Best funtion from my filter

[Reef4Fun]

I just wanted to share what I have learned from what I experienced with my wet/dry filter. I have two overflows in my 120gal going to my sump. I had so much trouble with micro bubbles and people on here told me to cut back on the pump power. Well, I have two pretty powerful pumps going; thankfully I thought beforehand and put valves on each return. I ended up shutting the valves more than half which actually improved the entire function of my system. Here is what it did for me. It all but stopped the micro bubbles and it also is cleaning my tank better. Before, I was changing my filter material twice a week because the intake was literally blowing holes in the material. There would be so much dirt in the bottom of the sump that I had to empty and clean it every week or two. Now, the filter is collecting so much filth, I clean it nearly daily, no holes in the material now, and no more dirt is collecting in the bottom of the sump! Just my experience with how it really doesnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t matter how much volume you push through your filter, you need to make sure it has the chance to do the job it is supposed to do, which is to filter what water you do have going through. I am new to all of this, so I am only sharing what I am experiencing.
Nancy

 

[Reef4Fun]

Sorry, typo, "Best function"

 

[jmccown]

great post. I am having the same trouble. I will try to cut my flow in half and see how it goes. I lose my siphon at least once a week on both tubes going into my overflow.

 

[phljess]

It sounds like you don't need two pumps returning to your sump. Why don't you take one of them out and connect both of your returns to one pump using a Y connector or a T connector. That way you would not have to restrict the pump and it would last longer and work better.

 

[Reef4Fun]

Perfect idea Phil. That would also help keep the extra heat down in the tank. Thanks.

 

[Reef4Fun]

Actually Phil, that gives me all the more reason to get my 45gal drilled now that I will have the extra pump. I've been wanting to set it up with a sump and so on, so now I will.

 

[firefish2020]

Im a bit paranoid, so I still run 2 pumps in the sump.

 

[Reef4Fun]

I have so many pumps running in my tank, 2 - aquavia 3700, 1 - 1200 jet, 1 - oc2700 (skimmer pump) and a pump for the swid. My heat actually got up to 84!!!!!!!!, I thought everyone was going to get sick, but they were fine. That can't be good though. I am going to have my husband hang the light from the ceiling, which will help a tiny bit. I was checking into chillers, but no way I can do that until I get back to work. I thought about a diy one, but I guess I will put 2 liter bottels in the freezer for emergencies for now. Any other suggestions? I did turn off the lights and the one jet to help keep the heat from rising further. My temp ususally runs 80 all the time since the weather has warmed up. I know I need to do something.

 

[firefish2020]

Have you seen any problems at all due to the heat?

Think about the balance thing, if it has happened slowly not at once then your reef may not mind your temperature as much as you do. I have talked to several people who run there systems at a much higher temperature than what I was told was safe. More importantly I think is that you maintain a constant temperature or at least provide the same pattern of rise and fall on a daily basis. In short it's what they get used to over a long period of time which becomes normal. My thinking on heat in the reef has changed greatly in the past year most of which is due to my research into climatological changes and the effects on sesile invertebrates through out time. The basic theory I have is this. If you run your reef at a constant temperature for say a year and it is thriving. Then one day say the heater sticks and shoots the temp up from 78 to 84 in a matter of hours. I think in this instance there will be great stress induced on the reef system and a lot of inverts will die or bleach out. If this temp rise from 78 began in a slow and steady progression and it stabilized at the same 84 degrees I don't see that much damage to the reef.
In short if there is no stress I dont think chillers are needed in your case.

Just a theory

 

[Reef4Fun]

Makes sense Ron, thank you. They don't seem to show any difference with the temp being up, like I was saying, it is usually 80 - 82. I think if the temp went to the "normal required temp." 78, they would end up with ich or something, lol. These fish seem so healthy, fat and active, I really couldn't ask for better. I just want to make sure I provide for them what they need because we are their only life support, they depend completely on us and it we took that responsablity on when we adopted them.
Thanks Ron, I will keep a close watch and if it looks as though the temp is going to rise dangerously, I will slowly bring it down, perhaps with cold water in a bottle.

 

[firefish2020]

Try an ordinary fan or blower, blowing across your sump at a 45 degree angle. Thats what I have hooked to my temp controller (reef keeper).

 

[Reef4Fun]

Ok, I have a perfect fan that will fit in my cabinet. That makes sense because it gets very warm under there, so I open up the door to let it vent and it seems to help. I will add the little fan.
Thank you.

 

[phljess]

Woah. wait a minute, if your temp is varying more than two to three degrees a day, thats a big swing and it is going to cause some real problems if you don't get it under control especially before summer. I think there is something else going on here to heat your water so much. That said I think you should run through this check list and answer some questions and I can probably help you.

