Settling Tank

[Pbrown3701]

Same problem with this idea. In a centerfuge (basically what this idea is), density is the driving force. The "swirrler" would work for any particles significantly more dense than the water. However, for particles that were close to that of water in density, it wouldn't do much unless you had a really fast swirl (faster than you would achieve with this approach).

Again - this is just my feeling. Feel free to give it a try, but i think it would be less effective than anticipated.

Definitely would not be as effective as filter socks (method i use).

 

[second_decimal]

i would take the 20l and put a baffle with teeth in there so the water could only move across the surface. the water toward the bottom of the columm would be much slower moving and thus would allow detrius to settle. think of a dam where dirty water flows into a holding area and the top flows away leaving silt and sediment behind

 

[Esquare]

Well, I think that I will put the settling tank on hold for now pending further research into the detritus itself. I was speaking with the owner of my lfs (I am fortunate enough to have a great lfs) and he had some interesting input regarding the benefits of the detritus to the tank and it’s inhabitants, such as corals.

 

[Esquare]

I was afraid of that Pbrown (the effect of the cyclone).

 

[ReefEnabler]

funny you guys should mention this.

I've have my system plumbed for a few weeks without much in it besides some base rock and a few live rocks in the sump.

my refugium has a spray bar across the top and a drain near the top, and not much flow. I've had a ton of detritus settle in the fuge as a result (since my mj powerhead has not been on). Almost no detritus in my sump or tank.

 

[ReefEnabler]

dp

 

[Esquare]

Based on the limited info I have on the benefits of detritus, the fuge is probably a place you would want at least some. That being said, I need to research the benefits some more.

 

[Esquare]

Update on the 20 long as a settling tank.

I’m in the process of giving the system a good cleaning. The 20 long has caught a lot of junk and seems to be accomplishing something. It appears to have only caught the larger particles while the smaller have remained mostly suspended in the water column with the rest settling out in the LR in the sump and DT. Based on what my LFS advised, that the debris is actually a good source of food for the tank inhabitants, I think this may actually be a good setup for my system.

Periodically I have been hitting the LR with a Turkey baster to reintroduce any debris that has settled there into the water column. During my water changes I have been siphoning off the junk in the settling tank first and then stiring up everything really good with a powerhead in the sump and the turkey baster in the DT so that some of it gets removed with the WC. It may also be worthwhile to note that my sand bed in the DT is just deep enough for aesthetics while my fuge has about 5 inches for a RDSB. The fuge doesn’t get touched at all so I am not worried about disturbing the RDSB. This may work out for me as prior to the settling tank, I had to periodically clean the top layer of sand in the RDSB as the junk would settle there, Thus possibly disturbing my RDSB.

It should be interesting to see how this system plays out over time. I may reconfigure the design for a more permanent setup as the whole system was just adjusted temporarily to accommodate my little experiment and looks terrible.

Thanks for everybodies input and I'll try to keep you posted as to my progress or lack there of.