Boonboy

I think it is obvious which skimmer pulls out more skim mate.

Just seen the real thing. It is very nice. The colors are stunning. The best part is the tank is so small. Amazing!

Updates on the BM NAC QQ skimmer.

As suggested, I have added a tower (needle wheel) skimmer. Bubble Magus (NAC) QQ skimmer from a fellow reefer. Running 2 skimmers now. Emptied the collection cups. Let's see which skimmer pulls out more skimmate.

Some pictures of my DIY sump. Overall Top Front

Really appreciate your comments... 1) you read my mind… I was googling Bubble Magnus, Skimz, Deltec … etc skimmers… now considering a second hand... 2) good idea… the only reason I kept it in the DT is for some extra flow. 3) yeah… I am going to remove it after some time (lazy to keep cleaning it weekly) 4) good idea… let me see if it could be done...

Below is the blue print of my setup. Please feel free to comment on it. Overall Setup Sump Setup

Thank you for the clarification. That means I have quite a fair amount of coraline algae... The clove polyps grows from the same stem/body… I believe they should be good corals...

Please let me know what is the coral on the bottom right of the poci? Also is it red slime algae at the bottom left?

Thank you… I am more concern when the overflow box fails as I experience overflow in my DT due to that.

I see… Unfortunately, I cannot find a better place to locate it. BTW, the pump is connected with the hose. Unless the hose come lose by it self, I don't believe there should be any spillage. Anyway, thanks for the advise.

Err… Not sure what is the safety concern on this placement… Do you mean the pump may generate certain magnetic field that will affect the power points?

Sad to say but I lost my copper band today… Lesson learnt - yellow tang cannot go with copper band (at least for my 2 x 1 x 1.5 ft tank)... Live stock losses: 1. 1 x Copperband butterfly (harassment by Yellow Tang) 2. 3 x Peppermint shrimp (insufficient acclimation) 3. 2 x Berghia Nudibranch (insufficient Aiptasia) 4. SunFlow Zoanthids (3 Polyp) - Zoo eating snails 5. Bam Bam Red Zoa (3 Polyp) - Zoo eating snails 6. SPS colony - RTN (no idea what went wrong) 7. Crab hosting on Pocillopora (after feeding it with mysis, died few days later)

Yeah you are right, I just use 2 smaller tank (below 25 cm in height) as I maintain the water level at about 27 cm. One for the refugium and another for the return pump.

Actually, I am using an overflow box. If the return pump stop working, the water stop flowing into my sump. My problem is with the return pump outlet. When the return pump stop, it returns water from the DT to sump. I am desperate for a check value (one way water valve for anti-siphon) now. I have to position the return outlet high up so that the water siphon back to the sump will not overflow. Also if you notice my DT and sump is side by side, in the worst case the water level in the sump will be the same as the DT, so I will NEVER have my DT empty out completely. Yes the round thing is the wave maker, fortunately, I can change the direction. I am aiming it at the right rear corner (diagonal). Yes I am still running the canister filter, thought I remove it later after the bacteria had build up in the sump... Thank you for the comments… keep them coming

Dear readers/followers, After about 3 months of struggle with water parameter stability, fighting algae & aiptasia, losses in livestocks, twice weekly water change …etc, I had finally succumb… I decided to go for a DIY sump. I am hoping to achieve the following: 1. more water = more stable 2. deep sand bed to help reduce nitrate 3. more space for cheato to grow more nutrient export 4. reverse lighting for refugium to maintain stable PH 5. more water flow in display (added a 2000l/hr return pump) I attached some pictures. Kindly provide your valuable comments. Please point out anything wrong or possible improvements. Bare Bottom (removed sand from display tank) DIY Sump Tank & Cabinet Thank you.

Really!!! No wonder the berghia nudibranch did not touch it...

Thanks, managed to find a shop selling the reef octopus overflow. Wah... I am ripped as I paid $15 for it... I am lucky as mine started eating mysis already. Thanks anyway.

Thanks, do you know where to find stores that sell reef octopus overflow box?

Can anyone advise where I can buy an overflow box? Thanks.

Yes sir! I removed this one and perform freshwater dip for one of my zoanthid colony (that is not opening up). I doubt I have seen the last of these pest... I have lost sunflower & Bam Bam red zoanthids already...

I found this on my Zoanthid (after lights out). Is this good or bad?

I am guessing you want to add sand to a tank that already has water without clouding the tank? There are some videos on youtube on "adding sand to established aquarium". 1. just put the sand in a plastic bag with some air trapped and tie it up. 2. let it sink to the bottom of the tank 3. tear a small hole at the bottom of the plastic bag (where the sand is) 4. the sand will slowing come out from the hole you made and the air trapped in the bag will lift the bag out of the water to the surface.

Opps... Just 1 more point... WATER is very important, please consider investing in RO/DI filter for salt mix (unless you want to buy NSW from your LFS).

Hi, I just started my 2 ft 2-3 months ago (April). I am as new as you are. If you don't have space constrains, please consider a bigger tank cause less water means little margin for errors. I am struggling to keep the water parameters stable. Skimmer is a MUST and better if you could oversize it. LIGHT is very important if you are keeping corals (choose your light wisely). Biological filtration (e.g. live rocks/sand) is very important. Waterflow is very important (carries food & air to your corals - assuming you are keeping corals) Chiller is very much preferred (unless your room's aircon is always on). Mechanical filtration requires frequent cleaning (you must be hardworking). PUMP - if you have a sump, you must need a return pump & overflow box. Refugium is very much preferred (to help in nutrient export). Well, just my thoughts, I think the experts advise will be more valuable.