Sump set up.

[micky13]

Hi, This is my first query and apologies if a bit obvious. I have had tropical for some time and am now venturing into Marine.
Have got my tank 48 x 24 x 24 inches. with a suitably sized sump. Would i be right if I were to fill the tank with water and let it circulate for a day or two before introducing the salt to the system. I have a 1 to 2 inch layer of crushed shell sand in the bottom. I thought this may be best as then I could get the tank up to temperature etc before putting the salt in as there might be a problem occur. Also at the moment I have not put anything into my sump re filtration etc as I was told it may be best to put some live rock in after a week or so to get it all going.[ I wil be putting my heaters and a skimmer in the sump when I get it going] I would really appreciate any advice you could give me. Sorry uif I have gone on a bit . Many thanks. Mick

 

[revsgirl]

:bump2:

 

[beaslbob]

dern where is everyone.

On the sump I just use plastic storage containers with the lid cut out and bolted on to prevent the container from bucking out. Then a small container for the actual sump. The larger container is for macro algae like chaeto.

Be sure to test for:
power out (no flood to sump and break siphon from pumped return lines)
power return (normal operation returns)
overflow/drain blockage (sump runs dry before display floods).

You can build overflows with pvc pipe.

To start any aquarium I highly recommend adding lotsa plant life (marine macro algaes) as the first thing. Then do the rest. that way the system is balanced out and stabilized right from the beginning.

Now perhaps others will show up.

my .02

 

[Newb73]

Yes, you are ok filling the tank with water, letting the heaters work and then adding the salt.

Did i read right about the substrate being crushed shell? Is it small sand like grains or big hungs of crushed coral?

As far as adding Macro algae as stated above, i wouldnt be in TOO big a hurry. At first the ammonia will be high and could harm it and then later on if the the tank is running clean, there might not be enough nitrates to feed it. I would wait until i had an established fish population of a two or three before adding a huge clump of macro in the sump....of course i have never ran a sump and will only be doing macro in an in tank refugium so the poster above could very well be correct and I wrong.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Hi, This is my first query and apologies if a bit obvious. I have had tropical for some time and am now venturing into Marine.
Have got my tank 48 x 24 x 24 inches. with a suitably sized sump. Would i be right if I were to fill the tank with water and let it circulate for a day or two before introducing the salt to the system. I have a 1 to 2 inch layer of crushed shell sand in the bottom. I thought this may be best as then I could get the tank up to temperature etc before putting the salt in as there might be a problem occur. Also at the moment I have not put anything into my sump re filtration etc as I was told it may be best to put some live rock in after a week or so to get it all going.[ I wil be putting my heaters and a skimmer in the sump when I get it going] I would really appreciate any advice you could give me. Sorry uif I have gone on a bit . Many thanks. Mick

A 120g tank is good size for a first reef, but then you have related experience. And don't sweat the obviousness of your questions. There are bound to be lurkers out there that want the same or similar questions answered and they never ask!

If you are asking about filling with freshwater for a test, when drain and refill with RO/DI saltwater? That's what I did, but I added sand after I put in the saltwater. Or, are you saying you want to add RO/DI water, run for a couple of days and then add salt to the RO/DI water in the tank? This is the one and only time I would say that is acceptable. Once you have any live critters in the tank, never add salt directly to the tank. You might as well add your skimmer, heater and any other filtration so you can see how they all work before you add salt. The points beaslbob made are all good things for you to test. Especially the power out test to make sure your sump can hold what drains down before the anti siphon(s) kicks in.

 

[micky13]

Hi, Beaslbob Newb73 and Ron Reefman, Many thanks for your in put will have a good read through later and get back to you at weekend as one or two things there I had not thought of or about. But once again thanks for the advice, cheers. mick

 

[sprinklerdudes]

just rember it is a game of patience, take it slow and allow time for things to balance themselves out each time you add something, if i was adding salt to a tank that already had substrate in it{ cruched coral or sand} i would at least mix the salt in a little bit of the tank water in a seperate bucket and let it disolve before adding it to the tank, this would help it to disapate into the water a little faster. once you have live things in the tank, never add salt mix directly into the tank, it is caustic, and needs to be mixed and allowed to sit at least 24 - 48 hours before adding it to a established tank, just my .02 cents