Aqueon Modular ProFlex Sump Filtration

ChadO said:
As others have said, thanks to all for the great info available in this thread!

I got the ProFlex 4 sump as part of a used 75 gallon tank package that I bought off of Craigslist. I am planning to do the Bean Animal overflow system with this ProFlex 4 sump. I saw EuroDriver's modifications (post #166 of this thread) that he did and thought I might do something similar. Before I do that, though, I have a couple of questions that maybe some more experienced folks might be able to help answer - this will be my first reef tank, and first ever experience with a sump.

There are two, 1" inlets on the entry to the sump, along with three filter socks for this ProFlex model 4. One thought that I have is to split the full siphon channel that will be coming down 1.5" piping, into two, 1" feeds that would go to each inlet. Then, drill like EuroDriver did, and put the other two 1.5" pipes into two of the three filter socks. The other immediate option I see is to run all three 1.5" pipes straight into the filter socks, and bypass using the inlets altogether. With the first option, it seems that I would be using the sump more as it is designed. Would there be an advantage to running that full siphon line into the split that would then run into the inlet tubes? The other thought that goes through my mind, is that it may not really matter because the option where you just run all three lines into the filters socks is like what a traditional sump would be anyway.

Would some folks care to offer some suggestions? I'm really open to learning about the best ways to handle this.

Thanks!

ChadO
Click to expand...

Sorry for the very late reply. I hadn't checked into this thread for quite a while. Propbably the only advantege you would have by running the pipes directly into the socks would be that you would keep the sump a litle cleaner. The drawback will be that you will need to be cleaning out the socks more frequently. Personally, I don't think it's worth the trouble to bypass the original inlet tube.

More importantly, I would not suggest you use different sized feeds. If you read Bean Animal's build thread, he talks about this and cautions that doing so is going to create noise and gurgling, which although still a functional system, defeats the silent mechanism and personally, gets quite annoying (ask me how I know). If you opt to run your tubes straight into the socks, make sure the primary and secondary drain tubes reach a few inches into the water, as that keeps them silent. The emergency tube doesn't need to be underwater, and you want it to be noisy since, as it is the emergency drain, you want to be alerted if it's activated. In short, option 1 is your best bet. Run the full siphon tube into the existing inlet, and the other 2 into two of the three socks.

If you haven't read Ben Animal's article, it can be found here: http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx

I hope this helps, and keep us posted on your progress.

jlnielsen13 said:
Hello,

I know this is an old thread but hopefully someone can help- I have the model 4 and can figure out all the connections except how to connect the drain to the bulkhead using the hoses provided. I tried both 1 inch and 1 1/4 inch barbed fittings and 1 inch is to small and 1 1/4 is too big.

HOW DID YOU GUYS HOOK THEM UP TO THE BULKHEADS???

Thanks for the help,

JIM
Click to expand...

Hi, and welcome to the thread!

Generally, the drain hoses included with the sump are not intended to fit on barbed fittings. You need the slip-style bulkheads that accept a PCV tube instead of a barbed fitting. The drain tube slips onto the PCV pipe and you fasten it with a hose clamp. In the alternative, you can try looking for 1 1/8" barbed fittings, but I would not recommend it, as the drain hoses are not designed to be used with them, and may end up breaking open.
 
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Subscribing

Subscribing

Hey there all, really great thread going here. I have a 72 gal bowfront with model 3. Originally set up by my LFS guy who "thought" that the skimmer (Eshhops, I think its spelt) would fit with the return pump (not sure what brand, but fairly small), but didn't. So he just squeezed it into the middle chamber. I am going to have to look for a skimmer that can fit in the 3rd chamber, because I would really like to have/get a fuge going.
Still researching more & more.
 
Important note, you cannot have a skimmer in the third chamber. .. that's the chamber where whatever level flux . You would have to adjust the skimmer multiple times a day everyday. Found this out the hard way.
Jim, model 4
 
jlnielsen13 said:
Important note, you cannot have a skimmer in the third chamber. .. that's the chamber where whatever level flux . You would have to adjust the skimmer multiple times a day everyday. Found this out the hard way.
Jim, model 4
Click to expand...

Yes you can, I have a Proflex 4 and an ATO with a Reef Octo skimmer running in my 3 chamber. Runs perfectly :dance:
 
Topping up Daily

Topping up Daily

Well, I am topping up daily, manually. I do have an electrical ATO, that I have to hook up.
 
