Is there a pump in your sump?

Are you running a powerhead in your sump?


  • Total voters
    51
detritus is benign... the bacteria and critters have already scavenged any possible nutrients from it before it settles down there.

Agree with the first but the second part isn't entirely true. (Previous posts by experts not withstanding.)
The process of organic mineralization is still ongoing in detritus, and in the presence of oxygen, doesn't stop until ultimately there's nothing left but CO2, inorganic ions, and insoluble precipitates.
It's true that some components, like waxes and phenols, can take a long time to fully mineralize, but that doesn't mean the process has completely stopped.
Whether the ongoing rate of sump detritus mineralization is sufficient to make any impact on tank nutrient levels, is another question, and likely has a different answer for each tank.

Have you tried separating the output tubes? - I used to have all of my outputs next to each other - since changing - haven't had a problem... PS no Pump in sump occasionally - when moving stuff around - my skimmer becomes disconnected - which takes care of mixing things up lol

Actually my skimmer output is directed horizontally right under the dosing tubes, so perhaps it's not going to be an issue at all for me. May not even need another powerhead.
I could separate my tubes, it's true. But not by very much distance, otherwise other limiting factors come into play (probe positioning, fuge, in the way of something else, etc.)
 
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Great read so far. I don't believe there is a right or wrong answer considering the results achieved from both sides. Its just good to hear others thoughts and always a pleasure to learn more about the hobby.
 
I run a small maxi jet in the refugium keeps The gunk suspended & flow thru the chaeto . I need to come up with a decent filter the the intake. I have round foam blocks but I bet they could be improved on .
 
For those that dose 2-part, do you run a small powerhead where the additives are dosed or do you just let the sump flow/return pump handle that? I noticed in the BRS videos, they've mentioned that as a solution to prevent precipitation. I'm currently working on designing a sump for my tank upgrade and I'm curious what others are doing.
I run one for this reason. I've had my skimmer and return pumps get full of calcium deposits/alkalinity from the 2 part before I started using the powerhead. It's been several months and so far so good.
 
Powerhead in first chamber to help mix two part dosing and in return chamber because I have some frags in there. Skimmer chamber is calm and has a lot of detritus. I'm too lazy to clean it out.
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

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