Dose/top-off into the tank of sump?

MJAnderson · 09/07/2006, 07:58 AM

I'm a little cramped for space under a 72g bowfront, so in my sump I only have a skimmer section and a return (each about 14"x12"). I don't have an auto-topoff so I needed the larger area to give me 3 days of evaporation. I moved the return pump to the far end and put one of those plastic mesh tank dividers in to try and make a fuge-ish section, where i have some rubble and chaeto. I thought all was good but I'm guessing that my morning dose of 2-part and the additional of 4g of fresh water into my sump is killing off all the pods and keeping my chaeto from growing. Just curious:

How stressful is it to the tank to dose and add top off directly?

Should I give up on keeping anything in my fuge/return until I can get a topoff and can keep constant levels?

Thanks in advance.

oldsaltman · 09/07/2006, 08:11 AM

I think you answered your own question.

I have read several post where the direct addition of chemicals and RO were not good for the microalgae and pods.

ek9vboi · 09/07/2006, 09:05 AM

I would add them chemicals where the skimmer is located. This would help dispurse of any fluids that were added into the tank. Those plastic divider type things never work... I always see people trying it and end up redoing the whole thing with acrylic or glass.

For now the best way to add the chemicals into the freshwater (in a bucket) and then get a little powerhead to pump it in, that way so much freshwater can not just get in and murder everything.

tygger · 09/07/2006, 12:28 PM

Hey, I know what you mean by cramped space underneath the 72g stand.

My sump is divided into 3 sections and my return section is only good for about 2 days at 1g/day evap. (prob more, but I don't feel comfortable with the water weight on the other side of the baffles)

I have a top off container sitting outside the stand and use a peristaltic pump to dose kalk with my evap replacement. The pump is connected to topoff float switches and the switches are connected to a timer as an added safe guard. The topoff is added directly to my return section, but if I had to move it, I would move it to the skimmer section, not the fuge.

ericwebster · 09/07/2006, 02:31 PM

I got some Plexiglas from Home depot and use marine grade EPDM rubber weather stripping and the baffles hold great -- and are not permanent!

bertoni · 09/07/2006, 03:29 PM

I just dump the 2-part into the display area, since that's got more volume and a lot of flow. I suppose the alkalinity dose and SG changes from topoff might cause issues. I'd guess the topoff was more of an issue, though.

09/07/2006, 07:58 AM	#1
MJAnderson Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: East Bay, CA Posts: 2,633	Dose/top-off into the tank of sump? I'm a little cramped for space under a 72g bowfront, so in my sump I only have a skimmer section and a return (each about 14"x12"). I don't have an auto-topoff so I needed the larger area to give me 3 days of evaporation. I moved the return pump to the far end and put one of those plastic mesh tank dividers in to try and make a fuge-ish section, where i have some rubble and chaeto. I thought all was good but I'm guessing that my morning dose of 2-part and the additional of 4g of fresh water into my sump is killing off all the pods and keeping my chaeto from growing. Just curious: How stressful is it to the tank to dose and add top off directly? Should I give up on keeping anything in my fuge/return until I can get a topoff and can keep constant levels? Thanks in advance.

09/07/2006, 08:11 AM	#2
oldsaltman Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ga Posts: 1,333	I think you answered your own question. I have read several post where the direct addition of chemicals and RO were not good for the microalgae and pods. __________________ "No honey I can't just send it back. It's all wet and they won't take it back now!" Current Tank Info: 90g inwall with a 30g sump

09/07/2006, 12:28 PM	#4
tygger Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,631	Hey, I know what you mean by cramped space underneath the 72g stand. My sump is divided into 3 sections and my return section is only good for about 2 days at 1g/day evap. (prob more, but I don't feel comfortable with the water weight on the other side of the baffles) I have a top off container sitting outside the stand and use a peristaltic pump to dose kalk with my evap replacement. The pump is connected to topoff float switches and the switches are connected to a timer as an added safe guard. The topoff is added directly to my return section, but if I had to move it, I would move it to the skimmer section, not the fuge. __________________ 15g Nano 72g reef + 29g sump/fuge

09/07/2006, 02:31 PM	#5
ericwebster Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Boston MA Posts: 375	I got some Plexiglas from Home depot and use marine grade EPDM rubber weather stripping and the baffles hold great -- and are not permanent! __________________ "Nobody tried to sell me the most used piece of equipment I own .. my mop." 72G Tank LTA, Pulsing Xenia, Blue Tang, Mated Maroons, 2 Damsels, Neon Goby, Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, Peppermint Shrimp (3), CBS (1), Cleaner Shrimp Current Tank Info: 100G bow front corner. Yellow Tank, Coral Beauty, Clownfish, some SPS, LPS and Soft Corals

09/07/2006, 03:29 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I just dump the 2-part into the display area, since that's got more volume and a lot of flow. I suppose the alkalinity dose and SG changes from topoff might cause issues. I'd guess the topoff was more of an issue, though. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

09/07/2006, 09:05 AM	#3
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	I would add them chemicals where the skimmer is located. This would help dispurse of any fluids that were added into the tank. Those plastic divider type things never work... I always see people trying it and end up redoing the whole thing with acrylic or glass. For now the best way to add the chemicals into the freshwater (in a bucket) and then get a little powerhead to pump it in, that way so much freshwater can not just get in and murder everything.