Basement sump questions

aravindk · 01/08/2012, 03:34 PM

Hello all,

I want to hear from all those who have the sump in the basement with the display tank in the 1st floor. I actually have two questions:

#1: Do you have a sock to catch all the debris? I currently have a plastic box stuffed with polyester fiber fill which I replace once in two weeks or so. With all the gravity, most of the water doesn't fall in the box and it does not seem to be quite effective.

#2: Do you turn off the return pump during feeding and/or in the night? I have a manifold setup that splits the return line to fuge, chiller etc and am worried if I restart the pump every night, then the water volume might be altered causing other headaches.

Let me know what you all think. Thank you in advance.

Arvind.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/08/2012, 03:37 PM

In my case, the answer to both questions is no.

I actually do some of my feeding into the sump to allow the main pump to take it up to the display tank. That applies to dried cyclopeeze which floats for a while before sinking and being pumped up, and to multiple dosing of Arctipods each day using a dosing pump in a cooler.

aravindk · 01/08/2012, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Holmes-Farley

I actually do some of my feeding into the sump to allow the main pump to take it up to the display tank.

...Interesting.

Quote:

That applies to dried cyclopeeze which floats for a while before sinking and being pumped up, and to multiple dosing of Arctipods each day using a dosing pump in a cooler.

I've read about it one of your posts and that is a pretty neat trick!

jkapit · 01/08/2012, 04:22 PM

I only shut the return pumps off when I feed coral frenzy or reef-roids to the display tank. Otherwise for regular feedings I let it run.

I have a dual return on my 180 and have a felt sock on each return. I replace about every 10-14 days depending on how close it is from overflowing.

Love the basement sump. No heat from my pumps so my chiller never goes on. The display is so quiet and all the equipment is accessible and now very easy to work on.

aravindk · 01/08/2012, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkapit

Love the basement sump. No heat from my pumps so my chiller never goes on. The display is so quiet and all the equipment is accessible and now very easy to work on.

I agree. The basement sump has significantly improved my reefing experience.

tankmates · 01/08/2012, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aravindk

Hello all,

I want to hear from all those who have the sump in the basement with the display tank in the 1st floor. I actually have two questions:

#1: Do you have a sock to catch all the debris? I currently have a plastic box stuffed with polyester fiber fill which I replace once in two weeks or so. With all the gravity, most of the water doesn't fall in the box and it does not seem to be quite effective.

#2: Do you turn off the return pump during feeding and/or in the night? I have a manifold setup that splits the return line to fuge, chiller etc and am worried if I restart the pump every night, then the water volume might be altered causing other headaches.

Let me know what you all think. Thank you in advance.

Arvind.

I have basement sump as well for my 210 gallon display. No socks, but i use mesh socks once in a while, i do not turn off my return sump except while changing water..my skimmer is gravity fed and works well. I just put my mp40's to feed mode while feeding (i do hand feed slowly

only what my fishes can eat in little time)

and yes, I have huge skimmer and lot of other stuff i keep adding which is only possible with my basement sump

aravindk · 01/09/2012, 11:19 AM

Thanks Tankmates. Happy reefing!

anybody else?

Hal · 01/09/2012, 11:39 AM

1. No. I'm striving for a low maintenance tank. Changing and washing filter socks is going in the wrong direction.
2. No. I let the fish chase the food. Make them work for it a little.

Ansphire · 01/09/2012, 11:51 AM

Love the basement sump.. no filter socks.. i hqve the automatic feeder feeding right into the intake of the return pump every hour..

Water comes down tge pipe thru d algae scrubber, then returned right up.. nothing else.

aravindk · 01/09/2012, 01:00 PM

Thanks guys. I guess I dont need to make any changes then...

01/09/2012, 11:39 AM	#8
Hal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 1,889	1. No. I'm striving for a low maintenance tank. Changing and washing filter socks is going in the wrong direction. 2. No. I let the fish chase the food. Make them work for it a little. __________________ Some days it's not even worth chewing through the restraints. Current Tank Info: 250g starphire: 72x28x30, BeanAnimal drain with an oversized non-durso emergency drain, 4 inch DSB, 3x Reefbreeders Value LED fixtures, SWC/MSX 300A skimmer, Geo kalk reactor, 3 Vortechs w/bb, carbon reactor, and a RKL

01/09/2012, 11:51 AM	#9
Ansphire Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Easton, PA Posts: 619	Love the basement sump.. no filter socks.. i hqve the automatic feeder feeding right into the intake of the return pump every hour.. Water comes down tge pipe thru d algae scrubber, then returned right up.. nothing else. __________________ Ricky

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01/08/2012, 03:34 PM	#1
aravindk Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 488	Basement sump questions Hello all, I want to hear from all those who have the sump in the basement with the display tank in the 1st floor. I actually have two questions: #1: Do you have a sock to catch all the debris? I currently have a plastic box stuffed with polyester fiber fill which I replace once in two weeks or so. With all the gravity, most of the water doesn't fall in the box and it does not seem to be quite effective. #2: Do you turn off the return pump during feeding and/or in the night? I have a manifold setup that splits the return line to fuge, chiller etc and am worried if I restart the pump every night, then the water volume might be altered causing other headaches. Let me know what you all think. Thank you in advance. Arvind.

01/08/2012, 03:37 PM	#2
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	In my case, the answer to both questions is no. I actually do some of my feeding into the sump to allow the main pump to take it up to the display tank. That applies to dried cyclopeeze which floats for a while before sinking and being pumped up, and to multiple dosing of Arctipods each day using a dosing pump in a cooler. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef Last edited by Randy Holmes-Farley; 01/08/2012 at 03:43 PM.

01/08/2012, 04:22 PM	#4
jkapit Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Central, NJ Posts: 333	I only shut the return pumps off when I feed coral frenzy or reef-roids to the display tank. Otherwise for regular feedings I let it run. I have a dual return on my 180 and have a felt sock on each return. I replace about every 10-14 days depending on how close it is from overflowing. Love the basement sump. No heat from my pumps so my chiller never goes on. The display is so quiet and all the equipment is accessible and now very easy to work on.

01/09/2012, 11:19 AM	#7
aravindk Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 488	Thanks Tankmates. Happy reefing! anybody else?

01/09/2012, 01:00 PM	#10
aravindk Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 488	Thanks guys. I guess I dont need to make any changes then...