1. What is you total watts and are they halides or fluorescents
2. Are your lights in a canopy or free standing on your tank. If they are in a canopy does it have adequate vents/fans.
3. Do you have glass tops on your tank?
4. Are all your pumps submersible?
5. Is your heater kicking off when it gets past it set temp?
6. Do you run a reverse light cycle.
7. Have a fan over your sump?
8. What is the ambient air temp?

Believe me you want to get this temp problem straightened out soon. You might not see problems now but you will see them especially if you keep LPS and SPS coral.

 

[Reef4Fun]

No Phil, my temp stays at 80 about all the time. But I noticed one day it went up to 81, the next day it was 82, (so I opened the cabinet door to allow circulation) but the next couple days it went on up to 84. I then started doing very small water changes in the sump, like one gallon every hour, with cool saltwater. That did the trick, and now the temp stays right at 80 - 81. The problem was the cabinet didn't have enough circulation, so I had my husband drill half a dozen 4 inch holes at the end facing the wall. The other problem was I had too many pumps going that was heating up the water. I unplugged two of the maxi jets that were no longer needed because I plumbed up a SWID that does a great job. I'm not having any trouble now, but like you said, I am concerned about the hot summer temps soon. I don't like to keep my house really cold during the summer, so I am tring to figure out things beforehand. If I have to I will just close off alot of the vents in the house so that the room that has the tank gets cool but the house doesn't get that cold.
I don't have a fan over my sump, but Ron suggested it, so my husband is actually getting one from where he works that is for that.
I don't have glass tops, the tank is open.
My lights are 2 - 150 watt halides and I think the 2 - flourescents are 60 watt. The light does not fit in a canopy and it have the vents and fans. I got it at JoMarrs new 3 months ago, it's a really good one.
The heater is new and it works great, however, I did have to adjust it when I was having the problem because it was kicking on. But I took care of that and I check it daily.
I'm not exactly sure what a reverse light cycle is, but I have my flourescents kick on at 8am, then halides at 10am. Then the halides kick off at 6pm and the flourescents off at 8pm. The little lunar moon lights stay on all the time.
I think things are going to be okay, thats why I wanted to get all the answers now, to be prepared, and I so much appreciate all of your and Rons help and concern.
Thanks guys,
Nancy

 

[phljess]

If you have an "All Glass" heater watch it, I have been having some trouble with mine and will be switching to all titanium heaters in the near future. I just cant keep the "All Glass" heaters from kicking on way pasted when their intended to shut off. I have three of them and they all do the same thing. I set them for 78 degrees and they will stay on up to past 80+ then I set them for 75 still stay on up to 80. So needless to say they are not used in my 210 anymore only in the breeding tanks. As for a reverse light cycle that is when you run a light in your refugium during night time. It helps keep your temp from swinging and also keeps PH from swinging during the night.

 

[Reef4Fun]

Ahhh, that really makes sense. I don't have a refugium, but I, of course, have a sump. I also have a couple extra timers I could use for this. My heaters are the All Glass one (both tanks) and I do have trouble with them regulating the temp. I know when I first set up my 45 gal, I stayed up 3 nights checking on it (winter time) and having to adust it constantly. With the larger 120 gal, it is friendlier to work with, more forgiving, but I still have to watch it. I think before we go on vacation I will need to check into a different one like you are talking about. I love my 120 set up, it is more than I imagined it would be. By the way, the corals I got from you are doing so wonderful. The zenia has more than doubled in size and is beautiful. The green star looks wonderful and has branched out some. The pincushion hasn't really grown, but it opens up to a beautiful size. I'm more than happy with them, thank you so much, I want more.
Nancy

 

[firefish2020]

...and will be switching to all titanium heaters in the near future

DO NOT DO IT! Do more research before you use a titanium heater Phill, I have one and never put in the tank after hearing so many bad reviews on them. Just save your money and get you a temp controller a single stage or dual will work fine and give you peace of mind no matter what brand heater you are using.

 

[sixliner6]

I have heard good things about the Finnex heaters. I have 2 of the titanium ones but I haven't used them yet. What are some potential problems with these?

 

[firefish2020]

I have heard several disaster stories about titanium getting stuck and causing short circuits that lead me to leave mine out of the tank. Do a search on RC for titanium heater problems I think you will see it is not an isolated problem. Get a controller it's just good insurance IMO.

 

[MattG]

I dont know of a single good heater on the market. All of the ones i have used tend to have problems. A temperature controller is the best bet to help prevent a stuck heater.

Reef4fun: I have no doubt that some of your temp problems are because of all the submersible pumps. Add a fan as firefish mentioned and it will help. You will evaporate alot more water though (which is good because it cools the water). You might also think about using external pumps or more energy efficient submersible pumps.