Trading UP!!

Hi Scott - that sump design is great. I would agree - the inside "dsb" compartment glass should just be lowered somewhat - at least +-5cm lower than the rest of the glass. The sump height (according to what you wrote) seems to be sufficient. I would definitely look at getting a much stronger return pump. You should be looking at +-1500 to 2000 litres per hour (that's +-300 to 400 gallons per hour - if I have it right). For a return pump....

For the rest - yes - with the lighting as you described it - you should have then have more than enough lighting.....
 
Annoying said:
It would be great if the sump is 60 inches then it would be sufficient. Good luck with all the shopping and everything this can become a mager headache;),but it gives you permission to use some money:razz:
Click to expand...

Ha, like i need permission to use some money. Still looking around and pricing options. I'll let you know when I finally decide... so much to consider!
 
jacquesb said:
Hi Scott - that sump design is great. I would agree - the inside "dsb" compartment glass should just be lowered somewhat - at least +-5cm lower than the rest of the glass. The sump height (according to what you wrote) seems to be sufficient. I would definitely look at getting a much stronger return pump. You should be looking at +-1500 to 2000 litres per hour (that's +-300 to 400 gallons per hour - if I have it right). For a return pump....

For the rest - yes - with the lighting as you described it - you should have then have more than enough lighting.....
Click to expand...

Thanks Jacquesb. I found a pump that I think would work. Marineland maxijet submersible 1157 g/h (4500 l/hr) is the rating. It's not very large (footprint wise) so I won't really need a full 6 inches in the return pump section. I'm also looking at some 'pre-fab' sumps. Of course they have the bio balls and all that nonsense (which I'll just remove). Thing is, the largest I found was 36 inches. So now my question is, if I can't get the larger sump tank for a DSB, would I just go much bigger on the protein skimmer and get the same result?

Oh, by the way, I currently have crushed coral in my 55 gallon tank. Was thinking I should switch to aragonite now, before the new tank switch switchover so I can 'seed' the substrate using the current tank. Then, move the substrate over to the new tank with some of the current live rock (pieces where corals are not attached) and use that to start the new tank cycle. Does that make sense and is that a good approach?
 
Scott - you can use ANY substrate, as long as the "particle size" is between 0.05mm and 1mm in size..... Aragonite is popular. But, personally, I find that it is over priced.

"Play sand" (what is used to be put in kids' play-pens) is very popular. Much cheaper, and does exactly the same job, as aragonite....... Aragonite does NOT "buffer" the water, as is believed. So - aragonite is purely for aesthetic value.....

W.r.t the return pump: I would say SLIGHTLY strong - but, if you take the "head loss" of the piping into account, the pump you are referring to, should give you around 3000 litres per hour - which is good........
 
jacquesb said:
Scott - you can use ANY substrate, as long as the "particle size" is between 0.05mm and 1mm in size..... Aragonite is popular. But, personally, I find that it is over priced.

"Play sand" (what is used to be put in kids' play-pens) is very popular. Much cheaper, and does exactly the same job, as aragonite....... Aragonite does NOT "buffer" the water, as is believed. So - aragonite is purely for aesthetic value.....

W.r.t the return pump: I would say SLIGHTLY strong - but, if you take the "head loss" of the piping into account, the pump you are referring to, should give you around 3000 litres per hour - which is good........
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. I went for greater than 3000 l/hr on the recommendation from another post. As long as it's not too strong I should be okay, right? I haven't purchased yet. Still shopping and getting advice from you guys first so let me know if I should back off the return pump power.

Also, is it okay that I remove the current substrate from the 55 gal and replace with the aragonite? (Already purchased it yesterday.) Will that create a mini-cycle if I do it all at once or should I do it incrementally, like half now and half in a couple of weeks?
 
It would be better to do half now and the other half later, or better yet a 1/4. Don't do to much on one time. The reason I said go for 3000-6000 is that it's propably going to push a few feet up redusing the flow and there is propably going to be allot of bends, so a 4500 pump would give you only 2000-3000 litres (like juques said)
 
Annoying said:
It would be better to do half now and the other half later, or better yet a 1/4. Don't do to much on one time. The reason I said go for 3000-6000 is that it's propably going to push a few feet up redusing the flow and there is propably going to be allot of bends, so a 4500 pump would give you only 2000-3000 litres (like juques said)
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks bud. Appreciate the info and the advice on the pump.

Still working on the sump tank to see what size I can do so maybe I can do the DSB. If not, did you say that I could just do a bigger protein skimmer?

