Need help with sump water flow

MattnBonnie · 02/27/2012, 09:41 PM

I have a 110 gallon reef ready with sump and it seems like the water always has stuff floating. i have several filters and do water changes with several snails and crabs and only 3 fish and 4 small ones I have all like rock 120lbs and the blowers in each end of the tank but seems like the water is not cloudy and the tank is not dirty but it seems like there is always stuff floating and blowing around like it does not filter correctly. The sump is only two sections the intake where I have poly filter and carb filer the bio balls and then goes to the other side where the pump returns the water. Looking for any suggestions.

nanito · 02/27/2012, 10:04 PM

No comprende

AFRobert568 · 02/27/2012, 10:44 PM

More specifics about your equipment and the flow that is going through your sump might help. I’m not sure what you’re talking about stuff in the water column, but have you gone to the reef tank at your LFS to see if they have the same stuff in their water.
The only thing I can think is that there might be enough going through your filters.

MattnBonnie · 02/28/2012, 08:42 PM

Not sure if I am using this forum correctly or if this will even post. I am new to the hobby so I am not sure all the terms such as LFS. I have a new system and it seems like it does not stay clear, the water. Ive cleaned out the sump and use several different filters but it seems to not make a lot off difference. Ive seen tanks that look really clear oh and mine does too when i unplug the sump system. Is this normal? Ive had lots of issues and where I bought the tank gives me some advise and other stores give me different advise... I really dont know what to think or what to expect out of my system. I was wondering if it matters to have a sump that is divided into only two parts with no refuge?

I would continue to go to the store but some of the things they have told me was not right... like putting stuff in it right away.. fish coral everything and i was thinking I was doing something wrong because the death rate was huge but when I started researching... some of that stuff should not have been added my system is new Sept 11 and does not have the needs necessary... I am waisting way to much money and killing way to much stuff following store information and now I am starting to wonder if my tank is properly set up or if I just bought the wrong set up a bad set up... I have no idea. My tank is 110 gallon reef ready with a two divider sump. The light system is I believe called T5 it has three different lights and a timer that changes them but the moon lights always stay on. Im also wondering if my pump is to big for my set up... the first one that came with my system emptied the sump faster than it could return the water so I had to take that back and now have one that filters less.. would it be bad to have a system that filters to quickly? I do have great water flow... but could you have to much?

MattnBonnie · 02/28/2012, 08:43 PM

Not sure if I am using this forum correctly or if this will even post. I am new to the hobby so I am not sure all the terms such as LFS. I have a new system and it seems like it does not stay clear, the water. Ive cleaned out the sump and use several different filters but it seems to not make a lot off difference. Ive seen tanks that look really clear oh and mine does too when i unplug the sump system. Is this normal? Ive had lots of issues and where I bought the tank gives me some advise and other stores give me different advise... I really dont know what to think or what to expect out of my system. I was wondering if it matters to have a sump that is divided into only two parts with no refuge?

I would continue to go to the store but some of the things they have told me was not right... like putting stuff in it right away.. fish coral everything and i was thinking I was doing something wrong because the death rate was huge but when I started researching... some of that stuff should not have been added my system is new Sept 11 and does not have the needs necessary... I am waisting way to much money and killing way to much stuff following store information and now I am starting to wonder if my tank is properly set up or if I just bought the wrong set up a bad set up... I have no idea. My tank is 110 gallon reef ready with a two divider sump. The light system is I believe called T5 it has three different lights and a timer that changes them but the moon lights always stay on. Im also wondering if my pump is to big for my set up... the first one that came with my system emptied the sump faster than it could return the water so I had to take that back and now have one that filters less.. would it be bad to have a system that filters to quickly? I do have great water flow... but could you have to much?

jdm01 · 02/28/2012, 09:55 PM

I try to have enough flow in the tank to keep the junk suspended and moving through the overflow to the sump. I run filter socks on the drain to get the ugly stuff, then run a skimmer to get more junk out of the water in the center chamber. I the run a return pump in the third chamber of the sump. I then use a closed loop and a couple of power heads to get the tank flow where I want it to be. I had junk in my tank for a couple of weeks initially, but eventually it cleared up, Not sure this helps...

