Sump and Cycle Questions

icedearth15324

icedearth15324

TeamCR
I'm almost ready to start setting up my 75 gallon reef tank. I have a couple questions though on how what to do for a couple things.

#1, my sump. I built a custom sump. It is a 20L tank divided into 3 chambers, 1 fuge, 1 skimmer, and 1 return chamber.

My question is, would it be beneficial for me to get a filter sock attachment to my sump? Is it worth getting one? If not, what would replace the mechanical filtration of the sock?

#2, would I be better off waiting until the tank is up and running before I look into getting gfo/carbon reactors? Or should I get them from the start?

#3, to cycle the tank, which option is generally more recommended? And how long can I expect a cycle to last for this option?
-50-70 lbs of dry rock and 10-25 lbs of live rock, let the live rock seed the dry
-50-70 lbs of dry rock and 10-25 lbs of live rock, with ammonia dosing/live bacteria
-75-100 lbs of dry rock, with ammonia dosing/live bacteria to create cycle
-75-100 lbs of live rock

I've read about all the options, but I want to try and find a general consensus about which is recommended.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
Personally, I'd avoid filter socks at all cost. They are a royal PIA. I had three of them in my sump until recently. One was on my return into the sump and two were between sections in the sump. They were there to keep pieces of chaeto from going into my return/skimmer section. After cleaning them, they'd start to overflow in a couple of days. They are not easy to clean either.
 
#1) The skimmer is your mechanical filtration. The filter sock isn't bad, but you have to keep up with changing them (this can be several times a week or a couple times a month depending on your bio load and how much you feed). All the water passes through the filter sock, but not all the water will pass through the skimmer. Some people like them, others don't.

#2)If you plan on getting GFO / Carbon in the future and have the money for it now, I would do it now. This way you can plumb the system for them, instead of going back later and modifying it. I also think running carbon during cycling is good for the tank as it makes sure any toxins are out of your system before you introduce fish or coral. After you put fish in the tank, I would start running gfo as this will reduce the "ugly" phase of starting up a tank.

#3)LR vs DR...depends on what you want. LR costs a ton more then DR. With (quality)LR you get a very diverse creatures coming into the tank, so are good for a reef tank, others are not. With DR you don't get any biodiversity (which means no pests!), but cycling takes longer (much longer) and it takes awhile for the coralline to start. I went with DR and would choose this route again as it was cheaper and I didn't get any pests. Others prefer the biodiversity and not having to wait for the tank to cycle.
 
Sawdonkey said:
Personally, I'd avoid filter socks at all cost. They are a royal PIA. I had three of them in my sump until recently. One was on my return into the sump and two were between sections in the sump. They were there to keep pieces of chaeto from going into my return/skimmer section. After cleaning them, they'd start to overflow in a couple of days. They are not easy to clean either.
Click to expand...

I just turn my filter socks inside out, put them in the washing machine on hot and extra rinse (NO DETERGENT) and they come out clean. I agree though that it doesn't take long for mine to overflow.
 
I'd have no issue running a second small pump to handle the reactors, especially since my drain will be 1.5" and the returns are 1". So if the reactors run on 1/2" plumbing, I'd rather just run it separately, but I will definitely look into getting them before I set up the tank.

And for the rock, I don't care so much about the biodiversity, more of I'm looking at a specific timeframe. With the summer coming up, my bedroom gets very warm. It's going to be difficult to keep my small tank cool. My 75 however, will be set up in the family room where it is almost always 70F, so it will stay cooler. I've already had my small tank get up to 85F before setting up my own cooling.

So I would prefer to get the system up sooner rather than later.
 
jm23 said:
#1) The skimmer is your mechanical filtration. The filter sock isn't bad, but you have to keep up with changing them (this can be several times a week or a couple times a month depending on your bio load and how much you feed). All the water passes through the filter sock, but not all the water will pass through the skimmer. Some people like them, others don't.

#2)If you plan on getting GFO / Carbon in the future and have the money for it now, I would do it now. This way you can plumb the system for them, instead of going back later and modifying it. I also think running carbon during cycling is good for the tank as it makes sure any toxins are out of your system before you introduce fish or coral. After you put fish in the tank, I would start running gfo as this will reduce the "ugly" phase of starting up a tank.

#3)LR vs DR...depends on what you want. LR costs a ton more then DR. With (quality)LR you get a very diverse creatures coming into the tank, so are good for a reef tank, others are not. With DR you don't get any biodiversity (which means no pests!), but cycling takes longer (much longer) and it takes awhile for the coralline to start. I went with DR and would choose this route again as it was cheaper and I didn't get any pests. Others prefer the biodiversity and not having to wait for the tank to cycle.
Click to expand...

+1

Stay away from things that require for you to montior like bio balls, filter socks or sponges..

Run the GFO last once you see the alage cycle starting.. But do run carbon!!
 
Remember that the purpose of the sump is to have your water filtered (socks, skimmer, gfo, carbon, fuge, dosing, etc.) not to provide the main source of flow for the tank. If you want to provide flow using a return pump use a closed loop system. That being the case I just put a T on my returns to provide the flow for my reactors, that way you don't need an extra pump.
 
What GFO and carbon is recommended for me to use? And am I better off getting 2 individual reactors, or is the BRS dual reactor ok? And what are your opinions on the Two Little Fishies reactors?

And if I could get some more opinions on the LR vs DR debate, and the options I specified.
 
I'm almost ready to start setting up my 75 gallon reef tank. I have a couple questions though on how what to do for a couple things.

#1, my sump. I built a custom sump. It is a 20L tank divided into 3 chambers, 1 fuge, 1 skimmer, and 1 return chamber.

My question is, would it be beneficial for me to get a filter sock attachment to my sump? Is it worth getting one? If not, what would replace the mechanical filtration of the sock?

Filter socks are ok, but be prepared to change them at least once a week if not more, additionally filter socks can impede the establishment of pods if you have a sump based fuge

#2, would I be better off waiting until the tank is up and running before I look into getting gfo/carbon reactors? Or should I get them from the start?


You can go ahead and order them now, but it is pointless to run either until the tank is cycled at least and you start adding livestock, I would wait to run either until you have a better understanding of what they do and why you might need them

#3, to cycle the tank, which option is generally more recommended? And how long can I expect a cycle to last for this option?
-50-70 lbs of dry rock and 10-25 lbs of live rock, let the live rock seed the dry

This option is fine, and will have a minimum cycle, expect phos leaching from dry rock
-50-70 lbs of dry rock and 10-25 lbs of live rock, with ammonia dosing/live bacteria
This is a waste of money, no need for ammonia/bacteria if seeding with live rock
-75-100 lbs of dry rock, with ammonia dosing/live bacteria to create cycle
This is an acceptable option, again beware phos leeching
-75-100 lbs of live rock
Fastest option and if it is well cured you will have no leeching issues, just be wary of pest hitchhikers

I've read about all the options, but I want to try and find a general consensus about which is recommended.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
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