Sump Tank Question..

[marinefreak]

hi

i dunno if this is the right place to ask this question but someone just gave me a sump tank and i am not sure if it can be use in marine?

Do you think the design of this sump that someone gave me can be used?

It's a 3ft sump, btw...

thanks all, need an answer quick so i can setup the sump asap..

[hotlemond]

and why not? can be use for marine tank. suggest you keep some macro algae in the rock section

[marinefreak]

thanks bro for the green light..

got another question though.. hmm.. for the piping.. how big should the pipe be? Must the pipe bringing water into the sump be smaller than the return pipe? or must be the same size?? How many "mm" thickness pipe should i buy?

thanks again..

[hotlemond]

doesn't have to be of different size. 1 or 3/4 inch is a common choice.

you need to tell us more of your display tank. is it drilled? or you wan to use overflow box. your tank size too

[XPeriment 626]

you should leave out the bioballs. water should flow down over the bioballs, not up from under the baffle. bioballs are not meant to be immersed fully in water, for that you should go with coral chips. but i don't recommend having either bioballs or coral chips. go "clean" and use a powerful skimmer, as the bioballs/coral chips will generate nitrates which are hard to remove from your tank (that's how they get rid of nitrites and ammonia, by converting to nitrates).

[akahoshi]

ok, i am getting a little confused.. lol.. you said not to use bioballs and use coral chips.. but then you say don't use coral chips... so wad are you saying? lol..

you also say go "clean"... means what? issit don't put anything in the section of the sump?...

[marinefreak]

Haha, that was the question i wanted to ask too. So should i use coral chips or not?

[mantis]

Haha, that was the question i wanted to ask too. So should i use coral chips or not?

I think what bro ...626 is advising is that u don't use either coral chips or bioballs as both tend to collect dentritus (?) and overtime leads to built up of NO3.

However, if u want to hv either.....then coral chips are usually submerged underwater while bioballs are kept above the main water-line and water runs off the top and over them (ie trickle-style filtration).

U could surf the web and check out some interesting sump designs. Personally, I would reserve a segment of the sump to be used as DSB - where u can hv macroaglae, pods growing while dealing with nitrate reduction via DSB at the sametime. Hope this helps.

[marinefreak]

DSB... but from the design of this sump tank.. cannot put DSB right??

[LaW]

i got myself a sump from a reefer here.

its design does not allow any refugium or DSB

but.. u can DIY it. simple just get a piece of glass or acrylic and silicon.

and fix it on right of the rock chamber to create an overflow.

a refugium is made or DSB and rocks can be placed there.

this is how im going to modify with my sump after my "busy" period.

its easy. try it.

cheers,

LaW

[marinefreak]

hey guys, i search the web just now and found this pic of a sump tank that has a DSB even when the sump tank is not designed for it...

check it out... do you think i can try to do the same??

[patrick123]

I don't see why not. This is DSB alright.

The only question I have for the reefer is that if the sump is "clean". What can you use to trap the debris? I'm having problem now that my tank has a very dusty look coz I took the advise and removed all my coral chips in the sump. In the end, I have zero nitrate, but lots of floating debris.

Don't know how to solve this problem yet.

[mUAr_cHEe]

I don't see why not. This is DSB alright.

The only question I have for the reefer is that if the sump is "clean". What can you use to trap the debris? I'm having problem now that my tank has a very dusty look coz I took the advise and removed all my coral chips in the sump. In the end, I have zero nitrate, but lots of floating debris.

Don't know how to solve this problem yet.

scoop out the so called floating debris loh..... then over time.... it will be clean!!!! and when u change water that time.... try to siphon the debris lying at bottom of yr sump.....

[Rocks]

I don't see why not. This is DSB alright.

The only question I have for the reefer is that if the sump is "clean". What can you use to trap the debris? I'm having problem now that my tank has a very dusty look coz I took the advise and removed all my coral chips in the sump. In the end, I have zero nitrate, but lots of floating debris.

Don't know how to solve this problem yet.

I used to have coral chips on my sump also and same as you, took it out by advise from reefers... end up the same problem as you.. then i start putting in filter wool in the compartment where my coral chips used to be.

problem solved.

now a days when changing water, i either replace the filter wools with new ones or if its not too dirty, i give it wash throughly...

CHEERS!

Rocks

[Reefbum]

IMO, no bio-balls and LR.Only a good skimmer in the 2nd compartment ,a calcium reactor in the third and return pump in the last.Juz my 2 cents.

[marinefreak]

Why no LR?? I thought LR are very good in the filtration process???

[XPeriment 626]

LR are good for berlin method of nitrate reduction, yes. But LR don't need to go into the sump, they are expensive enough, should use every piece for your display tank

I agree with the reefers' earlier suggestions (and thanks mantis for clarifying my very confusing answer). My 4' sump has filter wool in the first compartment, pump to external skimmer in the second compartment (8" RM beckett cannot fit inside!), third compartment is a DSB and final compartment is all the return pumps for chiller/UV and normal return. By "clean" setup i meant no bioballs or coral chips. The filter wool is for larger particles and other assorted floating junk

[akahoshi]

hey guys... how about ceramic rings??? will it work if i put in my sump??

also.. will it produce NO3??

[yiling]

ive seen system using it, just like the pic.

But i don't think its good method.

BUt then again, there are so many ways of keeping a reeftank

[marinefreak]

those green stuff in the middle chamber are bioballs issit? and the one in the second last chamber issit ceramic rings?? encountering any NO3 problems?

anyways.. another newbie sump question.. how strong must your return pump be?? how many liters/hour?

[yiling]

hi there, this is an example im stating. its not my sump ...

just an example ive seen and find that its quite weird.

Yes those green balls are bioballs.

I was told by the owner he trying to copy the Koi filtration system

to use it on Marine.