My sump, my sump, my lovely little sump.

Check it out.

Just wondering if I can get some input on my current filter system.  It is a mess, I know..  But,, I am moving the tank and now is a good opportunity to either reuse it or replace it.  My current tank is a 90gallon and has been set up for about 4 years now.  It is 1/3 full of live rock that has been there equally as long.  I just installed 2x250MH w/2 VHO retro.  As for my sump, it has two overflow tubes that empty into dual 10x10" drip plates that flow over bio balls.  It then just goes to the pump (RIO3100) and back into the tank.  It seems to have been working OK for years now but I am looking at getting into some better style corals etc..  As you notice in the picture, the water level is way higher than I normally have it due to the new float I installed that doesnt work.   I was even thinking of using the drip plates in a new 35gallon tank in place of the current sump.  Is a refugium going to benefit me more than this system will/does?  If you have any suggestions at all I would appreciate it.  Thank you.  

LINK TO MY TANK      http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d134/Tycer1184/100_1360.jp g

 

 

Edited by Tycer

And then replace them with what?  Should I get rid of the drip plates and install live rock or something.  With the drip plates I will have a hard time putting a light over the top in order to grow stuff in there.

Please post a pic of just the tank (minus stand), with some close up shots. This will help us determine how to proceed with our advice/suggestions.

If you do some searching here you will discover that bioballs have limited usefulness, whereas the use of LS, LR, and Macroalgae are a natural and very efficient way to filter a reef aquarium. Check out this thread to learn more:

http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244

That powerstrip lying on the ground right next to the sump like that....
Perhaps you should consider finding a better way to mount
that first?
Is a refugium going to benefit me more than this system will/does? If you
have any suggestions at all I would appreciate it.
Yes! The bioball chamber is a nitrate factory (allegedly, but it makes sense
why it is one, so it is probably true). Your tank is another nitrate producer
from all the surface bacteria in there. A refugium with some macroalgae will
definitely work in favor of soaking up the nitrates produced in your display
and you will physically removed the nitrates locked up in the macroalgae
whn you harvest them.

During the move would have been the best time to discard the bioballs and if there was time, to work up an RDP Refugium. A Refugium can be as simple as free macroalgae from me or someone here on the MB and a $15 light setup purchased at HD. Maybe it's not too late.... Feel free to call to discuss how and where.

Edited by Mark Peterson

The socks will filter out any bubbles I would recommend adding some sort of plant Calerpa works great but you need a way to keep it away from your return pump and float valve.

Mark, how deep is the water in your ref?  I dont think I can go much over 6 inches without posing a problem.  Will this be deep enough for some macro and/or mangroves?  Or would I just be better off with some live rock.  If I use live rock only would you recommend snails/crabs in the ref and would you recommend a light for any coralline and snail growth?

To change Tycer's sump into a Refugium, I would do the following:

Remove the bioballs and the eggcrate plates.

On the bottom, place a plastic container about 1/2-3/4 the size of the area and 4-5" deep, to hold 3" of Oolitic sand with a 1/2" layer of crushed coral to keep the Oolitic sand in place.

On top of the sand container, I would place a mat of Chaetomorpha. A good mat of Chaetomorpha is very good as a water and bubble diffuser.

Let the algae grow under a $15 light setup found at HD. (It's a $10 Commercial Electric brand 75W PC floodlight in a $5 cone shaped reflector wired with a standard screw type bulb receptacle)

The drain pipes could just sit somewhere on top of the Chaeto. Or just let the water fall through the present trickle plate over the mat of Caetomorpha.

Edited by Mark Peterson

I am looking into a hang on Sock filtration system that both tubes can go into.  I will use the socks when the water gets cloudy and to keep the splashing away from the sand that Mark suggested.  I love the idea of the tray with the sand.  I found a new 1" bulkhead fitting in the garage also to put my newly refound skimmer in.  I am so excited.  After 4 years of this tank not being the way I want it I finally decided to make this a real reef tank.  I took off my 4x96 power compact hood and replaced with the halide/VHO retro.  I have removed about half of the bioballs at this point and will continue the refuge transformation once all the bio's are gone.  I will be looking to purchase some mangroves and/or macro once I am ready in another couple weeks.  I have a power compact setup that I used in a 30gallon that I think may work well for the sump.  Thanks all, I am grateful for all your help. 

Well, I have 75% of the bioballs removed so far.  I removed the left side drip plate and took the hose assembly and hung it over the edge of the sump.  I think I will just leave the right side drip plate alone and let it rain over the macro algea like Mark suggested for now.  I had to remove at least one drip plate so that the light will make it through.  I think I will purchase a HomeDepot setup as suggested.   I then will put my skimmer through a bulk head and allow it to flow into the main sump where the macro will be.  Is that too much current between the skimmer and the two return hoses?  My main sump section measures 10"x20" and the water will be about 6" deep.  How much macro will I need for that?  Seperating the macro from the pump area will be easy since there is already a baffle there.  I think for now I will just put the macro in there without any mud or base.  I assume this is acceptable.  Now I just have to beg someone for some macro this week.  What is proper procedure for acquiring macro from someone?  Do I need to take a bucket with my water in it?  How little will I be able to get away with initially?  Wow, I feel like a fish NooB.