Frequent Aquarium Questions

• I have 10 gallon tank and I would like to know if I have to have an air pump?
  
  
• I just bought a power compact lighting fixture with four 65 watt bulbs, but I understand this may not be enough to support some corals. Is this true, and if so what other options do I have?
  
  
• I live on the third floor and need a pump that will pump up 21 feet so I dont have to carry water up the stairs. I plan on plumbing it directly into the suction of my sump pump, will this help with the lift? Any suggestions? Thank you
  
  
• Is it normal for an in-tank protein skimmer to release bubbles in the water?
  
  
• Are plastic decorations okay for our saltwater tank?
  
  
• I have a 1/4 HP AquaVia chiller for my 55 gallon reef tank. What size water pump should I be using to circulate the water through it?
  
  
• My air pump sits on top of my aquarium. It vibrates and is too noisy. Should I leave it there or can I move it to the floor?
  
  
• What is the difference between a wet/dry filter and a sump?
  
  
• How do I clean a used to be salt water take so that it may harbor fresh water fish?
  
  
• Can you recommend a way of soundproofing a chiller?
  
  

• I have 10 gallon tank and I would like to know if I have to have an air pump?
  
  No, but you need to make sure that your filter is properly aerating the tank.
  
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• I just bought a power compact lighting fixture with four 65 watt bulbs, but I understand this may not be enough to support some corals. Is this true, and if so what other options do I have?
  
  This might be true, but it is based on the size and height of your tank. You want to shoot for at least 4 watts per gallon if you plan on keeping SPS corals and clams.
  
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• I live on the third floor and need a pump that will pump up 21 feet so I dont have to carry water up the stairs. I plan on plumbing it directly into the suction of my sump pump, will this help with the lift? Any suggestions? Thank you
  
  Horizontal head is extremely hard to push in general and to do it with a submersible pump will require you purchase a large submersible pond pump from a company like Danner Supreme. No elaborate plumbing is necessary. Drop the pump with hose in the water and pump it straight to your tank.
  
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• Is it normal for an in-tank protein skimmer to release bubbles in the water?
  
  Unfortunately, this is a by-product of this design.
  
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• Are plastic decorations okay for our saltwater tank?
  
  If the decorations are intended for aquarium use, they will be fine. They will probably wear quicker than ones in placed in freshwater tanks.
  
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• I have a 1/4 HP AquaVia chiller for my 55 gallon reef tank. What size water pump should I be using to circulate the water through it?
  
  Depending on the number of returns you have going back to your tank, a pump rated at 1,000 gph or less should be fine. Don't forget to install a ballvalve to fine tune the volume.
  
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• My air pump sits on top of my aquarium. It vibrates and is too noisy. Should I leave it there or can I move it to the floor?
  
  I would place it on the floor. You can try placing a towel under the pump for noise and vibration.
  
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• What is the difference between a wet/dry filter and a sump?
  
  A wet/dry filter is a type of sump. Wet/dry filters have a bio-tower which is considered the "dry" section. The "wet" section is usually where the pump sits. Another type of sump is void of any bio-material, and is therefore termed a "berlin" sump.
  
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• How do I clean a used to be salt water take so that it may harbor fresh water fish?
  
  If it has hard water deposits, you might have to scrape it off with a razor. If the tank is fairly clean, you will just need to flush it with tapwater a few times.
  
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• Can you recommend a way of soundproofing a chiller?
  
  There is no real way of completely reducing the noise of your chiller. If it is already in your cabinet/stand, the only other option is to place it remotely and run the plumbing at a distance.
  
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