want to add cheato to my sump, how to mix it with a skimmer

[saltyESQ]

as part of an agreement, If I removed my refuge from under my 90g reef, I would recieve as a birthday present a 24g aqua pod 70w hqi, so I can make that my reef and my 90g be a fowlr.

But I still want to keep my cheato for my 90g.

I have a 3 compartment sump, first section where the water drops in.

then there is a center compartment, where I have my skimmer in the sump
and a third compartment where I have my return pump

I was thinking that I will probably have to hang the skimmer on the side of the sump (if it is possible)
then I was wondering how to keep the cheato from getting sucked into the skimmer pump?

 

[JenDub]

put it in the first compartment, chaeto looooooooves flow and will grow like nuts!

 

[sps_addict]

Mine setup is pretty similar.

I used 2 layers of eggcrate (alternating grids, in the drain from the tank) before the skimmer chamber and just prune regularly.

 

[saltyESQ]

if I put it in the first chanber, how do I get light to the cheato......

hmmm, what about an underwater light?

 

[Kenfuzed]

I keep my Chaeto from reaching the return pump by taking a piece of egg crate and attached a sheet of plastic window screen. You can either tie the screen onto the egg crate with fishing line or zip ties, or use something like hotglue. The screen is open enough to let pods and other stuff through but small enough to hold in the Chaeto. Also acts as a good microbubble deflector. You don't want to let chaeto get into your pumps, it will wind around impellers or seize a pump faster than it can become shredded. I also had the idea to wrap the plastic screen material around my return pump as well to protect it, which is one of those ideas I haven't gotten to yet.

As far as the underwater light, I don't think that will work. Chaeto floats by nature and absorbs light from the surface where gasses are also exchanged. A simple clip-on shop light from Home Depot and one of those low watt twist bulbs (daylight version, not warm white) will make the stuff grow like crazy.

Also, I keep my Chaeto after my skimmer so that I'm not skimming any of the microfauna. My blenny and mandarin have stayed very fat using this method.

 

[sps_addict]

Also, I keep my Chaeto after my skimmer so that I'm not skimming any of the microfauna. My blenny and mandarin have stayed very fat using this method.

Good call Ken.

 

[WarDaddy]

Can you do a hob refuge on the sump?

I have a 24" and an 18" if you are interested.

 

[818]

Re: want to add cheato to my sump, how to mix it with a skimmer

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7024551#post7024551 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bergamer
as part of an agreement, If I removed my refuge from under my 90g reef, I would recieve as a birthday present a 24g aqua pod 70w hqi, so I can make that my reef and my 90g be a fowlr.

But I still want to keep my cheato for my 90g.

I have a 3 compartment sump, first section where the water drops in.

then there is a center compartment, where I have my skimmer in the sump
and a third compartment where I have my return pump

I was thinking that I will probably have to hang the skimmer on the side of the sump (if it is possible)
then I was wondering how to keep the cheato from getting sucked into the skimmer pump?

your definatley wasting a compartment.

1st compartment is a waste.

Make it like this.


|___Skimmer__|____Fuge___|_____Return___|

I have no idea the dimensions of your sump but this gives u an idea.

 

[Kenfuzed]

Re: Re: want to add cheato to my sump, how to mix it with a skimmer

Re: Re: want to add cheato to my sump, how to mix it with a skimmer

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7025323#post7025323 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by My F1sh R D34D!
your definatley wasting a compartment.

1st compartment is a waste.

Make it like this.


|___Skimmer__|____Fuge___|_____Return___|

I have no idea the dimensions of your sump but this gives u an idea.

Thats the way I have mine, and it works great.

 

[saltyESQ]

how do I place the skimmer in the first compartment and have the overflow run to the sump?
as the overflow tube is connected to the sump plate. If I put the skimmer in the first compartment, I would need to remove the sump plate and then how would I keep the tubing running to the sump?

also, atm i keep the first compartment almost compltetly filled with water so there is no splashing noise, if I put the skimmer in the first compartment I would need to lower the water level, would it be possible to keep the water spash sound down?

 

[818]

Can you please post a picture.

Sounds to me that you modded a wetdry filter or something?

Sam