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lougotzz
02/17/2009, 08:52 PM
Hello everyone,
I have been starting up with my first sw tank, I drilled my tank tonight, that was a success, and I also built my sump a few days ago. I have most my equipment I need, including my metal halide light. I have a question though, my sump is built and it holds water, I tested for leaks and there are none, but what is wrong with micro bubbles? I have my bubble trap set up and my sump is all said and done, but im just curious why we keep them out of the DT.
Thanks.

Jenisiz
02/17/2009, 10:21 PM
Could be several things...how far apart did you place the baffles...any pics?

Xartni
02/17/2009, 11:59 PM
From what I've gathered people keep them out mostly for aesthetic reasons.

ludnix
02/18/2009, 05:01 AM
They definitely reduce water clarity which is a big deal for a lot of people. The other aspect is that they can pose a danger to corals from them getting into the coral flesh somehow. I have also heard that they can pose a threat to sea horses when they get in their pouches.

reefscape15
02/18/2009, 09:04 AM
A pic of your sump setup would be very helpful, but as far as having bubbles enter your display tank is just a matter of your viewing being reduced. It only adds oxygen to your display, and if it doesn't bother you when looking into your tank, keep them going!

Jenisiz
02/18/2009, 09:59 AM
There's been a few who actually use a heavy amount of bubbles to enter their display once every other month or so to induce coral sliming. I've done it a few times and have noticed that several corals open much larger the following day. However, I wouldn't recomend this on a seahorse tank....

lougotzz
02/18/2009, 06:29 PM
Ill try my best to post some pictures, not sure how to do this on a forum lol.

<a href="http://s582.photobucket.com/albums/ss263/lougotzzz/?action=view&current=DSC03418.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss263/lougotzzz/DSC03418.jpg" border="0" alt="sump 1"></a> (sump1)

<a href="http://s582.photobucket.com/albums/ss263/lougotzzz/?action=view&current=DSC03420.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss263/lougotzzz/DSC03420.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> (sump 2)

I was very generous with the silicone lmfao. Here are a few with the over flow kit in place.

<a href="http://s582.photobucket.com/albums/ss263/lougotzzz/?action=view&current=DSC03416.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss263/lougotzzz/DSC03416.jpg" border="0" alt="elbow shot"></a> (tank shot 1)

<a href="http://s582.photobucket.com/albums/ss263/lougotzzz/?action=view&current=DSC03417.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss263/lougotzzz/DSC03417.jpg" border="0" alt="over flow box 1"></a> (tank shot 2)

I hope I did the photos right, let me know that you think, thanks.

Xartni
02/18/2009, 06:58 PM
How far apart are those baffles? They look really close together.

Also, better way more silicon than not enough... I learned that the hard way after the sump had been running for a week or so..


Jason

cdbias2
02/18/2009, 07:03 PM
The long term effect from mico-bubbles is a bad case of salt creep. That tiny popping when they hit the surface is rough on lighting and equipment.

lougotzz
02/18/2009, 07:05 PM
Well, I have to make the sump again, because the rocket scientist that I am, decided to use a toxic silicone. I ordored some aquarium silicone this time, im also considering drilling the sump (bad idea or not?) how far apart should the baffles be?

cdbias2
02/18/2009, 07:07 PM
I think I would have dropped that high baffle down from the top of that sump in case of emergency.

lougotzz
02/18/2009, 07:10 PM
which baffle? three of them are in the same position.

Xartni
02/18/2009, 07:11 PM
Check out Melev's site. He has an awesome section on sumps. I agree with cdbias2, move the top baffle down in case if the water level rises too high in one of the chambers, it will just flow into the other instead of flooding..

As far as how far apart, I would refer to Melev's site, but I think at least an inch.

http://www.melevsreef.com/

Jason

cdbias2
02/18/2009, 07:19 PM
I think as long as that silicone doesn't have a mold preventative added to it, it should be safe.

lougotzz
02/18/2009, 07:31 PM
I emailed the company, they said it had anti fungals in it.

cdbias2
02/18/2009, 07:36 PM
I also just noticed the height of your overflow.
If you loose power to your DT I dont think that sump is going to handle any overflow.

lougotzz
02/18/2009, 07:48 PM
I looked at it carefully, if I lose power it will not overflow. The water only rises as high as the glass at the bottom of the tank is. The third chamber, has the return pump, if there is a power outage only about a gallon of water will fall out of the DT and then stop becuase that black box is preventing water from going into the hole. The sump has about 5 gallons of room for water. hope that makes sense.

cdbias2
02/18/2009, 08:19 PM
The teeth on that overflow are are 1/2" from the top of that tank. No way 5 gallons extra is going to fit in 1/2" height but you said you only gain 1 gallon.
It sure does look like something is off.
Is that a 20L?

cdbias2
02/18/2009, 08:21 PM
Ahhh! Those teeth are on the tank. I see clearly now. Sorry.

tufacody
02/18/2009, 08:34 PM
Baffles looks WAY to close to me.

lougotzz
02/18/2009, 08:43 PM
cdbias2, so you dont think theres anything wrong with it? cause i was curious if i did something wrong. thanks.

cdbias2
02/19/2009, 02:30 PM
I'd need to see a full sump shot to be for sure.