I am converting my 90 gal FW to a salt water tank . I have 150 lbs. of fine sand and will be adding @ 80 lbs of live sand to give me @ 3.5 inches of sand . I have 80 lbs. of base rock will be adding 100 lbs of live rock.I've read in newer publication and on-line with a deep sand base and 2lbs. per/gal. of live rock you wouldn't need a foam fractionators ( protien skimmer ). I will be keeping gobies , a clownfish, a tang , and hardy invertebrates . please give me your opinion. my only real problem with foam fractionator is the noise
protein skimmer ?
- Thread starter feeder fish
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Skimmers do a lot for a tank, in my opinion. I use a Euro-Reef on my 90, and I would hate to think all the sludge it pulls out would be staying in my tank. Yuck. Plus, it aerates extremely well without producing spray that would cause salt creep.
I guess I'd say it's not necessary, but definitely beneficial.
I guess I'd say it's not necessary, but definitely beneficial.
I have almost 80lbs of LR in my 36 and run an Aqua C Remora skimmer. I have no mechanical filtration other an Emporor filter with only activated carbon and the bio wheel and two power heads for circulation. I'm in the process of doing away with the Emporor and setting up a sump with more LR, sand and algae. I'm pretty well bio loaded and my Nitrates are 5-10. I really don't think my system would work nearly as well as it does with out the skimmer. The stuff it removes is NASTY!! Personally, I would go with a good skimmer. After break in , mine makes very little noise and pretty soon it will be in the sump behind doors!
If you go with macro algae you can skip the skimmer, since it will essentially do the same thing, just make sure the algae doesnt get out of control.
I use both. The algae grow like crazy and the skimmer still pulls out a lot of stuff. I wouldn't consider them interchangeable.Gealcath said:
Thanks for your help .Where do you get micro algae does it happen all by itself or do you buy it ? I've read about red algae and brown algae are they the same ?
Depends on the bioload, however with macro algae and a stable bioload along with a DSB and sufficient LR, a skimmer isnt needed (i dont use a skimmer on my 15gl and its been set up for 2 years).
Caulerpa is a good macro algae thats real hardy, as a result it can often be considerd a weed and needs pruning. Macro Algae looks more like a traditonal plant, and often have to be imported either on Live Rock or buying it. Algae types like brown, red, and green are micro algae, they are the ones that make more of a film on decorations and the glass. Although they are not bad, they are not a real desirable algae, and often shows something is in abundance for them to grow (excessive nitrate and phosphate for example make green algae grow)
Caulerpa is a good macro algae thats real hardy, as a result it can often be considerd a weed and needs pruning. Macro Algae looks more like a traditonal plant, and often have to be imported either on Live Rock or buying it. Algae types like brown, red, and green are micro algae, they are the ones that make more of a film on decorations and the glass. Although they are not bad, they are not a real desirable algae, and often shows something is in abundance for them to grow (excessive nitrate and phosphate for example make green algae grow)
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Red, brown, and green algae are not very closely related, but often have similar growth patterns and all can be useful as decor and for biofiltration in marine tanks.
Among the reds, I have had red grape (Botryocladia) in my tanks for years. It grows well, as long as it's properly anchored, and looks quite nice. People also use another red, Gracilaria, for refugia. In my experience, herbivores will eat the reds before anything else, and they make great tang food.
Although one does not see them as often, Sargassum species are probably the most widely kept of the brown macroalgae. When it does well, it can become a bit of a pest.
Of the greens, you'll see mostly Caulerpa, Chaetomoropha, and Ulva species in peoples' tanks. Some really like Caulerpa, but I have seen it move from fuges to tanks and become a pest. Chaetomorpha, aka spaghetti or brillo pad algae, does very well floating in refugia, and is easy to harvest. Ulva, or sea lettuce, will sometimes ride in on live rock, but in my hands it only does well when nitrate and phosphate are high.
Many of these species will arrive on live rock, or you can by them from places like Inland Aquatics, IPSF, or Florida Pets.
Among the reds, I have had red grape (Botryocladia) in my tanks for years. It grows well, as long as it's properly anchored, and looks quite nice. People also use another red, Gracilaria, for refugia. In my experience, herbivores will eat the reds before anything else, and they make great tang food.
Although one does not see them as often, Sargassum species are probably the most widely kept of the brown macroalgae. When it does well, it can become a bit of a pest.
Of the greens, you'll see mostly Caulerpa, Chaetomoropha, and Ulva species in peoples' tanks. Some really like Caulerpa, but I have seen it move from fuges to tanks and become a pest. Chaetomorpha, aka spaghetti or brillo pad algae, does very well floating in refugia, and is easy to harvest. Ulva, or sea lettuce, will sometimes ride in on live rock, but in my hands it only does well when nitrate and phosphate are high.
Many of these species will arrive on live rock, or you can by them from places like Inland Aquatics, IPSF, or Florida Pets.