Adult Supervision Required

[Altmann]

Looking at the picture of the sump you have the drain for the skimmer drain back into the sump. That hose is made to drain into a container or remover it and put the plug back in it and empty the cup when it fills up.

This is where I need help. It's not running from the aquarium yet.. I am trying to figure this part out.

I removed that hose. And we can pop the container off when it needs to be cleaned

So if the water level is low we need to make the baffles higher too so the water weaves it's way through the filtration that will go there?

 

[Altmann]

Suggestion-1, your tank is too new and too clean for a big CUC (Clean Up Crew). They need ugly stuff to eat and you don't have any (yet).

Suggestion-2, stability is 90% of success, knowledge is 10% and patience is 100% (See #1 above).

Okay so the few we have is okay? Everyone in these is happy and healthy so far. Levels have remained stable so I am counting my blessings. Thank you for your constructive and kind feedback.

We are not adding anything else until I get this sump situation figured out. I changed my mind about an AIO and I believe for the end game having a sump will be so much more beneficial. Starting it helped me to remember quickly why I never wanted to deal with it.

 

[aquakj]

So the aquascape is all done by my son. This is 'his project'. Which has become a family project. And it has been fun. Can you explain more on the driftwood? It's been in there since October. Ph 8.2 from October through Jan 8 and since Jan 8 it has been 8. We have had it covered by all kinds of "neatness" while everything cycled. This last month is the first time I haven't had to google some weirdness growing. Is there a thread somewhere that I can use to reference what will and won't be okay in the reef? When he wanted to get it .. he googled and said it would be okay.

No I don't want to pull my hair out over anything I can knowingly prevent! So I am so thankful for advice and direction.

The driftwood overtime can leach which can cause some tanins in the water (brown water) and possibly change some parameters as mentioned like PH just all in all we wouldn’t recommend having that in the tank at all...things that are okay are pretty much saltwater rock and specific sands...I mean technically any sand could work but it’s best to stick to saltwater recommended sands and rocks....I would avoid anything that’s for freshwater tanks

 

[Jilly92]

New reefer here - or maybe wannabe reefer? I have always wanted a reef. But when my 17yo son said 'Hey Mom let's do a reef' I dragged out the bags of money I have been waiting to burn and jumped right in!


55 gallon seemed like a safe place to start. After an enormous amount of thinking and research the original plan was an AIO. We fishless cycled, my husband and son made some 'live rock', and after a couple months we added a few critters.

4 months into - it we dragged another tank out of basement and the sump adventure has begun. <<what was I thinking?!>>


Please don't judge me! The main tank is on an older table with a frame I loved specifically for this. The sides drop down leaving the perfect place for the Main tank. Leaving the side down in front of the sump until the system is set (ish). Then I will build the sump cabinet and add a top designed around the lighting so rocking out with a basic hood for now. The more I read the more I realize this can go so many ways. So I debated: I could have a really fancy, aesthetically pleasing display and limit my options or make it what I want it to be and build my aquarium diaplay to accommodate the system. I like options.

My knowledge, lingo and terminology leave a lot to be desired with aquarium and reef design, but I get the most amazing satisfaction from the whole DIY so I am committed and ready to learn.

At the moment we have some
Nassarius Snails, mexican turbo snails, blue leg hermit crabs, an emerald crab, a shark nose goby, and a banggai cardinal. For coral a toadstool leather and green star polyp. Neither of which are impressed with us. At all.

I am going to order more cleaners. But know I need to wait until everything is running properly before I add anything else. I think... I think I know... or I know I should think that I know that I don't really know...

Advice or suggestions is appreciated.

Wood in a marine tank can cause issues with ph

 

[DaddyFish]

Oh absolutely for the background. I cannot stand seeing tubes and through to the wall it looks so - ugh!. We took it off with all the moving everything around. We have been playing with the idea of actually painting the glass. Do you have a recommended paint?

