Getting back into saltwater 55G build

dstockwell

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So have been out of hobby for awhile, time to build again. Has been a slow process, took three coats of Rustolem gloss black, needs plumbed, and light stand made for vapars, before I can begin cycling.

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Aqua Man

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So the plumbing is complete, not much to it when you only have a drain and return.
Hello! Welcome back to the hobby!
There could be a lot of micro bubbles getting into your display with the skimmer in the same compartment as return pump. Also going to be tricky getting the skimmer dialed in because the water level in the return chamber is going to be variable from evaporation.

Vipar spectra are great lights and are powerful! Start low and slowly work them up. I started at 40blue and 1 white.
 
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dstockwell

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There could be a lot of micro bubbles getting into your display with the skimmer in the same compartment as return pump. Also going to be tricky getting the skimmer dialed in because the water level in the return chamber is going to be variable from evaporation.
Yea finding that out, not sure what to do at this point.
 
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Hello! Welcome back to the hobby!
There could be a lot of micro bubbles getting into your display with the skimmer in the same compartment as return pump. Also going to be tricky getting the skimmer dialed in because the water level in the return chamber is going to be variable from evaporation.
May have a solution for micro bubbles, I drilled a hole in wet dry and redirected the skimmer return water into the bioball chamber. Skimmer is off, and is not been broke in, will have to see how it goes.
 
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dstockwell

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I have been cycling for 18 days, just did a 20% water change because of phosphate (no RodI)

Ammonia 0, Nitrate 0, PH 8.0, Posphate 2.0, so looking into a Phosphate reactor.

I started with SmartStart Complete and still have no ugly phase issues. Lights are on 12 hours 60 blue 15 white. No signs is algae, I need to recheck phosphates, probably an error in testing.
 
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dstockwell

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We are now in ugly phase and I added 10ths of Gulf Live rock. The last time I had a tank was a dozen years and I only had shrooms and pollips so I don’t know what coral I have, thanks.
 

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Eagle_Steve

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We are now in ugly phase and I added 10ths of Gulf Live rock. The last time I had a tank was a dozen years and I only had shrooms and pollips so I don’t know what coral I have, thanks.
Get some white light pics of all the corals/macro/ etc and I should be able to ID for ya.
 
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dstockwell

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There could be a lot of micro bubbles getting into your display with the skimmer in the same compartment as return pump. Also going to be tricky getting the skimmer dialed in because the water level in the return chamber is going to be variable from evaporation.

So if I converted the wet dry into a two chamber skimmer first return second would that be better. I would only have a small amount of live rock in display and the sponge filter inbetween the two chambers.
 

Aqua Man

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So if I converted the wet dry into a two chamber skimmer first return second would that be better. I would only have a small amount of live rock in display and the sponge filter inbetween the two chambers.
Take the bio balls out and put skimmer in that chamber? Not sure, isn’t that the dry side? Or can you let that side fill up to around 5-6” ?


If it was me, I’d go find a 20 long and make some baffles for it. Make 3 compartments with 2 baffles.
 

Aqua Man

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Wish I could, I had a 29 but tried every way, and just a touch to wide.
Your tank must be an OG standard 55? Not very wide. Is it possible to block off the dry side someway to get the water level up?
Skimmer is not essential equipment. Especially If you keep fish load on the low side. What’s your stocking plan for fish?
 

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