Eshopps RS-300 Configuration, Your Best Ideas

[QuiQuog]

So I'm setting up a 90g fish and soft coral tank. I have an Eshopps RS-300 and I'm wondering how to arrange things in it for best effect.

I can't really do anything with the first chamber, it's filter socks on the front side, and input on the backside. The middle chamber is 16x13.5", and the left is 7x13.5".

The original owner had live rock rubble on top of a couple inches of sand in the middle compartment. I have an HOB Reef Octopus skimmer that I would like to eventually switch out for an in sump option. I was considering ditching the rubble an just using the space for an algae scrubber, heater, and the eventual skimmer. I also considered using rubble and chaeto, but I think that would preclude the use of a skimmer in the sump. Also considered was using Marinepure Ceramic Biomedia plates with the skimmer on top of, or in between that.

The right chamber is a bit limited in size, but I could put a heater alongside the return pump. Is that space large enough to accommodate a skimmer? If so, would I risk micro bubbles in the DT? I could cram it full of biomedia plates as well, sectioned out for the return pump of course.

A question about this particular sump. There doesn't seem to be a bubble trap. Does the wall between the middle and left chambers serve that purpose?

Anyway, I'd love to hear some different ideas for how I could use this sump.

 

[GimpyFin]

Unfortunately, the RS series is designed to have a skimmer in the middle and the last section for a return. There's not a ton of room for creativity with the layout. The last chamber ends up being a little tight for a skimmer and the middle section isn't very deep if you wanted to use it as a refugium. (The R series has a different layout to accomodate a refugium.) The wall and sponge do act as a bubble/debris trap, although, if you do run a skimmer in there, it might not be an issue. My old sump had the skimmer right next to the return and didn't put microbubbles in the main tank.

 

[mcozad829]

I have been running this exact sump using the filter socks, oversized skimmer in the middle and return pump in the last chamber, worked very well for me. If you have a decent amount of live rock in the display there is no need for rubble or other bio media in the sump. Finally you will have issues running an HOB skimmer on this sump, the water level in the skimmer chamber (when filled as designed) is only about 8 inches deep which leaves a big gap between the top of the sump and the water level. You could overfill the sump to make the water reachable with an hob skimmer but you will notice heavy bowing when completely full ( a condition that makes me uncomfortable). In addition when you start overfilling sumps you loose your safety net for flooding in the imminent event of a power outage. My recommendation would be run the sump as designed and get an in sump skimmer. It really is a good sump design for a Berlin style reef and runs very quietly due to the underwater overflow outlet. The black foam block is the bubble trap and it does a good job. My advice is buy extra socks and extra foam blocks and swap them out at the same time to avoid becoming a detritus trap. I have 14 socks and 7 foam blocks and would swap them every other day and wash them in the machine with a cap of bleach every other week.

 

[QuiQuog]

Just to be clear, I wasn't thinking of running the HOB skimmer in the sump, it will be on the tank. Eventually, I will probably swap it out with one that I can put in the sump.

I see the point about it being too shallow for a refugium, but what about an algae scrubber? Would I risk clogging the skimmer with algae?

In regards to live rock in the display, I have a plastic tote filled with about 150 lbs of rock. I think it's mostly florida base rock or reef saver. The rubble is corals and broken bits of various rock. I suppose it should be adequate. Maybe it's a good idea to keep it as simple as possible when starting out.

 

[mcozad829]

Just to be clear, I wasn't thinking of running the HOB skimmer in the sump, it will be on the tank. Eventually, I will probably swap it out with one that I can put in the sump.

I see the point about it being too shallow for a refugium, but what about an algae scrubber? Would I risk clogging the skimmer with algae?

In regards to live rock in the display, I have a plastic tote filled with about 150 lbs of rock. I think it's mostly florida base rock or reef saver. The rubble is corals and broken bits of various rock. I suppose it should be adequate. Maybe it's a good idea to keep it as simple as possible when starting out.

My bad I interpreted it as running the hob on the sump, if that compartment is empty there is enough room for an algae scrubber. Just comes down to whether you think you need one once you're up and running

 

[GimpyFin]

If you use the center section for a skimmer in addition to growing algae, you do risk getting it into the skimmer, but also growing algae in the skimmer itself with the light being right there.

 

[QuiQuog]

If you use the center section for a skimmer in addition to growing algae, you do risk getting it into the skimmer, but also growing algae in the skimmer itself with the light being right there.

Good point, I didn't think about that. Without chaeto or an algae scrubber, will I run the risk of higher nutrients resulting in nuisance algae in the DT?

Tagging on to that question: I've been watching a lot of BRS TV on YouTube lately. One episode of the 52 Weeks of Reefing series covered soft corals. Ryan mentioned that many soft corals do better in higher nutrient tanks. Would running an algae scrubber and/or chaeto reduce the nutrients to such an extent that it would work against my desire for soft corals in the tank? I'm not asking if it would prevent them from surviving or thriving, but rather would it be more of an advantage to have higher nutrients.

 

[GimpyFin]

Good point, I didn't think about that. Without chaeto or an algae scrubber, will I run the risk of higher nutrients resulting in nuisance algae in the DT?

Tagging on to that question: I've been watching a lot of BRS TV on YouTube lately. One episode of the 52 Weeks of Reefing series covered soft corals. Ryan mentioned that many soft corals do better in higher nutrient tanks. Would running an algae scrubber and/or chaeto reduce the nutrients to such an extent that it would work against my desire for soft corals in the tank? I'm not asking if it would prevent them from surviving or thriving, but rather would it be more of an advantage to have higher nutrients.

Yeah, it depends, every system is a little different. Algae scrubbers and refugiums can help with nutrients and nuisance algae, but they're really more of an option rather than a necessity. There's also other methods of tackling high nutrient issues if you do start having problems there.

As for the soft corals, I've heard others say some soft corals do better with nutrient levels a little higher. Unfortunately, I can't personally attest to that or which ones specifically are in reference.

 

[SFish]

An external skimmer would free up the middle for what ever you want. A srubber could sit on top of the sump if you make a 3D one. U could pick up a boat battery case if you don't want to mess with acrylic. Another option if you have room is to run two sumps.

 

[QuiQuog]

Well, I'm not going to do two sumps. I'm not sure what a 3D algae scrubber is. I guess I'll just start out with a dark sump with rubble and keep the HOB skimmer for now. After I have it up and stable, I'll start thinking about changing. I sometimes suffer from paralysis by analysis, I better just get this thing up before I turn 90.

Next stop, BeanAnimal overflow.

 

[SFish]

The lights don't have to be this kind they can be LEDs or what ever you want to use as long as the watts are correct.

 

[SFish]

Well, I'm not going to do two sumps. I'm not sure what a 3D algae scrubber is. I guess I'll just start out with a dark sump with rubble and keep the HOB skimmer for now. After I have it up and stable, I'll start thinking about changing. I sometimes suffer from paralysis by analysis, I better just get this thing up before I turn 90.

Next stop, BeanAnimal overflow.

That's one of the disadvantages of buying a premade sump besides cost.