Sump Advice PLZ Help

[m0nk3y69d]

So i just got this used sump and i was wondering what is the best way to set this sump up for a reef tank. My tank is set up and has been running for several months with fish only and i hatian pink tip anemone. Here is a pic of the sump and any information i can get would be very help full.

 

[Pappy]

I had one of those.....removed everything and put drain into left side with live rock and skimmer and return in the right side. Great for a small stand. But all depends o. If u can fit skimmer.

 

[m0nk3y69d]

yeah i should be able to fit my skimmer in there and on the left side should i put the live rock on the white baffles that the bio balls are sitting on and its going under a 55 galon tank and how much live rock should i use and i was thinking of some kind of filter at the top where the water comes in.

 

[m0nk3y69d]

My other question is what should my water lvl be and i would need a light for the live rock right

 

[jedidad]

Get rid of the egg crate rack that the bioballs are on and put the rock in the bottom.

 

[m0nk3y69d]

how much rock should i use

 

[Pappy]

I would use as much rock as u can say half of the compartment. And no u don't need a light for just the live rock. Water level will be determined by recommended skimmer depth.

 

[Reefing Madness]

I'd put as much macro algae in there as i could possible get, not Live Rock. That would be just like leaving the bio balls in there, it would collect crap and in time cause nitrate issues. Whereas Cheato would take down phosphates, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Ideal all around. No rock, no sand. Just let the cheato or Caulerpa grow out, this would be miuch better for your system.
Recommneded depth would be after you fill it half way, turn off the return pump and you get the back flow to fill the sump, this will give yoiu an idea how high to actually fill the sump, yoiu want it as high as you can, so that its still able to hold the back flow in case of power outtage. The skimmer you can always put on a plastic block to get it higher in there if need be.

 

[fragmatic]

IMO live rock and bio balls are two totally different things. Ditch the balls... and LR... and macro algae. Ditch the rack. What is that bulkhead connector on the left for? I'd use it for a return from a refugium of any size you can make fit.

 

[Reefing Madness]

IMO live rock and bio balls are two totally different things. Ditch the balls... and LR... and macro algae. Ditch the rack. What is that bulkhead connector on the left for? I'd use it for a return from a refugium of any size you can make fit.

Umm, wouldn't adding Macro Algae to that system make it a Refugium?

 

[m0nk3y69d]

ok so if i go with the macro algae then i would run a light, right. And if i went with LR could i run a hang on refugum

 

[Reefing Madness]

You could. But you already have a Sump, if your going to use the rock, then just throw the macro in there also. Oh, you also only need a compact flourescent light on a fuge, nothing fancy.
Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums

 

[fragmatic]

Umm, wouldn't adding Macro Algae to that system make it a Refugium?

Sort of... the difference between a sump and a refugium is a fine line and often overlaps a good bit, IMO. To me a sump has the main display's return dump and either the skimmer or the pump to an external skimmer... after that it gets mingled.

 

[fragmatic]

You could. But you already have a Sump, if your going to use the rock, then just throw the macro in there also. Oh, you also only need a compact flourescent light on a fuge, nothing fancy.
Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums

AND.. if you add a small tank as a pure refugium you can pump into it from the right chamber and return via that bulkhead connector.. .. also, run the lights to the sump &/or refugium when the lights to the main display are out.. to buffer the pH swing.

 

[m0nk3y69d]

i dont really have room under my tank to add the refugium so im limited to just the sump and i want the best setup i can get and there are so many options so out of your experiences what would be the best set up

 

[m0nk3y69d]

I think what I'm going to do is put some lr in the first chamber along with some macro algae and use the other chamber for my skimmer and return and I was thinking about some kind of carbon filter at the top where the water comes in what do you guys think

 

[Pappy]

Sounds like a plan minus the carbon filter. Not necessary IMO and can splash as water comes down and also needs to be cleaned every week.

 

[m0nk3y69d]

What about just a sponge filter or something the catch the debris in the water

 

[Reefing Madness]

Filter sock is recommended. Don't use a sponge or fiber bonded filter, this will collect, and turn into a Nitrate factory on you. You ton' want that. Filter sock will do the trick.

 

[m0nk3y69d]

i dont think i can fit a filter sock in the tray where the drip plate is