hypertech

If your skimmer is messed up and your controller, it sounds like a power surge. It might have roached the apex, but before assuming that, see if it resent and you just need to put your network information back in. The Apex allows you to backup and restore your configuration. You did save your configuration file, right?

All you need for a sump is an empty tank. If you want baffles, silicone in a piece of acrylic. My sump is a 20L. It cost me $20. No need to spend a lot of money. Now, the main tank is either going to need some sort of u tube overflow or you'll need an overflow box and drill it. Since its already full, you've got some choices to make. Small tanks like that tend to crack sometimes when drilling, so don't try to drill it full. If you move forward with an internal overflow idea, I'd just get a new tank, set it all up, then move the stuff over. Perhaps put it on a stand big enough for a 20L to fit in it and then use your current tank for the sump and a new drilled tank for the main tank. Or, just leave the HOB stuff there and run what you have. Redoing your setup to have a 20L with a sump seems like more work than its worth IMHO. Chances are, if you stick with it, you'll be setting up another tank in not too long anyway. Few people stick with a 20g. Most quit or go bigger. Put a sump on your next setup.

If this works out at a time I can host, I'd be happy to provide a picture and a short blurb if you are putting anything like that together as part of a "program" or something.

If you do do a sump, maybe a 20H? I wouldn't put any baffles in it, hang the skimmer on there and use the whole thing as a fuge. Typically, tiny fuges on small tanks are pretty much useless, but if you had a 15g fuge, it would probably do your tank well. I had a 40B with a 20H fuge once. I grew a basketball sized cheato ball every two weeks and the tank did really well.

If this happens, I'll have beer and snacks for you if you come visit me. The tank has been looking pretty good lately, but no comments on my stand...... I haven't had time to finish it yet.

Is the sand new? Its purely anecdotal, but I tend to think whatever causes the diatoms comes in new sand. I have no proof. The SPS simply died. Could be bad acclimation, could have been stressed before you got it, could have been bad luck. Since your tank is new and you are already adding things like SPS, you should be prepared for more losses with or without any explanation. SPS do better in more established tanks. They are tough in any nano and extra difficult in a new nano.

I've got the 170 on a 75g. I'm very happy with it.

You probably need to replace the temp sensor.

That will work great for your tank. It will do your heater and lighting schedule and shut off the lights if it gets too hot. It comes with a four outlet strip. I don't believe it does ph or salinity out of the box without add in modules.

Also, if you don't have a controller, you may want to think about something like a RKL before you decide your tank is done. Good point in the post above about temp. I nearly lost everything in my biocube when the heater flaked and the tank got to 93. Temp control of some kind is a good thing to have IMHO.

It could. Those thing are good at accumulating waste and can be more trouble than their worth. To me, it's one more thing that needs cleaning and you don't need it. I dont like cleaning. But then, i have a low maintenance philosophy.

Put it wherever you think it looks best. Doesn't really matter.

I mean ditch. Cell phone auto correct does funny things sometimes and I haven't had my coffee yet today.

You don't need a sump. Doth the other filter when your skimmer comes. Water changes and the HOB filter will work fine for you 20g tank.

How do you know they are fine if not great? Didn't you just get them? Nothing good in reef tanks happens fast. They are likely all in trouble if your tank is still going through new tank phases and cycling. There is a good chance they will die or at least struggle for a while. About the only way we can judge if something is "doing great" is by observing good growth. It is far too soon to make that judgment for your frags. About the sponge, well, I didn't want to be the one to say it but it's pretty much a goner. It takes a specialized tank to keep them alive in almost all cases. Keep an eye on it, enjoy it while you can , and pull it when it starts to degrade so that it doesn't skunk your water.

This is a newer tank, right? Likely diatoms. It will go away in a week or two on it's own.

You just set this tank up, right? Likely diatoms. They'll go away in a week or two on their own.

If you do that, and have any valves on the drain line, make sure to open them too.

Shut off the return pump and siphon out most of the water. It'll be trapped at the bottom and you can just scoop it out.

Blue zoo has a section just for them. They have blue tangs in stock. I'm not aware of tank raised copperband. I'm sure they would be popular though.

Mcmaster. Make sure you fund the right stuff because they have lots and lots of tubing. Should be about $3 a foot.

Yes, but they are cheap to replace if you want the other kind.

Test it again. Is it even possible to gave alk that high?

Different solution to the same problem. I'm a believer in the Herbie method. Some Durso's are quiet. Some aren't. All properly setup Herbie's are quiet.

I use hard PVC except for the last 12-18" or so, which I use silicone tubing. It is much more flexible and hence blocks more vibration noise than vinyl tubing.