New 55g Reef Aquarium
- Thread starter Pysiek
- Start date
mike_cmu04
New member
By bubble tower i assume that you are talking about a protein skimmer. A filter sock will remove the larger particles from your water but a protein skimmer gets the dissolved organics out. So a filter sock will not do what a protein skimmer does.
Pysiek
New member
Bubble tower is a tower in the corner of drain chamber in the sump. It is filled with live rock to reduce micro-bubbles. You can read more about it here http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/a/sump_model_a.html
Pysiek
New member
good to hear that
less work for me.
Pysiek
New member
Okay guys. I finished my sump/refugium and leak test it. First time it did leak a little in two corners. But I reseal it every seam with weldon #16 and retest it. Now it looks like everything works good.
It is time to move on to plumbing and pump. I have a 300GPH overflow box. So based on that I'm looking t purchase Danner Mag-Drive Supreme 5 pump. But according to other articles I read is that I need to count the head pressure and then find a pump. Also if the pump have 1/2" dia output do I need to use 1/2"dia PVC pipes?
I will take better pictures once installed under the tank.
It is time to move on to plumbing and pump. I have a 300GPH overflow box. So based on that I'm looking t purchase Danner Mag-Drive Supreme 5 pump. But according to other articles I read is that I need to count the head pressure and then find a pump. Also if the pump have 1/2" dia output do I need to use 1/2"dia PVC pipes?
I will take better pictures once installed under the tank.
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Pysiek
New member
Also guys how to make the return line more silent? I already have "killed" the gurgling noise coming from overflow box but now I can hear water coming down thru the drain PVC line.
And another question. My current overflow box is 300GPH. I believe that this is not enough. What size of overflow box should I use for 55G reef tank?
And another question. My current overflow box is 300GPH. I believe that this is not enough. What size of overflow box should I use for 55G reef tank?
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fishgate
Active member
I'd be a little concerned about the size of your baffles (water level in the sump). There isn't a lot of room in the case of a power outage. Have you fully filled everything, then shut off the power and see if it floods?
You are around 5x turnover/hour in the sump so probably ok.
You are around 5x turnover/hour in the sump so probably ok.
Pysiek
New member
I did already the power outage test and everything is fine. Is it normal that you can hear some noise from the pump? Also I have used 1" PVC and the pump have 3/4" outlet. Is that okay? And my pump is Rio 1700. Return line it's about 4ft (2ft vertical and 2ft horizontal) and have 5 X 90elbow. If I add 1ft for every 90 elbow then my pump is too weak. Am I correct?
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fishgate
Active member
Some pumps are louder than others. Going to larger size is no problem.
Pysiek
New member
So I can purchase larger pump like Mag7 or Rio 2500?
Pysiek
New member
But how do I know if I have enough flow in the tank? I start the flow last night and will see after work how is it doing. But when I put my hand under the return outlet in the tank I feel almost no pressure at all .
How deep should I put the overlfow box in the tank?
How deep should I put the overlfow box in the tank?
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fishgate
Active member
The overflow box should be at a level where the water level in the overflow is lower than the tank water. This allows for better surface skimming by creating a suction into the overflow box. Usually it is fairly easy to find this level once everything is set up and the siphon is running. With mine, the "teeth" are about 1/2 way out of the water.
As long as you have this vacuum effect going on, and everything is running, your return should balance out with the amount of flow it needs to keep up with the draining into the sump. You may (probably) need to get a power head to increase flow as one return is not going to be enough in that size tank. I'd suggest two power heads 750gph and the return from the sump as a start. Once running, if you put some food in, you can see where it goes to get rid of dead spots and have good overall flow. It is an art more than a science and every tank is different.
As long as you have this vacuum effect going on, and everything is running, your return should balance out with the amount of flow it needs to keep up with the draining into the sump. You may (probably) need to get a power head to increase flow as one return is not going to be enough in that size tank. I'd suggest two power heads 750gph and the return from the sump as a start. Once running, if you put some food in, you can see where it goes to get rid of dead spots and have good overall flow. It is an art more than a science and every tank is different.
Pysiek
New member
Okay. Last night I have a chance to put the live rock in. Can somebody please check the picture I take with the red think on my rock. What is this? Algae?
Also I will install a light over the refugium as soon as I receive my cheato. Will keep you posted on the progress
Oh and I forgot...yesterday we have a power outage and everything went great :thumbsup: no water on the floor :mixed:
Also I will install a light over the refugium as soon as I receive my cheato. Will keep you posted on the progress
Oh and I forgot...yesterday we have a power outage and everything went great :thumbsup: no water on the floor :mixed:
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