Newbie

[gilbydan]

No I run with a canister filter fluval fx4 but no sump the cupboards isn't big enough as the centre is solid oak and it's only the centre rock archs that are glued

Now do you suggest I star with live rock totally and remove all my dry rock or could I just replace the rocks that are loose??

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Now do you suggest I star with live rock totally and remove all my dry rock or could I just replace the rocks that are loose??

You don’t need to replace it all. You probably paid a decent amount for all that dry rock. If it was me, O would go 50-50 or 60-40 live-dry.

 

[I never finish anythi]

Welcome to reef2reef Dan .

 

[gilbydan]

You don’t need to replace it all. You probably paid a decent amount for all that dry rock. If it was me, O would go 50-50 or 60-40 live-dry.

Thank you I will look at doin that

 

[vetteguy53081]

Now do you suggest I star with live rock totally and remove all my dry rock or could I just replace the rocks that are loose??

Make NO CHANGE. dry rock will seed in time. Add liquid bacteria such as MicroBacter XLM which will help with denitrification

 

[vetteguy53081]

No I run with a canister filter fluval fx4 but no sump the cupboards isn't big enough as the centre is solid oak and it's only the centre rock archs that are glued

As for canisters, the canister unit is a mechanical filter and you want to have mechanical , biological and chemical to manage proper water quality. The canister will polish water and trap particles via the cartridge.
Chemical is what traps and breaks down chemical compounds such as feces and uneaten food often accomplished with use of carbon and GFO as examples
Biological is what utilizes the natural process of biological filtration such as use of ceramic nuggets, bio blocks, and microscopic bacteria surfaces as examples. Best it to add or use a hang on refugium such as Reef octopus or AquaMaxx unit and again, add a hang on skimmer such as ice cap K1- or K2 100
Expect frequent maintenance with canister in some cases. Keep an eye on nitrate levels also with this unit

 

[gilbydan]

Might sound stupid but do I have the refugium and the canister or is the refugium enough on its own?? With the protein skimmer also

 

[gilbydan]

Because from what I can make out the refugium is like a mini sump???? I'm not sure about all this but I'm trying

 

[vetteguy53081]

Might sound stupid but do I have the refugium and the canister or is the refugium enough on its own?? With the protein skimmer also

Refugium and skimmer are two separate components

External refugium:

 

[gilbydan]

Ok and i guess the skimmer doesnt go in the refugium then.. so I would still need the filter then

 

[gilbydan]

Would this b an okay sump??

 

[vetteguy53081]

Would this b an okay sump??

Yes but does your tank have an overflow? If not, you will have to resort to a hang-on refugium as I sent pics of earlier

 

[gilbydan]

Because I do t have a sump do I pit the protein skimmer in the refugium then.... sorry I'm new to this so not really sure how to go about this

 

[gilbydan]

Because I do t have a sump do I pit the protein skimmer in the refugium then.... sorry I'm new to this so not really sure how to go about this

Or does it go straight in the tank??

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

it would have to be separate since hang on back stuff isn’t meant to house one item placed in another.

 

[gilbydan]

Another trip to my LFS then

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Another trip to my LFS then

but them online and save money

 

[gilbydan]

Something like this yea??

 

[gilbydan]

Found this too.... both in 1 if that'd ok??? Like I said I'm new lol

 

[tharbin]

Something like this yea??

Yes