water level in sump

Mighty Dread · 10/08/2006, 07:50 PM

Does it matter if the bioballs are about halfway covered in water or should they not be. I have seen sumps set up both ways - one with the water only about an inch deep, and the other almost completely full. What is better - which should it be?

easye123 · 10/08/2006, 08:06 PM

i wouldnt use bioballs

Mighty Dread · 10/08/2006, 08:36 PM

bumpity bump

Tang Salad · 10/08/2006, 08:48 PM

The height of water in the sump is usually determined by the height of the baffles.

Mighty Dread · 10/08/2006, 10:39 PM

My sump is my wet/dry filter. I have no baffles. My overflow box runs to a drip plate which disperses the water over the bio-balls. The box itself is divided in two with a piece of glass. One half has the bio-balls and the other half has the skimmer and the return line, Water goes over the balls, under the glass divider and is then pushed back into the tank by the pump.
Like I said I have seen similar set-ups - one where the entire sump was full so that even the bio-balls were submerged -and then the other way I have seen it is with only like an inch of water in the bottom. I was running it with only like an inch or two for years but since adding my skimmer in requires the water level to be a little higher.
SO my question remains - which way is better?

Mighty Dread · 10/08/2006, 11:24 PM

Come on. Some one has to have some advice.

drummereef · 10/09/2006, 12:17 AM

We'll.... if the bio-balls are fully submerged then the filter isn't truly acting as a wet/dry. This is accomplished if the water is trickled over them and it collects at the bottom. You'll probably have more nitrifying bacteria if the water is tricked over them, but you do run the risk of creating a nitrate factory with any bio-ball setup. I'd ditch the bio-balls and just use the filter as a sump, imo. Let your live rock do the bio filtration in the display.

MT79 · 10/09/2006, 12:23 AM

The main thing the bio-balls will do when submerged is collect detritus. That's means regular cleanings w/ SW to avoid killing off nitrifying bacteria, and basically much more work than they are worth. A good amount of LR(1-2lbs per gallon) along w/ a good skimmer will do the job. A refugium would help further improve the water quality.

kelley_mc · 10/09/2006, 09:34 AM

I agree, dump the bio-balls.

Mighty Dread · 10/09/2006, 01:43 PM

I know I have heard the "nitrate factory" idea before - but for what its worth - I have had this wet/dry running for about three or four years and have NEVER cleaned or even touched the bio-balls and they are clean as can be. I have never had a problem with nitrates or any other unwanted imbalances. My tank has not really ever been heavily stocked though. I just started using a skimmer a week ago. And I only just begun adding corals about a year or so ago. So as my system grows though I will have to keep an eye on my "nitrate factory" - ya'll got me scared now! LOL

thanks

kelley_mc · 10/19/2006, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mighty Dread
So as my system grows though I will have to keep an eye on my "nitrate factory" - ya'll got me scared now! LOL

thanks

Just watch your levels. If they start rising, make a change.

10/08/2006, 07:50 PM	#1
Mighty Dread Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Worldwide Posts: 141	water level in sump Does it matter if the bioballs are about halfway covered in water or should they not be. I have seen sumps set up both ways - one with the water only about an inch deep, and the other almost completely full. What is better - which should it be? __________________ One good thing about music when it hits you feel no pain. Current Tank Info: 70 gal. w/ sump & fuge

10/08/2006, 08:06 PM	#2
easye123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,505	i wouldnt use bioballs __________________ Loading...... Current Tank Info: 90g BB sps 30g sump. 2x175w mh. 2x110w vho act. Vortech. tunze 6025. ER rs 135. TLF phos. ACjr

10/08/2006, 08:36 PM	#3
Mighty Dread Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Worldwide Posts: 141	bumpity bump __________________ One good thing about music when it hits you feel no pain. Current Tank Info: 70 gal. w/ sump & fuge

10/08/2006, 08:48 PM	#4
Tang Salad Algae skeptic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 78702 Posts: 3,098	The height of water in the sump is usually determined by the height of the baffles. __________________ Your algae is not special. Current Tank Info: TBD ADA 120-P SPS NLPS

10/08/2006, 10:39 PM	#5
Mighty Dread Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Worldwide Posts: 141	My sump is my wet/dry filter. I have no baffles. My overflow box runs to a drip plate which disperses the water over the bio-balls. The box itself is divided in two with a piece of glass. One half has the bio-balls and the other half has the skimmer and the return line, Water goes over the balls, under the glass divider and is then pushed back into the tank by the pump. Like I said I have seen similar set-ups - one where the entire sump was full so that even the bio-balls were submerged -and then the other way I have seen it is with only like an inch of water in the bottom. I was running it with only like an inch or two for years but since adding my skimmer in requires the water level to be a little higher. SO my question remains - which way is better? __________________ One good thing about music when it hits you feel no pain. Current Tank Info: 70 gal. w/ sump & fuge

10/08/2006, 11:24 PM	#6
Mighty Dread Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Worldwide Posts: 141	Come on. Some one has to have some advice. __________________ One good thing about music when it hits you feel no pain. Current Tank Info: 70 gal. w/ sump & fuge

10/09/2006, 12:17 AM	#7
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	We'll.... if the bio-balls are fully submerged then the filter isn't truly acting as a wet/dry. This is accomplished if the water is trickled over them and it collects at the bottom. You'll probably have more nitrifying bacteria if the water is tricked over them, but you do run the risk of creating a nitrate factory with any bio-ball setup. I'd ditch the bio-balls and just use the filter as a sump, imo. Let your live rock do the bio filtration in the display. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

10/09/2006, 12:23 AM	#8
MT79 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Phila, PA. Posts: 32	The main thing the bio-balls will do when submerged is collect detritus. That's means regular cleanings w/ SW to avoid killing off nitrifying bacteria, and basically much more work than they are worth. A good amount of LR(1-2lbs per gallon) along w/ a good skimmer will do the job. A refugium would help further improve the water quality. __________________ michael Current Tank Info: 55gal Reef- BTA cloning hot spot. 20gal sump/fuge.

10/09/2006, 09:34 AM	#9
kelley_mc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,543	I agree, dump the bio-balls. __________________ Thank you to our troops! Current Tank Info: 37 gal AGA with 20 gal sump/refugium, Coralife Super Skimmer 125, Current Sunpaq 150 watt MH, 2 Koralia Nanos for flow, Ebo Jager 200 and 150 watt heaters, 65 lbs LR (Fiji, Caribbean, Uaniva), Chaeto, Quiet One 4000 return pump, 24 watt UV sterilizer

10/09/2006, 01:43 PM	#10
Mighty Dread Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Worldwide Posts: 141	I know I have heard the "nitrate factory" idea before - but for what its worth - I have had this wet/dry running for about three or four years and have NEVER cleaned or even touched the bio-balls and they are clean as can be. I have never had a problem with nitrates or any other unwanted imbalances. My tank has not really ever been heavily stocked though. I just started using a skimmer a week ago. And I only just begun adding corals about a year or so ago. So as my system grows though I will have to keep an eye on my "nitrate factory" - ya'll got me scared now! LOL thanks __________________ One good thing about music when it hits you feel no pain. Current Tank Info: 70 gal. w/ sump & fuge