This is all a little to confusing...

[dnajarro]

It's seems like everyone says the other is wrong. As I've mentioned before I started my 37gal about 3 months ago, and have learned and have been learning the hard way.

I upgraded my filter that I was told by a few pet stores was a good one(Fluval 304), I plan on getting a skimmer in the next few weeks(Seaclone 100) Everyone I've spoken too until today recommended these items.

Today I decided to go to this place I been told has the greatest selection in the 5 boroughs of NYC, FishTown-USA.com, and they tell me I'm using the wrong filtration and that the Seaclone sucks. Ofcourse they were also trying to sell me a $250 skimmer they sell, but I dunno anymore.

Has anyone out there been using a seaclone 100/150 for more than a year had any problem?? Or using a fluval 304 had any problems?
As of yesterday all my levels are PERFECT. My Ammonia is almost non existant, my nitrates and nitrites are very low, All I have are 2 clowns, and a scooter blenny and would like to introduce LR in the next few weeks, but not until I have the skimmer. PLEASE someone help with the a little advice.

thanks,
dave

 

[zar]

It's seems like everyone says the other is wrong. As I've mentioned before I started my 37gal about 3 months ago, and have learned and have been learning the hard way.

Dave, I totally agree with you. I have been perusing the newsgroups, the discussion forums and other sources and inevitably, someone is going to disagree with someone else. Even in this site, I've seen disagreements. It is confusing at times. I wish there was more consensus among those in this hobby, but it seems that even the experts have their "camps" that they subscribe to and are pretty opinionated (berlin vs. plenum, etc).

I think someone said it before, but use your common sense. If something sounds fishy (pardon the pun), it probably is. I've found that if I ask questions of enough different places, all of the suggestions intersect at some point, so I figure that's pretty much gospel. Everything else is subject to interpretation, and that's where I use my common sense. I check prices on the web, read reviews of equipment, look at the source of recommendations (as well as the number of recommendations for each product).

Even in technique or process, there is division...

For example, people here seem to be quite enamored with the whole shrimp cocktail approach to cycling a tank. I've since talked with at least three other LFS's and a couple other boards that say the shrimp idea will work, but it's a needlessly long process. I decided to shortcut it a bit by waiting until they bumped up the ammonia a bit, removed them, let the chemistries settle a tad, and then added LiveRock and LiveSand to the tank. So far no problems. The general consensus among the LFS's is that the shrimp are stimulating bacteria growth, but there is already enough bacteria in the LR and LS to get things started. Which, truthfully, makes sense. We'll see if that's true. I could be completely wrong and the shrimp idea might be the way to go.

I just hate the thought of not applying a critical mind to the process. And especially when two of the most highly recommended books for SW newbies don't even mention the whole shrimp approach. Hmmmm...

Good luck -- we'll need it.

thanks,
bruce

 

[staci&dan]

We have been running the seaclone 100 for 8 months now and have not had a problem with it yet. Every week I'm emptying out 1/4 - 1/3 cup of stinky green goop.
FWIW
Dan

 

[trips]

Been using the Seaclone myself and I think the biggest impact on the way it performs is the level of your water above the pump. Go to high or to low and you'll get lots of micro bubbles and have to constantly adjust the air intake. The skim is a little watery too but it is definetely some nasty stuff. I can't compare it to anything else though since this is my first skimmer. Just into month three though so my answers really no good for your 1-year survey.

 

[mogurnda]

I wish there was more consensus among those in this hobby, but it seems that even the experts have their "camps" that they subscribe to and are pretty opinionated (berlin vs. plenum, etc).

Welcome to the wonderful world of marine aquaria. Even my favorite authors disagree on some very basic things. Compared to FW or fish-only systems, reefkeeping is really rather new, and there's still a lot of experimenting going on.

When you ask advice on a forum, it is really important to realize that everybody, regardless of post count, speaks from their own experience. Many of us read a lot as well, and visit other sites, but there is no substitute for your own screwups. None of us has the time or money to do all the experiments they want, so that experience is necessarily limited. As far as I'm concerned, every post (including, maybe especially mine) should start with "this has worked for me, but there are lots of ways to do this." It should be really comforting to those starting out that there are many ways to succeed.

As far as SeaClones go, I have not used them. I have read posts in which people have been very happy when they replaced a SeaClone with a BakPak or a Remora. On the other hand, I have yet to read a post in which someone writes nostalgically about a SeaClone they have replaced. My understanding is that they are inexpensive, and will skim, but need a lot of fiddling.

There's a nice review of skimmers by Steven Pro here, if you want an overview.

 

[dnajarro]

So I just have another question to all of this...Is the Fluval 304 not the right type oof filter for a fish only tank?

 

[hultman]

So I just have another question to all of this...Is the Fluval 304 not the right type oof filter for a fish only tank?

That will, of course, depend on who you ask.

Some are now suggesting that no filtration at all is the best approach to all SW tanks, reefs and fish only. They rely on live sand and live rock and would use a filter such as the 304 only for water circulation. They maintain that any filter media will host detritus and promote high nitrate levels.

On the other hand, some of us think the 304 would work fine, running as a filter and with the addition of a good skimmer. I run a similar filter along with a small wet/dry sump, a UV and a skimmer on a 40 gallon tank.

I'd go ahead and run it, keep an eye on water quality over the long term and enjoy!

 

[wastememphis]

i have a 204 on my 29, its fine... i hate replacing everything, so I wont use a canaster filter again, but it does the job and at least adds more current.

 

[richtpe]

I purchased an established 55 gal back in May '04 that had a SeaClone on it. It did work ok and I was pulling out about 1/2 cup of sludge per week. I found that getting the air intake adjusted right was a pain and it would often either produce loads of micro-bubbles into the aquarium or wouldn't produce any sludge until I got it adjusted right. Also found that the air intake hose would get clogged with salt every now and then and would either have to be replaced or cleaned out (which I also found to be a pain). I upgraded to an Aqua C Remora in early November and have been extremely happy with my decision. I'm now pulling out 1/2 cup of waste every 2 - 3 days and it requires very little upkeep (other than adjusting the optional pre-skimmer box every now and then to keep it's depth consistent with water level changes from evaporation/top-offs). It was louder at first, but once it was broken in it quited down.

 

[Greg J]

This is all a little to confusing...

I have to disagree (a little ), I’m finding it VERY confusing

I would like to get started in saltwater, but can’t figure out where to start.