your sump opinions...please

scotty · 05-15-2002, 03:07 PM

Hey all,

Thanks in advance for bearing with this question... I have recently finished setting up my second reef tank. This one is a 55 gallon long with a 15 gallon sump. The sump is a wet-dry trickle system with a Rio 2100 blowing the water into a Large Berlin skimmer (which is hooked up to an ozonizer as well). When the water blows out of the skimmer, currently it deposits in the sump again and then is returned back to the main tank with another Rio 2100 situated next to the first...

Now here's my question. I only have room for one of two things and am trying to find out what would be a better use of the space: A) Set up a Fluval 404 for my chemical media and also benefit from the added flow of the Fluval's return to the main tank; or B) Use the space for a second smaller sump and separate the water being returned by the skimmer from the water just entering the sump after the bio-balls. (Presently, the two water flows are mixing, which causes the skimmer to be processing some clean water twice, and the second Rio to be returning water that is unfinished back to the tank prematurely. I don't know if this is what many people do...) Also, I thought with a second smaller sump I might set it up half return basin/half refugium... Opinons, please.

Again, thank you for bearing with the lenghtiness...

jegel · 05-15-2002, 03:43 PM

If it was me I would use the space fo the refugium option. This would be a great place for macro algaes to increase your nutrient export and also to allow tiny buggers an area to multiply without predation and then be wisked away to your main tank.
I also have a question/thought for you.... why have the ozonizer and protien skimmer in the same system?? I was under the impression they give the same result... nutrient export??? I suppose the more the marrier.
I don't have any experience with the ozonizer so any enlightenment is welcome.
How much did your ozonizer cost???

Erik

scotty · 05-15-2002, 03:53 PM

I got the ozonizer as part of a deal (someone off the recycler selling a tank that was never used). Anyway, the ozonizer came with it and is designed to feed the skimmer ozonized air. Whereas the skimmer's main function is to removed disolved organic material, the main function of the ozonizer is to sterilize the water of unwanted parasites through the introduction of treated air.

As I began to research this, I was met with many people who said that ozonizers were outmoded and unnecessary; but since the thing came with it I decided to add it on anyway. Lo and behold since then I have spoken to at least five people who use ozonizers and swear by them. So, I don't know, maybe I'll have a more informed opinion in a few months if nothing else...

Thanks for the response.

scotty · 05-17-2002, 08:15 AM

Any help??

Doug1 · 05-17-2002, 10:05 AM

Personally I would opt for the second sump as a place fpr proccessed water to go and be returned to the tank without remixing with incoming water. What is the flow rating on the Rio pump. Also be aware that Rios have had a few catastrophic meltdowns in the past

The ozonizer will help strip organics from the water but its an aggressive oxidizing agent and may attack the tubing used and possibly the plastic used in the skimmer itself. I would look up the website of the skimmer manufacturer and ask them if its ozone safe. You might try running without it for a week or so and see if it affects you water parameters to a noticable degree

scotty · 05-17-2002, 10:21 AM

Thanks, Doug.

I have bought ozone proof tubing to lead from the ozonizer to the skimmer but I had not thought about the skimmer itself. I will make the call, thanks for the idea.

As far as the sump itself, would a ten gallon tank with a porous divider work?

And would you harvest more than just macroalgaes?

Thanks again!

Doug1 · 05-17-2002, 10:36 AM

I dont think the skimmer will process as much water as the drain empties into the tank, even with identical pumps, the skimmer creates a lot of restriction, so you may have to allow raw water into the return sump as well

scotty · 05-17-2002, 12:24 PM

You are right about the restriction. Again, something I had not thought of; now that I realize it that explains the lower level in my overflow box- the sucking of the pumps. Hm, very interesting.

It seems a pain to divert extra water into the refugium/sump. Is there a simple method such as a thin natural siphon?

Thanks.

scotty · 05-24-2002, 02:19 AM

Doug (or anyone else who has an answer),

Do you think it would be okay to use a Fluval cannister to pull the water from the sump and send it back to the main tank? I would be putting biochemzorb bags in there. (I have sworn by this stuff and never had reason to doubt it since.) I would then be adding an HOB refugium since I am going to be using my only space in the cabinet for the Fluval. Does this all sound wise?

Thanks!

tdwyatt · 05-24-2002, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by scotty
I have bought ozone proof tubing to lead from the ozonizer to the skimmer but I had not thought about the skimmer itself. I will make the call, thanks for the idea.

Red Sea Berlin skimmers are designed for the use of ozone. They come with a special basket that fits on the top of the skimmer that should be filled with new activated carbon every month to 6 weeks to catch all the excess ozone. Personally, I like the idea of using the fluval as a return for a separate sump for the skimmer, but to put carbon in the media chamber and change it when you change the basket on top of the skimmer. This arrangement will allow for removal of any dissolved levels of ozone that may be in the effluent from the skimmer. Might want to arrange the skimmer return sump so that any overflow will run into the primary sump.

HTH