Moving LR

[Juggernaunt]

I have a 210 gal tank with only a Puffer (Arothron hispidus or stars and strips) and a V-Tail Grouper (Cephalopholis urodera). The tank is drilled and I have about 200 lb of LR in the tank with a deep sand bed. what I was considering was to move about half of the LR from the tank and put in a can next to the tank and recirculate the water from the tank through the can back into the tank. I wasn't sure if i should send the water from the can to the sump (for skimming) or even if i would need additional lighting and heater for the rock in the can. I look forward to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

 

[thegrun]

If you use two pumps, one in the can and the other in the sump you are not going to be able to balance the flow and either your sump or your can will eventually overflow. Use gravity to drain the can into the sump and then the return pump to send all the water back to the display tank. You do not need light for the can although there would be advantages to lighting it and growing maco algae in it for nutrient export and to raise pods. You would likely need more wattage in your heaters since I suspect you are adding more water volume. The heater could be either in the sump or the can.

 

[Juggernaunt]

Thanks for info, I think I know what you mean when you say gravity fed but cab you explain? Thanks

 

[thegrun]

Set the can higher than the sump water level. Drain the display tank into the can, drain the can into the sump. Use your return pump to send the water back up to the display.

 

[Juggernaunt]

OK, now before i start drilling would it be better to have the bulkhead at the top of the LR tub or more towards the bottom?

 

[Juggernaunt]

OK, I got it set up and running, i moved about 60-80lbs of LR from the main tank. This is an aggressive tank (Stars& Strips Puffer, Red Grouper and a Moray Eel). Is there anything i can do to get more use out of additional can with the LR? I have a heater and a power head with Turbo snails. I do have an extra T5 light that I can put over it or will it be more beneficial to cover it? Thanks in advance.