Heyya folks,
The new year starting out on the right foot. Thank you all for your patience, and support.
if you remember i had…um cloudy water… The addition of the asm skimmer, and the 200 micron sock on the drain line did the trick. (sock change weekly) It’s been 2 weeks with these changes and the results are in.
Tank is now very clear and happy, star polyps are climbing the rock, hairy mushroom split into 3 and the zoo’s are looking great.
I just about have the skimmer dialed in the way I want, seems to pull about 1/4 cup of nasty dark bile a day.
My only complaint is the gurgle sound from the air tube on this guy…
I will continue 10 % changes bi-weekly (weekly when bio-load increases)
according to api testing, everything else is pretty good. Will want to start to look to see the best way to maintain phos levels. ( have gone from 0 to .25) Not bad yet i know, but want to keep it in check. Nitrates are still 0…
Media in sock? reactor(s)??
Best news of all is that I can now sit and watch the pods. swmbo thinks i’m nuts staring at bugs >LOL<
Glad to hear that things are finally doing well for you. Please keep us updated and post pics. We love seeing pics around here. Also, nothing wrong with staring at your tank. Most people spend hours looking at every nook and crannies in our tank and with flash lights at night.
As for the skimmer I’m someone that uses ASM may chime in to get you some tricks that they do. Phos levels can be maintain by continuine using GFO or some people that have luck with Phosguard by seachem. Also, less feeding. Good luck and enjoy your labor.
One of the problems with the ASM skimmers is the very powerful Sedra pumps. They work very well and suck a lot of air. Not sure there’s a solution to that other than making sure the line is clear. Not sure where the skimmer is in regards to the main tank but my sump is in a closet and I hardly ever hear noise from my skimmer 
Phosphates can be kept in check by running GFO or phosguard. Cutting back on feeding can help if you’re feeding foods that contain phosphates. Using better quality food (read “not flake”) will keep over feeding from being a problem.
Also make sure you’re using good RODI filter to make sure you’re removing all traces of pollutants from your tap water before using it in your tank.
That gurgle sound from the ASM skimmer will subside in due time. If you’re that concerned with it, you can put an air line throttle valve (needle valve) on the end of your line (set to fully open, just enough to keep the needle in the threads), but be aware that this may hinder the amount of bubbles your skimmer will produce (you’ll just have to make that judgement on your own). I did this, but found that after 2-2 1/2 months that I didn’t need this anymore because the sound went away.
ah very cool, thanks for the tidbit on the needle valve. Since i’ve finished my custom cabinet, it’s muffled a bit more. Heck now i think i’m used to it and something is wrong if i don’t hear it.
Very pleased with the asm btw. ;D
I used a big air stone on my SWC skimmers air intake during break-in. Took it off after about a month and it’s nice and quiet.