62G Starfire Reef [40x18x20]

[gqlmao]

Damn man, I have been following this thread on Nano-reef and Canreef. It seems like this hobby is throwing quite a bit of curve balls at you. But you got the grapes to last this long and to even willing reset the tank. Therefore more reason to give her because when something good happens it will be that much better!

I have a SRO in my tank, I found that playing with the gate really messed with the skimmer water levels. So I left mine all the way open, built a little egg crate stand to raise it so it has about 5 inches of water. I think the key to mine running was to allow the open gate to be above the water line so there isn't any back pressure running back into the exit. When I had it below the water line even the slightest, it would flood every 3-4 days, it would gradually creep up while I was at work and when I got home the skimmer would of emptied it self back into the tank.

Stanley

[JDigital]

Originally Posted by gqlmao

Damn man, I have been following this thread on Nano-reef and Canreef. It seems like this hobby is throwing quite a bit of curve balls at you. But you got the grapes to last this long and to even willing reset the tank. Therefore more reason to give her because when something good happens it will be that much better!

I have a SRO in my tank, I found that playing with the gate really messed with the skimmer water levels. So I left mine all the way open, built a little egg crate stand to raise it so it has about 5 inches of water. I think the key to mine running was to allow the open gate to be above the water line so there isn't any back pressure running back into the exit. When I had it below the water line even the slightest, it would flood every 3-4 days, it would gradually creep up while I was at work and when I got home the skimmer would of emptied it self back into the tank.

Stanley

Oh I have the egg stand too.. has helped with skimming (as it dumped about half a cup of BLACK skimmate back into the tank last night) but I don't think I can get the gate valve above the line and still get the performance out of it.

My office tank is basically on auto-pilot right now. I feed the fish, clean the skimmer cup once a week, and scrape the glass every few days. Although it is due for a water change, but otherwise nothing to complain about *knocks on glass*... This tank at home has been a constant headache for 11 months.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by JDigital

This tank at home has been a constant headache for 11 months.

Maybe you were giving it too much attention, and rushing it. Corals (esp SPS) like stability.

[gqlmao]

True, what I have noticed is that my skimmer isn't truly skimming wet and can never be with this height. Its rather in between both wet and dry due to the water level being lower and not being able to adjust the water to the appropriate neck height is a bummer. I have crude building up 3 inches before the neck due to the lower water levels. Its frustrating to not be able to dial in a piece of equipment at the risk of overflowing, especially when its considered reef octopus' higher end line and a mid range skimmer in the market.

Originally Posted by JDigital

Oh I have the egg stand too.. has helped with skimming (as it dumped about half a cup of BLACK skimmate back into the tank last night) but I don't think I can get the gate valve above the line and still get the performance out of it.