Sump & Refugium Questions

[msujohn]

I have a 90 gallon tank and it's been up for almost 6 months. Currently in my sump I have the skimmer in 1st chamber, chaeto in 2nd, and return pump in the 3rd chamber. I do not have any filter socks (couldn't make it work with the skimmer in 1st chamber). The chaeto doesn't grow at all or very little (haven't had to cut it back). I'm considering getting rid of the chaeto and putting skimmer in 2nd chamber and using filter socks in 1st. Any issues without using chaeto or putting the skimmer in the 2nd chamber? Should I add any rocks to the sump? Should I still be able to keep the pod population without the chaeto? I also have a dual reactor (GFO/Carbon) that dumps into the 2nd chamber where my chaeto is today.​

 

[samba_dad]

+1 good questions

 

[heathd.hd]

How's your no3 po4? You may wanna look into some cheato growth. If it's not growing your not doing something right. I like the cheato fuge so just my thoughts but all your gonna trade by adding socks is a natural way to remove nutrients for a manual way to strip water of everything. I have a filter sock area and a cheato. I put a filter sock in only for cleaning.

 

[jt17]

What about putting the chaeto in the first chamber? Im surprised heath.hd didn't recommend that then it could have first crack at the nutrients and with some directing of the flow the chaeto could tumble. Check out heathd.hds thread.

 

[heathd.hd]

I would bet your lighting is just not sufficient. What yah using? My sump wouldn't grow any cheato for a bit and that change really made a huge difference.

Hey someone actually reads my threads? Awesome.

 

[heathd.hd]

What about putting the chaeto in the first chamber? Im surprised heath.hd didn't recommend that then it could have first crack at the nutrients and with some directing of the flow the chaeto could tumble. Check out heathd.hds thread.

Your also on track with the cheato in the first chamber. Alot of good results this way! Also adding a small power head for tumbling!

 

[msujohn]

I'm using a simple flood clamp light with a 6500k light. My nitrate is typically <5ppm and Phosphates roughly .3 (don't have the best test for phospates).

 

[heathd.hd]

How many watts is the cfl.bulb?

 

[msujohn]

I believe it is a 25 watt (100 watt equivalent). When I was setting this up, I did some research and this was the one that I heard worked for alot of others.

 

[heathd.hd]

Hmmm pretty sure same bulb I'm using. 100 w daylight spectrum CFL.
Maybe check this thread out. Maybe get some ideas.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192660
Cheato grow out!

 

[msujohn]

Hmmm pretty sure same bulb I'm using. 100 w daylight spectrum CFL.
Maybe check this thread out. Maybe get some ideas.

Cheato grow out!
Cheato grow out!

Thanks for the thread. I must be doing something wrong. I don't have any power heads currently in my fuge. I thought if i didn't have any movement, all the debris would settle to the bottom making it easier for me to remove it.

Do you use your filter sock 24/7? I wonder if it would be better for me to use filter socks, put a power head and chaeto in 1st chamber and move skimmer to 2nd section. Do you see any issues doing that? What size powerhead would I need ot get?

 

[heathd.hd]

No I don't see a issue. I'm only using socks for maybe 2 days a month if that. Mainly I just use them when I syphon my sand bed or if I'm making a big mess in the tank that clouds the water with whatever.

I am using a wp -10 from jaebo. Small pump, not 2 pricey and there's setting so you can adjust the amount of flow to keep the cheato turning. From the articles I've read on cheato flow I've learned this.

It doesn't take alot of the display water going into the refugium. The cheato is not going to clean 1000 gph no matter how big the refugium is lol!

Cheato grows in tidal grounds so there is actually alot of movement in the water. Ie adding the powerhead.
Idk that's the skinny on what I've been reading. I've had great success but maybe it's just my tank. I'm no biology major