New To Marines

[Allan Johns]

Hi Folks
I have just started into Marines with the purchase of one these mini nano aquariums called an Orca.
I would welcome any advice anyone could give me because although I have kept freshwater tropicals for about 40 years this is a completely different ball game.
One of the first things I am not sure about is the built in skimmer.I connected it all up with great difficulty as I had to install it myself.There is no room for your hands at all and connecting the skimmer to the pump was a joke.having done that there doesn't seem to be much happening,should it bubble or what should it do?,bearing in mind there is nothing at all in the tank as it's only been set up a week or so.The live rock looks great though.
Thanks for a great forum,I'm still new to it so forgive me if I make any mistakes along the way.
Best wishes to all my saltwater buddies out there.
Allan

 

[simonas]

Welcome to the forum and the salty side

I;m a comparative salty newcomer myself.
I had a problem with a skimmer and eventually changed it. Mine bubbled from day one but I could adjust the bubbles on it to get the skim out of the tank.

I don;t know your tank so can;t advise on it, I;m sure soneone will come along and advise

We like pics here so start a journal!!!

Simon

 

[seffieuk]

Hi Allan

The skimmer on the orca will take a while to bed in but have you adjusted the air intake?

Also, have you taken out the foam and noodles from the back?

And two more questions, have you turned the spray bar to face upwards and do you have a powerhead in the tank?

I'm a nightmare aren't I

Seffie x

 

[Allan Johns]

Not at all,it's great to be able to get replies to my questions.
Here goes,
it was second hand so didn't see any foam or noodles at the back.
The main problem was the stupid people at the shop forgot to give me the skimmer pump so this is why it didn't work.
I connected it up and after a lot of head scratching I realised i needed one of those taps to regulate the flow so the skimmer could work.
I have just done that and it works a treat now all foam and stuff buzzing round the little square compartment which I guess is what it is supposed to do.
I will make sure that the spray bar faces upwards thanks for advising me upon that.
As for a powerhead I think the two pumps I have working in there now are providing plenty of water movement,it looks just like the ocean in there now.hehe,
This weekend I will be putting a couple of turbo snails into the tank,my first inmates yippeee!!!!

 

[Allan Johns]

Hi Simon,
I have sorted it all out now thanks the stupid shop forgot to include the skimmer air pump,after much head scratching I had to put a regulator tap in and now it works a treat.
Looking forward to putting my turbo snails in at the weekend-my first inhabitants.yippee!!
Thanks for your advice

 

[simonas]

let the snail watching begin!! lol this part of it is great the excitement f setting it all up is my favourite

good luck

 

[seffieuk]

Can we see a photo and errmmm, how has your tank cycled so fast (you mentioned putting in a snail)?

Seffie x