LR in sump

tmc1313 · 03/02/2007, 09:11 AM

I'm setting up a 92 corner RR tank. It's just going to be FOWLR for things I like, but can't put in my reef tank. Looking for suggestions on how to run the wet/dry. Should I leave the bio-balls or pull them and load the sump up with LR or macro? If I used the LR, can the water trickle through (similiar to the bio-ball method) or should the LR be totally submerged. If totally submerged, I would probably have to put a ball valve on my pump to slow the flow through the sump. Forgot to mention I have an Aqua C urchin pro skimmer that will also be going in the sump so I don't have alot of room except in the area where the bio-balls would normally be.

SaltTinker · 03/02/2007, 09:36 AM

Dump the bioballs.

Are you putting any LR in the tank? Fish need places to hide.

You can put LR in your sump, but they should be fully submerged and good water flow around them. From your post, you don't have enough room for them. Put it all in the tank. and small pieces that cant fit into the sump, if it can.

tmc1313 · 03/02/2007, 09:48 AM

Yeah, I forgot to mention that. I'm going to have alot of LR in the tank as well.

luke33 · 03/02/2007, 09:50 AM

The lr will function the same in the tank and in the sump. So imo, i'd just put more in the tank. You could get some LR rubble and use it in your sump. And yes, pull the bio balls

tmc1313 · 03/02/2007, 01:23 PM

I think I'm going to go with the LR in the wet/dry, but still not sure how. The section of the wet/dry that holds the bio-balls is high up in the filter. So, if I put LR in place of the bio-balls, the water level would have to be really high to keep the LR submerged. Wouldn't this be asking for a flood if the power went out? I know the mega-flow system has an anti-siphon on it, but I think some water would still siphon down into the sump and overflow it, because I would be running the level in the sump so high. Am I right about this, or would no water siphon at all into the sump during a power outage?

Osmotic Shock · 03/02/2007, 01:37 PM

If you are using the Mega-Flow sump the water level will go up when the power is out. I hooked mine up last night and the level goes up about 4 inches with the return pump off. You will probably have 4-5 inches of water in the sump with the pump running. The first chamber where the water enters is completely submerged because of the baffle so you could put some LR rubble in there.

tmc1313 · 03/02/2007, 02:24 PM

I'm not using the Mega flow sump. I'll be using a pro clear aquatics wet/dry 175. I guess I could just put the LR in the bottom of the sump and leave the bio ball compartment empty, but it seems like such a waste of space.

03/02/2007, 09:11 AM	#1
tmc1313 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bristol, Connecticut Posts: 1,530	LR in sump I'm setting up a 92 corner RR tank. It's just going to be FOWLR for things I like, but can't put in my reef tank. Looking for suggestions on how to run the wet/dry. Should I leave the bio-balls or pull them and load the sump up with LR or macro? If I used the LR, can the water trickle through (similiar to the bio-ball method) or should the LR be totally submerged. If totally submerged, I would probably have to put a ball valve on my pump to slow the flow through the sump. Forgot to mention I have an Aqua C urchin pro skimmer that will also be going in the sump so I don't have alot of room except in the area where the bio-balls would normally be.

03/02/2007, 09:36 AM	#2
SaltTinker Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Maryland Posts: 152	Dump the bioballs. Are you putting any LR in the tank? Fish need places to hide. You can put LR in your sump, but they should be fully submerged and good water flow around them. From your post, you don't have enough room for them. Put it all in the tank. and small pieces that cant fit into the sump, if it can. __________________ SaltTinker Current Tank Info: 180 reef and prop system

03/02/2007, 09:48 AM	#3
tmc1313 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bristol, Connecticut Posts: 1,530	LR in sump Yeah, I forgot to mention that. I'm going to have alot of LR in the tank as well.

03/02/2007, 01:23 PM	#5
tmc1313 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bristol, Connecticut Posts: 1,530	LR in sump I think I'm going to go with the LR in the wet/dry, but still not sure how. The section of the wet/dry that holds the bio-balls is high up in the filter. So, if I put LR in place of the bio-balls, the water level would have to be really high to keep the LR submerged. Wouldn't this be asking for a flood if the power went out? I know the mega-flow system has an anti-siphon on it, but I think some water would still siphon down into the sump and overflow it, because I would be running the level in the sump so high. Am I right about this, or would no water siphon at all into the sump during a power outage?

03/02/2007, 02:24 PM	#7
tmc1313 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bristol, Connecticut Posts: 1,530	LR in sump I'm not using the Mega flow sump. I'll be using a pro clear aquatics wet/dry 175. I guess I could just put the LR in the bottom of the sump and leave the bio ball compartment empty, but it seems like such a waste of space.

03/02/2007, 09:50 AM	#4
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	The lr will function the same in the tank and in the sump. So imo, i'd just put more in the tank. You could get some LR rubble and use it in your sump. And yes, pull the bio balls

03/02/2007, 01:37 PM	#6
Osmotic Shock Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 239	If you are using the Mega-Flow sump the water level will go up when the power is out. I hooked mine up last night and the level goes up about 4 inches with the return pump off. You will probably have 4-5 inches of water in the sump with the pump running. The first chamber where the water enters is completely submerged because of the baffle so you could put some LR rubble in there.