Need advice on Sump

[JosephM]

So I am planning a 29 gallon saltwater tank with 20 long sump. I hope for it to be a beautiful reef one day. I would use Marine Depot Overflow Box OF-300 to get water to sump, run through socks in first compartment, lead to skimmer (should I use skimmer, if so, recommendation?) into refuge with live rock and chaeto algae (150w grow light, is this enough?), then a bubble trap leading to return (using jebao water pump connected to jet to return to tank). I would have a RO auto top off (tunze nano) hooked up as well. What are thoughts on set up and any advice or recommendations? Thank you!

 

[Spare time]

I would start with the chaeto and a strong grow light (blue/violet with some red around 660nm), and then work from there as to whether you need a skimmer or not. As for the sump, I would just do something like seachem matrix in a big bag instead of rock (or marine pure, biosponges, etc.).

 

[JosephM]

I would start with the chaeto and a strong grow light (blue/violet with some red around 660nm), and then work from there as to whether you need a skimmer or not. As for the sump, I would just do something like seachem matrix in a big bag instead of rock (or marine pure, biosponges, etc.).

So start with intake goin through filter socks and then to a compartment full of matrix and then a refuge and then return? Is this what you’re saying?

 

[Spare time]

So start with intake goin through filter socks and then to a compartment full of matrix and then a refuge and then return? Is this what you’re saying?

I was just thinking that you can do a couple bags of matrix wherever in the sump instead of rock (less crowded than rock). IT really doesn't matter where you place it. I have my setup as
sock->refugium with a bag of matrix-> carbon reactor (and more matrix)---> return chamber (I have waste away gel in this chamber and the return pump).


Matrix, marine pure, rock, sponges, crushed coral, etc. are all just homes for bacteria. I prefer matrix as it is durable and space saving but any of the above will work. I have a lot of sand and rock in the display so I probably don't even need the matrix but I had it from the previous tank that my current tank was an upgrade from.

 

[JosephM]

I was just thinking that you can do a couple bags of matrix wherever in the sump instead of rock (less crowded than rock). IT really doesn't matter where you place it. I have my setup as
sock->refugium with a bag of matrix-> carbon reactor (and more matrix)---> return chamber (I have waste away gel in this chamber and the return pump).


Matrix, marine pure, rock, sponges, crushed coral, etc. are all just homes for bacteria. I prefer matrix as it is durable and space saving but any of the above will work. I have a lot of sand and rock in the display so I probably don't even need the matrix but I had it from the previous tank that my current tank was an upgrade from.

Okay, that sounds good. I have quite a bit of matrix laying around. Do you have a recommendation for carbon reactor? And is a marine depot elite overflow box a good idea? I know they have bad reviews on the gaskets but that’s an easy fix for me. And one more, do you run bare bottom refuge?

 

[Spare time]

Okay, that sounds good. I have quite a bit of matrix laying around. Do you have a recommendation for carbon reactor? And is a marine depot elite overflow box a good idea? I know they have bad reviews on the gaskets but that’s an easy fix for me. And one more, do you run bare bottom refuge?

I have not used their overflow but I am sure someone else has on here. Carbon doesn't need to be in a reactor but I got an aquamaxx FR-S one that hangs on via a magnet and I have no complaints about. There are actually some refugium kits (scuch as the one from fiji cube) that has a media rack available.

My refugium is bare bottom. I once had all of my matrix and a biobrick from brightwell (I do not recommend those) in it making a sort of gravel bed but it was a nightmare to clean since I can't siphon into a bucket at ground level.

 

[JosephM]

I have not used their overflow but I am sure someone else has on here. Carbon doesn't need to be in a reactor but I got an aquamaxx FR-S one that hangs on via a magnet and I have no complaints about. There are actually some refugium kits (scuch as the one from fiji cube) that has a media rack available.

My refugium is bare bottom. I once had all of my matrix and a biobrick from brightwell (I do not recommend those) in it making a sort of gravel bed but it was a nightmare to clean since I can't siphon into a bucket at ground level.

Thank you! I’m basically ready to start building. What media do you use in your reactor?

 

[Spare time]

Thank you! I’m basically ready to start building. What media do you use in your reactor?

I use bulk reef rox carbon. I prefer this or red sea reef spec carbon as they rinse very fast have very little dust to begin with. I figured a reactor would be better for me than a bag as I don't do water changes (or at least I do so very infrequently with no more than 1-5 gallons) and I need carbon to remove what my other filter items do not

 

[JosephM]

@Spare time Do you breed any pods in your bare bottom refuge? Is it possible with bare bottom?

 

[Spare time]

@Spare time Do you breed any pods in your bare bottom refuge? Is it possible with bare bottom?

They live on the sump walls and the macroalgae. I have a TON of pods (I dose phytoplankton and used to breed pods). I do have a lot of display area for them too.