listen to any and all advice!!:lipssealedsmilie:
Thanks!
Jim
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