New Tank Setup

[chris348]

Tank - AR 620T
FLUVA 205 Pump/Filter
130 Ltr tank
22 Kgs live rock
Crushed coral as the base
Prizm Skimmer

Tank is in about its 3rd from brand new, so still going through the cycle. This morning I noticed a light "scum" or film on the surface and I am a bit concerned. Should I be or is this just part of the cycle?

Really concerned about the skimmer, as it was working fine yesterday and last night, but this morning you can see the bubbles being created but no foam collected in the collection part. Am not really convinced that the thing is working.

Also looking to get some powerheads but not sure which type to get. Trying to find a thread that gives you tank capacity and adequate powerheads.

The tank will be hopefully holding the usual clown fish and live coral once settled in, so understand the water flow requirements, but would appreciate any advice you guys can give.

Kindest of regards

Chris

[Ninong]

Hi Chris,




I don't have any personal experience with Prizm skimmers but it should be adequate for your 130 liter (35 U.S. gal) aquarium. Perhaps someone else will chime in with specific advice on this skimmer.

I suggest you reconsider your choice of crushed coral for the substrate. Most people prefer sand for reef aquariums. Crushed coral has a tendency to trap detritus and contribute to nitrates. This is something you should look into a little more now before you get too far along. Better to change it out now rather than later. You can use the search feature to look for "crushed coral" and see what you find.

Good luck,

[Samper]

The prizm works pretty well for a small tank. It's not the best but does produce some skimmate. I have one laying around but it's not in use at the moment. Mine was very hard to get dialed in and any slight mis adjustment will cause it to overflow really quick. I'm fairly certain there are some modifications that help them skim more efficiently.

Here's a good link for you
OZ REEF - Prizm Skimmer Modifications

[chris348]

Samper !!!

What a brilliant link, thank you !!!

I have read the modification and funnily enough, it has just backed up my thought that the thing needed to be raised quite a bit and now sits higher up. Your also right, its not the best to get "dialed in", but I think mine is now working fine. Not the best one to buy, but that is what happens when you go by what your local dealer recommended. The price should have rang some bells too, paying well over the odds for it. But hey ho its a new interest of mine, so we all learn by our mistakes. As an aside and seeing as you gave superb advice, I am now looking to towards powerheads. The tank is 130 litres and is quite a tall tank when compared to others. What do you recommend for powerheads? Should I be thinking about getting one powerful one that pushes around 24 -30 lpm or get 2 smaller ones, still pushing the same amount around.

The tanks is only in its 4th day with living coral, water change coming up this afternoon (25%). Hoping it goes ok as the water is quite clear as it is and would love to keep it in the same condition.

Your thoughts and thanks again.

Chris

[scubadude]

Hi Chris
Welcome to Reefland.

I have had a couple of prisms, I would just twist and slide up the collection cup thus raising the collection cup level....kind of a ghetto mod but there was always enough power but never the lateral extension in the skimmer to utilize it.

Check out the Koralia powerheads they are pretty sweet, that would probably be my first choice on a 30g tank.