Fish plan and sump question...

PirateToast · 12/23/2013, 10:10 PM

Okay... I'm asking a lot of questions because I'm excited that I'm done cycling. Here's my plan.

I'm going to buy two clowns this weekend and add them at the same time. Let them hang out for a couple weeks. I'm assuming at some point this will cause a need for a CUC, so that is next on my list. After that, I'm going to give it a few months to think about my next purchases. Sound good?

Now about those next purchases... if I have a 60 gallon tank and add a 30 gallon sump, is it considered a 90 gallon tank?

billyjack · 12/23/2013, 10:44 PM

It won't be 90 gallons if you take into consideration water displacement with live rock and all..it would depend on how much extra you have in your tank

Reefmedic79 · 12/24/2013, 01:33 PM

+1

Sump should never be completely full, and optimally should be closer to only half full (15g)

LR and sand can displace anywhere from 25-40% of a tanks volume (~40g)

Leaving you with an estimated 55g system.

PirateToast · 12/24/2013, 02:24 PM

Hmm... when people say they have 55 gallon tanks or 90 gallon tanks, I don't think they subtract the LR/sand displacement when they report that... I just figured it was implied.

whosurcaddie · 12/24/2013, 03:17 PM

It would be wiser to plan your water change method around total system volume and not what you think your rock is displacing. If you have a 60 gallon tank and a 30 gallon sump then you have 90 gallon total water volume. That is what you should get your percentage from for water changes.

As for CUC I would go with Nassarius for detritus. Various hermits and a mix of snails seriths, nerites and astreas. Turbos work well also.

Check out. http://www.reefcleaners.org/

Tuton · 12/24/2013, 03:20 PM

I think I know where your coming from...
when you read on the internet that X fish need a minimum of Y gallons, this generally states how much swimming space the fish needs....
So no, volumes are not additive....

dppitone · 12/24/2013, 04:14 PM

Sounds good from here.

PirateToast · 12/24/2013, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuton

I think I know where your coming from...
when you read on the internet that X fish need a minimum of Y gallons, this generally states how much swimming space the fish needs....
So no, volumes are not additive....

Thanks Tuton, you nailed my question. I guess I was asking if minimum sizes refer to roaming room or total water volume. Or if minimum sizes referred to DT only. Thanks!

thegrun · 12/25/2013, 09:05 AM

+1, for determining what type of fish you can keep use your DT size (60 gallons), but it is important to know how many total gallons (water only not counting the space rock and equipment displace) your system had for dosing chemicals and medications.

12/23/2013, 10:10 PM	#1
PirateToast Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 537	Fish plan and sump question... Okay... I'm asking a lot of questions because I'm excited that I'm done cycling. Here's my plan. I'm going to buy two clowns this weekend and add them at the same time. Let them hang out for a couple weeks. I'm assuming at some point this will cause a need for a CUC, so that is next on my list. After that, I'm going to give it a few months to think about my next purchases. Sound good? Now about those next purchases... if I have a 60 gallon tank and add a 30 gallon sump, is it considered a 90 gallon tank?

12/24/2013, 01:33 PM	#3
Reefmedic79 Life and Reef Saver Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tavares, Florida Posts: 6,202	+1 Sump should never be completely full, and optimally should be closer to only half full (15g) LR and sand can displace anywhere from 25-40% of a tanks volume (~40g) Leaving you with an estimated 55g system. __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> How much deeper would the ocean be if it didn't have sponges? P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sid Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder, 20L Sump, 10G Fuge, JBJ A.T.O, 4" Reef Octopus, DIY Stand & Canopy, RapidLED Dimmable 36 Kit on 3 6" MakersLED Heatsink, MP10es

12/24/2013, 03:20 PM	#6
Tuton Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 348	I think I know where your coming from... when you read on the internet that X fish need a minimum of Y gallons, this generally states how much swimming space the fish needs.... So no, volumes are not additive.... __________________ "In this hobby nothing good happens fast" Tank Info: 55 Gallon Mixed Reef, 20 gallon sump

12/23/2013, 10:44 PM	#2
billyjack Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 16	It won't be 90 gallons if you take into consideration water displacement with live rock and all..it would depend on how much extra you have in your tank

12/24/2013, 02:24 PM	#4
PirateToast Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 537	Hmm... when people say they have 55 gallon tanks or 90 gallon tanks, I don't think they subtract the LR/sand displacement when they report that... I just figured it was implied.

12/24/2013, 03:17 PM	#5
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	It would be wiser to plan your water change method around total system volume and not what you think your rock is displacing. If you have a 60 gallon tank and a 30 gallon sump then you have 90 gallon total water volume. That is what you should get your percentage from for water changes. As for CUC I would go with Nassarius for detritus. Various hermits and a mix of snails seriths, nerites and astreas. Turbos work well also. Check out. http://www.reefcleaners.org/

12/24/2013, 04:14 PM	#7
dppitone Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Queen Village, Phila. Posts: 1,697	Sounds good from here.

12/25/2013, 09:05 AM	#9
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	+1, for determining what type of fish you can keep use your DT size (60 gallons), but it is important to know how many total gallons (water only not counting the space rock and equipment displace) your system had for dosing chemicals and medications.