Super Simple Sump Setup?

[drjosay]

Hi Everyone!
Looking for some thoughts here:

I am planning for a 180g tank. Already have the RR tank from my past glory. Drilled 2x on bottom (drain and return on both left and right side of tank).

I want to go with the most simplistic, BUT SUCCESSFUL, setup I can. Here are my thoughts:

Sump1: Ecosystem Pro Series 2410 Filter System w/included skimmer. Miracle mud, MarinePure spheres, AC return pump.

Sump2: DIY 55g glass aquarium. Chamber 1 > drain plumbed directly to inlet of Clear Water Algae Scrubber (CW-300 model). Chamber 2 > "room to expand". MarinePure ceramic block in the bubble trap. Chamber 3 > AC return pump.

Good news is I already have all the equipment. No costs until I start stocking. Display tank will be small sand bed, some live rock (for decoration), and few fish. Maybe an anemone if I magically get more than 24 hours in a day.

 

[outy]

Pass on the above suggestions.

Keep the 55G glass sump, build your own ATS off your drain line from tank to sump.

PASS on spheres or ceramic block both are not needed.

best move I ever made was a 100G Rubbermaid stock tank set up as a basement sump. I built my own ATS and run an external skimmer. I have 100G water changes down to 10 minutes start to finish for my 215 display in living room.

 

[rfgonzo]

Pass on the above suggestions.

Keep the 55G glass sump, build your own ATS off your drain line from tank to sump.

PASS on spheres or ceramic block both are not needed.

^^^^ This

 

[drjosay]

I don't have the option to run a sump into my basement. Would probably be a great idea if I had the option.

Curious why you said pass on the MarinePure ceramic spheres and ceramic block. Past experience? Overkill?

 

[outy]

Curious why you said pass on the MarinePure ceramic spheres and ceramic block. Past experience? Overkill?

What do you think they do?

You have plenty of area for bacteria in your tank with sand and rock, and if used wrong they become nitrate factories.

On their own they will not reduce nitrates

 

[jacksonpt]

Definitely keep it simple.

DIY sump (or commercial 3-chamber sump if you rather buy than make).

chamber 1 - drain/skimmer
chamber 2 & 3 - flexible depending on needs.

I'd skip the ATS at this point - it's fixing a problem you don't even know if you'll have yet.

 

[HBtank]

Marinepure is fine as a substitute for systems that have less live rock in the display, specifically as a substrate for nitrifying bacteria, but also bacteria in general (i.e. if you dose carbon without a reactor).

My input would be:

1. Do not expect it to be a significant source of nitrate reduction (aka de-nitrfying) without carbon dosing and skimming. So make sure you have the right expectations for it.

2. Some tests have shown it may increase aluminum in tanks; although this may not a problem anymore and/or not a problem in most tanks either way.

It might only be overkill depending on how much LR you have, but not a problem.

 

[drjosay]

Thanks HBtank.
Appreciate the input.

Based on my proposed sumps setup, I thought I'd be more than covered from the filtration perspective. Ceramic blocks, ceramic spheres, Miracle Mud, protein skimmer, and algae scrubber.

Too much? Too little? Recipe for disaster?

 

[outy]

Ceramic blocks, ceramic spheres, Miracle Mud,

Not needed.

They are targeting inexperienced users to sell this to.

 

[HBtank]

Thanks HBtank.
Appreciate the input.

Based on my proposed sumps setup, I thought I'd be more than covered from the filtration perspective. Ceramic blocks, ceramic spheres, Miracle Mud, protein skimmer, and algae scrubber.

Too much? Too little? Recipe for disaster?

Looks fine to me, depending on your liverock it might be "too much", but we are talking marine pure, not a big deal. Miracle mud is only for certain types of refugiums, I personally just use oolite. Some people really like the mud for some worms etc..

 

[DesertReefT4r]

4. 55g DIY sump. Section 1 drain skimmer and reactors, section 2 chaeto fuge, section 3 return.
5. 55g DIY sump. Section 1 drain and LR, section 3 skimmer and rectors made large for expansion, section 4 return.