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[LoneRegister]

After a 4 year hiatus - I am breaking out the 90 gallon - and setting up again. I am going to take several months to get things together this time.

In doing my setup, I am thinking that I am going to do a refugium/sump combination to the tune of 30L x 16W x 18H

I have a few questions:

1) Do I need a skimmer still? (I have a CS-6) I am thinking that it cannot hurt. But do I need it?

2) Filter sock - do I need a filter sock with a refugium/sump combination?

3) DSB - Do I need a Deep Sand Bed? What is the communities concensus on DSB now almost 7 years later than when I first setup my 90?

4) Pumps. I had a GenX pump before which was external - and did not like it so much as it was a potential leak source. Not so much that it leaked, but that I worried that it would leak.

I chosing an internal/in sump pump heat was brought up. I am thinking of a 1200 GPH pump like a Mag 12. Does anyone have thoughts or suggestions? Are there better pumps that generate less heat or noise?

My goal are to put together a system such that if any component fails, I will not get a flood. (other than something like the tank shattering)

Some areas that I had problems with before were the pump inlet in the sump (which was 1" from the bottom of the sump), the external pump itself, and the filter sock.

The filter sock was a pain because I had to move pipes and such. I also believe that the sock became a phosphate source as I washed it between uses in the washing machine on hot. Of course, now I realize that the phosphates probably came from the detergent resedues.... Heh

Also - The skimmer I have is a Euro Reef CS-6 - the Cedra(?) 3500 that I have is on it's last legs. Does anyone know of a replacement or source of new 3500's that I can purchase?


Thanks all for your help!

[dhammers06]

loneregister, I have a 75 with a similar size sump that i run a filter sock on and im in the same boat as far as id like to get rid of it but it made to much noise and made to many bubbles. A lfs didn't like them because of filter feeders. im tired of washing them myself as far as a pump I run a quietone from fosters and its quiet and im running it submersed and my tank runs at a constant 78. im not sure about you skimmer im not to expierenced in that department i run a turbofloter 1000 with a 2100 pump love it. I have chaeto in my fuge and have 0 nitrates. I don't have all your answers but just thought i would share what i run. you seem to be very prepared I also took about 4 months to add an livestock I was on this site and a lfs alot before I spent big money on anything.

[LoneRegister]

Thanks!
I will look into the quietone and see what I think.

[Playa-1]

1) Do I need a skimmer still? (I have a CS-6) I am thinking that it cannot hurt. But do I need it?
Yep, Use the skimmer.

2) Filter sock - do I need a filter sock with a refugium/sump combination?
Filter socks are a good idea.

3) DSB - Do I need a Deep Sand Bed? What is the communities concensus on DSB now almost 7 years later than when I first setup my 90?
I think the consensus is that there are many different ways to set up a system and a DSB is one method. It seems like the people running DSB's these days are going with a DSB in the sump/fuge or a remote DSB of some type. The DSB in the DT is less popular.

4) Pumps. I had a GenX pump before which was external - and did not like it so much as it was a potential leak source. Not so much that it leaked, but that I worried that it would leak.
I run the Eheim 1262 and it's working out gr8.

I would contact Euro-Reef for a replacement pump for your skimmer if you need one.

As far as the filter sock goes, I have about 6 spares. I swap my sock out with a clean one about every three or 4 days. A couple of times per month I hose them off and throw them in the washer with some bleach, hot water and an extra rinse cycle. Let them air dry when they come out and they're good to go for a few more weeks. The issue with moving pipes and a PIA. That's something you will have to address when you're building the sump. My filter sock is very easy to access and change. I set it up like that on purpose because if it's a PIA, then I would not service it properly.

I run an internal return pump and skimmer to minimize potential leak nightmares. The less nightmares the better in my book.

[LoneRegister]

Yeah - wet sump pump and wet sump skimmer are required in my book. You are absolutely right about worries. The less you worry about possible leaks and fitting failures the better.

[aquaman67]

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