And you actually answered a question I had. So I can move the heater to the sump !

Can I move the biowheel filter down there as well? Or will we even need it once the skimmer and refugium are up and functioning?

You shouldn't need the biowheel once the sump is online and stabilized.

For background paint I prefer to use a spray enamel like Krylon for plastics. But any enamel paint will do on glass. You can apply it with a foam cabinet and trim roller. Two thin coats are best.

I have used latex paint, but it doesn't hold up well to mag scrapers.

 

[Jedi1199]

I second removing the burlap under the tank. When it gets wet, (and it will) you can't dry it.. standing water on wood=BAD BAD BAD!!!

 

[sunken3]

though the driftwood looks kinda cool - thinking fiji lagoon, everyone here is correct is suggesting it is not best suited for a saltwater tank - the chances for it to leach into the tank are likely.. unless you got it from the ocean after it had been there for years. the tank is a closed system (small ecosystem) and cannot handle some things that the oceans (because of its size) can.

also, how is the water going to overflow into your sump? i think i missed that.

i suggest that you put a check valve on your return pump so your sump doesnt overflow in the event of a power failure. buy one that is all plastic (ie no metal spring).

 

[sunken3]

i also really couldnt see how the sump and skimmer were plumbed from the pics. if you havent already, youtube a few videos to ensure you guys have a good understanding of the flow (and reasons for the baffle heights).. it might help make sense of some of the advice you're getting (good and .. more opinion).

 

[ScubaSteeve]

This is where I need help. It's not running from the aquarium yet.. I am trying to figure this part out.

I removed that hose. And we can pop the container off when it needs to be cleaned

So if the water level is low we need to make the baffles higher too so the water weaves it's way through the filtration that will go there?

That skimmer needs 7 to 9 inches of water to run you can also try opening the venturi to see if that will make foam rise

 

[Altmann]

The driftwood overtime can leach which can cause some tanins in the water (brown water) and possibly change some parameters as mentioned like PH just all in all we wouldn’t recommend having that in the tank at all...things that are okay are pretty much saltwater rock and specific sands...I mean technically any sand could work but it’s best to stick to saltwater recommended sands and rocks....I would avoid anything that’s for freshwater tanks

Okay thank you. I will suggest he removes it. We have paused on the adding anything so we can figure out the sump. Thank you for the feedback. I really appreciate it.

 

[Altmann]

That skimmer needs 7 to 9 inches of water to run you can also try opening the venturi to see if that will make foam rise

Thank you so much. I sincerely appreciate you taking time to follow-up. It was just at 7 inches. I added water its at 8.5 and opened the venturi. Foam is rising. I will wait a bit, let it keep running and check. All the videos they watched said to wait 24 hours between adjustments to verify. What is your experience?

 

[aquakj]

Okay thank you. I will suggest he removes it. We have paused on the adding anything so we can figure out the sump. Thank you for the feedback. I really appreciate it.

No problem good luck! and for your background I would suggest just getting those plastic backgrounds that have 2 colors either black or blue, i just think if you paint it you are set to only that color you choose and maybe in the future you want a new look so its a bit better to go with something that you can just change if you get tired of instead as opposed to something that is permanent like painting it.

 

[ScubaSteeve]

Thank you so much. I sincerely appreciate you taking time to follow-up. It was just at 7 inches. I added water its at 8.5 and opened the venturi. Foam is rising. I will wait a bit, let it keep running and check. All the videos they watched said to wait 24 hours between adjustments to verify. What is your experience?

Yes just let it run and keep in eye on the foam you don't want it over flowing and filling the cup up in 1 day if so close it a little. Also it can take a week or 2 before it actually starts making skim they have a break in period and also dends on your bioload. Your welcome remember to be patient and ask lots of questions, and good luck

 

[Altmann]

You shouldn't need the biowheel once the sump is online and stabilized.

