syn74
New Member
Posts: 72
|
Post by syn74 on Aug 16, 2012 11:43:34 GMT -5
Room- yes, money- no, lol
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2012 16:35:23 GMT -5
Room- yes, money- no, lol Installing a sump doesn't necessarily need to be a costly project. I'm in the process of putting in a new sump so that I can fit a bigger skimmer and generally have more room for growing chaeto, etc.. rather than buying a fancy/pricey acrylic sump, I bought a 20g long tank to serve as my sump.. sometimes Petco has these on sale for 20 bucks... and they seem to pop up on Craigslist for 10-20 bucks all the time. Ryansweat2004 is going to help me install some custom "walls" in it with some thick plexiglass from home depot or lowes...so my skimmer water level is always the same, etc... although it's not going to be the biggest sump in the world, it's going to be night and day compared to my current acrylic sump that doesn't have room for the Octopus skimmer I've got my sights on (SRO 1000) or proper room for lighting up my chaeto... I'm also working within the tiny constraints of the cabinet on my half-circle tank which limits the options. On another note, I noticed some of the tanks at aquacorals in Fairfield use simple tote/storage containers as sumps.. not sure how great they work, I've heard they can start to bend/crack but maybe there's more sturdy ones out there? I don't think I recall seeing a clear one which would rule it out for me... always good to see what's going on in there. Just something to think about. |
|
|
|
Post by Lance on Aug 16, 2012 16:46:40 GMT -5
I'm using 2-50 gal Sterilite totes, nested to give more strength and insulation. Approx. $10 each from WalMart.
BTW - may be too large, but I have a spare 40 breeder I'm looking to get rid of. $40 if interested.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2012 16:48:07 GMT -5
I'm using 2-50 gal Sterilite totes, nested to give more strength and insulation. Approx. $10 each from WalMart. DIY innovation! Wish I was more DIY savvy, i'd save a lot of $ haha |
|
|
|
Post by ryansweatt2004 on Aug 16, 2012 16:58:12 GMT -5
I was taught to save money and use a plastic tote for my sump. The only positive about them it price. These is quite a few more negatives abut them though. Depending on the type of plastic, they become very brittle as they age and some can even leach chemicals into the water. Many totes are not see through which makes maintenance difficult at best. Most totes are too tall to be easily used as under tank sumps. They don't leave much room to see inside, let alone add or remove equipment. After having 3 different totes start to crack on me, I decided to make the switch to a glass sump with acrylic baffles. I'll never look back. started with a 36 inch 30 gallon under my old 75 and upgraded to a 3 chamber 40 breeder when I put my 120 gallon together. I'll never look back at totes for anything other than dry storage again. Just my experience.
|
|
syn74
New Member
Posts: 72
|
Post by syn74 on Aug 16, 2012 17:59:16 GMT -5
I will have to look into that. I just measured to be sure and I only have 6" of space in there. Plenty of length, but that doesn't do me any good.
I do have a 20 gallon high tank right now. But I am guessing that it would not be a good size?
Also, I am guessing I could modify the acrylic one I have right now if I could remove the current baffles.. If you think that could work.
|
|
|
|
Post by dharmajedi on Aug 16, 2012 18:36:04 GMT -5
Some might find this alittle drastic but I had great success, battling hair algae, by dipping offending rocks in a solution of Peroxide and salt water. I dipped any rock without corals on it. I also dipped some with corals. I followed this article: www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?s=ae3d6440d3901d2fe2122ebd68fa26c5&showtopic=268706as well as his reefcentral thread. To be honest i dont know if i would dip corals again but any coral free rock i would dip in a heart beat. It might be "the quick fix to a bigger problem" but it helped me get the tank clear as i got my nutrients under control. |
|
|
|
Post by ryansweatt2004 on Aug 16, 2012 18:45:09 GMT -5
I've heard of that believe it or not. I've even used peroxide for treating mouth rot that one of my old perculas had along with freshwater soaks.
|
|
syn74
New Member
Posts: 72
|
Post by syn74 on Aug 16, 2012 21:52:58 GMT -5
That does sound intresting, but my algae is more like the very last picture. I don't have a whole lot, just more than I would like. Which is why I am thinking of going a new skimmer and GFO to finish off the last of it.
|
|
|
|
Post by ryansweatt2004 on Aug 16, 2012 23:05:05 GMT -5
Another way to take care of algae is to run a refugium. Use algae against itself. If you have more beneficial algae pulling phosphates out of the water faster than the nuisance algae and then being harvested it will basically starve out any nuisance algae in your display. Of coarse better skimming, water changes and GFO will do the same.
|
|
syn74
New Member
Posts: 72
|
Post by syn74 on Aug 17, 2012 8:01:59 GMT -5
I do have a refugium, thats what I am thinking of making just a little smaller. If I can figure out a way to move one of the dividers because I have plenty of room in it that I could afford to lose a couple inches.
|
|
|
|
Post by ryansweatt2004 on Aug 17, 2012 8:29:32 GMT -5
Is it a glass or acrylic sump? If its a bonded acrylic sump than there is not much you can do to remove the dividers. A glass sump with baffles that are glued in with silicone is as simple as cutting out the sealant, moving the baffles and resealing it.
|
|
syn74
New Member
Posts: 72
|
Post by syn74 on Aug 17, 2012 8:50:02 GMT -5
It's acrylic  I was thinking of just maybe cutting out the current baffle with a dremmel and putting a new one in, but I would prolly need the help of someone who has worked with acrylic before. Since I have not and don't want to mess it up. If anyone on here feels like they could help out and lives in my area, Cumberland. I would love the help, and I would even throw in a free lunch ;D |
|
I was thinking of just maybe cutting out the current baffle with a dremmel and putting a new one in, but I would prolly need the help of someone who has worked with acrylic before. Since I have not and don't want to mess it up.