Sea-life system sump chamber question

Frostyfishman · 10/28/2015, 01:46 PM

Ok i have the sea-life system sump and as you can see it has 4 chambers. I have a few questions.

1.) Should i/can i put macro algae in the first chamber where the water enters the sump?

2.) The second chamber would be a great size fuge and it has a lid so it makes me think this is what its for but the third smaller chamber also looks like a fuge, so are these a fuge or is the skimmer supposed to sit here? If so then why does it have a lid.

3.) If I put the skimmer in the fourth chamber with the return pump is that going to be a problem?

Any input/thoughts/suggestions/concearns?

Note: the tank is currently dry.

username in use · 10/28/2015, 01:55 PM

The second and third chambers are actually the skimmer chamber and a bubble trap to keep skimmer bubbles from entering the return chamber. If you utilized and external skimmer then the second chamber would be a good fuge, other than that there really is no easy place to grow macro in there if the skimmer is added.

Frostyfishman · 10/28/2015, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by username in use

The second and third chambers are actually the skimmer chamber and a bubble trap to keep skimmer bubbles from entering the return chamber. If you utilized and external skimmer then the second chamber would be a good fuge, other than that there really is no easy place to grow macro in there if the skimmer is added.

Can I hang the skimmer off the sump? If I put the skimmer on the DT will the canopy be a problem? When you say external do you mean hang on back or something different?

Reef Frog · 10/28/2015, 02:26 PM

Hang on the back skimmers are usually less efficient than good in sump models. HOB stuff is harder to service, clean & maintain IMO.

HOB refugiums are out there. They tend to be small so may be of limited use for nutrient control, but pods can grow in one unmolested. Some people use a dedicated tank for a fuge with its own overflow & return.

Frostyfishman · 10/28/2015, 02:30 PM

Ok I did some research and if I understand this right we have recirculating skimmers and hang on back skimmers for outside the tank option. Now recirculating skimmers seem to be prohibitively expensive. Thus it would be great if I could do a hang on back on the sump or is this just leaving me with the same set of problems? I would hate to do this on the DT because I have an awesome canopy. If the HOB on the sump would be viable into what chamber would the skimmer intake and outtake go? Any input here would be much appreciated.

Frostyfishman · 10/28/2015, 02:33 PM

I feel like my FUGE dream is dieing lol.

Reef Frog · 10/28/2015, 04:08 PM

Oh man I don't want to be a dream killer lol. Seriously it's just that IMO a good PS beats a tiny refugium for nutrient export. Especially a very small macro algae Fuge. But that's just an opinion. HOB may very well be fine if it fits & can be removed easily enough for cleaning.

You didn't mention the purpose of the fuge. If it's just for a copepod haven, a cryptic zone of live rock rubble may give you what you need. Or maybe you could do an ATS (algae turf scrubber) and fit in a skimmer. Good luck on the decision!

Frostyfishman · 10/28/2015, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef Frog

Oh man I don't want to be a dream killer lol. Seriously it's just that IMO a good PS beats a tiny refugium for nutrient export. Especially a very small macro algae Fuge. But that's just an opinion. HOB may very well be fine if it fits & can be removed easily enough for cleaning.

You didn't mention the purpose of the fuge. If it's just for a copepod haven, a cryptic zone of live rock rubble may give you what you need. Or maybe you could do an ATS (algae turf scrubber) and fit in a skimmer. Good luck on the decision!

You are not a dream killer. I actually really appreciate you giving me good information. I was hoping it would be a copepod haven, additional nutrient export, place to put some creatures that don't belong in the DT, and a place where a light could go to counter night PH swings. I found a great solution however. Also have to thank username in use for this one. I will get the Reef Octopus Classic 110EXT 4” Recirculating Protein Skimmer. Thus I will have my cake and eat it too.

10/28/2015, 01:55 PM	#2
username in use Sciencing Daily Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6,560	The second and third chambers are actually the skimmer chamber and a bubble trap to keep skimmer bubbles from entering the return chamber. If you utilized and external skimmer then the second chamber would be a good fuge, other than that there really is no easy place to grow macro in there if the skimmer is added. __________________ Joshua "With fronds like these, who needs anemones?" - Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: multiple nano's sprinkled around the house

10/28/2015, 02:26 PM	#4
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	Hang on the back skimmers are usually less efficient than good in sump models. HOB stuff is harder to service, clean & maintain IMO. HOB refugiums are out there. They tend to be small so may be of limited use for nutrient control, but pods can grow in one unmolested. Some people use a dedicated tank for a fuge with its own overflow & return.

10/28/2015, 02:30 PM	#5
Frostyfishman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 216	Ok I did some research and if I understand this right we have recirculating skimmers and hang on back skimmers for outside the tank option. Now recirculating skimmers seem to be prohibitively expensive. Thus it would be great if I could do a hang on back on the sump or is this just leaving me with the same set of problems? I would hate to do this on the DT because I have an awesome canopy. If the HOB on the sump would be viable into what chamber would the skimmer intake and outtake go? Any input here would be much appreciated.

10/28/2015, 02:33 PM	#6
Frostyfishman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 216	I feel like my FUGE dream is dieing lol.

10/28/2015, 04:08 PM	#7
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	Oh man I don't want to be a dream killer lol. Seriously it's just that IMO a good PS beats a tiny refugium for nutrient export. Especially a very small macro algae Fuge. But that's just an opinion. HOB may very well be fine if it fits & can be removed easily enough for cleaning. You didn't mention the purpose of the fuge. If it's just for a copepod haven, a cryptic zone of live rock rubble may give you what you need. Or maybe you could do an ATS (algae turf scrubber) and fit in a skimmer. Good luck on the decision!