First tank, a few questions...

[dem0n321]

Hi guys, i just recently set up a 55gal saltwater tank with one over flow, a wet dry sump, and an in-sump skimmer. I haven't had any problems except excessive bubbles comming from the in-sump skimmer are being pumped back up to the tank, i have tried many things to rids the bubbles in the sump, such as bio-pads and bio-media, nothing seems to work except turnign the skimmer off (which i don't enjoy doing). any suggestions? thanx -Tom

 

[Monster_13]

Are you planning on keeping corals? If so, dump the wet-dry. I don't think that built in skimmer would work good. Remora and Bak Paks are the best. Are you using a DSB?

 

[LFS42]

adding a sponge prefilter to the return pump will minimize the bubbles.

moving the skimmer further away from the return will also help.

on my return, I put a 90 pvc elbow facing down so less bubbles get into
it as well.


and welcome

 

[dem0n321]

I already have a sponge prefilter on my return sump, also i was informed that a wet-dry filtration system was a good way to go for a reef tank, and finally i am not familiar with the term DSB.. anyone car eon filling me in?

Thanks again -Tom

 

[Monster_13]

Wet Dry is the worst. All you need is lots of live rock, live sand, and a really good protein skimmer. A DSB = Deep Sand Bed. They help eliminate nitrates in the water, nitrate and corals dont go well. I personally run a DSB in my refugium instead of the main tank. (DSB's go bad after 4 or so years, due to chemical and toxin build up.) So that way I can easily remove them. Have you added live rock or live sand? Also, what are your parameters, amm, nitrite, nitrate, and what type of water are you using? RO or RO/DI?

 

[LFS42]

I run a wet/dry trickle on my reef without problems so far.
I have no intention of switching out the filter anytime soon as well
(I'm too lazy to take out the bioballs)
So as far as a tank with a wet/dry trickle, if you spent the money
on it, don't take it out.
DSB's are tricky to do, they are potentialy very toxic if disturbed.
be carefull

 

[dem0n321]

Yes, the tank is about 3 weeks old and i have about 30 pounds of live rock in it right now, no live sand. I have an old 20 gallong tank that i was thinking abotu settign up as a refugium with live sand and mangroves and stuff, but i am very new to this i am confused on how i could tie it into my tank and keep the water levels the same.

 

[Monster_13]

I run a wet/dry trickle on my reef without problems so far.
I have no intention of switching out the filter anytime soon as well
(I'm too lazy to take out the bioballs)
So as far as a tank with a wet/dry trickle, if you spent the money
on it, don't take it out.
DSB's are tricky to do, they are potentialy very toxic if disturbed.
be carefull

DSB are not tricky... wet/dry are the worst. 90% of people use liverock and a good skimmer.

 

[Monster_13]

All you need is an overflow box. It's very simple. Lifereef has the best overflows. www.lifereef.com It's very simple, two boxes, each on opposite sides of the glass, then a tube running from one box to the other, transporting the water. The water goes from the box to the sump, the all you need is a good return good to send the water back up. I use a SCWD to return my water. It gets rid of the powerheads.

 

[Monster_13]

Haha, i just realized you already have an overflow box. Lol :roll:

 

[LFS42]

wet/dry are the worst

are you trying to say that I've been doing this all wrong for 10 years?

It's just a matter of opinion, trickles are not the danger pits everyone
thinks, but you stated earlier that DSB's become toxic after 4 years.

so which is worse?

 

[Monster_13]

Yes, hence I am not doing one in my main tank. 10 years ago, wet dry was the new technology....so was undergravel filters. :roll: It's proven that a good protein skimmer is much better than a wet dry filter.

 

[Monster_13]

Which is worse you ask? Well, if you have a refugium, the DSB can be easily removed after 4 years. I don't believe you understand what a sandbed does. It removes nitrate. Wet/drys are nitrate factories. They may be good for removing ammonia and nitrite, but they stop right there. Im surprise you have a good reef tank. What are your nitrates at? :roll:

 

[LFS42]

NITRATES 0

 

[Monster_13]

Yep, i'll believe that. :roll:

 

[dem0n321]

Ok i scribbled up a little drawing of my setup in paint and i want to tie that 20 gallon tank in as a refugium but i am confused how to do it and keep all my water levels at the same any opinions? oops wait, i can't figure out how to add the pic....[/img]

 

[Anonymous]

Trickle filters produce nitrates which grows algae. If you are using one in conjunction with a skimmer it probably isn't doing much, and thus won't cause problems. If you are very careful with feeding etc it could be ok also.

The hysteria surrounding DSB's is way overblown, IMO.

Anyway, regarding the bubbles- they are far worse on a new tank. Before you do anything drastic give it some time. Once all the tubes etc get a good coat of slime there are a lot less bubbles.

 

[Monster_13]

The hysteria surrounding DSB's is way overblown, IMO

totally agree. trickle filters and wet/drys are usless and a waste of money. A dsb will help, so will macro algae in a refuge.

 

[Anonymous]

well, for FO tanks trickle filters work fine- although they are not really to my liking

 

[LFS42]

adding a refugium is easy,
much like your sump and main tank
your refugium should have a top drain and a water inlet.
the key is to let the water move slowly through it, then drian back into the
main tank, or into the sump.
most people have the refugiums above the main tank, sort of another
display tank.


as for the trickle filter vs DSB, both are not as dangerous as people say they are as long as you understand how both work

do not over stock the tank and be patient.
it takes about 1 year for a tank to mature