update on Salt tank

Well, not paying attention to the cycling, I did a huge rookie mistake; I added too many fish before the tank was done cycling. So lost 2 of my fish this week. On a positive note, my new protein skimmer will be coming in today. I got the Reef Octopus hang on back BH-1000. Its a little over kill for my tank but you can never have too much filtration and when I move and upgrade to my 55 I've got waiting it will work great. I'll post pictures and input on it later today or tomorrow

This is the protein skimmer. The purpose of a protein skimmer is to filter out any excess crud that the filter and live rock don't break down. It takes in water, mixes it with tiny micro bubbles. the curd sticks to the micro bubbles and goes to the top of the skimmer, up the tube into the collection cup and pops, sending the crud out and into the collection cup. It works amazingly well. I have been testing my water ever sense I set it up and my cycle is over. no nitrates, nitrites and ammonia. I'm coral ready and going to get my first one today after work.

I've got 4 different corals. As soon as i get my tank cleaned up for pictures, I'm going to post some pictures and information on them and why i chose them. TONS of information on corals that i didn't know.

and for anyone looking to get into saltwater and corals..... there's almost no difference between live freshwater corals and keeping plants.

AA.. there is one critical issue that I face with salt... In the summer, I work to keep my tank temps below 90!.. hardly an environment conducive to corals..Without a $400.00 chiller for each tank, I'm frankly SOL!
Bill