need a little advice on closed/recirculating system

[ifr-toan]

hi,
just found the forum 3 days ago and decided this board was very informative about shedding systems.

i've done research the past 2-3 days on how to build a shedding system however.. i need some additional opinions and facts if possible..

for right now.. im only going to want to do two 4x8 tanks ..

1 for hards
1 for pinks and reds

now my question is.. what kind of pump to use..

is it just a pump to keep the water circulating?
i've heard of poeple using shells and plastic beads for the bacteria to grow to kill the ammonia..

i think its the pump strategy thats getting me worried.. if anyone has a picture of the pump setup and perhaps the whole shedding tank setup.. that'd be great..

and also.. what do you do when they finally molt?
wrap them in serranwrap, put them in a container then in the freezer?

[jack1747]

and also.. what do you do when they finally molt?
wrap them in serranwrap, put them in a container then in the freezer?

Eat'em

ps:clean them before you freeze em.  get a vacuum packager

[ran_c]

a sump pump works great and use like a big water trough from a home depot or a farm store for your water tank.

[ifr-toan]

do i need anything else besides the pump? protein skimmer? or anything?

[ran_c]

in my water tank i use oyster  shells for my rock for bacteria to grow on.i put a little filter on the top of the tank made of window screen just to catch claws and shells. takes quite a while to build your bacteria level but i find that if i put a catfish or two in the table they help speed the process. i start the year of with water out the gulf but after that i just add city water. i know people here that shed with just city water and it does just fine. i just feel better knowing there is some salt in the water.

[Steve]

Add a box of "Rid-X" to your tank... that will get the bacteria colony established and growing very quickly. Got this tip from a fellow who sheds crabs near me. He swears by the stuff.

http://www.reckittprofessional.com/find_a_product/products/ridx.html

[ran_c]

i find that the rid-x is a quick fix. it drops your ph real fast and then the bacteria dies off again and you are back to where you started. but this may work well for recreationals looking to bust a few real quick.