newbie needs sump ideas

droinablunt · 11-23-2006, 01:00 PM

me and my girlfreind are new to the saltwater stuff we set up a 150 gal tall for a reef and we have a 55gal glass tank for the sump. i heard that we should get rid of the bio balls?? i know i should put some baffels in there as well, but i dont know how many and where to put them(bubble trap?) we have a euro reef rs80 two 200watt heaters and a mag drive 12 (1200gph)with a scwd and a wet dry bio tower. the tank is 48 wide 31 tall and 24 deep it has two overflows one in each corner with 1 inch bulkheads and two maxi jet 1200's i also put a extra maxi jet 1200 in the sump because the water looked like it had no movement in it.

motorslave · 11-23-2006, 01:25 PM

Hi and welcome to TRT! Since this is going to be a reef I would second the suggestion to get rid of the bio-balls. They trap detritus which continues to rot in the water column releasing all the nasties that cause problems. All you need for filtration is Live Rock (LR) and a strong skimmer.
The baffles in the sump serve a feww purposes, the main purpose being to discipate bubbles before the return pump can shoot them to the main tank. A series of over and under baffles will help do this. Its important to keep the baffles far enough apart so the water doesnt have a high velocity as it passes. This will prevent the bubbles from being taken along for the roller coaster ride and getting returned to the tank. Keeping the design simple is the best thing to do also. Here is a pic of a 20Long I used as a sump on a 55 and an acrylic sump I made for my 150. Do a search here for "sumps" and you will find enough reading material and pictures to keep you busy all day! Welcome to TRT!

Robert

droinablunt · 11-23-2006, 01:41 PM

looks good! would you say ya or nay to a refuge it's a 55 gal long so i got the room should I? or should i save the room for other stuff?

motorslave · 11-23-2006, 02:01 PM

Never have run a fuge. Many swear by them others swear at them. They are something else to clean. I would say keep it as simple as you can for your first set up. A fuge isnt needed. Read up on it though so you have all the facts to make a final decision!

Robert