FishyReef
Broke Reefer!
I am getting ready to set up a new tank and have some questions on equipment. As background, the tank is an appx 42g hexagonal tank that will begin as a FOWLR until I can afford a kessil light, and then will become a reef tank.
Controller / Reef Keeper Lite
I primarily want the controller as a way to (1) prevent a disaster if the heater malfunctions (going on the cheaper end for the heater instead of the JBJ with external controller), and (2) to turn on a fan in the summer when the tank gets above a certain temp (last summer my 10g fluxuated way too much and I definitely need an automated way to control a fan when I'm not home this coming summer for the new tank). Will the basic RKL do these things?
If I get a slightly upgraded version of the basic RKL, what is the real benefit of having the pH probe? Is this really something that I'm going to want down the road if I do SPS? I've found the pH on my 90g is virtally always the same when I measure it and I don't think I've had many fluxuations, but of course don't know without a probe. Should I expect my pH to swing so much that I'll need a probe for the new tank? What else will an upgraded RKL do that the basic version won't do (other than give me more outlets)? On the basic version can I still run the wavemaker and lighting timer? Or will these functions only occur with the higher level RKL or RKEs?
And a basic dumb question - the RKL doesn't appear to have a screen like the apex controllers - how do I see the info? Do I have to plug it in to a computer to see info like average temp and to set up all of the controls?
HOB Skimmer
I've decided to go with an HOB skimmer because I don't want to worry about an HOB overflow, sump and the potential floods this could cause in my apartment. The opening for the compartment in the stand is also pretty narrow so I'm concerned about being able to get a decent sized sump in it. I'd like to go with one of the reef octopus skimmers but am not sure which model to get. Anyone have one that they particularly like or don't like? There is one that has a third chamber for filter media and equipment (Reef Octopus BH 100F Hang on Back Protein Skimmer with Filter System - AquaCave.com) that particularly interests me as it would be a place I could put a ball of chaeto or a small bag of carbon if ever needed. Has anyone tried this one or heard anything about this one before?
I'm mostly looking at the reef octopus models because of their reputation, but I've also heard good things about the aqua remora. I've leaned away from that one just because the first craigslist tank I ever saw when I got into the hobby had one and it produced a lot of microbubbles. Is this normal or was that just a bad skimmer or someone who wasn't operating it properly?
Any directions you guys can point me in would be greatly appreciated! I'll post a build thread once I'm a little closer to getting this thing going :)
Controller / Reef Keeper Lite
I primarily want the controller as a way to (1) prevent a disaster if the heater malfunctions (going on the cheaper end for the heater instead of the JBJ with external controller), and (2) to turn on a fan in the summer when the tank gets above a certain temp (last summer my 10g fluxuated way too much and I definitely need an automated way to control a fan when I'm not home this coming summer for the new tank). Will the basic RKL do these things?
If I get a slightly upgraded version of the basic RKL, what is the real benefit of having the pH probe? Is this really something that I'm going to want down the road if I do SPS? I've found the pH on my 90g is virtally always the same when I measure it and I don't think I've had many fluxuations, but of course don't know without a probe. Should I expect my pH to swing so much that I'll need a probe for the new tank? What else will an upgraded RKL do that the basic version won't do (other than give me more outlets)? On the basic version can I still run the wavemaker and lighting timer? Or will these functions only occur with the higher level RKL or RKEs?
And a basic dumb question - the RKL doesn't appear to have a screen like the apex controllers - how do I see the info? Do I have to plug it in to a computer to see info like average temp and to set up all of the controls?
HOB Skimmer
I've decided to go with an HOB skimmer because I don't want to worry about an HOB overflow, sump and the potential floods this could cause in my apartment. The opening for the compartment in the stand is also pretty narrow so I'm concerned about being able to get a decent sized sump in it. I'd like to go with one of the reef octopus skimmers but am not sure which model to get. Anyone have one that they particularly like or don't like? There is one that has a third chamber for filter media and equipment (Reef Octopus BH 100F Hang on Back Protein Skimmer with Filter System - AquaCave.com) that particularly interests me as it would be a place I could put a ball of chaeto or a small bag of carbon if ever needed. Has anyone tried this one or heard anything about this one before?
I'm mostly looking at the reef octopus models because of their reputation, but I've also heard good things about the aqua remora. I've leaned away from that one just because the first craigslist tank I ever saw when I got into the hobby had one and it produced a lot of microbubbles. Is this normal or was that just a bad skimmer or someone who wasn't operating it properly?
Any directions you guys can point me in would be greatly appreciated! I'll post a build thread once I'm a little closer to getting this thing going :)
