Filter upgraded to sump

Reef Breeders · Feb 1, 2011

Just got a 36"x12"x18" sump refugium combo yesterday. I had to customize the pipes a little, but I got the whole setup. Im going to have to get refugium mud, but I gues it can wait a few days. Im also getting lr rubble to help with it, and a new light. My tank is a 45 gallon, so just wondering exactly how much mud ans rubble I need. The aqua c that came with it has to be on my display, but it produced skimmate in about 30 minutes so I was happy.

Before:

After:

raymond · Feb 2, 2011

you really cant beat a sump, i am in the believe that canister filters are just to much of a pain, to restricting and just a terrible way to get filteration for saltwater, but i have seen them used efectivly too

btkrausen · Feb 2, 2011

Rubble rock isn't really a necessity for a refugium, nor is mud. Most people I know run their fuge with live sand and some type of macro algae(s). I don't know much about the mud, mostly cause I've always used sand in the past, since it was something I had on hand and didn't have to buy. I do know mud isn't the norm from what I've seen.

If you have the sand, I'd just use it. Its cheap, effective, and its proven. You can, however, throw a little live rock in there to seed it.

btkrausen · Feb 2, 2011

Also, you might consider running a filter sock on the drain as well. Its kept my sump crystal clean since I started using them, causing you less headache later with the task of cleaning it out.

Reef Breeders · Feb 2, 2011

Ya I know, I decided to go with sand, as I had some on hand, and Im working on the macro and filters sock. I have it going through an HOB cotton filter with some carbon in it.

aalvarado87 · Feb 2, 2011

I don't have anything in my fuge except macro algae. It seems to work great. I have heard bad things about dsb because they turn into a nitrate factory. But then on the other hadn i have seen tons of people that have successful tanks running fuges with dsb. so either way good luck great you moved to a sump

raymond · Feb 2, 2011

i think the whole idea behind the live rock, sand, bio balls and such is just the right amount of service area

btkrausen · Feb 2, 2011

anemonekeeper said:
Ya I know, I decided to go with sand, as I had some on hand, and Im working on the macro and filters sock. I have it going through an HOB cotton filter with some carbon in it.

You can get a small acrylic filter sock holder that holds a 4 inch sock for the sump, thats what I do. Then, I keep about 8 socks on hand. Once I put the last one in, I run the rest of them through the washing machine with bleach. Its a economically way to keep it clean, since the socks are reused over and over.

Reef Breeders · Feb 2, 2011

I just ordered two reusable plastic ones, and my sump already has two 2-1/2" holes for filter socks. The sump is called the aquarium ecosystem sump model 3612, or 36"x12"x18", google it.

m and m · Feb 2, 2011

as BTK stated i would get a sock on that drian it helps alot pick up just dirt, also i would watch that pump i lost a fish to a ocean runner once.

Reef Breeders · Feb 3, 2011

Amd there are bio balls betwwen the baffles that lead to the return, they keep most larger animals away.

btkrausen · Feb 3, 2011

No, don't use bioballs for saltwater, they are bad news. If you need to keep any animals in the sump away from the drain, use some gutter guard or netting to block it off.

m and m · Feb 3, 2011

anemonekeeper said:
Amd there are bio balls betwwen the baffles that lead to the return, they keep most larger animals away.

Bio balls are bad news all they do is creat a no3 and po4 factory which are bad.

Reef Breeders · Feb 4, 2011

They contain the same bacteria as lr, they are the same thing, an area for beneficial bacteria to grow.

Reef Breeders · Feb 4, 2011

And, the bioballs are a large part of the sump, they fill the area under the filter socks.

btkrausen · Feb 4, 2011

anemonekeeper said:
They contain the same bacteria as lr, they are the same thing, an area for beneficial bacteria to grow.

Sure, thats the marketing scheme behind them, but you'll find tons of posts and recommendations that they don't do that. I was naive when I started saltwater and used them myself, but quickly found out there were just doing more harm than good. Take 'em out for your own good.

Reef Breeders · Feb 4, 2011

I will work on that, but they reduced the n03 levels in my bc 14 to 0, (which is a fish only tank) I have never heard anything bad about them before, but I will try to replace them with rubble rock or something

Reef Breeders · Feb 4, 2011

I modded it again for more flow, and added a second overflow. Keep in mind, this whole setup could now very likely filter a 150 gallon tank (excluding the aqua c) and is this pump on my aqua c modified, or does it come with the skimmer?

gar732 · Feb 4, 2011

You can get the remora with a mag 3, I would recommend using a that sponge pre-filter that comes with it and cleaning it often. If the pump sucks up any kind of debris it can clog the spray nozzle.