How much detail required in Triton sumps?

[Fishnerd7]

So after reviewing the Triton methods over the weekend i'm wondering how much detail needs to be applied to the sump area for algae growth. I just bought a brand new Trigger clear 30 sump for my 100 gallon tank. Still in build process. It has the refugium in the center. Can I just use that are for my skimmer and put my refugium/algae growth area in my drain area. the drain area is roughly a third the size of the sump. I think I recall reading the refugium or algae growth area should be 1/10 the size of the DT. Is this a guideline? Or would it be detrimental to my tank survival? All welcome to advise. Pictures always a plus as well. Thanks.

 

[BigHildy53]

Triton recommends 10% to 20% for the refugium size. Considering that sumps are never filled to the top, you are at the low range. If your bio load is low, you should be fine. Otherwise you either need a bigger space or supplement with other nutrient control (GFO, ATS).

 

[Greybeard]

http://reefer450dejeff.e.r.f.unblog.fr/files/2017/03/the-official-triton-method-beginners-guide.pdf

This 'beginners guide' recommends >10% display volume as refugeum, 10x tank volume flow through rate, no mechanical filtration aside from skimming, splashdown into ref, dosing to ref, then skimmer, then return... and, for some odd reason, a single wall, bottom flow divider between skimmer and return pump.

The only point I see as fairly inflexible would be the 10% minimum ref size and the lack of sock/mechanical filtration. Without 10% ref space, or pretty darned close to it, you just don't have the volume to contain the macro algae growth required. Socks or floss are going to seriously reduce particulate matter flowing through the refugeum. The other factors? IMHO, a bit less critical. 10x is real high flow through a ref, wouldn't bother me much to drop that to 8 or so. Dosing into another high flow area isn't going to have much of an affect. Under/over wall on the return section... I can't really figure out why they recommend that one. As long as you're not running mechanical filtration there, I can't see how an over/under bubble trap would have any effect. Same with a dedicated splashdown area... as long as you're not running it through a sock, I can't see what difference it'd make.

That said.. it's their method, and as someone who is considering using their method, it behooves you to try and comply with _all_ of their advice, even if you don't really understand it. I was planning a Trigger sump, but changed my mind, and built a sump from a 55g tank. That way, I could match their specifications. with a refugeum 18% or so of display volume.... even did their single under flow divider to the return pump. Ask me again next year, I might well have something different to say, but for now, I'm trying to stay as consistent with the documented method as I can.

Several companies have started offering, or at least talking about offering, Triton specific sumps. I expect it to be a common option in the near future. Of course, the 'fad' may well be gone in a year, and they'll quit offering them Who knows.

 

[Fishnerd7]

Thanks for the advice. This is my first saltwater tank. Owned many large freshwater but that's a way easier animal. I'm just at a crossroads early on to begin one direction or the other. Money of course being the overall decision making process. Once I get down a path its committed. The trigger sump does have quite of bit space in the first chamber but i would likely be a bit under on 10 gallons unless.....so here me out on this. The second chamber is fed by a small slit in the center of the first baffle. technically the second area where i would put the skimmer is equivalent to having that same body of water. do you see any issue have the algae in the same area as the skimmer also? Does that effect the skimmer in any way? Does it harm it mechanically I mean?

 

[Greybeard]

Most decent skimmers have a reasonably high flow pump and no prefilter. I'd be worried that the skimmer was going to suck up any macro algae growing near it.

Possibly an external skimmer, ran from the return compartment? Don't know if you can find an internal skimmer that would fit in the return compartment, but you could go that way, maybe run an external return pump to make room for it? Either would allow you to use _both_ overflow and ref compartments as refugeum space.

Algae reactor, turf algae scrubber, carbon dosing, water changes... there are many ways to increase nutrient export/consumption capacity of your system other than a large refugeum... of course, you're pushing away from the Triton method. Triton sells 'other methods' Core7 for a reason... it's not for everyone. There are many successful methods of keeping a reef system that don't have anything to do with Triton.

That sump would be ideal for a Zeovit system. Put a zeo reactor in the 1st compartment, a good skimmer in the 2nd, and start with the whole 'blue bottles' approach to reefing. With the Vertex Zeo 'starter kits' that BRS offers, it doesn't seem terribly difficult, or even outrageously expensive, to go that route these days. I very nearly chose to go that way myself.

I have no direct experience, but I'm hearing good things about the Red Sea 'recipes' method, as well. I used their 'reef mature' kit(s) to establish the bio filter on my new system, with _excellent_ results.

 

[Fishnerd7]

I'm researching right now. Had no idea about these other ways. It takes small conversations like this to find out whole new realms of possibilities. Thanks again.

