Author Topic: I believe I'll buy a sump (Read 10458 times)

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #75 on:** August 24, 2009, 21:56:48 »

Justin, any chance you could have them drop shipped to me? The drive through the construction in Dayton sux big-time right now.
(I'm ready to get the lights, just hoping maybe I don't have to drive that way again so soon).

Quote

SPS Power Compact (available in: 6700k, 10k, 6700k/10k, Actinic 03, 10k/Actinic 03, or 420nm/460nm)
available in square or straight pin
65w/ $19.00
96w/ $28.00

I'd want to replace what's there, I guess. That's 2 of the 96w 10K/Actinic 03, right?. Any reason I wouldn't want to use these?

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #76 on:** August 24, 2009, 22:03:23 »

Quote from: rayviv on August 24, 2009, 21:35:38

I have a ca3000 for my skimmer and a ca4000 as a return and I'm not pleased w/either of them. I have used the 4000 about 7mos and the flow slowed down so I put the 3000 in till I can get a different/better pump.
the CA pumps dont seem to hold up very long.

Hmmmm. Not good news. Well, I have an old Little Giant pond pump I could clean up and use, I suppose, if the CA4000 turns out to be a dog. Downside, it might be too much pump. And it's a mag-drive, I think meaning it will generate a fair amount of heat, right?

TechGuy · « **Reply #77 on:** August 24, 2009, 22:23:59 »

Quote from: ~reefchik~ on August 24, 2009, 22:03:23

Hmmmm. Not good news. Well, I have an old Little Giant pond pump I could clean up and use, I suppose, if the CA4000 turns out to be a dog. Downside, it might be too much pump. And it's a mag-drive, I think meaning it will generate a fair amount of heat, right?

Whats it rated for flow wise? You never want to pump more in, than your overflows can remove. And you did buy two right?

rayviv · « **Reply #78 on:** August 24, 2009, 22:27:35 »

ask Justin, [AC. SP.] he knows them very well. I've heard they do. But I've heard they are good and dependable, also.

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #79 on:** August 25, 2009, 11:57:18 »

Quote from: TechGuy40 on August 24, 2009, 22:23:59

Whats it rated for flow wise? You never want to pump more in, than your overflows can remove. And you did buy two right?

I got a PF-1000 double overflow: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18358 900 gph max.

About the pond pump, I'm not sure what it's rated. I tried to find it online. They rate pond pumps in GPH depending on how much head you have to push up. So assuming that it needs to push the water back up about 3 ft. +/-, that would put it at 140 gph.

It also takes 1/2 inch tubing. http://www.lilypons.com/prodinfo.asp?number=50214 As I say, it's old, and apparently my model (PE-1WG) has been replaced by this one.

Ok, so here's a question. The overflow just arrived and I'm looking at these parts. The assembly instructions are vague. The bulkhead has a rubber gasket and a nut screwed onto it. The gasket would always go on the inside of the box, right? Do I need teflon tape on the bulkhead threads? It appears that the bulkhead fitting would go through the gasket and the nut would hold it onto the bottom of the overflow.

Keep in mind I have never touched one of these things in my life so I'm headed into unfamiliar territory! Try not to laugh too hard....

jd · « **Reply #80 on:** August 25, 2009, 12:08:19 »

You may want to find a stronger pump. Running at 140gph on a 900gph overflow will likely cause bubbles to build up and slow or even stop flow.

The gaskets always goes on the wet side with the nut on the dry side. Shouldn't need teflon tape, but be careful not to over tighten the nut.

TechGuy · « **Reply #81 on:** August 25, 2009, 12:14:12 »

Quote from: jd on August 25, 2009, 12:08:19

You may want to find a stronger pump. Running at 140gph on a 900gph overflow will likely cause bubbles to build up and slow or even stop flow.

The gaskets always goes on the wet side with the nut on the dry side. Shouldn't need teflon tape, but be careful not to over tighten the nut.

Oh yeah! I went from a ViaAqua pump, moving about 100GPH, to a Mag 9.5 moving about 700.

With the old pump, air qould get trapped in the u-tube, and I would have to siphon it out. Now I don't have a single bubble. I still think the "weir" or CPR overflows are the best, no U-Tubes.

