Sump config for marine tank

[illumnae]

Hi all, got bitten by the marine bug with my recent office nano/pico and have decided to set up a 322 at home. I'll be using a 2x1.5x1.5 sump as the filtration system for this and need some advice on how to configure the sump.

As I understand it, for marine, the live rock and live sand acts as the colonising media for the beneficial bacteria and thus actual filter media is not required. The sump is supposed to act as a place to store equipment and perhaps a refugium.

I'm not sure yet if my sump will be 2 compartment or 3 compartment, but I'm wondering what's the best stuff to put in each compartment of the sump.

If 3 compartment, I'm thinking as follows:

Compartment 1: Overflow pipe from tank with filter sock + skimmer
Compartment 2: DSB + Macroalgae OR Algae scrubber OR phosphate reactor + Biopellet reactor
Compartment 3: Return pump + chiller pump

In brief, compartment 1 is for skimming the water that comes in from the tank, compartment 2 is for reduction of nitrates and phosphates and compartment 3 is the pump section.

If 2 compartment, thinking out of the box, I'm trying to do this:

Compartment 1: Overflow pipe from tank with filter sock + Return pump + skimmer
Compartment 2: Tee off from overflow pump + DSB + Macroalgae

Basically, water flows down from display section and is split into 2, 1/2 goes into Compartment 1, 1/2 goes into Compartment 2. Compartment 2 is the Refugium/DSB area which will overflow back into Compartment 1. Compartment 1 also contains the return pump and skimmer.

To cut down on heat in the tank (and reduce the number of pumps in the sump), I'm trying to avoid using the 2x reactors. However, is a DSB refugium recommended? Is it effective to remove nitrates and phosphates? I will probably use a Beamswork LED light to light the refugium (the 9W clip on one that I'm using for my office tank should be good enough).

Final question, for freshwater sumps, the tank maker usually puts a slope in the floor of the first compartment. This would not work well for my skimmer. Should I ask him not to put a slope? Would this be bad for my marine tank?

Thanks in advance!

[dominik2233]

is the sump already built?
For my case if given a choice to redo my sump (i converted my 5 footer planted arowana tank to marine), i would have two compartments.
First compartment:
1) filter socks
2) UAS
3) Skimmmer
4) Biopellets reactor

Second compartment:
1) return pump
2) Float switch for Auto top up.

[illumnae]

Hi dominik, nope I haven't built the sump yet. I'm calling my tank maker to discuss over the weekend and thus am looking for advice.

Just to check, if you're already using UAS (I assume this means Uplift Algae Scrubber), why would you still need a biopellets reactor? This would also mean i have 3 pumps in the sump (return pump, reactor pump, chiller pump). Wouldn't this add considerably to heat generation?

[dominik2233]

for my tank, i am using ATS and it could not bring down my NO3. So i added the skimmer and biopellet. Now my NO3 and PO4 is zero.

You can try going with UAS only or biopellet only. if it doesn't work out then add in the other.

The chiller and reactor can share one pump or the reactor and return share one pump or chiller and return share one pump.

[illumnae]

Thanks dominik, so DSB/Refugium is not a good idea?

[dominik2233]

Originally Posted by illumnae

Thanks dominik, so DSB/Refugium is not a good idea?

it is up to individual preferencess and what works for them.

For me, the ATS and biopellets work for me at the moment.

Currently, i am in process in doing my office tank. The filtration are only UAS and air driven protien skimmer. I will see how it turns out.

[illumnae]

Originally Posted by dominik2233

it is up to individual preferencess and what works for them.

For me, the ATS and biopellets work for me at the moment.

Currently, i am in process in doing my office tank. The filtration are only UAS and air driven protien skimmer. I will see how it turns out.

Need to find the materials to make a UAS I guess. I'm really bad at DIY

[dominik2233]

Originally Posted by illumnae

Need to find the materials to make a UAS I guess. I'm really bad at DIY

i have used netting, maybe i can help you.

Do you stay around redhill?

[illumnae]

Wah bro, how you know where I stay?

[dominik2233]

I remember i wanted to buy a catfish from you before.