 

[habavonc]

 

[habavonc]

I'm gonna use triton other methods for dosing with the zeoreactor

 

[habavonc]

If the zeo reactor with the triton other methods not going to work I'm gonna remove one of the baffles and combine the skimmer with the return pump and the larger portion of the sump will be used for the ref

 

[Greybeard]

I'm researching right now. Had no idea about these other ways. It takes small conversations like this to find out whole new realms of possibilities. Thanks again.

My advice would be to _not_ let any particular hardware purchase dictate the techniques you want to use to maintain your system. Do your research, select a method of nutrient reduction (there are _many_), and a method of Calc/Alk maintenance (once again, there are _many_). Once you know how you want to run your aquarium, then is the time to start selecting equipment, based on what is best with your chosen techniques. Remember, no high tech method guarantees success, and no formula replaces good basic husbandry. Simple is not a bad way to go... There are many beautiful tanks around here maintained with nothing more than water changes and kalkwasser.

I'm gonna use triton other methods for dosing with the zeoreactor

Sounds like a plan

 

[Fishnerd7]

After an evening of deep study I keep reverting to simpler methods which suit my style without purchasing the sports car. For me it's about the fish right now. I know I'm at least a year away from coral but for 100 gallon I'd like to master clean water and algae control first as my stepping stone. Appreciate the advice. I checked into the ZEOVIT. not too many clear videos on that process. You mentioned my sump would be perfect for this. Have you seen a good website for this, that explains it well?

 

[Greybeard]

After an evening of deep study I keep reverting to simpler methods which suit my style without purchasing the sports car. For me it's about the fish right now. I know I'm at least a year away from coral but for 100 gallon I'd like to master clean water and algae control first as my stepping stone. Appreciate the advice.

Happy to help, and it sounds to me as if you've arrived at the 'right' choice... meaning something that you'll be happy with, and that you'll have success with. Take your time, move slow, you'll end up much happier.

I checked into the ZEOVIT. not too many clear videos on that process. You mentioned my sump would be perfect for this. Have you seen a good website for this, that explains it well?

NO. Ok, well, BRS did a pretty good bit on bio filtration, but one of the reasons that I did not go Zeovit was because of the lack of clarity in their 'system'. If they'd spend some time on documentation, they'd probably sell a lot more product.

 

[new2this]

After an evening of deep study I keep reverting to simpler methods which suit my style without purchasing the sports car. For me it's about the fish right now. I know I'm at least a year away from coral but for 100 gallon I'd like to master clean water and algae control first as my stepping stone. Appreciate the advice. I checked into the ZEOVIT. not too many clear videos on that process. You mentioned my sump would be perfect for this. Have you seen a good website for this,

 

[Bob Escher]

Thanks for the advice. This is my first saltwater tank. Owned many large freshwater but that's a way easier animal. I'm just at a crossroads early on to begin one direction or the other. Money of course being the overall decision making process. Once I get down a path its committed. The trigger sump does have quite of bit space in the first chamber but i would likely be a bit under on 10 gallons unless.....so here me out on this. The second chamber is fed by a small slit in the center of the first baffle. technically the second area where i would put the skimmer is equivalent to having that same body of water. do you see any issue have the algae in the same area as the skimmer also? Does that effect the skimmer in any way? Does it harm it mechanically I mean?

I have the cube version of Trigger Crystal my refugium is in the front of it ( I think yours is the same?
As far as I know if I was going to triton ( which in my opinion and why I'm not going to it)
Is there's too many things to add. True you don't need them all but what happens if a parameter is off and you buy this and the next is something else
I'm using the Red Sea Foundation series and although I have questions about it ( where's strontium for example) I'm trying to stick to because it appears to be working

 

[Fishnerd7]

Greatly appreciate the advice here and forceful backup. I've been back and forth on a few different ideas over the last couple of days. All in all I get back to what I thought as far as minimal as possible.

 

[habavonc]

After an evening of deep study I keep reverting to simpler methods which suit my style without purchasing the sports car. For me it's about the fish right now. I know I'm at least a year away from coral but for 100 gallon I'd like to master clean water and algae control first as my stepping stone. Appreciate the advice. I checked into the ZEOVIT. not too many clear videos on that process. You mentioned my sump would be perfect for this. Have you seen a good website for this, that explains it well?

 

[habavonc]

The zeovit Method is pretty simple you should basically have the zeovit reactor and there is the instruction web page for the method you should use the zeolite rocks in the reactor pomp the rock at list once a day to remove the bacterial mulm off of the rock which will also serve as food for your corals and there are begging 3 part liquids you dose continuously one of them is bacterial strains second one is amino acids and vitamins and the third one I assume is carbohydrates like the red sea's nopax. The only thing is you should follow the precise amounts for each liquid. I've Posted my sump picture earlier and after just three weeks my nitrates are zero and my phosphates are 0.012

 

[Fishnerd7]

I'm liking zeovit the more I hear about it. It is quite unclear what all their products are for though or how they come into the mix.