Sump Ideas

[chuckfriedrice]

Im starting to get my Porcupines new Home going ! Ive got a 55g tank, Im gonna turn into a sump . I was thinking instead of 1 large sock i would do 2 or 3 small ones. Will this be a good idea for keeping the bacteria going or will all the live rock be good enough ! I was also thinking multiple socks could be rotated out so 1 gets rinsed every week ,m and they would get as nasty as the 1 sock . I was thinking of setting up the sump like so ..... Sock/LR and fuge / skimmer / return pump ! The 48inches gives me some play room ! Im trying to map out the sump while im cleaning and maybe resealing it . So any feedback about my idea let me know ! Once I get everyones take ill get my drawing up . Still looking for the main tank on cl . 150 to 200 gal .

[J-P]

have you thought of a DSB instead of a skimmer?

[Pufferpunk]

There is no switching out the functions of a skimmer for a DSB.

http://www.melevsreef.com, for sump ideas.

[My HD PVR]

PP, the site was not a good site, one of those weird things.... when you accidentally miss something or misspell and it gives you to those option sites

[Pufferpunk]

Fixed

[J-P]

http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic115239-11-1.aspx

but admittedly that DSB is in the display.

[RTR]

I don't consider DSB or plenums atlernatives to skimmers either. They function more along the lines of LR than skimmers - or so it seems to me. Am I mistaken there?

[J-P]

no ... not mistaken.

totally different functions. Given the choice between a DSB and a skimmer is more personal choice. AFAIK, the further the DSB is from the display the less beneficial it becomes. The only reason I suggested a DSB as opposed to a skimmer is because it is super interesting and will aid in the filtration.

[Pufferpunk]

DSB shouldn't be disturbed. Difficult with a puffer that blows into the substrate for food.

[chuckfriedrice]

No worries about that link PP , I googled it and made it to the right spot! LOL

[las]

have you thought of a DSB instead of a skimmer?

This will work if you plan on doing 25% daily water changes. If not, its a terrible idea. A protein skimmer on a marine puffer tank is mandatory.

[RTR]

I still consider a DSB as not equal to or as effective as sufficient LR. And they are slow to establish and impossible to move without disruption (that last is no disadvantage to me, but is to many folks).

The comment on "distance to a DSB" confuses me. The exchange rate may be highly significant (as it is for many filtration processes), but distance itself would hardy be critical in most set-ups. Could that idea be expanded a bit?

[las]

The best system ive found for marine puffers combines LR in display, large protein skimmer and an algae growing refugium lit 18 to 24 hours a day..... And water changes. Simple but optimal.... Do not discount the super saturated oxygen levels and high stable PH that algae refugiums provide. It makes a huge diff in ur puffer's health.

Oh yeah- a hefty amount of carbon really helps with removing Dissolved organics and really increases your ORP.

[chuckfriedrice]

I went with Live rock in the display , and Live rock and macro algea in the sump along with the berlin sock which gets cleaned weekly !

[las]

chuck-

A protein skimmer and fresh activated carbon changed out every 2-4 weeks makes a huge diff... How long is your photoperiod in your refugium? What kind of algae are you growing?