Is this sump setup right?

[randyb]

This tank setup was given to us by a relative. Our LFS helped rebuild it with the components we had, but is it right? Hopefully you can see in the second photo that water comes from the DT and drips over exposed live rock. By the way, we've run it this way for about 6 months now, only problems are nitrates at 25 - 50 and a little too much algae on the rocks in the DT.

 

[autofreak44]

looks ok to me, make shure to keep up on ur water changes to lower those nitrates (10% a week)... as for algae, ive never had an algae problem so im not an expert in that area. what kind of algae is it? can you describe it?
also can we have your water parameters and a stock list of all your tank inhabitants
welcome to the boards, hope you enjoy it here

 

[walmart]

is it on the live rock? you want the algae on the live rock purple which is good.

 

[randyb]

Parameters:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrates: >25
pH: 8.2
SG: 1.026
Temp: 78F
I have 2 chromis, 1 Foxface, 1 butterfly fish,2 clownfish, 2 anthia, 1 cleaner and 1 fire shrimp: the display is 113 gallons (wierd parallelogram shape)
I was specifically wondering about the live rock in the sump not being under water - I've looked around this message board and haven't seen anyone else's like that. Anyway, here's a photo of the green live rock in my tank:

 

[triga22]

If you take good care of the tank it looks like it could be a great tank.

 

[trigger11]

The filtration setup looks ok to me. Here are a few ideas I have which should help your algae situation.
1. Add to your existing cleanup crew. I would add some snails and hermit crabs. I have a smaller size tank so I'm not sure what the exact numbers are that you would need. However, you could check out the reef packages link on this website to get a good idea of how many would work. Another good addition for the tank that would help in the algae department would be to get a lawnmower blenny. They are algae eating machines. Plus they have a ton of personality. You may need to provide extra algae sheets for later though after the algae problems clears up.
2. Another way to help combat the algae issue would be to add a refugium to your setup. In the fug you can have chaeto or some other plants which eat up the nitrates. (Which is what the algae uses to grow. There are several ways in which a refugium could be added. You probably have some space there underneath your cabinet where you can add one. A side benefit of a fug is also it is a place where copepods can grow.
Welcome to the boards.