putting old stuff to use

[Iron Crab]

Let's try and pump a little life in the FO area.
I've got a lot of stuff and junk from my 55 that I took down. I would like to get my Sis started into saltwater. She's a freshie now. I would like to get her started with the least amount of expense on her side although I can give her what's sitting around in boxes right now.
Here's what I got in storeage:
55 tank and stand, Skilter 250, Bakpak skimmer, two whisper filters, one 4 foot light strip, 3 powerheads, sandbed filter, UG filter, and a couple hundred pounds of SD sand.
What do ya'll think about what to toss and what to put in use? Let's try and make this set-up using a lot of the stuff I already have.

Bill

[blue]

Id say id its going to be FO use the backpack skimmer and whisper filter for you filtration. Toss the skitler and UGF. You could use the sandbed filter instead of the whispers as well one light strip would be fine for FO so basically all you have to do is fill the tank toss the skimmer and filter on put the powerheads in get a heater toss in some sand get a few decorations get a 50/50 bulb for the light strip and that tank will be ready to go.

Blue

[GregD]

Hmmmm....I would set the tank up similar to the way Blue indicated

I would set the tank up as follows:
-tank and stand
-use the sand as your substrate
-use the bakpak for skimming/filtration
-add powerheads as necessary
-50/50 bulb in the light strip

I would toss the UGF, the skilter, and the whisper filters. I think that provided the bakpak is skimming correctly, this should provide you with the filtration necessary.

In terms of fish for the FO I might select some bangaii cardinals or a pair of false percs to start.

Greg D.

[Iron Crab]

Gee.. Do I sense a dislike for the skilter? Any reasons? I did run it but I didn't really use the skimmer part. Saved that for the Bakpak.
Another thing is the sand bed filter. I dumped the sand about a year before I took the 55 down. The filter itself is really neat without the sand but I can't think of how to put it to use. Maybe for something else?
I basically had the same ideas. I was going to have her use the Bakpak and the larger Whisper.
I was also looking at a real light fish load maybe throw in a couple shrimp. If I remember right the Bakpak is only good for about 65 gallons.

[the_blue_tuna]

Sandbed filter=?????,,,,,,,,,,,,,,fluidized bed filter?

[Fishguru]

if you are running a fish only tank, you could use the whisper as additional filtration, or just use it for carbon and aeration. I agree on the bakpack and another alternative you could do is use the fluidized bed filter and keep the bottom of the tank bare. this makes cleanup easier. Just another idea, not necessarily the best, but just something else to think of. I wish i had all that lying around in my basement, would have set it up as a large quarantine tank or something. Fishguru

[Iron Crab]

tuna,
I'm talking about a Seastorm 100 fluidized sandbed filter. Sorry about the confusion.
Fishguru,
I did think of having it for a hospital/ Quarantine tank but at the moment I don't think I could get that past the wife.My new tank is taking a lot of juice. Besides I think my Sis would put this stuff to good use.
Give yourself some time and you'll have a lot of stuff sitting around. I went from a 20 fresh to a 90 fresh then a 55 salt then a 90 turtle tank. Now the 180 salt. Things start to pile up.
P.S. Don't get turtles unless you really research it. I never realized how messy they were. I had them for about a month then threw in the towel.
Bill

[the_blue_tuna]

I.C.
I would pass on the seastorm. I see you live in Pa. so I am assuming (I know ,,,big mistake) your sis does also . You get some pretty good snow and ice up there which could cause numerous power outages . The F.B.'s work great as long as you have constant flow through them . If the power goes out for a few hours then fires back up you will fill your tank (her tank) with billions of dead bacteria. This has the potential to cause a severe ammonia spike >>read dead fish<< Just something less to discourage your sis as she is just getting started. JMO.

[Iron Crab]

Tuna,
Totally agree with you on the Seastorm. I was talked into it at a local LFS and I used it for about 9 months. It started to blow sand into my tank. Started getting the power outages after I took it out. (good thing). It's now sitting around without the sand. Sort of a shame to trash it. I was hoping I could use it for something other than what it was designed to do. Maybe fill it with another medium or something??

[the_blue_tuna]

Put the sand back in it . It makes a wonderful door stop

[Iron Crab]

Okay, I get the point . Lesson learned on my part. This was one of two things I bought without thinking. At least I was smart enough to take the Seaclone Skimmer back before trying it.