That is a heck of a lot of filter socks! Any urge to try filter roller?Whelp it has been a little while. As alluded to earlier, I decided to order/build a new sump. I could have made the old sumps work, but didn't like the size constraints of that solution. I am a big fan of old live rock and would have to give up some of it. I want more rock, not less. Also, plumbing/connecting sumps together works, but it is messy.
Lets do this instead...
Yes that was a consideration and likely a wise idea. But I have a son who is capable -- and presently willing -- to help out. On a net basis, there is only one additional sock relative to the current configuration.
Yes, never thought I'd see a v8 sump lol
Hi Scott,
That looks like a killer sump! Nice!Whelp it has been a little while. As alluded to earlier, I decided to order/build a new sump. I could have made the old sumps work, but didn't like the size constraints of that solution. I am a big fan of old live rock and would have to give up some of it. I want more rock, not less. Also, plumbing/connecting sumps together works, but it is messy.
Lets do this instead...
Thank you for the detailed review. Dealing with rolls only every few months has some obvious appeal.I only have experience with the Clarisea SK-5000, and it has worked well for my system for the past year and a half. Overall I really like the filter rollers, but they're not perfect and I'll share my experience. Redsea also came out with a model recently, and probably worth taking a look at as well.
Tank volume 330 gallons, net system water volume is about 250 gallons and flow through the sump is about 900 gph. Geo built my sump with the rollers integrated and had recommended two filter rollers for the system and they run in series.
Early on, I found the first roller would get triggered much more often and the roll was only little over a month which I wasn't satisfied with. After several iterations, I currently have the first roller off most of the day via an apex timer and have it on for a couple hours in the evening after my feeder is done for the day. The second roller runs off the float sensor as intended. If the first filter roll is clogged it simply overflows into the second chamber, and I figure I'm changing the roll in the first chamber daily which is equivalent to a daily sock change. Currently the first roll lasts more than 6 months and the second roll lasts about 3 months.
I'm using about approximately 6 rolls per year with the associated expense. On the positive side I rarely need to change the rollers. The rolls occasionally roll up a bit skewed and the motor jams. So periodically I need to remove the used portion of the roll and get the filter roll realigned. The rolls adhere to the motor unit and I find splitting them with a scalpel allows me to remove the used roll easily and quickly.
Every system is different, but overall I've been happy with the rollers. They function mostly as intended, and I have not needed to deal with the socks, which is a big plus for me.
Username checks out. DIY roller!?!
Thanks Jim. That Magus does look fairly beefy; I will look into it as well. Good luck moving that beast. Suction cups and friends would be helpful. Hopefully not many stairs are involved.Hi Scott,
I just finished reading thru your thread......Congratulations! Looks like you are doing a great job! Can't wait to see it in action, filled with sticks!
I've been using a Trigger roller mat for a couple of years. It's OK and works fine, but it is not as well made as the Bubble Magus that I just bought. I haven't used this one yet because I'm waiting for an I.M. 170 Ext to be delivered next week but it is definitely solid and well made. I suspect that I will be happy with it.
I've always been leery about using mats (and even filter bags) because I feel like I'm removing pods and other beneficial organisms/debris so I plan to filter only about half thru the roller and half will just fall into the sump. Detritus will find a place to collect in the MT and I will just siphon it out with water changes which isn't hard to do with bare bottom.
FWIW...I'll just mention that one thing I feel strongly about is having a strong flow through the sump unlike the trend with many now of having just enough flow to supply a skimmer. I always have as much rock in the sump as I can and of course strong flow will get tons of sponges, tunicates, etc growing on the rock (and will reduce detritus settling in the sump).
Here are some photos of the Bubble Magus (L):
(Sump is a 60gal breeder: 48 x 18W x 16H)
Thanks for sharing your tank moving tips! I'll be thinking of you when I have to figure out how to get my 550 lb 170 into my house next week!
LMK if you are ever up for a visit! I'd love to stop by to meet you and talk reefing! (I'm in R.I. for the summer)
-- Jim
Fair point especially around the refugium section given the light source. I do get some subtle shift even now when the caluerpa overgrows everything. The skimmer section is first so that water line stays constant.
I have very limited sump space so It was the only way. I won a ReefMat 1200 but exchanged it (for a ReefWave 45) because of my space limitations. DIYing is pretty easy, I used extruded PVC ceiling tiles, gutter screen, and a 3D printed motor/spool holder I designed. Posts are below. I think it cost less then $35 to prototype. Eventually I'll cut it all out of acrylic on my CNC.
I can put the 3D printed stuff up on eBay (at cost) if you want to mess around with it.
Kind of you to offer. Have been informed that signed drawings are locked in. Socks it is.
ahh yes, socks aren't too bad with slop sink and sprayer.
Thank you. I haven't had a ton of progress to report lately, but things should heat up in August.
No lie I'm mad at this builder and this isn't even mine... why is the design locked if it isn't being built yet? :@
It does in some respects make me wish I had stuck with Glass Cages. These guys are "local" and I have seen some (2)of their big boy systems in NYC commercial office buildings.
