Newbie afloat

Rockpool · 02/01/2020, 04:45 PM

Hello guys and gals.

I’m totally new to this having just bought a 4ft marine tank and I need a little guidance on sump setup and filter medium.

I did keep marine about 20yrs ago but don’t really recall how i set everything up.

This is what I have..

If memory serves I put some balls in the chamber that’s in the tank, some ceramic things in the sump with some live rock and wool also in the sump..

?

101010 · 02/01/2020, 05:58 PM

Add rocks in the tank and filter socks and skimmer in the sump

Sent from my ASUS_X00TD using Tapatalk

Rockpool · 02/01/2020, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 101010

Add rocks in the tank and filter socks and skimmer in the sump

Sent from my ASUS_X00TD using Tapatalk

Thanks,

So skimmer in the first chamber of sump flowing into second chamber which has filter socks ? Then third chamber nothing ? Or a piece of live rock before return to main tank ?

Filter socks in the black thing in the tank also ?

101010 · 02/07/2020, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockpool

Thanks,

So skimmer in the first chamber of sump flowing into second chamber which has filter socks ? Then third chamber nothing ? Or a piece of live rock before return to main tank ?

Filter socks in the black thing in the tank also ?

First part sounds ok. For the overflow in the tank I don't think think anyone uses or have provision for filter socks.

Sent from my ASUS_X00TD using Tapatalk

Rockpool · 02/16/2020, 04:44 PM

Is this right ?

Rockpool · 02/16/2020, 04:45 PM

Oh and do I put bio balls and ceramic rings in the chamber that the overflow drains to (one on right) or the one far left

reef4life07 · 02/16/2020, 04:57 PM

You ever thought of having a refuge in the sump?

reef4life07 · 02/16/2020, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockpool

Oh and do I put bio balls and ceramic rings in the chamber that the overflow drains to (one on right) or the one far left

Rockpool · 02/16/2020, 04:58 PM

Yes was going to look at doing that. Would i do that in the return chamber or move the skimmer to chamber far left then have refugee then return ?

Rockpool · 02/16/2020, 04:59 PM

Haha did you mean to reply to the quote ?

reef4life07 · 02/16/2020, 05:04 PM

Most people including myself put the skimmer in the the chamber where the drain is at, refuge in the middle, return at the far end. I've never used bio balls or ceramic rings, but pretty sure it will have to be place in the drain chamber, and your skimmer will have to be where is at. I highly suggest a ATO system, if you don't already have one.

reef4life07 · 02/16/2020, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockpool

Haha did you mean to reply to the quote ?

Rockpool · 02/16/2020, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reef4life07

Most people including myself put the skimmer in the the chamber where the drain is at, refuge in the middle, return at the far end. I've never used bio balls or ceramic rings, but pretty sure it will have to be place in the drain chamber, and your skimmer will have to be where is at. I highly suggest a ATO system, if you don't already have one.

I have room where the drain returns to (far right) refugee in the one where skimmer currently is, return where it is and bio filter far left before refugee

Rockpool · 02/16/2020, 05:09 PM

What is ATO pls ?

reef4life07 · 02/16/2020, 05:16 PM

Its a auto top off system, I use the jbj ato. When water evaporates, the ato will pump freash water into your system.

reef4life07 · 02/16/2020, 05:24 PM

I have a suggestion. Can you buy a long enough flex tubing for the drain to reach the chamber to the far left, and then move the return pump to the right.

Rockpool · 02/16/2020, 05:31 PM

The chamber far left is filled from the drain chamber to the left (there is a Chanel connecting the left and right running at the back of them. The one to the left then fills the one with the skimmer in from the bottom and the one with the skimmer then into the return by going over and under if that all makes sense ?

192clark · 02/17/2020, 02:50 PM

no bio balls or rings use live rock

Rockpool · 02/17/2020, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 192clark

no bio balls or rings use live rock

Ok thank you.

I now have it as such

So main display drains into chamber on far right, this fills the chamber to the far left by running water behind the other chambers.

I have the skimmer in left chamber, essentially the main drain chamber, next one along now has live rock and will have cheato in before filling the return chamber, so no biological filter (by way of bioballs etc, not meaning a refugee) in anything?

