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Post by herefishyfishy on Jan 21, 2016 16:01:48 GMT -5
OK... What do I ABSOLUTELY need to know if my husband is going to potentially make a sump this weekend? (presumably out of a 29 gallon tank unless someone has a better/cheaper idea)
We have a 90 gallon tank. Just bought an in sump protein skimmer; We have about 90 pounds of live rock; a base of 2-3 inches of crushed coral, 2 heaters; 2 power heads; an overhead light that I have been told is ok for corals/anemones (although I highly doubt doing corals); i do not have an RO system, so I have had to use the safestart stuff to dechlorinate my city water (I tested the water for nitrates, it they came in pretty low);
Right now, nitrates and ammonia are high, but will likely do another 50% water change this weekend.
No fish - just a choc chip star fish, some snails and a capnella coral, some little sponges and a few apasia (which I am hoping to get a shrimp to take care of this weekend).
Probably going to focus mostly on fish and inverts; anemone. Might do some coral, but not going to be "my baby" like you adventurous guys.
ENLIGHTEN ME OH WISE ONES!!!
: )
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Post by reefkprz on Jan 21, 2016 17:38:37 GMT -5
the only absolutes I can think of is make sure that your return pump falls within the proper range for your overflow, if you are using a box style it has to be fast enough to prevent bubbles building up in the tube and slow enough not to pump faster than it can dump. you can also look at aqua lifter pumps for the box style overflows so trapped air gets evacuated. or have your tank drilled. the box styles are more prone to disaster than driled tanks. but al the ins and outs of sumpage is pretty simple keep the drop pipe as far from the return line as possible and the rest is dependant on what you want.
make sure you set your "full" water level to a level that will allow all the overflow and return from the feed to all fit within the sump when you turn off the pump. no messes during power outage or broke pump.
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Post by jasonbowdoin on Jan 21, 2016 17:42:30 GMT -5
40 gallon breader from petco for 40$ 2 acrlyic baffles built mine in 30 minutes and let it sit for 2 days to dry
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Post by foggman on Jan 21, 2016 17:44:32 GMT -5
A basic sump you can do just 2 sections, one to hold your skimmer and heaters and one for the return pump, with a 29 gallon that is probably all you will have for room, and you have to have 2 sections so that the water level won't change in your skimmer section. For aptisia I found the best way that works for me to get rid on it is I take boiling water and use a baby medicine seringe and squirt the boiling water right on the aptasia I usually hit it twice and it never comes back. I would suggest an ro unit be your next purchase \upgrade because there is other things that are in the water that you can't test for that are bad for your tank. I'm not sure where you live but easy aquariums in Gorham sells to water for .75 a gallon
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Post by jasonandsarah on Jan 21, 2016 18:16:13 GMT -5
Some people think it's unimportant but I think a bubble trap is 100% necessary. Also make sure everything fits
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Post by reefkprz on Jan 21, 2016 23:20:40 GMT -5
Some people think it's unimportant but I think a bubble trap is 100% necessary. Also make sure everything fits yeah make sure everything fits. bubble trap? whats that? just joshing. I dont use one but depending on your set up you may desire one.
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Post by Syntax on Jan 25, 2016 20:21:17 GMT -5
High ammonia is a red flag here, It sounds like your tank hasn't cycled yet. Water changes will bring down the levels; however, it would be best to wait to add anything until your ammonia and nitrite are undetectable.
The size of the sump you can use is determined by your space. Is your sump under your stand? How much room do you have?
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