Sump: over/under/over? or the other way?

Rogue951 · #1 04-09-2010, 03:03 PM

If you plan on having a refugium in there then u have to go over under over.

MikeInToronto · #2 04-09-2010, 03:34 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I won't be using a refugium. This tank is small so I'm not getting too deep into the build until I get a larger tank. This one is just for practice. I've been out of the hobby too long so I'm trying to relearn what I've lost (or what's changed).

I'll go with over/under/over which was my original plan. I stopped after attaching the second baffle because I starting doubting myself.

Originally I only installed one baffle and had the sump running but on a whim this morning before work I emptied the sump and cleaned it for the extra baffles I had cut but never used. One baffle was fine but there were some bubbles getting in the tank and now I want them gone. I also want to stop using filter socks and sponges.

MikeInToronto · #3 04-10-2010, 11:23 PM

I got the baffles installed and I put the sump back in place, ready to fill it next morning when the silicone was cured. I also rerouted one of my drains so they all dump into the skimmer compartment. Everything was fine and I was heading to bed. I looked in the tank and the anemone looked shriveled but I figured it was "changing water" so I left it.
I woke up and took another look. The anemone was a little larger but still unhappy. I felt the water: cold. "How can this be? I placed the heater in the DT!" Well putting it in is fine. Plugging it in is usually helpful.
Anyway, I threw the heaters in the sump, emptied the stored water into the sump, threw on the return pump and hoped.

Everything was fine. The temperature had dropped to somewhere around 65 so I guess it wasn't too bad. It took a couple hours for it to reach above 70 and I could see the anemone changing as it got warmer. It's doing great again.

As for the bubble trap, it works well enough. There are still micro-bubbles and it seems these are still there even when nothing is running but the VorTech in the tank. I can't figure out where they come from but it doesn't matter. They don't really bug me and there aren't many. One day I may find the cause.

banditpowdercoat · #4 04-11-2010, 12:43 AM

Temp dropped to 65!!! WOW, that's a little cold for sure. Hope everything is ok

MikeInToronto · #5 04-11-2010, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

Temp dropped to 65!!! WOW, that's a little cold for sure. Hope everything is ok

Everything is fine, thanks for asking. The E. yaeyamaensis (frogspawn?) is getting bleached but that's because it's right under the MH. I know that has nothing to do with the temperature but I felt like sharing.

kien · #6 04-11-2010, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeInToronto

There are still micro-bubbles and it seems these are still there even when nothing is running but the VorTech in the tank. I can't figure out where they come from but it doesn't matter. They don't really bug me and there aren't many. One day I may find the cause.

How high up is your Vortech? What I noticed a little while back is that if my powerhead is a tad too high that it will occassionally cause a vortex and slurp some air into the powerheads intake. The powerheads then dices the bubble and generate microbubbles. It happens so fast that unless you are standing there for a long long time watching and waiting for it you won't notice it.

MikeInToronto · #7 04-11-2010, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kien

How high up is your Vortech? What I noticed a little while back is that if my powerhead is a tad too high that it will occassionally cause a vortex and slurp some air into the powerheads intake. The powerheads then dices the bubble and generate microbubbles. It happens so fast that unless you are standing there for a long long time watching and waiting for it you won't notice it.

It's actually really low. It's in the exact centre on the back panel (48x21) and it's under the overflow box. I'm not even sure they are bubbles. They could even by tiny little bits of dust from the sand bed. Every so often the pump blasts and moves the sand a little. It's on Reef Crest mode I think, and that's random. It's no problem. I don't spend much time looking at the tank anymore, anyway. After the build, the rest is boring now. But I do like my anemone.