swc160 protein skimmer intake question

[cluanar]

I have a proflex sump model #4 the ha sa small intake with 3 socks which i do not use socks, then a middle section around 10" wide where i made a chaeto refug, then a 18" wide return section where i put my skimmer with an ATO. Question is, is there any way i can feed my skimmer from the first chamber so I dont skim post refug?

Thanks

Note: why is the return chamber so freakin big on this model

 

[Biglurr54]

I have a proflex sump model #4 the ha sa small intake with 3 socks which i do not use socks, then a middle section around 10" wide where i made a chaeto refug, then a 18" wide return section where i put my skimmer with an ATO. Question is, is there any way i can feed my skimmer from the first chamber so I dont skim post refug?

Thanks

Note: why is the return chamber so freakin big on this model

I have a similar set up with my swc160. I just let it skim the water after the fuge. I would rather let the fuge have the first shot at the proteins (Pod food), and then let the skimmer get the final cleaning then up to the main display. I've been running like that for a year now.

 

[cluanar]

I have a similar set up with my swc160. I just let it skim the water after the fuge. I would rather let the fuge have the first shot at the proteins (Pod food), and then let the skimmer get the final cleaning then up to the main display. I've been running like that for a year now.

Thanks for the response. I am working on getting my nitrates down so looking at all possible changes. I did just realize that maybe in my refuge I should have bought more than just the chaeto, maybe the refuge starter kit? Nitrates around 20 but I have corals so trying for 0

 

[Biglurr54]

How old is the fuge? They take time to balance out. Also how much food are you adding? When lightly stocked you can't get crazy with food. As the tank fills in and matures you can get more aggressive with food. My tank is 2 years old and I am just starting to be able to increase my feeding. I was doing 1 cube a day. Now I'm up to 2 cubes and every three days I add coral frenzy. I get algae after the low does of reef frenzy so I know I'm at the limits of my systems ability to process the food. Look long and hard at feeding. Between feeding and water changes you can get nitrates down. The fuge will take care of phosphate. If you don't want to do alot of water changes, you have to limit the food for your tank big time.

 

[Biglurr54]

Tell me about your system, stock, feeding, and maintanece.

 

[cluanar]

I bought this from someone who was moving and he just had a few large fish, i wanted a mix reef

90 gal with proflex sump. 48 x 24 x 18
2 x vortech mp40 's
160 swc skimmer
4 puck AI vega lights
tunze ATO
100lb fiji live rock
1 inch or less fiji sand bottom
2 small clowns
1 small regal tang
1 larger yellow tang
small 6 line wrasse
small damsel
large green brittle star which I am considering trading in ( 14 inches )
standard cuc snails hermits emerald and a conch

I am also getting a bit of brown dust on the sand and green on the glass, some of the green is hard to get off if i leave for a few days.

 

[Biglurr54]

The brown dust is most likely diatoms. Are you using rodi water? I get a bit of brown dust with coral foods.

That's not overly stocked and sounds like a nice set up.

Depending on feeding it would suspect over feeding and water changes. Cut your feeding down and do a few larger water changes over the next couple weeks.

That will hopefully get it in control. Then resume with regular small water changes with the reduced feeding.

 

[cluanar]

Sorry , left that out, I have a BRS 5 RODI system.

 

[cluanar]

Any reason I need a baffle between the intake where the socks were and the refug? it has an adjustable baffle held up by water pressure. I was thinking of lowering it for more flow.

 

[Biglurr54]

Socks can be the other issue. They can reduce nitrate if you change them out ever other day. If left over 2-3 days they produce nitrate. If you run with out them they won't remove nitrate but they won't create it either.

Think of food that's not getting eaten as the primary issue.

It takes a say or two for the food to decompose into ammonia then nitrate.

If you change socks every other day, the food caught by the sock is removed from the system before releasing ammonia-nitrate. If left in for more than 2-3 days, the food decomposes and adds ammonia-nitrate to the system. If no socks are run, the food circulates through the system until it's eaten or caught somewhere.

I hardly ever run a sock. Maybe once a month to polish the water but it's in for a day.

Let me lol up your sump and get back to you on the baffle.

 

[Biglurr54]

I believe that baffle is a height adjustment. And not a flow adjustment. It's hard to tell without seeing the sump in person.

 

[cluanar]

Ya it just separates the intake from refug so socks can work but i dont use socks. Make a bigger refuge? Can the intake drop in to refuge?

 

[cluanar]

So I lowered the baffle and i have some more movement in the refuge but i also get some bubbles on top of water but not affecting or getting into return. Should be okay?