Parrothead's 55 gallon Reef

[Parrothead]

Figured I start a new post since the tank is up and running and the cycle is over for the most part, Thanks to Charlie, gotta let the roman's do their thing, now I really would like advice about the very near future eqiupment wise, e.g. Protein Skimmer, return pumps and I have been scoping out the Ocean Clear filters, back when I had my previous fish only tanks, these were the rave, are they still, or has something better been introduced? Any and all recommendations are welcome and will be paid attn. to.

Again I want to thank all the great people here who have and are still helping me take my baby steps into a full size Reef Tank, ok its only a 55 but it beats the hec out of my 14 bio cube that I outgrew, You guys know who you are, I'd mention names but Charlie would start blushing again, love you all and look forward to many happy and inquiring conversations with all of you.

Tanks
Robert

[charlie]

I will get back to this later tonight, if that is OK, Gotta head to work this AM. Go ahead and reply back, that way I will have a reminder.

[Parrothead]

Hey Charlie,

Got your earlier post, had to work today too, this week really S@#$%d, been better off staying in bed all week, anyway here is a couple new pics of the 55, full tank, side view looking the length, my christmas tree worms, love those guys, and what I'm assuming is a star polyp colony, thats what I was told be the lfs anyway, but heres the eye candy

[charlie]

I am a big fan of Remora Pro Skimmers the hang on back type. I have one on my 80, and it just doesn't fail. Do a little bit of searching around tho, they have come out with these cone skimmers, in sump, and they are rumored to kick some serious rear end. As far as your return pump goes, that is all gonna depend on the overflow you have.

[Parrothead]

leaning towards the cpr that you and Mike had suggested, I plan on setting the sump up on a table that will enable me to only have about a 2.5 ft Head, was thinking about maybe a mag 5, or a 7 if I go with the ocean clear filter, would prefer an in sump skimmer as opposed to h.o.t will that Remora Pro sit in the sump, as I will be building baffles and section type stuff into the 20?

[charlie]

Remora does make an in sump skimmer, but I have no experience with it. I know Mike has been researching these cone skimmers, get in touch with him if you can, and see if he would chime in here. I think he has been looking at a Warner Marine. Do a search on cone skimmers and see what you come up with.
I am not familiar with this ocean clear filter. If you have enough live rock and a good skimmer, I am having trouble figuring out why you need another filter????

[Lucid]

Charlie, I just googled "cone skimmer" and found an $800 skimmer... 8^/ Is that what you were talking about? Oh, ATB*Cone*Protein*Skimmer*::... for reference.

[Parrothead]

Particle filter(heavy duty micron Cartridge) with a basket for Carbon as you had suggested, do a quick google search and you can see the details on it in the first few hits, the easiest way to describe it is a pool filter for your fish tank. Will check out the cone skimmers.

tanks
Robert

[charlie]

The cones are gonna be pricey, but I think they are the coming thing in skimmers. Let me do a little searching around myself and see what I can come up with.
Thanks Lucid for the link.

[Parrothead]

Warner Marine K1 Cone Skimmer, SoCal Tropical Fish Outlet, 799.00, plus s/h, The thing better have coffee and breakfast made and have the water polished to perfection, That is alot of Money, is this new tech. both Lucids site and SoCal are recommending pre order for shipping late Jan. where we are now.

Charlie,

Not sounding cheap, but I like your remora even the hang on model more by the second

Robert

[Lucid]

lol really! Looks like it might do a good job though.

[charlie]

There are other things it better do also, but this is a family board.

[Parrothead]

Charlie,

I was being polite when I said coffee and breakfast but I wholeheartedly agree with you, I drop 800.00 on the thing, I'll be making my own coffee and a few other things as well(Family Board)

Robert

[charlie]

Check this out. I know you want an in sump model, but I think I have heard good things about this.

Warner Marine H2 Hang on Back HOB Protein Skimmer* - AquaCave

[Parrothead]

What about the Seaclone products, hang on or in sump, anybody know about them.

[charlie]

What about the Seaclone products, hang on or in sump, anybody know about them.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[Parrothead]

Charlie,

That really, really scared me, I will keep hunting and check out the remoras a bit more, sorry I frightened you that way

Robert

[charlie]

Frightened me when you said it. Check out the Aqua C series Robert!!!!! I think you may be able to find something for yourself.

[Parrothead]

Charlie,

Checked out the aqua C's and yes they have several that will do more than suffice, see and you thought you fried all your brain cells back in the 70's, anyway as you mentioned above, with a good skimmer, good rock, got 1 of 2 (rock) I wouldn't need a additional filter, If I go with the hang on model, I wouldn't need the sump for anything but additional water volume correct? If I wanted I could get a H.O.T. Magnum 250 for the carbon that we have discussed before. If the skimmer and hang on particle/carbon filter worked, I could in theory dump the sump idea

Let me know your thoughts when you wake up, I gotta go to work for a couple hours this morning

Tanks
Robert

[charlie]

You could throw the carbon in the sump. I wouldn't dump the sump, in the long run it will be an advantage, believe me.
You could do your water changes out of the sump, and never have to touch the display.