Plumbing my sump HELP?

[nonstophoops]

i would not restrict your return. it could clog and the sump could overflow, or your pump could run dry causing it damage


8 hours will be fine.
Yes you can put them in the fuge but make sure they dont have a way out because snails will try, i would put a peppermint cleaner shrimp just incase of apaistia how ever you spell it.
Buy several portions of macro algea of any sort. Or go with a rodi to prevent phosphate, that is my next step.

When are we going to get some pictures out of this.

I agree that resticting your return is not ideal, but in this case, unless you add another overflow box(or figure out another way to plumb your overflow box so it doesn't have that 90 degree angle, sorry still bugging me that it didn't work out as I planned) you need to restrict the return pump so that it runs properly.

Not sure what you are getting at DGK...Restricting the return pump should not cause it to clog any more than it open all the way. With his setup, he should not have to restrict it much at all. The sump also cannot overflow because of restriction to the return line. The overflow box will only flow as much water into the sump as is getting returned by the return line(why it works, amazing physics really, still amazes me even though I get it.) The pump was running dry so that is why he had to restrict it. It will also run dry in the event of a power outage either way. The biggest knock on having a HOB overflow and not a drilled tank(and the noise factor).

I agree with 8 hours or so. I will say, make sure you put the refugium on a timer so that the light is on in the refugium when its not on in the tank. It is called a reverse light cycle(I personally run mine from a half hour before main tank lights go off to a half hour after the lights turn on). This helps maintain stability in your tank. Otherwise the ph will drop overnight with the lights off.

You can put things like snails and shrimp in your refugium, just be careful of what you put in there. As DGK said, make sure they can't get out because they will try. Make sure you don't put anything in there that needs to be fed because you don't want to feed in there. Don't do crabs and double check if shrimp eat amphipods and copepods(any know here?). You want the copepod and amphipod population to thrive in your refugium and not be eaten by these critters.

Simplest algae to keep in a refuge is Chaetomorpha(Fleshy won't like this recommendation). Chaeto doesn't need to be rooted(it can't) and won't release very many toxins(many others do). It is also easy to prune as it grows and just throw the pruned pieces away. You don't need to buy much of it either because it grows very fast.

 

[ace869]

Don't do crabs and double check if shrimp eat amphipods and copepods(any know here?). You want the copepod and amphipod population to thrive in your refugium and not be eaten by these critters.

Simplest algae to keep in a refuge is Chaetomorpha(Fleshy won't like this recommendation). Chaeto doesn't need to be rooted(it can't) and won't release very many toxins(many others do). It is also easy to prune as it grows and just throw the pruned pieces away. You don't need to buy much of it either because it grows very fast.[/QUOTE

I have no knowledge of amphipod and copepods. But want to learn

how much Chaeto? And how often Do i prune it?

 

[FLESHY]

I can give you chaeto if you want it, and plan on running some in the sump I am constructing now...but there will definitely be more in the way of caluerpa in the sump than chaeto...also hoping to do an algae scubber. Gunna have to pull nitrates and phosphates like mad in this tank.

 

[nonstophoops]

Don't do crabs and double check if shrimp eat amphipods and copepods(any know here?). You want the copepod and amphipod population to thrive in your refugium and not be eaten by these critters.

Simplest algae to keep in a refuge is Chaetomorpha(Fleshy won't like this recommendation). Chaeto doesn't need to be rooted(it can't) and won't release very many toxins(many others do). It is also easy to prune as it grows and just throw the pruned pieces away. You don't need to buy much of it either because it grows very fast.[/QUOTE

I have no knowledge of amphipod and copepods. But want to learn

how much Chaeto? And how often Do i prune it?

Small little bugs basically(going in layman's terms, if anyone wants to get into the specifics be my guest). They are from microscopic to about a 1/4 inch. They eat all sorts of detritus and wastes. They also will slowly make there way to your main tank and offer food for some fish. They will usually be introduced by getting some good live rock. They will multiply like crazy and seed your entire system.

BTW I double checked and peppermint shrimp eat copepods and amphipods so don't put any in your refuge.

You can start with any amount of Chaeto really because it will grow in time. Definitely don't put in more than covers half your refuge. A softball sized piece would be good. You prune it when it grows too big to keep growing in your refuge. The speed at which it grows will depend on the light in the refuge, the water flow, and the nutrients in the water. I have only pruned mine once so far and didn't even need to, but I have a huge refuge and only have 2 fish so far. When I get my tank fully stocked it will grow much faster I assume.