Rob's 3X2X2

[Anguilla82]

ok so here we go with the plans.

Current sump configuration:

Future configuration:

basically want to remove the first baffles from the current sump config and replace them with some black perspex (in order for the area to not be lit).
the first area will then become a DSB with the outlet from the tank going striaght into it (or maybe thru a grid to catch the larger particulate waste?)
therefore good flow and food for the DSB.
the tricky bit is then to have a lowish flow going thru the next section which will be a Miracle Mud based zone with various algae types.
The hope is that by having the first two baffles forcing the water around to the back of the sump, most of the force of the flow will then go straight across the back and thru the final baffles to the return pump, with just a fraction of the flow coming forwards thru the second zone and then across the final baffles to the return pump.

does this make sense at all

if this does work do you think i'll need a skimmer at all?

Rob

 

[Trod]

Way way over my head. I wish I was more technical minded

 

[youngfisher]

Very enjoyable to read.

 

[john.o]

Sent you a PM m8t {about the skimmer}

Found this on the net rob ……..
The mce 600 can free stand in a sump if needs be. As long as the water can freely exit the skimmer from the 40mm return pipe and it is not underwater then it will be ok.

If you restrict the flow out from the skimmer then the skimmer could flood. As long as the water is under the pipes then it will be ok.

I know of several people who run the mce 600 in sumps. Also you can hang it on the side of your sump if you want to.

Hope that helps.

PS try to put the skimmer b4 the DSB rob {post 11 in this thread}

 

[Anguilla82]

cheers john.

am all confused now . don;t know what to do. have had a message on UR from one of the moderators basically saying that i should just have the sump as an algae zone (i.e. ditch the DSB and skimmer!)
would solve the problems but i'm not so sure.

i'll have another look at it when i get in and have a think.
looks as though i won't be having a DSB in the sump though.
Could always go down the DSB in a 5g bucket idea if i can swing it past the missus i guess.

if not i've got 30lb sand sitting about!

Rob

 

[ben1987]

i would be tempted to stand the skimmer in the sump, you could always raise the hight of it by hanging it on a thin bit of glass siliconed across the sump

 

[SkiFletch]

Or standing it on some plastic

 

[Anguilla82]

cheers guys,

well after some deliberation i'm gonna keep the layout of teh sump as is at the moment.
gonna go for a standard refugium/algae based sump.
gonna try and go skimmerless as the tank is gonna be low stock anyway, so if anyone is after a Deltec MCE 600 let me know, i might just have one going spare!

Rob

 

[TigerIssey]

Seffie was after one, not sure if she got one off ebay though.

 

[ben1987]

honestly mate, run it. Use that beat of a halide and keep some SPS. Skimmers do a brilliant job

 

[seffieuk]

Hi Rob

Might be interested, I have been promised a new one but they seem to be taking an age to sort it out

Seffie x

 

[Anguilla82]

Hi all,

well i took the day off of work yesterday to get everything sorted.
did all the plumbing in the week with solvent weld (blimey this stuff works fast! )
most of it had been done below the tank but all of it above needed siting and sticking.

So early yesterday i got up and shot down to SouthWest Marines near Bristol:
a) cos i haven't been there before
b)i needed more RO and had emptied my LFS's tank the previous day

Have to say its a cracking little shop!
wide array of stock and lots of frags (which is what i prefer to stock rather than big corals)
Also RO was only £2 for 25 litres
got some lovely little zoa frags which have gone into the nano for the time being. Again most of these were only £2!
was given a free bottle of phytoplanton as well which'll help kick start the new tank.

Didn't have the salt i needed though so on the way back to Newent i went to an LFS in Gloucester, and picked up a bucket of Tropic Marin Pro Reef.
get on really well with one of the guys in there and he's just cropped all his algae from his tank so is gonna bag it up and let me have it at the weekend!
also scrounged an ex display power compact unit to light my refugium. Its 39w so should produce good growth.

Anyways, i lugged all this back to the house for around lunch time.
Got the water on to heat up and added the salt.
after lunch i fitted the light, screwed the power extension to the inside of the cabinet and sorted out all the wiring and timers.

Next came the filling. First i tested the bulkhead seals by adding water to the weir. NO drips!
thank god for that i thought!

then i began adding water to the sump. After i had added all 3 RO containers i had picked up that morning i realised that i was still gonna be short, so went up to my LFS in the hope that their tank had enough in. Luckily they had enough to fill the 2 containers i guessed i would need.
Back to the house and out with the vat, heater and salt again!

Finally it was full.
Time to test the pipework.

Luckily only a few minor drips and all from the tank builders pipework seals! Maybe i should change profession!

anyways i added a smear of solvent weld where the drips were coming from to seal them up.

next i took Ben's advice and put the skimmer in. It not in the best position, but i'm limited to where i can put it and be able to monitor the collection cup content.

Next was the retest of the pump/plumbing and all was fine except that the check valve (non-return thing) was very noisy and rattling. Then noticed that where i had joined the flexi pipe from the eheim to teh rigid pipe with standard silicone sealant, the seal had failed and i was getting lots of water coming out. I am guessing that as the check valve is not getting total pressure going through it that is why its rattling?

I have ordered this morning a few more bits from Coral Culture which'll hopefully solve this issue.
For now it all works but is just very noisy.

I'm also getting a lot of gurgling from my durso

OOOh forgot to mention i got some CUC on tuesday:
2 x Cleaner shrimps
4 x tri colour hermits
4 x red hermits
3 x turbo snails
3 x trochus snails.

all are well and scouring the rocks for stuff to munch on. will try and get some pics of them later.

For now, here are a couple of pics of the sump area.
p.s. apologies for the long post, shouldn't leave it so long between goings on!

Rob

 

[john.o]

That looks really neat Rob. What size pipe have you used? and good call on the skimmer once you start stocking the tank and you see how much sh@7 that thing pulls out , you will be so pleased that you decided to install it.

 

[Anguilla82]

That looks really neat Rob. What size pipe have you used?

was stuck with what the tank builders provided in the way of holes drilled and bulkheads so the outlet was 40mm and the return 25mm.

 

[TigerIssey]

Looking good

I love long posts, especially updates, so don't worry about that