questions and some assumptions

[BCReefer]

I have just almost finished reading Concen. Marine. So I have a few questions and assumption:

1. When I use a sump, I use LR to improve my filtration. This would replace the need of a mechanical filter.
2. Use a Skimmer
3. When using a sump I need a way to move the water from the tank to the sump, thus I need to have a hole put into the tank and use appropriate connect/disconnect plumbing hardware. I would assume you would need 2 holes 1 to the sump and 1 to return to the tank?
4. When using HO or VHO ensure that you have proper ventilation so that you do not overheat you tank.
5. Ok so what is the difference between a sump and a refeguim ? (Not sure of the spelling there)
6. There must be some power heads to create water circulation.
7. When adding new water you add it into the sump???
8. You add all your chemical in the sump?
9. Have a good base of sand or substrate.

These are, as I indicated earlier assumptions and questions that I have. I have been reading as much as I can and I want to ensure that something is staying in.

Thanks for the help and comments

 

[Anonymous]

Do you have John Tullock's book? He has an awesome diagram in the beginning.

Think of a sump as just a loop outside your tank. At the bottom of the loop will be a sump. A "sump" is just a container for water. If you choose to put LR in there, some sand, light it, throw in some macro algae, and throw in some little critters - the sump becomes a typical refugium. All a refugium means is a safe place where stuff can live.
Now as for drilling holes in the tank - it is not the only way to go. Some folks use overflows powered by siphon that hang off the back of the show tank. Works well as long as you don't lose the siphon (suction).

In my opinion a safe way to go is a tank with built in corner overflows that feed the "out" line. Gravity drives that.
Then the "return" line is powered by a safe pump. If the water in the "out" line should stop, you would have to make sure the pump would not burn out (because it has nothing to pump).

 

[Anonymous]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BCReefer:
[QB]I have just almost finished reading Concen. Marine. So I have a few questions and assumption:

1. When I use a sump, I use LR to improve my filtration. This would replace the need of a mechanical filter.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

LR will be your major source of biological filtration. Some people will run activated carbon in a bag in the sump or setup a powerfilter for 3 days a month to "polish" the water.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

2. Use a Skimmer

You don't have to, but as a beginner, it's highly recommended.

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3. When using a sump I need a way to move the water from the tank to the sump, thus I need to have a hole put into the tank and use appropriate connect/disconnect plumbing hardware. I would assume you would need 2 holes 1 to the sump and 1 to return to the tank?

1 hole for an overflow to the sump (depending on the size of the tank). the return piping can run over the lip of the tank.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

4. When using HO or VHO ensure that you have proper ventilation so that you do not overheat you tank.

Not absolutely necessary, but it will extend the life of your tank and is generally better. HO lights are pretty unheard of these days.

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5. Ok so what is the difference between a sump and a refeguim ? (Not sure of the spelling there)

A refugium is a place where there is little or no predation--bugs and stuff are encouraged to grow there, serving as a food supply to your display tank. Often planted w/ macro algae to help reduce nitrate (NO3). A lot of people convert or setup their sumps as a refugium. It's win-win.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

6. There must be some power heads to create water circulation.

True--water must be moved.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

7. When adding new water you add it into the sump???

Sure

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

8. You add all your chemical in the sump?

Sure

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

9. Have a good base of sand or substrate.

4-6 inches of sand (deep sand bed) will make a huge difference in your nitrate (NO3) levels.
These are, as I indicated earlier assumptions and questions that I have. I have been reading as much as I can and I want to ensure that something is staying in.

 

[BCReefer]

Thanks.

I am slowly getting the hang of this. A little more each day.

For the next month I will continue to read the Con. Marine and then start Tullock's Reef Aquarium and finally a book by Julian Sprung on Corals.

I am still a month away from starting over. Need to get a bigger system than my 27G.

Again thanks for all the help.