I have the model 3, using it as a refugium and I fit a Reef Octopus 4" in sump skimmer no problem (well I had a little problem until I got the Eheim Compact+ 2000) and then they both fit in the sump just fine alone with a 50 watt heater (its just supplemental - I have a 300 watt inline heater that is the primary heater).

It has worked out great got me.

I was having trouble getting my Nitrates down to zero (they were just registering on tests - not high enough to be a real problem, but I wanted them at zero, you know? I wanted that test water to stay perfectly clear) So I installed the Aqueon ProFlex Model 3 sump with a 12lb bucket of Walt Smith's Fiji Refugium Mud, a refugium flora starter kit from LiveAquaria.com (which also did includes Chaetomorpha, Red Gracilaria Algae, Ulva as well as Amphipods and Tisbe biminiensis and then a Refugium Fauna Starter kit from Inland Aquatics that included Mysis/Gammarus (several female and 100-200+ male Mysids; several adult and a several juvenile Gammarus; and an unspecified number of Stomatella varia : 3 and Micro Stars : 6.

The pod population in the refugium segment of the sump (the center) is great. And my water quality has gone from very good but with a measurable amount of nitrates to perfect. NO nitrates NO ammonia nothing but perfect water and that is without doing many partial water changes. I've found that the tank is really cycling well.

The other things I did, I used 60 lbs of CaribSea Live Oolite sand, 55-60 lbs of fantastic live rock, real ocean water from Petco/Catalina and used 3 large bottles of Saltwater Colony from ATM (over the course of 3 weeks).

I also use a Fluval G6 as a secondary filter. It was the only filter I used for a while, and like I said the water quality was nearly perfect, but not quite so. I guess I could have waited for the bacteria to colonize the ceramic pieces better but, I think the combination of the G6 and the refugium really is kicking butt.

I just wanted to make it clear that the sump can be used as a refugium and has enough room for a nice protein skimmer. The quality of the Aqueon piece is really nice - don't hesitate to buy it at all.
 
This is a really helpful thread. Just wandering if anyone is still subscribed. I'm currently running a Model 3 with the fuge in the middle. I would like to know if anyone has done anything to the first chamber for the detritus. I saw Steelo's youtube vids on the sump and he mentions putting some miracle mud in the first but dunno if anyone has tried it. I have a small pump in there now but hate having a wire hanging on top of the water. Some suggestions please.
 
Can I use the Model 1 rated for 55g on a 65g tank? Using a Eheim 1250 (350~ GPH) ?

Slower flow is alright, not relying on flow from pump, anything wrong with that setup? Oveflow can handle up to 700 gph
 
jlnielsen13 said:
Important note, you cannot have a skimmer in the third chamber. .. that's the chamber where whatever level flux . You would have to adjust the skimmer multiple times a day everyday. Found this out the hard way.
Jim, model 4
Click to expand...

I have used my skimmer in the third chamber from day one with no issue. Because you are using the model 4, and a bigger tank, you may lose more water due to evaporation. Use bigger hose to put you ATO water in. If you are running Kalk in your ATO, I would NOT reccomend this. I am running a Model 3 on a 100g and I don't adjust my skimmer at all.
 
Aqueon Proflex Filter socks

Aqueon Proflex Filter socks

Hi all,
I am using the ProFlex 4 sump system and was wondering if anyone has input on cleaning the filter socks? I have rinsed them with tap water, but that doesn't seem to be a very efficient method. I was thinking of maybe soaking them in bleach. Any input would be appreciated.

Ed
 
I have a Model 3 and bought ten sets of socks. When I am down to my last two, I clean all of the dirty socks in the washer. I use NO detergent and run a second rinse. Gets em nice and clean. After that, I usually do my water change and soak my socks in the dirty water then RO/DI that night and then set the socks air dry. Sounds tedious but it really isn't and it works.
 
I just bought a model 3 for my 75. Read the whole thread and appreciate the info. I Will be using my Barbuda hobo simmer off the side of the sump and see how well it works.i can put it in the third section or outside it. might work slick.
 
I bought a model 2 a few years ago for my 55. But since then i upgraded to a 75. I am going to set this tank up as a mixed reef. i was just wondering everyone was using as a skimmer
 
I just picked up a 90g with a Model 4 sump. I was wondering if anyone has modded their return section, adding a divider for a fuge section and a return pump section. This would allow you to control the flow through the fuge. I'm looking to place my skimmer in the middle section.
 
Awesome thread thanks to all that have posted in it. I just subscribed based on the convo of this thread.

Just purchased a Model 3 that will be setting up soon.
 
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