sump

[prmcneal]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b338/McNeal1985/2005007.jpg

OK as you (I hope) can see this is my sump, question, I am getting the bio-balls out, but what about that blue filter pad. I have read that it causes nitrates to go up. If I need ti rid it what should I use, will be useing live rock rubble in place of bio-balls. Please plain english!! My the way a 110 tank

[gman0526]

Nothing wrong with using the pads as long as you clean them every other day at least. the problem lays on the detritus being left to decompose on the pads w/o being removed.

[newtofish]

Ditto with George. I would clean them often.

[bigfoot]

youcould add a baffle and add a dsb and some macro for export

[TranZ]

is that a red sea berlin skimmer? if so it works better if u take out the center tube....i have a HOB berlin turbo skimmer

[prmcneal]

yes it is a berlin skimmer. how do I take the center out, and what would it help? What is a baffle and dsb?

[TranZ]

Just pull it out...open the skimmer by taking out the collection cup and then the black tubing that holds the collection cup and if u look inside the skimmer you'll see two tubes...take out the small one right in the middle. this skim so much better than...a friend of mine did the same thing and it works. i could never get any skimmit until u did this.

Baffle is another word for a divider...u can put a baffle or two in your sump to hold water so that u can make it into a refugium/sump. which you can put a micro algae that will help with some nutrients export.

DSB= Deep Sand Bed my basic interpretation of dsb is that it will host a nitrafying bacteria that will help minimize nitrate

[prmcneal]

ok will try and get tube out, where could I put a divider? To me there is no room. Also put DSB in the sump? Sorry I am not up on all this and ask dumb question like I have crushed coral in the main tank can I add some sand to that witout tearning it down?

[TranZ]

There is no dumb question only stupid answers. Please feel free to ask anything you want because most people here either asked it or experience it already. Adding a sand on top of CC is fine IMO.

where could I put a divider?
i won't recommend that you convert your current sump into a fuge. it will be too much work. if you have room under the tank why not just make a fuge? keep your sump the way it is and just change the bio balls with live rock rubbles. leave the tray that the bioballs is sitting on and put LRR. that way u have a space underneath which you can clean from time to time.

Also put DSB in the sump? Sorry
you can put a DSB on ur seperate fuge but remember DSB to work it must be 4-5" deep.

[prmcneal]

what is a fuge?and why would I need it

[TranZ]

fuge is short for refugium...which you can grow macro algae to help lower you nitrate and phosphate in your water. this is essential for a reef tank.

[TranZ]

heres a link courtesy of Doctor Reef

http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html

[prmcneal]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b338/McNeal1985/Photo37001.jpg

ok this is coming from the bottom of my tank then to the sump, taking the balls out, tell me what to use and where to put it and how much water should be in there, can I put snails there also, do I need a light. Please tell me almost got all the balls out and need to do something

[gman0526]

I'm sorry Patty but I can't really tell what you're talking about. I see 2 hoses and that's it.

[prmcneal]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b338/McNeal1985/Photo37002.jpg

Is this better as you can see goes from botton of tank to sump then to uv think back to tank