Help .. Need to Right some Wrongs (Sump \ Substrate)

[Gpapa]

Hi Everyone,

After reading through many ReefCentral threads, I have come to the realisation that I have made 2 big mistakes when setting up my 55 Gallon tank. With your help I would like to correct these.
Firstly the tank is a 55 Gallon 3ft Tank, Up and running since November last year. So far doing good. For filtration I am using 25 kilos (55pounds) of live rock, Octopus 100F HOB skimmer and a 5 year Aqua One CF500 Canister filter with Matrix both trays. After alot of reading on this site I have decided It would be best to remove the canister and replace it with a sump.

I have designed and attached below my sump idea. I am thinking of moving the matrix material to the sump and possibly adding some miracle mud and chaeto to the Refugium.

Also 4 weeks ago I replaced my super fine (almost dust like) sand with coarse crushed coral as the maroon clowns would stir it up, settling everywhere (on live rock, mushrooms ...) now I have gunk settling between the crushed coral . Should I replace with something like CaribSea Arag- Alive? Or any other finer substrate

Please share your thoughts

 

[Sk8r]

can you explain what this matrix is? If it in any wise resembles a filter, I'd get rid of it because it will kill the pods you hope to raise in your fuge. Plus it holds debris that forms nitrate, the same as crushed coral does.

I wouldn't bother to get live sand. I'd go medium grade aragonite. use a siphon hose and your water changes to be rid of the substrate (remember you'll be removing rock, so don't blithely topoff with fresh water up to the old level or you'll screw your salinity---check salinity carefully) and toss old crushed coral...but first....

Establish your new refugium. I'd just put the live rock in there with sand and weed. Once this sandbed is established (3-4" deep) it will support your tank during the withdrawal of the Cc bed upstairs. Make sure it is functioning well and alive before starting the CC removal. I'm currently doing the same operation with fine sand, which proved to blow too much: I'm going back to medium.

I don't care much for bagged live sand. I have enough bacteria in my tank to enliven new sand Pdq. I don't know about miracle mud: sand does well enough and won't dust up into your water.

If removing filters don't do it all at once: your sandbed is still fairly weak, if you've had filters going---remove filter medium by stages.

Just proceed slowly on this, little at a time and your tank will thank you for it.

 

[Gpapa]

Hi Sk8r

Thanks for your quick reply, this is my fist post and i was eagily awaiting any reply.

Here is a link to the Matrix website http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/Matrix.html I have been running this since day one.

Doing the changes in stages make alot of sense i will be taking this approach.

 

[Sk8r]

Since it cycles all the way to nitrogen gas, it functions a lot like a sandbed. You should be fine leaving it in there: but if you do have nitrate troubles, suspect that first. It's a new product, I'm guessing, and let's see if it works as promised.
Out side of that, as I said above, I think if you follow the course I outlined you should be fine. Always get more than one opinion: all of us are volunteers with real lives and sometimes we hit the board tired and don't spot something we should've. But I think that will take you in a good direction.

 

[Gpapa]

Thanks again Sk8r

What return flow should i be looking at, im thinking 10x tank capacity going through at switching device like SCWD.

 

[super stooge]

welcome to reef central

im in the exact same position as you with a crushed coral sand bed and no sump (no one seems to metnion the word sump when your setting up your first tank in sydney).

sk8r has given you good advice so i dont have much more to add there.

with the flow im not sure of an actual number but from what ive been told it should be fairly slow compared to your main tank.

good luck

 

[Gpapa]

No ... They are all to keen to get started on buying live stock, to ensure you have all the equipment set up right.

I started with T8 lighting , to little live rock no skimmer, and have been slowly correcting all my mistakes using information from this site.

 

[Gpapa]

Anyone have any other suggestions... I would like to start purchasing equipment this weekend..