Experienced Opinions Needed

[bmallia82]

I have a 95g tank w/ a 20 gallon Sump.

One of my problems lie here:

My Protein skimmer is in my sump along w/ the external pump (which is attached) What I have been noticing is that as water evaporates and the water level in my sump changes it affects the Protein Skimmer. What I am looking to do is get an auto Top off for my sump. Next to it I will have a container which will hold my RO/DI water and pump into my sump as needed.

What is a good model to look into as far as auto Top off's go?


Also,

My heater busted the other day in my sump. Right now I have a 150 W that I was using for my RO/DI unit to get me throught the week. I am going to be purchasing a new one. Which is a good model and I originally had a 300W, should i stick with that? I would like to add a temperature Controller in the next couple months so perhaps something that would be compatible.

Thank you for any advice guys

 

[pikachusalad]

One thing I learned about heaters (total noob), is that "submersible" doesn't mean "fully submersible".

I got jager heaters (on a recommendation and because I read "submersible" in the description). Problem was, the 150W ones are 13 inches long, which was several inches higher than the water level in my sump would have been....probably not a big deal...I could have put them at angles...but I was really hoping for ones I could lay horizontally.

Also, several people suggested I go with 2 150W heaters instead of 1 300 (I have no actual experience, but this makes sense) - if one goes out, you still have the other. If one sticks on, it'll take longer to heat the tank up.

 

[pikachusalad]

oh, and there was this (according to the jager company) - don't know if it's right, but it's the guideline I used.

Tank Size Power Needed
5ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“15 gallons 50 watt
15ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“30 gallons 100 watt
30ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“45 gallons 150 watt
40ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“75 gallons 200 watt
55ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“100 gallons 300 watt
80ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“150 gallons 400 watt
100ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“175 gallons 500 watt

 

[Konadog]

If you can partition off the skimmer to it's own compartment, you won't have that problem with your skimmer again. You will still have the evaporation problem. I don't have any experience with mechanical auto top offs, but have used a DIY Nurce (siphon controlled) top off before.

Question about your heater, was it glass? Go for a titanium heater this time, and if possible, with two 150w (smaller) heaters instead of one (large) heater. If you have a controller failure, you may have some time to catch it before it cooks your tank.

 

[goda]

autotopoff.com
great stuff used them for years ( still have originals but since then got a few more )

 

[AZDesertRat]

Your sump should be partitioned off with baffles between the skimmer section and return section. This serves two purposes, one to maintain a constant level where the skimmer resides and two to provide a way to eliminate microbubbles so they don't get carried to the display tank.

 

[bmallia82]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7378342#post7378342 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AZDesertRat
Your sump should be partitioned off with baffles between the skimmer section and return section. This serves two purposes, one to maintain a constant level where the skimmer resides and two to provide a way to eliminate microbubbles so they don't get carried to the display tank.

I do have it partitioned off. I have Oceanic Reef Sump. One side I have the return pump ( the smaller end) The larger side is where I have my skimmer. That level goes down and it affects my skimmer.

 

[pikachusalad]

If you have the water coming from the overflow filling the side with the skimmer, and then that side feeds the other side when the water gets to a certain level (like flowing over the wall), then the side with the skimmer should remain constant...shouldn't it?

 

[bmallia82]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7378625#post7378625 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pikachusalad
If you have the water coming from the overflow filling the side with the skimmer, and then that side feeds the other side when the water gets to a certain level (like flowing over the wall), then the side with the skimmer should remain constant...shouldn't it?

My tank is drilled so the Drain is leading down into the area where the skimmer. It will not remain constant due to Evaporation. I lose water in my sump, Not in the tank.

I will take pics

 

[AZDesertRat]

You should only be losing water in the section where the return pump is, the skimmer section should remain constant. How tall are the baffles? Water should enter the skimmer section and fall under and/or over a baffle/wier into the return section which will drop due to evaporation.