Aquatic Specialists · « **Reply #82 on:** August 25, 2009, 12:20:48 »

Yes, i agree with the pump situation, a stronger pump is needed. You also have to take a foot of head pressure off for every 90 degree fitting and 6" for every 45 degree fitting. this quickly cuts down on your head pressure. Teflon tape should not be necessary, but I like to be safe than sorry. And like jd said do not over tighten that nut it will crack the acrylic. You may want to use plastic gator clamps for any adaptions...to be on the safe side.

harleyrider · « **Reply #83 on:** August 25, 2009, 12:21:54 »

you need a pump that will pump your 90 gallons at least 4-5 times an hour, me personally i wouldnt use anything under a pump rated at 500 gallons an hour..ive got a mag 5 rated at 500 on my 55 gallon and its in my oppinion not big enough in fact moving up to mag 7

rayviv · « **Reply #84 on:** August 25, 2009, 12:40:03 »

Keep in mind I have never touched one of these things in my life so I'm headed into unfamiliar territory! Try not to laugh too hard....

[/quote]
If they laugh @ you then they must laugh @ me harder

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #85 on:** August 25, 2009, 13:02:51 »

I see I've confused the issue.

I intend to start out using the new CA 4000 pump (rated 1300 gph) that came with the Reef Master sump/refugium. Based on rayviv's comment that he wasn't real pleased with his, I was just throwing out a "what if" suggestion for the pond pump.

http://www.petmeister.com/item2598.htm

If it can't keep up with the overflow then I will have to consider something else.

Thanks for the confirmation on the teflon tape and the proper assembly of the overflow.

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #86 on:** August 25, 2009, 14:29:27 »

I removed most of the bioballs from the chamber (intake chamber?) on the left. Would I be better off putting LR rubble in there? Or are just a few bioballs ok? Any other suggestions?

The center is a refugium. I have the mud and sand from the old tank that are going in there as well as about 4-5 smaller pcs. of rock from the display that have no corals (just macroalgaes) on them, and a couple small clumps of cheato. Then there's the sponge section and the open sump area on the right for the skimmer. Which I don't have yet.

What are those white clamp looking things for? Are those like the alligator clamps Justin is talking about? Seems like they are to secure the grey hosing on the intake tubes and on the overflow manifolds, is that right? And the two gaskets - do you suppose they are extras or maybe should have been part of the overflow prefilter that I didn't get with this system (because it was too lg.)

I can't believe they don't give better instructions with this equipment. I did find a PDF for the Reefmaster on their site, but it doesn't address these parts. Like we're born knowing what to do with them

Aquatic Specialists · « **Reply #87 on:** August 25, 2009, 17:00:42 »

Yes those are the alligator clips I was refering to, and yes they are to secure the grey hose. The two gaskets should go where the overflow dumps into the sump right after the 90s so you can tighten them down with a snug fit onto the acrylic top. As far as drop shipping goes these bulbs come from my fish supplier, I pick them up at the airport with my fish.

I am currently working on being able to drop ship items via my website, it is still in the works right now though. But I can get them if you need them, just let me know.

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #88 on:** August 25, 2009, 18:02:32 »

Thanks, Justin. Now I have to figure out whether I need straight pin or square pin bulbs.

I'm trying to pre-assemble the overflow and parts now, and realized that the grey hose ends are exactly the diameter of the fittings on the bottom of the overflow. So apparently a run to Lowes is now in order for more PVC. I guess you just have to jam the ends of those grey hoses onto the 90* white fittings? Not easy....

Actually none of this is *easy*. I guess it'll be worth it when it's all done. Sure is a learning experience.

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #89 on:** August 25, 2009, 18:07:43 »

<<sigh>> Another question.

Considering one main reason for running a refugium will be to grow pods, wouldn't that sponge in the next section over filter most of them out before they get to the sump? And when I get a skimmer, wouldn't the skimmer tear them up rather than allow them to ever end up back in the display tank? For that matter, wouldn't the impeller in the return pump tear them up too?