As far as the substrate, do you think it's better to wait for the new tank or convert now (doing small sections at a time) and then transfer this 'live substrate' to the new tank when it's set up, OR do you think I should just wait and set the new substrate in the new tank and cycle with LR? The reason I ask is because the transfer in the old tank will be a little 'messy' and if I'm not getting much benefit from it I might as well wait... no sense in getting the 'government' nervous before I even get the new tank.
 
A bigger skimmer is always better, In my opinion a tank doesn't need a DSB that much, I run mine without one (don't know if thats a good thing or a bad:p). If you get a bigger skimmer it will always be better. If you run an entire chamber with chaeto,you wont need a DSB in my opinion. Then you can leave the sump thes size you want now but you will have to make a few changes to it. I would say cycle the other tank with live rock and new substrate, because the creatures in the old substrate would die and causs extra cycling problems. Leave the other tank for now until your new tank is finished.
 
LifeAquatic :wave2: I know space is an issue but if you can look at adding a "auto top up" chamber for RO water, makes my life a lot easier (Jacques correct me if I'm wrong but it keeps your SG more stable, not that it would matter in a system this size).
LifeAquatic your in good hands with Jacques :thumbup:
 
Annoying said:
A bigger skimmer is always better, In my opinion a tank doesn't need a DSB that much, I run mine without one (don't know if thats a good thing or a bad:p). If you get a bigger skimmer it will always be better. If you run an entire chamber with chaeto,you wont need a DSB in my opinion. Then you can leave the sump thes size you want now but you will have to make a few changes to it. I would say cycle the other tank with live rock and new substrate, because the creatures in the old substrate would die and causs extra cycling problems. Leave the other tank for now until your new tank is finished.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I'll wait and put the new substrate straight into the new tank and cycle. Didn't think about the die off. I'm still going to see if I can do a DSB but at least I know there's another option. Thanks again.
 
deepblue said:
LifeAquatic :wave2: I know space is an issue but if you can look at adding a "auto top up" chamber for RO water, makes my life a lot easier (Jacques correct me if I'm wrong but it keeps your SG more stable, not that it would matter in a system this size).
LifeAquatic your in good hands with Jacques :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was thinking that would be sweet! I don't have direct access to a water source because of where the tank is, but I looked it up (after reading your suggestion) and it said you don't need a water source just a reservoir. Again, all depends on how much I can fit underneath and how accessible it all will be. I'd really like to be able to go on vacation and not have to have someone come and "water the tank"

Probably won't have to worry about it by the time my motorcycle trip comes up in May, since the new tank won't have livestock in it (assuming I have it set up by then). Oh, and just in case anyone is interested... here's my bike!

20324bb12bcfe2b13.jpg
 
Hi mate! You sure LOVE your Harley's, hey! ;)

Yes - RO water and a RO water container is the way to go..... Auto topup - is one way of doing it. I personally loose so much fresh water due to evaporation, that my RO machine and the DI water outlet to my sump, is constantly open - without auto-topup....

This will indeed ensure that your salinity/SG will stay more or less constant (I have a different opinion about "salt water parameters" consistency....

I SCUBA dive and have taken water samples over reefs over a period of time....

Believe me - the sea does ONE thing very well - constantly changing! ;)

That said - I also concur with what Annoying have said - the bigger skimmer, the more you are ensured of 100% survival rate when you DO go away.... ;)
 
Sounds like a plan. I'll keep doing my research and figure out what the best approach is given my constraints. There's one thing I do know... going for a big a@# skimmer! That way if the DSB doesn't work out I'll feel a bit better about it. :)

Oh, and yes... I luvs my Harley!
 
Okay, so I've committed and ordered the tank, cabinet, and hood. Should be here mid May. Now I guess I'll start acquiring the components. I think I'm going with a 55 or 75 gallon tank as the sump and partition it off for the protein skimmer, DSB and return. The biggest issue will be moving the old tank out of it's current spot so the new tank can be placed. I think I'll get the sump tank and use that for the transfer ... not looking forward to that part but it's got to be done.
 
Wow thats great:thumbup:! Good luck with the move gonna be a back braker:lol:
 
Oh, I know it is... but it'll all be worth it in the end. I'll make sure to that pictures as I go and 'share' the experience with everyone.
 
LifeAquatic said:
Oh, I know it is... but it'll all be worth it in the end. I'll make sure to that pictures as I go and 'share' the experience with everyone.
Click to expand...

Fantastic idea, Scott! Please do so.
 
Okay, so here we go... first purchases made today. Here's the skimmer. Rated for 200 gallons.
20324bc8dfc7c6cb7.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom