What is a "heavy" bio-load and bubble envy

[alan mcilvried]

I'm at 4 weeks - Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates at 0. Down to the strongest Damsel - he killed the other two. I'm waiting 1 more week if I can, and if no Ammonia spike, I'm going to move the damsel to the quarrantine tank and start slowly adding some "nice" fish.

 

I essentially want an active fish tank, but will probably try some easy corals or polyps some time along the way. I'm wondering what is considered a heavy bio-load, and whether I ought to be looking for a more efficient or larger skimmer. I currently have a 75 gallon overflow tank with a CPR CY192 wet/dry filter with combined protein skimmer. I don't get a lot of overflowing bubbles from the skimmer, but it does foam up into the collection cup. Nothing like the pictures I've seen posted here though. The return pump is a Mag 7 and the protein skimmer is running off a little Rio. I have 2 Maxjet 1200 powerheads and about 100# of very alive, live rock, full of critters and coraline algea. Snails, crabs and shrimp are busily cleaning every scrap of green/brown/hair algea.

 

I would like to add fish in order of preference, but not necessarily in order of introduction:

 

2 small Henniocus (because I understand they like to be in pairs - I'd be happy with one)

Royal Gramma

5-8 BlueGreen Chromis

Coral Beauty

Flame Angel (if it won't fight with the coral beauty - would add them at the same time is necessary)

1 butterfly of some type.

1 or 2 Blenny or goby type fish

1 small wrasse

 

 

Other fish I'd like to have if it didn't overload the tank:

Fox face

3 or 4 bangai cardinals

Hawkfish

Anthias

And of course, the kids want a blue hippo tank - "Dory."

 

 

1) Is it safe to assume that is a heavy fish load for a 75g with this live rock?

2) Is my low bubble production possibly a result of low load, or an inefficient skimmer? I definitely am collecting stuff that looks like green tea from the current skimmer.

3) What are the warning signs that my skimmer isn't keeping up at some point?

4) Is it safe to use the manufacturers suggested aquarium size for skimmer capacity. Is there any danger in oversizing a skimmer?

5) I've read a lot of threads about skimmers here on the bulletin, so I don't want to restart the whole "what's the best skimmer discussion", but for this specific application, any short concise suggestions? If I replace the skimmer, I'll need to get a new sump. Max height is 24" - Total MAX, including cup removal clearance.

 

Thanks

 

Alan

[Black Mammoth]

I think you would be OK with that load because most of the fish are pretty small. I don't think I would put any Anthias in a 75g, they typically need a lot of room. They are beautiful and I would love to have them, but I only have a 90g. As for a skimmer, well I guess it depends on how much you want to spend. IMHO an ASM skimmer is the best bang for your buck. I have a modified G2 skimmer on my 90g with a decent bio load (4 Green Chromis, 2 Ocellaris Clowns, Flame Angel, Bellus Angel, Magnificent Foxface, and a Powder Blue Tang). All have been in the tank except the Bellus, I'm waiting on it. I also have about 160lbs of live rock.

 

The EuroReef are also popular. I would like a Deltec, but I just can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a skimmer when it could be used in other places Don't get me wrong, they are very nice. I believe you can get a ASM G2 in your 24" requirement...it'll be close.

 

Your skimmer probably doesn't have much to suck out of the water yet. More may come later. I'm not really familiar with that skimmer, so I can't really say how good it is. Some signs that your skimmer isn't keeping up is if you have to empty it every day and it's really thick. Also, you may see your water params spike and you can't bring them down.

 

BTW as a side note, I would recommend not using any live fish to cycle a tank, it is pretty rough on them. So if you have to do another cycle in the future, I would use a piece of shrimp (or something like that). Also, I would QT your fish before putting them in your main tank. Keep an eye on them and make sure they are healthy and disease free before putting them in your tank.

 

Good luck! Oh BTW, I see that you recently joined....welcome!

[rooroo]

I wouldn't worry about a new skimmer until you start having high levels of nutrients in the tank that you can't seem to get down. Watch nitrates (I would say having troubles getting below 40ppm with a FOWLR would be a good indicator that you don't have adequate nutrient export) and it'll be a good indicator of when you need to consider a new skimmer. Until then keep the one you have clean and functioning well.

 

You can also consider a recirculating skimmer or something that can sit outside the sump. Then you don't need a new sump. I didn't do this because I'm paranoid about floods.