Aquatic Specialists · « **Reply #90 on:** August 25, 2009, 18:08:16 »

Yeah if you wet the inside of the hose it will help you out tremendously. I normally do not use the corrugated tubing that comes with it. I normally switch everything over to black vinyl hose and use barb fittings. Much easier to work with.

Aquatic Specialists · « **Reply #91 on:** August 25, 2009, 18:11:43 »

Yes about the pods, but the baby pods are so small they will make it through the guantlet and end up in your display tank. You should seed both the display and the fuge with pods.

jd · « **Reply #92 on:** August 25, 2009, 18:12:41 »

Quote from: ~reefchik~ on August 25, 2009, 18:07:43

<<sigh>> Another question.

Considering one main reason for running a refugium will be to grow pods, wouldn't that sponge in the next section over filter most of them out before they get to the sump? And when I get a skimmer, wouldn't the skimmer tear them up rather than allow them to ever end up back in the display tank? For that matter, wouldn't the impeller in the return pump tear them up too?

That's a topic of much debate. I would, and I think other would agree, ditch the sponge. Unless it is cleaned regularly it may do more harm then good. About the pods. Some people but their fuge above their tanks to allow them to drain via gravity. Your skimmer may remove some, but for the most part they arn't free swimming. One of the guys at coral ranch (I forgot him name, sorry coral ranch guy) was just telling me how some baby cardinal fish went through his LARGE return pump and came out like nothing happened.

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #93 on:** August 25, 2009, 18:29:47 »

Thanks again, Justin. You sell pods right?

Josh, as far as ditching the sponge that sort of makes sense. I can put my thermometer in that section I guess, if nothing else. Under the egg crate. I would probably toss in carbon bags from time to time as well.

Aquatic Specialists · « **Reply #94 on:** August 25, 2009, 18:37:14 »

Yes I do sell pods. I would utilize your canister filter for any chemical media so you are assured that water passes trough it and not around it. Carbon bags just tossed in the sump will not be very effective. Just a thought.

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #95 on:** August 25, 2009, 18:42:12 »

Ok. I'm not sure the Fluval will fit under there with the sump. I wonder if it would be happy just standing in the sump section, it's pretty big. Then again it might float

TechGuy · « **Reply #96 on:** August 25, 2009, 20:49:27 »

Ditch the sponge!

Have you ever purchased pods? They are tiny, they make it past everything, and into the display. Your skimmer will remove the pods, but the positives of the skimmer, far outweigh a small loss in pods.

That tubing = crap. Get rid of it. I use Vinyl tubing, its cheap, and easy. As stated, wet the inside with tank water.

harleyrider · « **Reply #97 on:** August 25, 2009, 21:10:52 »

I wouldnt leave the sponge in,

rayviv · « **Reply #98 on:** August 25, 2009, 21:22:23 »

Quote from: ~reefchik~ on August 25, 2009, 13:02:51

I see I've confused the issue.

I intend to start out using the new CA 4000 pump (rated 1300 gph) that came with the Reef Master sump/refugium. based on rayviv's comment that he wasn't real pleased with his, I was just throwing out a "what if" suggestion for the pond pump.

http://www.petmeister.com/item2598.htm

If it can't keep up with the overflow then I will have to consider something else.

Thanks for the confirmation on the teflon tape and the proper assembly of the overflow.

I'm sure the CA4000 will be fine for you for a while. If you have it-use it. But if you can afford to get a new one I would recommend the Ehiem 1262. After much research that is the best recommended. Some people have them in use for 14 yrs and still going strong. They tied for quite running w/the Quite Ones pumps.

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #99 on:** August 26, 2009, 15:31:11 »

It's in.

Everything is working as it should. I'll get some photos posted later.

I just want to thank everyone who has been so helpful with this project.

As you know, I was a bundle of nerves about the whole thing, but with all the good advice I got, it really did go off without a hitch. The pump and overflow are running wide open and seem to be well matched.

That pump return really moves the tank water around! I was really surprised to see how much. Don't have to worry about stagnant areas anymore.

Now I can relax and wait for my third grandchild. We've been on standby since last evening about 7pm, my daughter thought she might be in labor. We're just waiting for it to get serious enough to go to the hospital.

2024 Ohio Reef Frag Swap

Author Topic: I believe I'll buy a sump (Read 10458 times)