sumps.
- Thread starter jay0705
- Start date
sweatervest13
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by jay0705 http:///t/397281/sumps#post_3540797
Iam thinking of upgrading tanks. I want a 125 most likely. My question is this. Is a sump the best way to go for filtration? It will prob only be a fowlr tank
Best is a very subjective term. But saying that... Sumps are a very good way to go because they offer so many benefits:
You add a lot of extra water volume to your system.
You can run an internal protein skimmer.
You have a place to hide equipment.
You can add a refugium.
You can add a lot of mechanical filtration (filter socks and such).
The return pump adds additional flow to the DT
It makes the DT look a lot cleaner.
You can add an Auto Top Off pump to make topping off easier
They are a lot easier to maintain verses a canister filter
They are just plain cool... LOL.
For the upgrade to a 125, I highly suggest getting a drilled RR tank. There are a bunch of different types of overflows to consider, a standard Durso works well, but there have been some improvements (Bean Animal, and Herbie overflows)
HTH's
SV
Originally Posted by jay0705 http:///t/397281/sumps#post_3540797
Iam thinking of upgrading tanks. I want a 125 most likely. My question is this. Is a sump the best way to go for filtration? It will prob only be a fowlr tank
Best is a very subjective term. But saying that... Sumps are a very good way to go because they offer so many benefits:
You add a lot of extra water volume to your system.
You can run an internal protein skimmer.
You have a place to hide equipment.
You can add a refugium.
You can add a lot of mechanical filtration (filter socks and such).
The return pump adds additional flow to the DT
It makes the DT look a lot cleaner.
You can add an Auto Top Off pump to make topping off easier
They are a lot easier to maintain verses a canister filter
They are just plain cool... LOL.
For the upgrade to a 125, I highly suggest getting a drilled RR tank. There are a bunch of different types of overflows to consider, a standard Durso works well, but there have been some improvements (Bean Animal, and Herbie overflows)
HTH's
SV
jay0705
Well-Known Member
Ok lol. Where to start. The tanks ive looked into have corner over flows and center over flows as options. Not positive but I believe there marine land tanks.
Ive heard sumps can be messy. Salt creep and such , is true?
Sumps are new to me lol so iam ignorant for the most part. I know the larger the tank the better for a sump. Ive seen 125 w a 75 sump. But hear 20-55 the most common.
Ive heard sumps can be messy. Salt creep and such , is true?
Sumps are new to me lol so iam ignorant for the most part. I know the larger the tank the better for a sump. Ive seen 125 w a 75 sump. But hear 20-55 the most common.
2quills
Well-Known Member
I would go with a 40g breeder over a 55g for a sump personally. You end up with about the same amount of water volume once the baffles are installed and the tank takes up less room.
I don't have any salt creep issues in my sump. The key is to minimize any splashing from the drain water dropping into the sump. My pipes are all submerged under the surface the prevent this. But you can always make some cheap makeshift covers for any problem areas if it ever becomes an issue.
I've gone with a dual Herbie set up for my drains. They run just as silent at the bean animal set up.
I don't have any salt creep issues in my sump. The key is to minimize any splashing from the drain water dropping into the sump. My pipes are all submerged under the surface the prevent this. But you can always make some cheap makeshift covers for any problem areas if it ever becomes an issue.
I've gone with a dual Herbie set up for my drains. They run just as silent at the bean animal set up.
sweatervest13
Active Member
I agree with 2Quills on the sump. There are things you can do to dial it in and keep it pretty clean. The sump tank size can be misleading... You want a good footprint for the space you have available. I personally have a sump that is 48"x18"x18" ( I liked the extra depth for more water volume vs a standard 55g). You can design your sump a 100 different ways to match your needs.
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Quote:Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/397281/sumps#post_3540822
If you're making the sump I would just incorporate a refigium section for growing macro algae. If you want to toss in a little bit of sand or rock to go with it that works too.
+1
IMHO it is the macro algae that will balance out and stabilize the system.
FWIW I just crammed in an egg crate 3" in front of my back glass (55g) and added 2 2-tube shop light utility fixtures 6" behind the tank pointing forward. That 3" provided an in tank refugium where macro algaes thrived as did pods. Plus my two tangs were always picking on the macros that poked through to the front area. And nitrates dropped to unmeasureable levels from 80-160ppm in three weeks. Phosphates became unmeasureable a few weeks later.
So you don't have to setup complicated sumps/refugiums. Sometimes a simple in tank refugium works wonders.
my .02
If you're making the sump I would just incorporate a refigium section for growing macro algae. If you want to toss in a little bit of sand or rock to go with it that works too.
+1
IMHO it is the macro algae that will balance out and stabilize the system.
FWIW I just crammed in an egg crate 3" in front of my back glass (55g) and added 2 2-tube shop light utility fixtures 6" behind the tank pointing forward. That 3" provided an in tank refugium where macro algaes thrived as did pods. Plus my two tangs were always picking on the macros that poked through to the front area. And nitrates dropped to unmeasureable levels from 80-160ppm in three weeks. Phosphates became unmeasureable a few weeks later.
So you don't have to setup complicated sumps/refugiums. Sometimes a simple in tank refugium works wonders.
my .02
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Quote:Originally Posted by jay0705 http:///t/397281/sumps#post_3540907
Finding macro around his is tough tho. I ll prob have to order it online
I think swf has some.
the best source IME is locals. they may be tossing some each month.
FWIW there is a guy in NY (Paul B) who harvests macro algae in hudson bay. His mixed reef tank has been running for over 40 years.
my .02
Finding macro around his is tough tho. I ll prob have to order it online
I think swf has some.
the best source IME is locals. they may be tossing some each month.
FWIW there is a guy in NY (Paul B) who harvests macro algae in hudson bay. His mixed reef tank has been running for over 40 years.
my .02