Sump Question

[mdodso00]

I'm build a DIY sump/refugium and was thinking about putting bio balls in a filter sock with the water from the tank coming down into the sock. So my question is if I use half of the tank as a refugium would i need the bio balls, my local fish store owner told me that with a refugium the rock would serve as the filter so i would not need the bio balls but i am curious to see what you all think, thanks.

 

[WhoDat?]

No need for bio balls!!!

 

[mdodso00]

thanks

 

[aleonn]

The vast majority of RC users would agree to not use bio-balls, as they are a significant source of nitrates. Good luck with building the sump!

 

[mdodso00]

Thanks, so all I need is just the filter sock and Im good to go?

 

[aleonn]

Yes, looks like you're set. Be sure to post pix

 

[WhoDat?]

A filter sock is fine if you keep it clean!!! But if you are like me at all you will soon find yourself cleaning the sock every other day.... Or the sock will give you nitrate problems as well.... I currently have no sock or any type of "filter material" ... And love it.... I only use a in sump skimmer.... I know several people that use this method.... Bottom line anything can work with the right amount of care and attention....

 

[mdodso00]

Thanks guys. So I cut the glass last night and plan on putting it together tonight. I am cutting glass for a corner piece to make a small little tower to hold the filter sock in place. Then I will have two baffles one from the bottom up and then another and inch higher than that, So my question is, with just two baffles will my water level in the return area be ok with just two baffles instead of three?

 

[WhoDat?]

Ummmm a drawing might help.. or maybe someone else can chime in..... are you planning on a sump or a refugium?

nevermind... I saw your first post... With only 2 baffles how are you planning on keeping the sand/MM or whatever you use in place?
You need at least 2 baffles touching the bottom to keep that in place....

 

[mdodso00]

Here is a rough idea of what I am doing, the piece in the corner will be like 4x4 to keep the filter sock in place.

 

[WhoDat?]

i don't see a drawing???

 

[mdodso00]

For some reason it will not post the pic, idk what to do.

 

[mdodso00]

Ok I think I got it now.

 

[mdodso00]

The 4x4 area will serve as a corner to keep the filter sock in place, I want to get the egg crates and go up like 9" or 10" and like 4" of glass along the outside to keep the sand from going getting under the filter sock.

 

[mdodso00]

Also my tank has been up and running for about 6 months now, adding this am I going to go through another cycle?

 

[WhoDat?]

I don't see a problem with that drawing... Your water level will be as high as the last baffle touching the bottom... ... So be careful not to make it too high... Or you will have a flood in a power outage... Is your tank drilled?
It might cause a mini cycle.. I'd say get it all running then do one thing at a time... It would be big changes that would cause a bigger cycle.... When you add the sand let it sit a few hours or maybe overnight so it all settles ... Then you won't have a cloudy tank for a day...
I added mine after the tank was set up for a few months about a year ago... I didn't see any spikes... But I let it run empty for a few days... Then I shut it down and added MM overnight... Ran it for a week... Then started adding my LR rubble slowly over the next few weeks...Then finally the chaeto...

 

[mdodso00]

No it is not drilled, just putting a overflow box on the back that I have laying around. it is a 10 gal tank from my LFS, measures 20w x 12h x 10d. I made the baffles 10x10(kinda), they fit snug in there now. So my water in the return area will be about 10in high?

So are you saying I should get it siliconed up and dry of course, and run it with nothing in it but water for a few days?

 

[WhoDat?]

Your water in the return area will vary depending on evaporation... But the water level in the tank, up to the last baffle touching the bottom, will be that height.. (10")... With it that high you only have 2" of water that can fill in a power outage.... I'm not sure what you know and what you don't know about sumps??.... Do you understand what I'm saying when I talk about power outage? Basically your siphon will continue to siphon until the water level in the DT tank gets below the threshold of your siphon box.... The sump has to be able to hold all of that excess water.... And vise versa... When the power comes back on if you would lose siphon the DT has to be able to hold the excess from the return section of the sump.... It's confusing a bit... But once you get it set up and running ... Cut the power to the return pump and you will understand exactly what I mean....

I just meant run the system and do your power out checks and make sure it all works correctly before putting in sand and whatever you are using in the fuge....
What size is the DT?

 

[mdodso00]

29Gal. And I understand what your saying with the power outages. It happened to me when I had a crappy sump put together for a freshwater tank. I just wanna make sure that the water level will be ok with that 2nd baffle not touching the bottom going into the return section of the fug with the power running good. haha

 

[WhoDat?]

Good... Then your all set!! Most people have that 3rd baffle to make the water go back up so it gets rid of the bubbles... But if your not worried about that then you should be good... Just play around with the water levels a little... Let me know how it turns out!!!