noobish question

240z · 02/10/2012, 01:56 PM

Hello All,

I had a question that i need clarified.

How is a saltwater sump/filter supposed to be setup?

I was givven a sump with 3 compartments but im an not sure how to use it. The sump looks like this.

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|___________________|

I am new to sumps so i am not sure how this works.
I was think of putting Filter sock in first chamber, than skimmer second then equpiment in third. Like pumps and heaters? I would like to have a refuge but not sure where that will go?

I know i need a skimmer but that about it.
I want to keep coral mainly SPS corals.

Any help is welcomed!!!

karsseboom · 02/10/2012, 02:13 PM

you need to get reading. There is plenty of info on the web about setting up sumps and keeping sps corals. Why dont you try to start out with somthing a little more easy like lps or soft corals. Sps coral are by far the hardest thing to keep in this hobby. Sometimes they die for no reason at all its crazy.

EllieSuz · 02/10/2012, 02:26 PM

I have four compartments in my custom sump; one for the return water and filter sock (which I no longer use), the next for my skimmer, the third for a big ball of Chaeto for nutrient export and the fourth for the return pump. You can stick your heater(s) anywhere they fit. Since you have three compartments, you may skip the refugium portion. You can always install a separate refugium in the future if you decide you need one.

rrasco · 02/10/2012, 04:52 PM

Intake/skimmer, fuge, return. That is, if the intake is big enough to fit your skimmer.

02/10/2012, 01:56 PM	#1
240z Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Montebello, CA 90640 Posts: 42	noobish question Hello All, I had a question that i need clarified. How is a saltwater sump/filter supposed to be setup? I was givven a sump with 3 compartments but im an not sure how to use it. The sump looks like this. \| . . . . \| . . . . \| . . . . \| \| . . . . \| . . . . \| . . . . \| \| . . . . \| . . . . \| . . . . \| \|___________________\| I am new to sumps so i am not sure how this works. I was think of putting Filter sock in first chamber, than skimmer second then equpiment in third. Like pumps and heaters? I would like to have a refuge but not sure where that will go? I know i need a skimmer but that about it. I want to keep coral mainly SPS corals. Any help is welcomed!!!

02/10/2012, 02:26 PM	#3
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	I have four compartments in my custom sump; one for the return water and filter sock (which I no longer use), the next for my skimmer, the third for a big ball of Chaeto for nutrient export and the fourth for the return pump. You can stick your heater(s) anywhere they fit. Since you have three compartments, you may skip the refugium portion. You can always install a separate refugium in the future if you decide you need one. __________________ "You can't learn this hobby one question at a time." (Mr. Tuskfish) Eileen Current Tank Info: I'm out of the hobby, but used to have a60 gal. reef, refugium in sump, Internal Mag 9 return, SC 302 skimmer, two Maxi-Jet 1200's modded, four bulb T5 Lighting, Reefkeeper Lite Controller with three PC4's, Little Fishes GFO reactor.

02/10/2012, 04:52 PM	#4
rrasco Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,159	Intake/skimmer, fuge, return. That is, if the intake is big enough to fit your skimmer. __________________ -You had me at PWM

02/10/2012, 02:13 PM	#2
karsseboom Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 2,183	you need to get reading. There is plenty of info on the web about setting up sumps and keeping sps corals. Why dont you try to start out with somthing a little more easy like lps or soft corals. Sps coral are by far the hardest thing to keep in this hobby. Sometimes they die for no reason at all its crazy.