Will

First off... Thanks so much for all the information! I greatly appreciate it. Guy- Great information! I am positive that bottom part is also a drain and has nothing to do with the return. It is Aqua Vim's Dragon Flow system (4fishtanks.com). The return pipe comes up the center of the overflow pipe and returns at the very top... I also know this because I didnt initially glue the pieces and they blew off when I plugged in the return pump and shot water everywhere! LOL... Live and learn. Zygote2K- LOL.... I read about the "Pee" thing... I think I will pass. and I also read that you can NOT use household ammonia because of the suds and additives. Is that wrong? Bill- Thanks! I was a bit confused because it seemed like I would have been removing the very creatures I wanted to keep. Thanks again guys!

Thanks a lot! I appreciate the information.

Ok... Well I said Hello in another post so I'll not bore you with that. (but thanks for any answers you can give me)! and trust.... my questions may seem like I haven't been reading BUT I have read so much I am starting to confuse myself with simple things. I decided to start a separate post of questions to lessen my confusion of where to look for answers! lol I received my new 125g tank/45 gal sump this past week. Proud of myself for assembling the dragon flow overflow system (yay me!- but I still don't completely understand how it works)lol... I understand the main overflow and return. However, QUESTION 1- At the Bulkhead, which attaches to the Bottom of the tank, there is another "secondary" drain. I don't understand why that doesn't drain my entire tank should there be a return problem?! Or drain the tank as I am filling it up. Anyway, I Filled it with tap water and ran for 24 hours. While I was filling the tank nothing drained from that "secondary" drain. The next day I did find a small leak between the bulkhead and the glass. That was my fault. I fixed that and then put some clear silicone around it for added protection. Since this bulkhead attaches at the bottom of the tank I added a little water to check again. I also put enough water in to cover the "secondary" drain. Today I did discovered a second leak this time under the tank but still involving the bulkhead. I got this leak because Aqua Vim suggested not gluing any connections unless you needed to, incase you had a problem later. BAD SUGGESTION! HOWEVER... that meant the "secondary" drain did drain fluid this time. I had all of the tubes off after I drained it the first time and carried it all with me to Home Depot to measure for shut-off valves to install. So I know they were empty. 1. Can you explain how/why this drain .. drains?? Question 2- I plan on starting the No Fish cycling process tomorrow. I got the Bacteria (in a bottle) to seed the tank, from Congressional Aquarium today. I have Marco Rock and sand coming tomorrow. (They are not "live" but have to be shipped damp).. I don't really understand why. I am trying to keep the tank as Virgin as possible to decrease the chance of introducing contaminates. Although I know the possibility is still there as I start to add live stock to the main tank and algae to the refugium. 2. When do I turn the protein skimmer, Carbon Reactor, GFO Reactor, and Ozone generator on? All of theses seem counterintuitive to the cycling process.... (I know ozone is controversial. I am more interested in its role in preventing, promoting, or having no effect on cycling.) 3. I want to grow bacteria, not eliminate it, right? 4. Do I leave all of the lights off during the cycling process so I don't encourage algae growth? 5. Do bacteria need the light at all? 6. Do I add Algae to the refugium during the cycling period? 7. Do I add Shrimp and/or snails to the tank? 8. One source said add a pinch of fish food daily to the tank to build up Ammonia. Good idea or bad? 9. Another source said go to the grocery store and buy some raw dead shrimp and add it to the tank. Good idea or bad? ...even more important.. HOW MUCH? A lot of people tell you what to do but they forget the details.. like How much?..1, 2, TWENTY?? daily? Weekly? What??? 10. Should I do all of the above at the same time? 11. My thought is only Salinity, Ammonia, Phosphates, and Nitrites need be monitored during the cycling? anything else...pH?(is that important during cycle- I expect it to be low) 12. How often AND How much water changes should I do during the cycle? I plan on 20% every other week once established.- unless a problem arises. Ok, Well I REALLY appreciate the help... Believe it or not... I have started to have dreams about reading all of this stuff! I am sure I have forgotten several questions so I will think of more and put here. Best Regards Will

Great list! Thanks... It is added to the collection. We need a "thumbs up" button on post and responses... so people can know when their post is appreciated without having to scroll through many post. (not sure where this web suggestion should go)... But I am so thankful for all of those with experience that take time to teach us!

Great Post! Thanks... I just got my 125g Tank/ 45G Sump this past Thursday.... I have a question about the pods you guys are talking about. I am getting Marco Rock and sand delivered tomorrow. (Great guys btw!) I don't believe either are "live". I bought a bottle of bacteria at Congressional to start cycling the tank. (Now don't laugh at me)! Will pods come from that or do I have to buy them?

Thanks all!

Thanks all! Thanks to Ryan S older post... I found a whole new set of youtube vids to watch. Yay! Ugh! But I am going to watch them.. Really like BRS TV.

Hi all... So I live in Wheaton and I'm new to the hobby. No tank, no fish, no Corals, no anything. At this point I feel like I am in the perpetual research stage and getting frustrated. I've been reading books given to me from a friend with reefing experience, watching Youtube videos, and going through blogs here. Every time I think I am starting to understand something in the book, it takes me just a few seconds on these sites to remind me I haven't got a clue! There are so many abbreviations and deviations from what the book seems to make so simple. My head is spinning! I think it is because people try to talk technical and "smart". If you don't know the lingo it's confusing. So, I thought one good method to make this easier (and hopefully cheaper) was to find someone getting out of the hobby and buy their entire set-up. It's established and running well... How hard can it be to maintain the same parameters and not have to worry if you are getting the right protein skimmer, UV cleanser, or the myriad of other tools required or optional?! You can focus on maintaining healthy water and add ons from there should be to make things less time consuming or to meet your preferences as you learn... LOL... well, I guess it's harder than I think. When I tried to obtain one they said no, start from scratch you'll learn more. UGH! OK... but yours looks pretty! lol... I don't care what I have to get to make it work.... I just want to keep it simple! I never claim to be very bright and I don't want to be a marine biologist, Chemist, or physicist! I don't care why it works, just that it does. I just want a colorful, peaceful tank to admire and "play" with. I don't mind doing the work. I just want a set-up that can handle the most delicate of creatures but stock it with hardy stuff right now. Someone needs to post THAT set-up. I'm ok with just having water in it for a while if that is the requirement. I'm about to just say screw it, go to the fish store and get the basic things I have read about and try my own thing.... and go from there.. I'm almost certain with the great tips I have read I know the parts required... I don't know how to put them together or in what order but I am sure the sales person will tell me. How in the world is this so much harder than Flying planes, giving anesthesia, or learning to train horses?? This is the most frustrating hobby I have tried to get into. I know it can't be as complex as people will like you to believe.... but we will see.. LOL. Best of Luck to all that are established and even more to those who've yet to begin!