Experiment...thoughts???

[SilkyJ]

So I'm fairly new to the hobby, but am learning lots fast. I already have learned that I didn't go the best route with my equipment purchase, but what can you do. I live in an apartment now and will be upgrading everything in a couple years when I move out, so this experiment is just a temporary solution until I can get a full blown sump with refugium.

So that's the background to this DIY experiment:

I have never been able to get my nitrates under around 5ppm even with regular water changes and good maintenance. I really want to get a refugium to harvest some macro, but don't have the space to get a sump/refugium

So I have a CPR BakPak2 Protein Skimmer: CPR Bak Pak Protein Skimmers (http://www.cprusa.com/products/bakpaks.html)

I already learned to remove the biobale because it's a nitrate factory. I was wondering if I could just put some macro, like chaeto where the biobale was and put a small lamp on it to keep it happy.

Anyone think this would work? If so...anyone around the minneapolis area have a little bag of chaeto to help my experiment?

Thanks for the input.

[wes]

it'll work, I've done chaeto in various HOB things without problems. a little clip lamp works well, or mendards has some floor lamps with the 27watt 4 tube full spectrum CF bulbs for under $20. That's what I use and it works well. I also have some chaeto for you if you want. Lexington and 94, phone# in my profile. today sometime from 2-10 works well for me.

[SilkyJ]

thanks for the response. I'm glad to know it will work as a temp solution.

I had a perfect lamp and i plugged it in to find it didn't work. If I can get a new bulb or a new lamp by this afternoon, I'll give you a call.

Thanks again!

[NHGJesusFreak]

So I'm fairly new to the hobby, but am learning lots fast. I already have learned that I didn't go the best route with my equipment purchase, but what can you do. I live in an apartment now and will be upgrading everything in a couple years when I move out, so this experiment is just a temporary solution until I can get a full blown sump with refugium.

So that's the background to this DIY experiment:

I have never been able to get my nitrates under around 5ppm even with regular water changes and good maintenance. I really want to get a refugium to harvest some macro, but don't have the space to get a sump/refugium

So I have a CPR BakPak2 Protein Skimmer: CPR Bak Pak Protein Skimmers (http://www.cprusa.com/products/bakpaks.html)

I already learned to remove the biobale because it's a nitrate factory. I was wondering if I could just put some macro, like chaeto where the biobale was and put a small lamp on it to keep it happy.

Anyone think this would work? If so...anyone around the minneapolis area have a little bag of chaeto to help my experiment?

Thanks for the input.

I've got a CPR Cyclone system hooked to my tank, and I also removed the biobale stuff. I added some crushed rock and different plants to it, with an old 10 gallon flourescent light leaning against the side of it, lighting up the rock/plants.

[christensonjes]

That will probably work, but I really dont think it will make much of a difference. Just dont think you will see any diff. Just my opinion though. And who knows I could be completely wrong.

[SilkyJ]

That will probably work, but I really dont think it will make much of a difference. Just dont think you will see any diff. Just my opinion though. And who knows I could be completely wrong.

after playing around with different lamps/lights, I can't get one to fit and it's starting to become a pain because it looks really stupid too.

After I saw your response, I'm starting to question putting more effort into getting this to work if it won't make a noticeable difference with my nitrates.

I'll keep thinking and trying to find a good light, but I may just wait it out and see if I can drop my nitrates another way.

Thanks.

[Jim E.]

I used to use a CPR BakPak-II. I would hang a media bag with Puri-Chem in the return, & sometimes even a small heater... but I didn't dare run a refugium for fear of having the Chaeto or critters plug the return to the tank -- or worse, the little tiny safety hole that would allow the floatate to return to the skimmer instead of overflowing the collection cup. That could cause quite a mess. Just my .02.