Opinions about sump..

[jeff240gallon]

My sump currently contains a 100 micron filter sock, ceramic bio balls, and activated carbon in a mesh bag (under a water spout so that way it tumbles). Outside the sump is a hydor performer protein skimmer 705. Plenty big for my 240 gallon setup. I have 240 pounds live rock and live sand as substrate. The sump is around fifty gallons.

I've heard bad things about bio balls, but I've also heard positive things as well.

What should I keep, remove, and/or add? Tank is only a year old and I don't have any issues with phosphates, nitrates, etc. I'm also limited on room in my sump.. Here is my sumps configuration..

The last tub on the end is an evaporation tub, which replaces displaced water. In hindsight, I wish I got the refugium instead of the evaporation tub.

The manufacture also recommends I boil a third of the bio balls every so often to clean them. Yay/nay?

I'd like to gain knowledge with this so if you suggest something, please explain why... Much appreciated!


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[Ron Reefman]

Does the evap tub have a solid lid or is it clear or open? You could grow Chaeto in there if you hang a light over it. It can still be the evap as well. Just make sure there is an open screen filter/barrier between that chamber and the return pump so chaeto doesn't get pumped up into the tank.

Bio-balls can work OK. If you have enough live rock in your display tank, you probably don't need them. They are fairly 'old school'. Cleaning them is an option. If they get really dirty I'd do it. People call them a nitrate factory, but that's only if they get really dirty and gummed up. If the flow through there is good and they stay fairly clean, I'd leave them alone. If you have LR in your DT, then I'd pull the bio-balls and put something else in there, like more LR (which you won't have to clean), or macroalgae and a light.

Do you have a skimmer? Where is it in the system?

 

[jeff240gallon]

Opinions about sump..

Does the evap tub have a solid lid or is it clear or open? You could grow Chaeto in there if you hang a light over it. It can still be the evap as well. Just make sure there is an open screen filter/barrier between that chamber and the return pump so chaeto doesn't get pumped up into the tank.

Bio-balls can work OK. If you have enough live rock in your display tank, you probably don't need them. They are fairly 'old school'. Cleaning them is an option. If they get really dirty I'd do it. People call them a nitrate factory, but that's only if they get really dirty and gummed up. If the flow through there is good and they stay fairly clean, I'd leave them alone. If you have LR in your DT, then I'd pull the bio-balls and put something else in there, like more LR (which you won't have to clean), or macroalgae and a light.

Do you have a skimmer? Where is it in the system?

Fortunately the lids are clear. I do have a skimmer it's a hydor performer 705 and it's off to the side (not in the sump). I like the live rock in the filtration idea... I'll have to take a look at the chaeto, only problem the dirty water doesn't filter through that tub (unless I rig something up), so the chaeto will only clean the already clean water


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[jeff240gallon]

Any special tricks to grow chaeto? I've heard continuous light and sporadic light..


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[nereefpat]

My sump currently contains a 100 micron filter sock, ceramic bio balls, and activated carbon in a mesh bag (under a water spout so that way it tumbles).

Just a quick opinion here. Tumbling is for GFO, so it doesn't stick together. Flow through carbon should be slow, so it filters better and doesn't crumble into dust.

 

[jeff240gallon]

Just a quick opinion here. Tumbling is for GFO, so it doesn't stick together. Flow through carbon should be slow, so it filters better and doesn't crumble into dust.

I shouldn't have used the word tumble cause I know a lot of people associate it with gfo reactors.. It is more like a constant flow. I did not know that though so thank you.


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[jeff240gallon]

How do you properly grow chaeto


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[JMorris271]

Some people rubber band it to a rock and place it in the fuge

 

[jeff240gallon]

Some people rubber band it to a rock and place it in the fuge

Is it just add light, throw it in the water and let it be? How much light?


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[Ron Reefman]

Most macro algaes like red or white light better than the blue the coral's zooxanthellae like. Light it of 8 to 12 hours and if it's in the sump/refugium, run the lights when the DT is dark. It will just help with smooth pH levels. Not a big deal, but it's an easy way to help the tank.