Is my sump setup ok? Recommendations and general questions

lost66 · Dec 19, 2019

Hi
I am cycling my ~80g tank so this is not the final setup. This sump is 29g. Does it look good for you, any recommendation? Display tank will be fish & corals. Few days ago refugium started to be "moldy", thick foam is on the surface but return section is clear.
Baffles in refugium section are low as 6" but I raised the water level to match bubble magus recommendation.

Not everything might be visible so I am putting what is inside:
* drain pipe has "T" fitting with few inches pipe and a hole on the cap - I read somewhere it reduces the noise but it didn't help a lot so I am installing a gate valve instead of it. I think the noise is because of too much air in the pipe
* there is a sock but with no holder, I prefer DIY solutions and I will do something with plexi as a holder.
* bubble magus curve 5. It is off because I read that it can skim bacteria while cycling. But I think bacteria is not in the water only and started to be on the surface so I have a question, when can I start running skimmer?
* refugium section has xport brick and chaeto and it is powered by taotronics light. I think its working because it started to be messy. I am concerned about chaeto, it is covered by this gunky slime and when I stir it there, it is not packed as I can see on some youtube videos but starting to fall apart to a short pieces like 2 inches hair.
* return section has ATO osmolator and jebao DC pump. I love the pump, super quite. Plumbing in this section will be changed in the future, I know current solution might not be good but this hose I got from previous owner of aquarium.

When is a good moment to add reactors? I don't have much space there and I don't want to add single reactors so right now I am thinking about double reactor carbon with gfo. I read that gfo might not be good at the beginning since it can suck minimum level of required phosphates.

krbnsol · Dec 19, 2019

I think you got a solid foundation to work with. I don't know much about the chaeto- some keep it in a loose mesh for this purpose.

Mastiffsrule · Dec 19, 2019

Hi @lost66

Welcome to R2R

The first thing I am noticing is your return line is vacuum hose. You will not be able to use that since it is not rated for pressure. Your best options are pvc and vinyl hose. They have filter sock holders that can clip on the side you can put the sock into for an easy fix.

The protein skimmer isn’t needed at this point since the water will not have much of a load to remove. You are correct that bacteria is on the surfaces, so skimming will not remove it
Same with reactors. They are very useful but your tank is new. You may not need gfo for a while and carbon or chemi pure can be run in bags in the sump.

The skimmer is usually in centter. You water lever looks high negating the affects of the baffles. When you put together the sump did you have a design to follow.

Things are looking good, just need to get the fine tunIng in

krbnsol · Dec 20, 2019

@Mastiffsrule - Will the hose work for now and then he can switch it out? I saw that as well --- and the ridges in the hose will cause a loss of flow ( I would think).

Also - regarding the location of the skimmer. Must it be in the center vs in the 1st chamber with the return? just curious as I have seen so many build threads that it makes ones head spin.

I did notice the 3rd baffle from the left --- due to the size I agree it will not serve its intended purpose and can be removed thus providing even more space in the middle section.

arturoo1977 · Dec 20, 2019

Your setup seems and look very good. Another reason to upgrade that return line is pressure loss by friction. That pump can lift a bit of more water if your return line is smooth and straight rather than rough, soft and curved.

Bryknicks · Dec 20, 2019

Welcome to R2R!!!

Agree with above on swapping out the return line for hard or soft plumbing. I would leave the third baffle just to push any micro bubbles up towards the surface, even though its submerged it should help some. I would lower the water in the return section. This can be done by lowering your ATO sensor, I keep mine roughly 2" above my return pump. I have my skimmer in the second chamber (out of four) before my refugium so you are fine leaving that as is. Otherwise, it looks like your off to a good start!

lost66 · Dec 20, 2019

Thank you all for you input. I put more water there to match 1,026 salinity. But I will reduce it, all of it makes sense. More over I noticed that I have too much water just in case of clogging the drain. I did a test yesterday and almost flooded my floor.
That hose is from previous owner, it is not typical vacuum hose, it is more rubber than plastic and it's pretty good quality one. But I will replace it with hard plumbing in the nearest future. I am thinking about UV so it will be a good moment to change plumbing of that section.

I put my skimmer in first section because I noticed most people do that. I want to have return section clear (for safety), refugium clear (for the sake of skimmer and live which will be/is there) so only option is first section with sock.

Super Fly · Dec 20, 2019

your return line is probably fine, it looks like Eshopps brand flex tube which is smooth on the inside. I;ve used this hose in previous tank w/o any issue. To be sure, you can look inside and check, if so then it;s ok to keep it.
Chaeto is probably dying b/c tank water is too new/clean and lacks enough nutrient to feed it. Also, some people just can't keep chaeto alive no matter what they try (myself included) for whatever reason. However Caulerpa grows well in my sump.

Bryknicks · Dec 20, 2019

Yes there is nothing wrong with the skimmer there. The hose is actually a drain hose from an old wet/dry sump so it was for saltwater purposes.

Mical · Dec 20, 2019

+1 on the questionable hose. I've seen that hose get brittle & crack & leak. I'ld go a pvc adapter to your pump and HD vinyl hose.

S2G · Dec 20, 2019

What I notice is your skimmer looks extremely deep in the water it probably need a stand to get it to the proper water height. I have that same light and it works well. You may get better results with it closer if you have the nutrients.

Something you may like is a lot of people create a chaeto sandwich with eggcrate. It makes it very easy to work with and you can use suction cups etc to keep it in place higher in the water column. I flip mine every few days.

Mastiffsrule · Dec 20, 2019

Hi @lost66

I found something that may help. We also have some plumbing tips here for you. Great catch by @S2G . Check with your Manufacturer’s recommendation, usually 7-8 inch range is best. Lots of home dyi stand plans out the.

But please, swap out that return. The eshopps hose referred to is also a drain or basic vacuum hose not rated for pressure. I also saw you splice 2 together. Ounce of prevention saves gallons of water on the floor I alway say.

Reef Tank Sump Design - gmacreef

A reef tank sump can take advantage of modern overflow methods to process water quietly and safely. It will also fail-safes in place to prevent floods.

gmacreef.com