I have also have another problem in that I have the loud gurgling noise coming from the drain chamber to the sump and then in the sump I can’t seem to reduce the level in the first chamber to the line level without the return pump running out of water but yet maintains the flow and levels with the amount of water I have above the line level ?

Thank you

192clark · 02/17/2020, 04:07 PM

look up a durso stand pipe its a modification you can make using PVC and a small valve

Rockpool · 02/17/2020, 04:59 PM

I’m not sure if the person I bought the tank of was trying to do that as this is what the inside of the overflow looks like ?

Rockpool · 02/17/2020, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 192clark

look up a durso stand pipe its a modification you can make using PVC and a small valve

If that is what I have there then all I need is the t connector, curved bent bit and hit with hole in top?

Rockpool · 02/17/2020, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 192clark

look up a durso stand pipe its a modification you can make using PVC and a small valve

Will this also address the issue I have with the water levels in the sump?

192clark · 02/17/2020, 05:35 PM

follow the direction in the link that I sent you. I used 1/4 NPT valve so that I can adjust the flow. Once you have this accomplished your only concern about water level in sump will be what evaporates on a daily basis. After this has been running a while the hole of the valve may become clogged due to salt creep. It will go back to the flushing sound when plugged. I just flush it out with RODI.

02/01/2020, 04:45 PM	#1
Rockpool Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 13	Newbie afloat Hello guys and gals. I’m totally new to this having just bought a 4ft marine tank and I need a little guidance on sump setup and filter medium. I did keep marine about 20yrs ago but don’t really recall how i set everything up. This is what I have.. If memory serves I put some balls in the chamber that’s in the tank, some ceramic things in the sump with some live rock and wool also in the sump.. ?

02/16/2020, 04:57 PM	#7
reef4life07 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 480	refuge You ever thought of having a refuge in the sump?

02/01/2020, 05:58 PM	#2
101010 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 86	Add rocks in the tank and filter socks and skimmer in the sump Sent from my ASUS_X00TD using Tapatalk

02/16/2020, 04:44 PM	#5
Rockpool Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 13	Is this right ?

02/16/2020, 04:45 PM	#6
Rockpool Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 13	Oh and do I put bio balls and ceramic rings in the chamber that the overflow drains to (one on right) or the one far left

02/16/2020, 04:58 PM	#9
Rockpool Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 13	Yes was going to look at doing that. Would i do that in the return chamber or move the skimmer to chamber far left then have refugee then return ?

02/16/2020, 04:59 PM	#10
Rockpool Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 13	Haha did you mean to reply to the quote ?

02/16/2020, 05:04 PM	#11
reef4life07 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 480	Most people including myself put the skimmer in the the chamber where the drain is at, refuge in the middle, return at the far end. I've never used bio balls or ceramic rings, but pretty sure it will have to be place in the drain chamber, and your skimmer will have to be where is at. I highly suggest a ATO system, if you don't already have one.

02/16/2020, 05:09 PM	#14
Rockpool Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 13	What is ATO pls ?

02/16/2020, 05:16 PM	#15
reef4life07 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 480	Its a auto top off system, I use the jbj ato. When water evaporates, the ato will pump freash water into your system.

02/16/2020, 05:24 PM	#16
reef4life07 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 480	I have a suggestion. Can you buy a long enough flex tubing for the drain to reach the chamber to the far left, and then move the return pump to the right.

02/16/2020, 05:31 PM	#17
Rockpool Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 13	The chamber far left is filled from the drain chamber to the left (there is a Chanel connecting the left and right running at the back of them. The one to the left then fills the one with the skimmer in from the bottom and the one with the skimmer then into the return by going over and under if that all makes sense ?

02/17/2020, 02:50 PM	#18
192clark Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 635	no bio balls or rings use live rock

02/17/2020, 04:07 PM	#20
192clark Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 635	look up a durso stand pipe its a modification you can make using PVC and a small valve

02/17/2020, 04:59 PM	#21
Rockpool Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 13	I’m not sure if the person I bought the tank of was trying to do that as this is what the inside of the overflow looks like ?

02/17/2020, 05:35 PM	#24
192clark Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 635	follow the direction in the link that I sent you. I used 1/4 NPT valve so that I can adjust the flow. Once you have this accomplished your only concern about water level in sump will be what evaporates on a daily basis. After this has been running a while the hole of the valve may become clogged due to salt creep. It will go back to the flushing sound when plugged. I just flush it out with RODI.