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Old 05-08-2006, 12:05 AM   #1
Teeka01
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Welcome to Frag Outpost!
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AGA 120 Megaflow, 2x 250w HQI MH and 2x 54w T5 Actinics, Euro Reef CS135, Sump, Pacific Coast 1/10 HP Inline Chiller, PanWorld External Water Pump, Red Sea Wavemaster Pro, 4 power heads
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Old 05-11-2006, 05:45 PM   #2
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I keep the tank right at 78
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Old 05-11-2006, 07:52 PM   #3
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You didn't mention a protien skimmer. With your fish load and desire to have a system with more corals, IMO a skimmer is a must. It should also help with your algae/ammonia problem. Also, do you use RO water or tap water for changes and top off's? If your tap water is high in dissolved matter, algae can grow pretty quickly. I think your best course of action is to remove the undergravel and substrate, put down an inch of oolitic aragonite if you just want it for looks (4" if you want it for nitrate reduction, which I don't think is needed if your nitrates are already 0), clean all the bacteria/algae you can, do some water changes and wait for things to settle down. I say remove your current substrate as it's large grain size traps more detrious than the fine oolitic. I think this will help with your ammonia problem at the same time removing the algae/bacteria's source of food.

Oh, and for a skimmer, the Aqua C Remora is the best hang on you can get in todays market. Might cost a little more than say a Seaclone, but its performance will more than make up for its price.
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Old 05-11-2006, 08:37 PM   #4
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Doh...A skimmer is a must have as well as RO/DI water. Buy a larger skimmer than you think you need in case you ever upgrade your tank.
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Old 05-12-2006, 09:00 PM   #5
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Again, thanks guys. I'm learning alot. I have recently discovered that i might need a protein skimmer (thanks for the suggestions). I really "dont have the time/too lazy" to make a once a week water change every week. I think that is the root of most of my ammonia/algea problems. Plus the UG filter.
I use regular tap water (city water) for refills/changes. The ph seems to be perfect straight out of the tap and the RO units seem to be a big hassel so i never really read up too much about them. As far as the undergravel filter, that is the first problem i want to deal with and would like some input on how to do this without killing everything. I have a 29 gallon tank that i could use to transfer everything to while i redo the 55 but its not setup and i would need to cycle it plus i dont have strong enough lighting to use on it unless i use the 48" light with some kind of hovering setup. Thanks again guys
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Old 05-12-2006, 10:12 PM   #6
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A good protein skimmer and a RO/DI unit is one of the best investments you can make for your tank. You will likely battle algae until you get those 2 key components.
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Old 05-13-2006, 05:22 AM   #7
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I will start reading up and getting comments on skimmers. Any suggestions about removing the UG filter and not killing everything i have would be great.
Thanks guys,

Jesse
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