Puzzled by a new setup

dwensel · 08/15/2011, 04:35 PM

I've just recently (past several weeks), resurrected a reef tank (or will be) that has been down for several years. The biology/filtration has been completely redone. The setup is as follows: 165g tank, overflows to CPR100 overflow box into a 30g long sump, divided into four chambers. First chamber contains a Turbofloater 1000T protein skimmer. Input is 1 1/2 inches, then divided between skimmer and straight output. Second chamber contains heaters and some cheeto (sp), third and fourth are water and diffuser (made from plexiglass with holes, bottom of last small chamber). Water is drawn from the sump through two Ocean Clear filters (325 cartridge, and 354 BIO) by a Little Giant 4MDQ-SC pump. Here is the issue that has me stumped. The 325 has some kind of air intake and slowly drains (back into the sump, I'm assuming). I can find no leaks in the system, but do see some micro-bubbles forming in the display tank). The pump pushes the water back through a 1/2 inch output through some PVC that crosses the bottom of the tank with holes drilled to cause currents.

Any thoughts on what is wrong here?

pmrossetti · 08/15/2011, 07:04 PM

not familiar w ocean clear filters

dwensel · 08/16/2011, 04:48 PM

Not sure why you replied then...The Ocean Clears (Red Sea) are canister filters. The 325 is a cartridge and charcoal (mechanical filtration system), the 354 is a poly-bead (plastic bead) bio filtration system. They are simple canisters, requiring an external pump.

I think the issue would apply to any canister system, set up like this. Somehow, the 1st filter in series is taking on air, draining back into the sump (or maybe even forward to some degree), and that is the issue.

08/15/2011, 04:35 PM	#1
dwensel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2	Puzzled by a new setup I've just recently (past several weeks), resurrected a reef tank (or will be) that has been down for several years. The biology/filtration has been completely redone. The setup is as follows: 165g tank, overflows to CPR100 overflow box into a 30g long sump, divided into four chambers. First chamber contains a Turbofloater 1000T protein skimmer. Input is 1 1/2 inches, then divided between skimmer and straight output. Second chamber contains heaters and some cheeto (sp), third and fourth are water and diffuser (made from plexiglass with holes, bottom of last small chamber). Water is drawn from the sump through two Ocean Clear filters (325 cartridge, and 354 BIO) by a Little Giant 4MDQ-SC pump. Here is the issue that has me stumped. The 325 has some kind of air intake and slowly drains (back into the sump, I'm assuming). I can find no leaks in the system, but do see some micro-bubbles forming in the display tank). The pump pushes the water back through a 1/2 inch output through some PVC that crosses the bottom of the tank with holes drilled to cause currents. Any thoughts on what is wrong here? Last edited by dwensel; 08/15/2011 at 04:39 PM. Reason: Spelling/grammatic errors

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08/15/2011, 07:04 PM	#2
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	not familiar w ocean clear filters

08/16/2011, 04:48 PM	#3
dwensel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2	Not sure why you replied then...The Ocean Clears (Red Sea) are canister filters. The 325 is a cartridge and charcoal (mechanical filtration system), the 354 is a poly-bead (plastic bead) bio filtration system. They are simple canisters, requiring an external pump. I think the issue would apply to any canister system, set up like this. Somehow, the 1st filter in series is taking on air, draining back into the sump (or maybe even forward to some degree), and that is the issue.