For background paint I prefer to use a spray enamel like Krylon for plastics. But any enamel paint will do on glass. You can apply it with a foam cabinet and trim roller. Two thin coats are best.

I have used latex paint, but it doesn't hold up well to mag scrapers.

This is all starting to make sense now. So once the sump is correct and functioning all the 'crap' can be removed from the display tank! And instead of having a quarantine tank and all the extras-it is all down below. In the beginning I thought this was the case but the more videos we watched the more confused I got. Perfect. So now I know what lighting system and hood design for the display.

Thank you for the info on the latex paint. It's little things like knowing latex paint is a pain with the mag scraper make a huge difference in the creation.

Any advice on powerheads? I read that a lot of that is contingent upon the corals that he will want (and it will absolutely have to start with the basics for the learning curve and obviously that is a bit of time out) but do you have a recommendation esp one that is not such an eyesore? Right now there is a lot more to make someone go eww, but not for much longer..

 

[Altmann]

No problem good luck! and for your background I would suggest just getting those plastic backgrounds that have 2 colors either black or blue, i just think if you paint it you are set to only that color you choose and maybe in the future you want a new look so its a bit better to go with something that you can just change if you get tired of instead as opposed to something that is permanent like painting it.

That is great advice too.... thank you!

 

[Altmann]

The driftwood overtime can leach which can cause some tanins in the water (brown water) and possibly change some parameters as mentioned like PH just all in all we wouldn’t recommend having that in the tank at all...things that are okay are pretty much saltwater rock and specific sands...I mean technically any sand could work but it’s best to stick to saltwater recommended sands and rocks....I would avoid anything that’s for freshwater tanks

Everything else we have been very deliberate in selecting so I thank you for the added information. The last thing I want is to have something that will cause an unnecessary battle with water parameters. I am wondering if it has been leeching all along and the rock is absorbing and would explain why the rocks are turning brown? I'm going to research, but what are your thoughts?

 

[DaddyFish]

That is great advice too.... thank you!

If you choose vinyl background, don't waste your time or money on that SeaView Aquarium Background Adhesive. It's nothing more than some heavy weight mineral oil, and unfortunately it will attack the vinyl over time. Plus it leaves a HUGE mess that's next to impossible to clean.
I highly recommend using Clear Headlight Repair Tape found at automotive stores to secure a vinyl background.

 

[DaddyFish]

And kudos to you for being so dedicated to something that interests your teenage son. There are many other things he could become interested in that aren't nearly as wholesome as saltwater/reefing.

 

[Altmann]

though the driftwood looks kinda cool - thinking fiji lagoon, everyone here is correct is suggesting it is not best suited for a saltwater tank - the chances for it to leach into the tank are likely.. unless you got it from the ocean after it had been there for years. the tank is a closed system (small ecosystem) and cannot handle some things that the oceans (because of its size) can.

also, how is the water going to overflow into your sump? i think i missed that.

i suggest that you put a check valve on your return pump so your sump doesnt overflow in the event of a power failure. buy one that is all plastic (ie no metal spring).

This is VERY BASIC. (like the tank) once we figure it out, I will build the base and finish letting it prime itself before it does anything with the display tank so feel free to offer suggestions and advice.

This is by no means attractive though it works. Do you recommend attaching to an overflow box instead?

this is a basic Aqueon 2500 grabbed quick at the lfs just to give me a basic visual. They are going to grab a check valve for the return.

 

[Altmann]

If you choose vinyl background, don't waste your time or money on that SeaView Aquarium Background Adhesive. It's nothing more than some heavy weight mineral oil, and unfortunately it will attack the vinyl over time. Plus it leaves a HUGE mess that's next to impossible to clean.
I highly recommend using Clear Headlight Repair Tape found at automotive stores to secure a vinyl background.

I have shared the advice with Drew (my son) as it comes in. He definitely wants to paint it. But the vinyl background as a backup and proper adhesion is great to know!