Faithbleed

I did manage to get to to stabilize, but it was with a very full tank and under filled sump (pump running with lots of bubbles) and I wouldn't be happy running it like that. I think the flow through overflow is sufficient, I think it was a combination of low flow through the bubble trap and a (too) powerful return pump.

I split the return, because there return is too powerful and it drains the end section of the sump too quickly, making it run dry before it has a chance to refill. It's too difficult to tweak because I don't have enough play in the sump and I almost flooded the house the last time I added enough water and got it cycling between the 2 tanks. It's hard to explain, I almost need to show you in person.

Thanks Ira, I appreciate the feedback and assistance, but none of these will solve the problems. As you can see, even with the the split put into the return line, theres not enough space. The line folds, which will restrict flow It seems the solution is going to be a build a new sump with shorter baffles. Ala: Also, upon further research it turns out the instructions included in the box of the skimmer was wrong and the water level can be anywhere from 12.5cm - 25cm, so the skimmer wont work in the current sump anyway. So the plan is now to get a sump built. :-?

That's exactly the height baffles are now, but that doesn't allow enough room for return pump failure. The vids I've seen of the nw150 running in other sumps is with much less water...

Turns out I can't modify the sump as it is, I'll have to get a whole new one built ( :oops: ). If I'm building a sump 400mm high, how high should the baffles come and how do I know what the best height for for skimmer is? Cheers Dave

Yeah I guess that's the idea, but mine was mainly to house the skimmer, heaters and a Deep Sand Bed/Macro Algae. The reason the baffles are so high is because the skimmer instructions stated the ideal water level was just below the collection cup. In retrospect I don't think it needs to be that high, and I might have to get the baffles reduced in height to give the piping more space and allow for power failure (hopefully Greg can do that). Cheers Dave

Cheers, my skimmer is a Reef Octopus NW150 http://www.hollywoodfishfarm.co.nz/detail/view/reef-octopus-classic-800-insump-nw150/m/1219/ If it's possible, should I feed the tube into the protein skimmer's black stand pipe?

I think the sump is too high, which is causing half my problems. I have the space to put the T intersection in just as you can see: http://imgur.com/a/HxpTC But the tubing will have to run into the middle section due to height constraints (will take DSB out if that's the case). Really not sure how to progress from here. Any further suggestions before I modify anything?

But where do skimmers like to go? Long road trips to Bluff, lazy Sunday drives to sunny New Plymouth or maybe a blitz around Manfield?

:slfg: Thanks for the clarification...now how do I 'drive the skimmer'?

Thanks for the help and suggestions so far. I might divide the return, by putting in a T fitting and put a valve on the diverted hose and run that back into the first section of the sump. Ill look at the stand pipes as well becauce the durso modded one is probably a little high. Ill see how that goes before i remove a baffle as i would like to do dsb/fuge in the middle section of the sump. How do i 'feed the protein skimmer'? Cheers Dave

Cheers for the reply LA. - Any ideas on how to slow my flow down back to the tank? (can I put a ball valve on the return line or will that screw the return pump?) - Yeah, I realized that when I went to put the sump in, it's a tight fit for everything really. - If the pump shuts down, there will definitely be flooding... :oops: If I drain it, do you think I could take it back to Greg and get him to modify it?

Hi Guys I'm setting up my first marine tank and am having issues filling the tank. It seems my return is too powerful, so the last section of my sump drains too quickly, and returns water back into the tank to a point where it nearly floods. Details are: - 300L tank - 100L sump (divided into 3 sections (drain+skimmer/fuge/return)) - 2 x 32mm drains (with ball valves) - Eheim 1260 return (25mm) Anyone have any suggestions? Seriously worried about trying this again as we nearly had a disaster early today (Girlfriend nearly killed me). Images of setup: http://imgur.com/a/hF4mH Cheers Dave

Thanks for the input, I figured its a get what you pay for type deal, but just wanted to check first. Cheers Dave

Hi All, Just wondering how to figure out the best return pump size/model for my marine system? I have a 300L main tank and 100L sump, the drain is 2x 32mm (1 @ 90% and the other 10%) The return will be through 1 x 24mm hole and 24mm tubing, then split into a Y shaped loc-line piece into the tank. HFF recommended a Eheim 1260 (http://www.hollywoodfishfarm.co.nz/detail/view/eheim-1260/m/960/), which seems a little steep considering I can get a 3000L/H no name brand pump for $40 from AquaWorld. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hi all, Just wondering if anyone could compare of advice as to which Protein Skimmer would be better? http://www.aquaworld.co.nz/estore/style/rdc-850.aspx vs http://www.hollywoodfishfarm.co.nz/detail/view/reef-octopus-classic-800-insump-nw150/m/1219/ It's for a 300L marine tank that will probably have a 50-100L sump very shortly. Cheers Dave

Navarre, I'm about to start curing dead rock for my marine tank. At the moment it's slightly brown and has dried bits of god know what all over it. If I was to give the rock a hydrogen peroxide bath (before curing), what ratio to water who I need to use?

Whats the best way to figure out how big a return pump you'll need?

Brilliant, thanks for the reply.

Thanks, that's very helpful.

Hi All Firstly, thanks for the help so far, with your collective help I'm almost ready to start cycling my first marine tank. I have a few questions: - I have dead, uncured rock, do I have to cure it first, or just start the cycle process as if it was cured? - Will all the crap be removed from the dead rock regardless or will curing it be the only way to ensure the rock is free from unwanted algae etc? - If I want to run a DSB in my sump possibly with miracle mud, will I need a light in the sump? - Are sixline wrasse's safe with ornamental shrimp and/or crabs? - Will a couple of baby (?) clowns be ok in a tank without a anemone (at least for a few months)? - Will turbo snails allow coraline algae to grow and if so, how many should I get (if any at all)? Cheers Dave

Found a business that sells loc-line (and it's local) - mint. http://www.finda.co.nz/business/listing/nrvx/aps-tooling-ltd/ Good tip LA, cheers

Right, I'll try that approach. Cheers

Looks like you need to register an account with them (and have a ABN)...

Cheers