DIY Sump Design - HELP!!

I have been running a 'Ratz' Trickle Filter/Sump system for 12 months and am
unhappy with performance. It is a 100 gallon tank with 60kg of Living Rock
running for 10 months now. Low stocking density but I still struggle to
control hair algae and water quality will not support an anemone (lost 4 to
date) but all else surviving ok. PH=8.2-8.4, Ammonia=0, Nitrite=0,
Nitrate=5-10mg/l, Phos=0, KH=8-12, CA=420-450, Mg=1250-1350, Salinity=37ppt,
Temp=26-28DegC

I think my flow rates are low and nitrates are hard to control. I like the
idea of a refugium area in the sump to grow some caulpera under 24 hour
lighting. Don't know whether I should use a DSB or try using 'Miracle Mud'
... any comments/suggestions would be appreciated as I want to get it right
this time!

I was planning to buy the glass and fabricate my own sump with a refugium.
Would like to also increase flow rate to/from tank from current 2000 l/hr to
around 3500 l/hr.

Can you point me in the direction of any good sump design data - Eg Flow
Rates over Refugium section, Wier Heights, Use of Combs, microbubble
elimination, light mounting, etc. There must be some best practice
guidelines somewhere .. I can't find any that I could depend on!

Could also do with some tips on plumbing for the best flow. Is it viable to
use 2 smaller pumps to feed the tank? (in case one fails when I'm out). My
tank is 5ft long with 20" of width available under the stand - hopefully
plenty of room. Is it a case of the bigger the sump the better?

John C

"john" wrote in message
...
I have been running a 'Ratz' Trickle Filter/Sump system for 12 months and
am
unhappy with performance. It is a 100 gallon tank with 60kg of Living Rock
running for 10 months now. Low stocking density but I still struggle to
control hair algae and water quality will not support an anemone (lost 4
to
date) but all else surviving ok. PH=8.2-8.4, Ammonia=0, Nitrite=0,
Nitrate=5-10mg/l, Phos=0, KH=8-12, CA=420-450, Mg=1250-1350,
Salinity=37ppt,
Temp=26-28DegC

I think my flow rates are low and nitrates are hard to control. I like the
idea of a refugium area in the sump to grow some caulpera under 24 hour
lighting. Don't know whether I should use a DSB or try using 'Miracle Mud'
.. any comments/suggestions would be appreciated as I want to get it right
this time!

I was planning to buy the glass and fabricate my own sump with a refugium.
Would like to also increase flow rate to/from tank from current 2000 l/hr
to
around 3500 l/hr.

Can you point me in the direction of any good sump design data - Eg Flow
Rates over Refugium section, Wier Heights, Use of Combs, microbubble
elimination, light mounting, etc. There must be some best practice
guidelines somewhere .. I can't find any that I could depend on!

Could also do with some tips on plumbing for the best flow. Is it viable
to
use 2 smaller pumps to feed the tank? (in case one fails when I'm out). My
tank is 5ft long with 20" of width available under the stand - hopefully
plenty of room. Is it a case of the bigger the sump the better?

John C


Please goto King Marc ...Oops... I meant Mr.President King Marc site -
http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html
This where you can see the DIY Sump and Algae suggestion.

CapFusion,...

reefcentral.com, on the left hand side there is a panel labelled Calculators.

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html Good info for design.
~John

Hi John,

Two people pointed you to my site thus far.

You've lost 4 anemones so far. What kind? You didn't state
your lighting, and that could be a problem.

Regarding a return pump, if you use a (Supreme) Mag pump,
whatever the diameter of the pumps outlet is, double it for
your plumbing to get the best flow. This is stated in their
instructions, btw. So if you had a Mag 7 with 1/2" outlet,
you'd use 1" plumbing for your return.

You don't need two pumps to run your return, but if you buy
two, you'll have a backup when one does break.

Here's the first/main page you should read:
http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html

There are three articles linked on the base of that page
that you should read as well.

Then design something that will work for you. My site will
give you a few ideas you can play with.

Marc


john wrote:

I have been running a 'Ratz' Trickle Filter/Sump system for 12 months and am
unhappy with performance. It is a 100 gallon tank with 60kg of Living Rock
running for 10 months now. Low stocking density but I still struggle to
control hair algae and water quality will not support an anemone (lost 4 to
date) but all else surviving ok. PH=8.2-8.4, Ammonia=0, Nitrite=0,
Nitrate=5-10mg/l, Phos=0, KH=8-12, CA=420-450, Mg=1250-1350, Salinity=37ppt,
Temp=26-28DegC

I think my flow rates are low and nitrates are hard to control. I like the
idea of a refugium area in the sump to grow some caulpera under 24 hour
lighting. Don't know whether I should use a DSB or try using 'Miracle Mud'
.. any comments/suggestions would be appreciated as I want to get it right
this time!

I was planning to buy the glass and fabricate my own sump with a refugium.
Would like to also increase flow rate to/from tank from current 2000 l/hr to
around 3500 l/hr.

Can you point me in the direction of any good sump design data - Eg Flow
Rates over Refugium section, Wier Heights, Use of Combs, microbubble
elimination, light mounting, etc. There must be some best practice
guidelines somewhere .. I can't find any that I could depend on!

Could also do with some tips on plumbing for the best flow. Is it viable to
use 2 smaller pumps to feed the tank? (in case one fails when I'm out). My
tank is 5ft long with 20" of width available under the stand - hopefully
plenty of room. Is it a case of the bigger the sump the better?

John C



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