SUMP Transfer

denrobare · Mar 27, 2012

I am in the process of completing my stand for reef tank I am planning on setting up. I have been looking for a sump or tank to make into a sump at the same time. I have the display tank already.

I found a tank that matches the exact size and chamber setup that I was looking to make for a good price. It comes from an established setup and will include deep bed of live sand, chaeto, and lots of pods/amphipods in the refugium.

My question is can I somehow maintain the sump as a seperate system until I can get mine online? Is it worth it to even try and keep the chaetoa and pods alive? How would I go about doing this and for how long could I realistically keep it going. How would I then incorporate it into my system once display tank is cycled?

Realistically, I wont have a cycled display tank for 2 months or so I would say.

Thanks!

REEFKEEPER10 · Mar 27, 2012

This is what I would do. Get a small pump like a maybe a QUITE ONE and plumb it so that it will recirculate the water. You will need to feed it to keep nutrients for the cheato.

denrobare · Mar 27, 2012

What do I feed the cheato? Will the cheato feed the pods and will they last long? I would assume a light would be necessary? How long should it be on?

REEFKEEPER10 · Mar 27, 2012

Feed small amounts to the fuge will feed the pods and produce nutrients for the cheato. Yes you need to keep it light. I kept my light on 24/7 but some people use a reverse lighting cycle. It really depends on how it was on the other tank and your preference. Someone else might have a different idea. Never had much of a ph swing with 24/7 but never tried the other.

HealthyTanks · Mar 28, 2012

You will need to circulate and filter the water and add a lamp. Nothing major. If thatâ€™s not a problem then leave it setup and watch the pods and chaetoa multiply while you are finishing your display. Use the two months to get the sump/ refugium in prime condition.
Good luck with your project.
Don
www.HealthyTanks.com

REEFKEEPER10 · Mar 28, 2012

true. the sand bed should have enough nutrients to feed the algea and the pods will eat some of it. plus it give you something to watch while you wait.

denrobare · Mar 28, 2012

My only issue with the sump is that the water level in the fuge and intake chamber (skimmer area) is 11". I am finding that difficult to get a skimmer to work with that water height. I know I can raise the skimmer, but I only have so much height available under my display tank.

Any suggestions on a skimmer? The current owner was using an ESHOPPS PSK 150, not sure if they are willing to sell it with the sump, but I can get one of these for about $150 if need be.

denrobare · Mar 28, 2012

Bluejawtrigger · Mar 28, 2012

You can run a ASM G series skimmer in 10" of water. Easy way to raise it is with eggcrate. And you can use four PVC pipe sleeves as like pillars. You can really do that for Amy skimmer, just used as a reference. I did that in my old system, worked great. Good luck

denrobare · Mar 29, 2012

The only issue with raising the skimmer is the height restriction within my cabinet. I am going to pick it up this weekend, looking for a return pump online to order to use for circulation. Planning on getting one that will serve me now and after the display is ready. Any suggestions on brands?

Bluejawtrigger · Mar 29, 2012

denrobare said:
The only issue with raising the skimmer is the height restriction within my cabinet. I am going to pick it up this weekend, looking for a return pump online to order to use for circulation. Planning on getting one that will serve me now and after the display is ready. Any suggestions on brands?

I ran a quiet one pump for two years. I loved that pump. Never had the first issue. Is be running one on my new setup, but I got a great deal on a mag18. I'm assuming you're going to run an internal pump.