Plan for the sump

[Octoo]

Hello,

You can see the image how i want my sump to be constructed. DT will have approximately 91 gallons and i'll slowly start to add corals. But for the first few months it will be only FOWLR. I'd like to know your opinions please.


Skimmer - http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/octopus-nwb-sss-150-skimmer.html

Return pump - http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/vectra-m1-pump.html

I put there media reactor but i'm not sure what's the job of it and if it's really needed? If it's necessary can you help me with that please? Which one is a good one and what media is necessary?

Thank you.

 

[mcgyvr]

looks like a normal sump..
I assume you just didn't draw in bubble traps/proper baffle heights/openings right?

and you certainly don't need a media reactor if you don't even know what its for..
A media reactor is not necessary equipment..

Its best to run 2 heaters also just in case one decides to fail

 

[telathas]

I'm not too well versed in sumps but from what I've seen, generally people usually have it set up where the drain goes into a compartment that then overflows into the filter sock. I assume this is just so water goes into the filter socks in a slower fashion instead of just funneling in from the overflow directly into the sock. Again, I'm not too familiar so I'm sure someone could chime in.

Heaters are sort of dependent on a few factors. Is your ambient temperature close to where you want your tank to be? If it is, one heater of an appropriate wattage should suffice. Then again if the heaters need to work harder to keep the temperature, for example if you're trying to raise it from 74F to 79F or whatever, adding another may be beneficial for stability.

Finally media reactors. What exactly do you mean by that? There's a ton of different media reactors, each with different purposes. There's GFO reactors, calcium reactors, etc. All they essentially are is a container for your media of choice. If you don't plan on running said media, you don't need it.

 

[Octoo]

Thanks.

That is just a rough sketch but no, i've never read about that, what is it exactly and where should it stay in that sump? I wont be making the sump, so i need to give those instructions.

I just put the media reactor there because most sumps i see have bio balls,carbon or some kind of media, so i thought it would be an important thing to have it. If it's not necessary, is there anything else important i could use instead?

Thanks.

 

[Octoo]

telathas thank you for your input.

Yes media reactor i just wrote it there because i've seen it most of the times in other people sumps. There are many options, that's why it's so confusing to me because i also dont know each one purpose.

Thanks!

 

[telathas]

Again, it depends on you whether you want to add one. If you feel like you might want more biological filtration you can have a reactor with some bioballs. If you want chemical filtration, a carbon reactor is great. Algae issues? Some people swear by GFO reactors. Read up and see if something works for you. While none of them are by any means necessary, they are helpful additions. If anything you can have an empty section in your sump that you can customize as you see fit. Maybe you want to run a reactor or two, maybe you want to turn it into a refugium. It's up to you to figure out what works best for your system!

 

[mcgyvr]

bioballs are old tech and typically not used anymore..
media reactors are used to run biopellets or carbon or GFO,etc..
biopellets are carbon dosing to help feed bacteria to increase its population to help reduce nitrates and phosphates.. IMO liquid carbon dosing is better/easier..
GFO is specifically for tanks with phosphate issues..
carbon is useful in any tank for water clarity/toxin removal,etc...

NONE are needed for a successful tank but can certainly be used when/if needed..
Typically its a smart idea to run a "manifold" off your return pump line so you can run those types of reactors if/when needed but you more than likely don't right off the bat..

And yes you want to incorporate bubble traps and properly spaced/proper height baffles in the sump so bubbles from skimmers,etc.. pop before being pushed back into the display tank and also to set the water level heights in each chamber properly..

Sounds like you should spend some time learning more before you pull the trigger on anything...
I'd suggest the bulkreefsupply 52 weeks of reefing videos.. as a start..

 

[RobZilla04]

Look into a filter media tray in place of socks. I'd hang myself if I had to change socks every two days.

 

[mcgyvr]

Look into a filter media tray in place of socks. I'd hang myself if I had to change socks every two days.

Or don't run any mechanical filtration at all..
Its just beneficial food that you are preventing from being distributed through the tank for the benefit of filter feeders/corals/fish,etc..

 

[Octoo]

Thank your for the replies.

The socks need to be changed every two days? Yes they certainly need to be changed at some point but had no idea that it needs to be that soon.

 

[telathas]

Thank your for the replies.

The socks need to be changed every two days? Yes they certainly need to be changed at some point but had no idea that it needs to be that soon.

They don't need to be changed often (replacing old with a new one), but they will definitely need to be taken out and rinsed fairly often as the build up of gunk can cause them to clog up.

 

[RobZilla04]

For comparison I change my filter media monthly at this point. My tank is 1.5 years established. I have a blue/white media, poly filter, and phosphate pad all in the tray stacked together.

 

[telathas]

I personally use filter floss and have to change it out every 3-4 days. Then again I just take it out and replace it, so it's not really a big hassle.

 

[Clowning_Around]

you change the sticks often to not only keep things clean but to prevent them from becoming a nitrate factory. Most keep Manny and just rotate them out and then just batch clean them by hand, sprayer or washing machine. As for media reactors its like the others said these can be added as become they necessary keep I mind they divvy need to be in your sump, infact i think most would agree its better if they are not in your sump, they just take up valuable sump space...

You might want to check out the footunfs newbie thread with a lot of great general info

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[Clowning_Around]

Here ya go this thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074

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[Octoo]

Thank you all.