Newbie qns - pls help

Teeb · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 91

A cycling tank won't need the skimmer but it won't hurt anything if you have
it running.

I can't answer your question about the sump as I do not use one.

A UGF is about the WORST you can use in a marine aquarium... Especially if
you are using sand which will just sift down under the plates. Ditch the UGF
and go with just the sand. A UGF is NOT a *must*. You will have MORE
problems with water quality if you use one and actually LESS chance of
success.

And find another shop if that is the best that one can come up with in the
way of *advice*!!

Teeb

"Sean Pau" wrote in message$qn$1@reader01.singnet.com.sg...
> 1. When new tank is doing cycling, is it ok to switch on protein skimmer?
>
> 2. I read about wet/dry filter system, does it refer to one with a sump
> design?
>
> 3. I was told by aquarium shop that a undergravel filter is a must for
salt
> water aquarium. Without it there is no success. He is recommending put an
> undergravel filter, then add live sand and then live rock to cycle the
tank.
> Is undergravel filter a must?
>
> Thanks
>
>

Archived from group: rec>aquaria>marine>misc

Dragon Slayer · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 440

>
> I can't answer your question about the sump as I do not use one.

Teeb, I'd be obliged to help out here.

yes a wet/dry is most of the time of a sump design. the other more common
design is the "bio-wheel"

kc

Teeb · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 91

I knew someone would jump in.. I only know about the UGF thing because when
I mentioned plans to use one (thank the marine gods it was BEFORE I had
anything set up) must have been a dozen on the reef group that jumped in and
stopped me, lol. I am curious as to where this LFS is this guy got the info
from... that they would tell him it's so imperative to have one if you want
a successful tank!! I had a book that suggested one be used. Needless to say
I no longer have THAT book..

Teeb

"Dragon Slayer" wrote in message$arlm$1@news3.infoave.net...
>
> >
> > I can't answer your question about the sump as I do not use one.
>
>
> Teeb, I'd be obliged to help out here.
>
> yes a wet/dry is most of the time of a sump design. the other more common
> design is the "bio-wheel"
>
> kc
>
>

Sean Pau · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

1. When new tank is doing cycling, is it ok to switch on protein skimmer?

2. I read about wet/dry filter system, does it refer to one with a sump
design?

3. I was told by aquarium shop that a undergravel filter is a must for salt
water aquarium. Without it there is no success. He is recommending put an
undergravel filter, then add live sand and then live rock to cycle the tank.
Is undergravel filter a must?

Thanks

CapFusion · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 155

"Teeb" wrote in message@corp.supernews.com...
> I knew someone would jump in.. I only know about the UGF thing because
when
> I mentioned plans to use one (thank the marine gods it was BEFORE I had
> anything set up) must have been a dozen on the reef group that jumped in
and
> stopped me, lol. I am curious as to where this LFS is this guy got the
info
> from... that they would tell him it's so imperative to have one if you
want
> a successful tank!! I had a book that suggested one be used. Needless to
say
> I no longer have THAT book..
>
I think most LFS staff went to the same school that teach "how to sell
course 101" and "FW and SW is the same course 102". And provide a 12pages
cheat guide.

Thing to do after graduate from the course:
The more fish customer kill = $$$
The more wrong equipment = $$$
The more wrong advice = $$$

Thing not to do:
Provide correct advice for specific question = Less $$$
Provide correct equipement = Less $$$

Top 10 suggestion / advice from LFS.
UGF = more success for SW? Heehe....

CapFusion,...

Teeb · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 91

The sad thing is, people just assume they know what they are talking about
because the salesperson.. (SALESperson) works there. "Oh! that's a pretty
fish what is it? Oh a lionfish? It would look pretty with my clowns and
damsels wouldn't it? ok I'll take it!!" "Sure! that little tang would do
great in your 5 gallon tank..."

Teeb

"CapFusion" wrote in message@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "Teeb" wrote in message
> @corp.supernews.com...
> > I knew someone would jump in.. I only know about the UGF thing because
> when
> > I mentioned plans to use one (thank the marine gods it was BEFORE I had
> > anything set up) must have been a dozen on the reef group that jumped in
> and
> > stopped me, lol. I am curious as to where this LFS is this guy got the
> info
> > from... that they would tell him it's so imperative to have one if you
> want
> > a successful tank!! I had a book that suggested one be used. Needless to
> say
> > I no longer have THAT book..
> >
> I think most LFS staff went to the same school that teach "how to sell
> course 101" and "FW and SW is the same course 102". And provide a 12pages
> cheat guide.
>
> Thing to do after graduate from the course:
> The more fish customer kill = $$$
> The more wrong equipment = $$$
> The more wrong advice = $$$
>
>
> Thing not to do:
> Provide correct advice for specific question = Less $$$
> Provide correct equipement = Less $$$
>
>
> Top 10 suggestion / advice from LFS.
> UGF = more success for SW? Heehe....
>
> CapFusion,...
>
>

Glenn R. Holmes · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 14

Hi Sean.

Sean Pau wrote:
> 1. When new tank is doing cycling, is it ok to switch on protein skimmer?
>

No. You should not. Let the tank settle down and then later on, if you
need to, start it up.

> 2. I read about wet/dry filter system, does it refer to one with a sump
> design?
>

Usually, although you can have wet/dry without a sump.
e.g. Eheim puts out what they call a wet/dry Cannister filter, there are
old fashioned wet/dry systems that are comprised of only trickle plates
arranged behind the tank.

> 3. I was told by aquarium shop that a undergravel filter is a must for salt
> water aquarium. Without it there is no success. He is recommending put an
> undergravel filter, then add live sand and then live rock to cycle the tank.
> Is undergravel filter a must?
>
An undergravel filter was the first filter that actually worked for
marine environments and allowed the home aquarist to get into the hobby.
They work fine.
It is not a must however, your aquarium shop is wrong. There are
better systems of filtration now.
Glenn

> Thanks
>
>

Glenn R. Holmes · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 14

The disadvantage of a UG filter in the kind of setup your LFS is
recommending is that wherever you have Rockwork, it creates a "dead
spot" in the tanks circulation. This is a potential source of pollution.

Glenn R. Holmes wrote:

> Hi Sean.
>
>
> Sean Pau wrote:
>
>> 1. When new tank is doing cycling, is it ok to switch on protein skimmer?
>>
>
> No. You should not. Let the tank settle down and then later on, if you
> need to, start it up.
>
>
>> 2. I read about wet/dry filter system, does it refer to one with a sump
>> design?
>>
>
> Usually, although you can have wet/dry without a sump.
> e.g. Eheim puts out what they call a wet/dry Cannister filter, there are
> old fashioned wet/dry systems that are comprised of only trickle plates
> arranged behind the tank.
>
>
>> 3. I was told by aquarium shop that a undergravel filter is a must for
>> salt
>> water aquarium. Without it there is no success. He is recommending put an
>> undergravel filter, then add live sand and then live rock to cycle the
>> tank.
>> Is undergravel filter a must?
>>
> An undergravel filter was the first filter that actually worked for
> marine environments and allowed the home aquarist to get into the hobby.
> They work fine.
> It is not a must however, your aquarium shop is wrong. There are better
> systems of filtration now.
> Glenn
>
>
>> Thanks
>>
>>
>