ChappyChap
Reefing newb
I picked up an eshopps protein skimmer with a sicce needle wheel pump and API testing kit, in addition to some new frags for the biocube. Anyways, I was having trouble w the skimmer. I couldn't get the water column to rise. Until I added more water, in the instructions it says 8-10" of water but the fish store said that was just what eshopps recommended. I've got about 6" of water which puts the water level about 1" into my filter media which is live rock rubble. Is this ok? They also had three or four different sizes of refugiums made to use alongside my sump. I was thinking of getting one. I know someone mentioned using just live rock and cheato instead of miracle mud? What's cheato? A type of algae? What type of lighting should i use? Is it even worth getting a refugium as small as my reef tank is going to be? Also I have tested my wAter a couple times, all I am detecting is nitrate. Does this mean I'm nearing the end of the cycle or is it just beginning? Sorry for all the questions thanks in advance.