sump/refugium ?

nicko1 · 12/16/2007, 09:27 PM

I just built a sump/refugium, water volume is about 50 gal. my display tank is a 54 gal bowfront, I was concerned about having problems in display tank when I hook up the sump/refugium. If all water parameters are the same as display am I good to go? Thanks in Advance

poppin_fresh · 12/16/2007, 09:40 PM

I would go with a slow flow from the new set up so as to minimize PH, temp, etc. swing. You should be fine.

killagoby · 12/16/2007, 09:51 PM

Why would this create a problem? Adding more water volume and macro algae/RDSB is a plus.

a1amap · 12/17/2007, 08:38 PM

I agree if the sumps water is aged saltwater(1 day old) at the proper salinity there should be no problems

snorvich · 12/17/2007, 08:42 PM

Of course you could mix water from the tank to the sump and vice versa before starting the flow. However, as long as salinity, temperature and PH are nearly the same, there is not much of an issue.

Gordonious · 12/17/2007, 09:26 PM

It would be a big change if something was different because of the volume of water. Personally I would still mix the water a little bit as Steve advised. Can you adjust the flow on your return pump? If you could make it just a trickle then that would work just the same. "Shouldn't" be a problem though.

Let us know how it goes.

Sk8r · 12/17/2007, 09:32 PM

Essentially this is a water change. If it matches in salinity, it will add trace elements, lower nitrate/ammonia, and not do too much...but it is a lot of raw salt water for that size. I think you are right to ask.

Try this: first, mix your saltwater very thoroughly. do a water change out of your 54 and put it in the sump. Start the sump running for a while without turning on the return pump yet. Add water to the sump over a period of hours, and gradually let the amount come up to activate the return pump. That sends it to your main tank, which has been pump-less for a couple of hours...I'm trusting this is ok with your setup in the display---mine would take a 2 hour shutdown with no problem. And then let the addition of water to the sump come up the return pump until full. This way everything gets mixed, and there's no big slug of raw salt water hitting your corals.

12/16/2007, 09:27 PM	#1
nicko1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: usa pa Posts: 7	sump/refugium ? I just built a sump/refugium, water volume is about 50 gal. my display tank is a 54 gal bowfront, I was concerned about having problems in display tank when I hook up the sump/refugium. If all water parameters are the same as display am I good to go? Thanks in Advance

12/16/2007, 09:40 PM	#2
poppin_fresh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,982	I would go with a slow flow from the new set up so as to minimize PH, temp, etc. swing. You should be fine. __________________ PBITAWA! Current Tank Info: None now. Past- 180g w/ 100g basement sump and 20g 'fuge. H & S skimmer, T'5s & Tunze

12/16/2007, 09:51 PM	#3
killagoby Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Monroe, NJ Posts: 2,150	Why would this create a problem? Adding more water volume and macro algae/RDSB is a plus. __________________ How much money did you spend on that rock again?

12/17/2007, 08:38 PM	#4
a1amap Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Newark, DE Posts: 1,105	I agree if the sumps water is aged saltwater(1 day old) at the proper salinity there should be no problems __________________ Al Current Tank Info: 75 gallon in wall working on a 220 gallon in wall tank

12/17/2007, 08:42 PM	#5
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Of course you could mix water from the tank to the sump and vice versa before starting the flow. However, as long as salinity, temperature and PH are nearly the same, there is not much of an issue. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

12/17/2007, 09:26 PM	#6
Gordonious Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newark DE Posts: 3,393	It would be a big change if something was different because of the volume of water. Personally I would still mix the water a little bit as Steve advised. Can you adjust the flow on your return pump? If you could make it just a trickle then that would work just the same. "Shouldn't" be a problem though. Let us know how it goes.

12/17/2007, 09:32 PM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Essentially this is a water change. If it matches in salinity, it will add trace elements, lower nitrate/ammonia, and not do too much...but it is a lot of raw salt water for that size. I think you are right to ask. Try this: first, mix your saltwater very thoroughly. do a water change out of your 54 and put it in the sump. Start the sump running for a while without turning on the return pump yet. Add water to the sump over a period of hours, and gradually let the amount come up to activate the return pump. That sends it to your main tank, which has been pump-less for a couple of hours...I'm trusting this is ok with your setup in the display---mine would take a 2 hour shutdown with no problem. And then let the addition of water to the sump come up the return pump until full. This way everything gets mixed, and there's no big slug of raw salt water hitting your corals. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.