My DUMP to SUMP program....

[Carlo Miceli]

Well after starting up 7 months ago I am totally addicted to REEF! So starting with bioballs in a wet dry setup under my tank I am now sick of dealing with high nitrates.. 50-70... So being fully ALL IN it is time... I took a dumpy corner near my hotwater heater and HVAC. It wasnt alot of room but it is workable.. I removed all the old clothes and boxes and here is what the plan is... I am either having Gustavo build something or I have been seriously looking at the Liferefugium II setup from Lifereef. For now I am prepping the area and will run plumbing down from tank.. Here is a link which I will update as I go... http://picasaweb.google.com/ppht43/DumptoSump
Any Pointer are greatly appreciated! Especially a new way to do water changes there... There is a sink behind the area..

 

[nichols]

I've never regretted plumbing my tank to the basement. Water changes are so easy. I use 3 Brute barrels. Two for saltwater and one for RODI. I have my sump marked for -30 gal and -60 gal. I just pump out 30 gals into a sink drain and pump in 30 gal right from the Brute barrel. I can do a 30 gal water change in about 10 min. You can easily get to skimmers and such so they get cleaned more often. You also have the option of a larger fuge. I have 5 different kinds of Macro growing. I can maintain undetectable nitrate levels.
The only down side is the extra electric cost of pumping the water upstairs and heating the extra water volume.

 

[Carlo Miceli]

The water for the water changes. Do you keep it heated and circulating all the time or just when you are getting ready for a water change?

 

[nichols]

Yes I keep 30 gal of salt mixed and heated at all times. Sometimes 60 gals. I use IO salt which seems to run about 325-350 ppm calcium so I buffer it to 450 ppm with Dow flake. I do a 30 gal water change weekly. I also keep 30 gals of RODI on hand. You never know when your going to need water in a hurry. A little while ago I was able to help another fellow reefer during a tank crash by having 60 gal of aged saltwater ready to go. To me the piece of mind is worth the cost of keeping a small heater and powerhead in a barrel of water.

 

[Carlo Miceli]

Sure is... I guess once I get everything up and running I will see what I have for space left and I will have to make some holding tanks.... Thanks for info. It looks like the are under the shelf would be a good candidate as I make another shelf below...

 

[Carlo Miceli]

Hello I added some new pictures if anyone cares to see. Plus Gustavo made me great Sump/Fuge.. http://picasaweb.google.com/ppht43/DumptoSump/photo#5025155629209969698