MattnBonnie · 03/01/2012, 08:53 PM

I kind of understand what you are saying, I dont have a skimmer so I dont think I have those options. The store I am using does not sale them and says I don't need one. My husband bought the project then had to deploy and with no stores in the area that seem to say the same thing, i think its going to be long unhappy deployment for me too. Thanks for the information and taking the time to post. At this point Im thinking it was a waste of 5 grand and its burning me out, not fun... This is a hard hobby alone I should have never agreed to buy it but really thought I could rely on the store

uncleof6 · 03/01/2012, 09:48 PM

LFS means Local Fish Store, a term used to describe the place you have been buying this stuff from.

From what I gather, you have a 110 gallon tank and a sump, with a trickle filter (bio balls.) The lighting is T5 (you are correct.) 120 lbs of live rock (that's a lot.) 2 power heads (blowers.)

Do you know what the pump is that you have? You really can't have too much flow, but there are reasonable limits too.

Do you have test kits to test the water for ammonia, nitrate, pH, and salinity? If so, do the tests, and post the results here.

The two section sump is not a problem. A fuge is not mandatory, just nice to have.

A protein skimmer is very important, but frequent water changes can reduce the need for one, for now.

mori · 03/02/2012, 05:08 AM

its not really that hard to get into the hobby, at first it may seem like it is, but once u get the hang of things u will start to really enjoy it... if u don't have an LFS (store) near u, then can always got to an online store, to purchase what ever is it that you may need. and if you need more advice as to what to do and how to fit you can always post in here.

02/27/2012, 09:41 PM	#1
MattnBonnie Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Choctaw Posts: 18	Need help with sump water flow I have a 110 gallon reef ready with sump and it seems like the water always has stuff floating. i have several filters and do water changes with several snails and crabs and only 3 fish and 4 small ones I have all like rock 120lbs and the blowers in each end of the tank but seems like the water is not cloudy and the tank is not dirty but it seems like there is always stuff floating and blowing around like it does not filter correctly. The sump is only two sections the intake where I have poly filter and carb filer the bio balls and then goes to the other side where the pump returns the water. Looking for any suggestions.

02/27/2012, 10:04 PM	#2
nanito Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Vero Beach, FL Posts: 211	No comprende __________________ I just had a dream, and a 180 gal was my nano tank. Current Tank Info: 36 gal fresh water / 45 gal reef aiptasia dominated

02/28/2012, 09:55 PM	#6
jdm01 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Greenfield Posts: 904	I try to have enough flow in the tank to keep the junk suspended and moving through the overflow to the sump. I run filter socks on the drain to get the ugly stuff, then run a skimmer to get more junk out of the water in the center chamber. I the run a return pump in the third chamber of the sump. I then use a closed loop and a couple of power heads to get the tank flow where I want it to be. I had junk in my tank for a couple of weeks initially, but eventually it cleared up, Not sure this helps... __________________ John Martin Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon BioCube

03/01/2012, 09:48 PM	#8
uncleof6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: AWOL Posts: 12,013	LFS means Local Fish Store, a term used to describe the place you have been buying this stuff from. From what I gather, you have a 110 gallon tank and a sump, with a trickle filter (bio balls.) The lighting is T5 (you are correct.) 120 lbs of live rock (that's a lot.) 2 power heads (blowers.) Do you know what the pump is that you have? You really can't have too much flow, but there are reasonable limits too. Do you have test kits to test the water for ammonia, nitrate, pH, and salinity? If so, do the tests, and post the results here. The two section sump is not a problem. A fuge is not mandatory, just nice to have. A protein skimmer is very important, but frequent water changes can reduce the need for one, for now. __________________ "Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef

02/27/2012, 10:44 PM	#3
AFRobert568 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 63	More specifics about your equipment and the flow that is going through your sump might help. I’m not sure what you’re talking about stuff in the water column, but have you gone to the reef tank at your LFS to see if they have the same stuff in their water. The only thing I can think is that there might be enough going through your filters.

