disconnected my sump and skimmer for awhile......

bayvillian516 · 01/28/2008, 10:58 AM

So dec 20 I was going away for 10 days. I couldn't find anyone to come and top off my tank while I was gone. so I disconnected my sump and skimmer, I filled the main display up to the very top and grabbed a bio wheel filter.
When I got back everything was great in my tank all my fish were fine, my anemone looked huge, just the water was low. (I'v had my tank set up since august btw and had my anemone for 3 months)
Well I have been very busy lately starting my website and career in real estate; and my sump + skimmer is still disconnected. Theres still about 4 or 5 inches of water in there but its been still and unheated water. Theres also some chaeto and sand in there + some small organisms still(very weird)
What should I do to get my sump/fuge/simmer set back up.
can I leave the sand in it still and just wash out the chaeto.
Also what should I do with the rest of the sump; can I just clean the glass off with a vinegar mix and paper towels?

thanks in advance all

Sk8r · 01/28/2008, 11:06 AM

There are SUPPOSED to be small organisms in the cheato.

You're now doing water changes in your tank, right?
Take the discard water from your tank and use to fill the sump: may take a couple of weeks. Test your salinity, test all, should be just fine, adjust with fresh ro/di in very small amounts: never mind wiping down, just rewater, though vinegar wouldn't hurt anything. Once water level is up and salinity and ph is equal [use a refractometer and ph meter] reconnect and all should be well.

ihopss · 01/28/2008, 11:45 AM

Is the cheato still alive,if so I would add some water and heat and test for amm, and , start circulating, with your skimmer and after a few days if everything (tests) is alright add it back to your DT

bayvillian516 · 01/28/2008, 11:49 AM

I thought it was weird that the organisms are still alive, because its been still water without any light(probably bad ph) and its less then 70 degrees.
Iv been doing bi-weekly water changes.
when I had the sump/fuge I would do bi/monthly if that and everything was great....no algae and water tested fine

01/28/2008, 10:58 AM	#1
bayvillian516 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 105	disconnected my sump and skimmer for awhile...... So dec 20 I was going away for 10 days. I couldn't find anyone to come and top off my tank while I was gone. so I disconnected my sump and skimmer, I filled the main display up to the very top and grabbed a bio wheel filter. When I got back everything was great in my tank all my fish were fine, my anemone looked huge, just the water was low. (I'v had my tank set up since august btw and had my anemone for 3 months) Well I have been very busy lately starting my website and career in real estate; and my sump + skimmer is still disconnected. Theres still about 4 or 5 inches of water in there but its been still and unheated water. Theres also some chaeto and sand in there + some small organisms still(very weird) What should I do to get my sump/fuge/simmer set back up. can I leave the sand in it still and just wash out the chaeto. Also what should I do with the rest of the sump; can I just clean the glass off with a vinegar mix and paper towels? thanks in advance all

01/28/2008, 11:06 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	There are SUPPOSED to be small organisms in the cheato. You're now doing water changes in your tank, right? Take the discard water from your tank and use to fill the sump: may take a couple of weeks. Test your salinity, test all, should be just fine, adjust with fresh ro/di in very small amounts: never mind wiping down, just rewater, though vinegar wouldn't hurt anything. Once water level is up and salinity and ph is equal [use a refractometer and ph meter] reconnect and all should be well. __________________ 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%.

01/28/2008, 11:45 AM	#3
ihopss Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Gilmer,tx Posts: 751	Is the cheato still alive,if so I would add some water and heat and test for amm, and , start circulating, with your skimmer and after a few days if everything (tests) is alright add it back to your DT

01/28/2008, 11:49 AM	#4
bayvillian516 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 105	I thought it was weird that the organisms are still alive, because its been still water without any light(probably bad ph) and its less then 70 degrees. Iv been doing bi-weekly water changes. when I had the sump/fuge I would do bi/monthly if that and everything was great....no algae and water tested fine