02/28/2012, 08:42 PM	#4
MattnBonnie Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Choctaw Posts: 18	Not sure if I am using this forum correctly or if this will even post. I am new to the hobby so I am not sure all the terms such as LFS. I have a new system and it seems like it does not stay clear, the water. Ive cleaned out the sump and use several different filters but it seems to not make a lot off difference. Ive seen tanks that look really clear oh and mine does too when i unplug the sump system. Is this normal? Ive had lots of issues and where I bought the tank gives me some advise and other stores give me different advise... I really dont know what to think or what to expect out of my system. I was wondering if it matters to have a sump that is divided into only two parts with no refuge? I would continue to go to the store but some of the things they have told me was not right... like putting stuff in it right away.. fish coral everything and i was thinking I was doing something wrong because the death rate was huge but when I started researching... some of that stuff should not have been added my system is new Sept 11 and does not have the needs necessary... I am waisting way to much money and killing way to much stuff following store information and now I am starting to wonder if my tank is properly set up or if I just bought the wrong set up a bad set up... I have no idea. My tank is 110 gallon reef ready with a two divider sump. The light system is I believe called T5 it has three different lights and a timer that changes them but the moon lights always stay on. Im also wondering if my pump is to big for my set up... the first one that came with my system emptied the sump faster than it could return the water so I had to take that back and now have one that filters less.. would it be bad to have a system that filters to quickly? I do have great water flow... but could you have to much?

02/28/2012, 08:43 PM	#5
MattnBonnie Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Choctaw Posts: 18	Not sure if I am using this forum correctly or if this will even post. I am new to the hobby so I am not sure all the terms such as LFS. I have a new system and it seems like it does not stay clear, the water. Ive cleaned out the sump and use several different filters but it seems to not make a lot off difference. Ive seen tanks that look really clear oh and mine does too when i unplug the sump system. Is this normal? Ive had lots of issues and where I bought the tank gives me some advise and other stores give me different advise... I really dont know what to think or what to expect out of my system. I was wondering if it matters to have a sump that is divided into only two parts with no refuge? I would continue to go to the store but some of the things they have told me was not right... like putting stuff in it right away.. fish coral everything and i was thinking I was doing something wrong because the death rate was huge but when I started researching... some of that stuff should not have been added my system is new Sept 11 and does not have the needs necessary... I am waisting way to much money and killing way to much stuff following store information and now I am starting to wonder if my tank is properly set up or if I just bought the wrong set up a bad set up... I have no idea. My tank is 110 gallon reef ready with a two divider sump. The light system is I believe called T5 it has three different lights and a timer that changes them but the moon lights always stay on. Im also wondering if my pump is to big for my set up... the first one that came with my system emptied the sump faster than it could return the water so I had to take that back and now have one that filters less.. would it be bad to have a system that filters to quickly? I do have great water flow... but could you have to much?

03/01/2012, 08:53 PM	#7
MattnBonnie Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Choctaw Posts: 18	I kind of understand what you are saying, I dont have a skimmer so I dont think I have those options. The store I am using does not sale them and says I don't need one. My husband bought the project then had to deploy and with no stores in the area that seem to say the same thing, i think its going to be long unhappy deployment for me too. Thanks for the information and taking the time to post. At this point Im thinking it was a waste of 5 grand and its burning me out, not fun... This is a hard hobby alone I should have never agreed to buy it but really thought I could rely on the store

03/02/2012, 05:08 AM	#9
mori Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 67	its not really that hard to get into the hobby, at first it may seem like it is, but once u get the hang of things u will start to really enjoy it... if u don't have an LFS (store) near u, then can always got to an online store, to purchase what ever is it that you may need. and if you need more advice as to what to do and how to fit you can always post in here.