Cam's 29 Gallon (New Project)

Bump

 

I don't know a lot about sumps Cam but this sounds like a viable option for you.....I'm not sure how it would work with the sump being so much larger than your DT but from I've read on here, people always say a sump is the way to go.

FWIW, if you've read any of my postings, I struggled with nitrates and ended up removing a good amount of my existing rock and replacing most all of my sand bed. I may suggest you do the same in your restart. You could treat some of your existing rock with perioxide to get rid of the caulerpa (sp) and then place in your bin of rock you keep and then get some dry rock to add to those pieces that you want to add. If your rock is leeching, then maybe your sand is as well.......I obviously agree with everyone else in that you need to get to the source of the problem and get in place things that will help with that - running gfo, using your own source water, increasing your CUC, and maybe adding in some beneficial bacteria. Just some ideas.......

 

I'm thinking I should use a 20L or 20H for a sump.

I think I'll replace some of my rock and just all of my sand when I do the transfer. How much rock should I change out? I'll definitely use some peroxide on the rocks as well. I'll definitely start running GFO and increasing my CuC.

 

So would it be better if I used a 20H or a 20L for the sump?

And Marshall O, I just realized that my RO/DI unit already has a pressure gauge on it lol

 

I would use a 20 long because you can get more equipment in there if necessary!

 

Okay. I'll pick one up when petco has their dollar per gallon sale.

 

If your gonna wait for that, might wanna consider replacing the 55 gallon!

 

I could, but that would mean that I would have to buy new lights, a bigger protein skimmer, and more powerheads. I just don't have that money right now.

 

You can use the same lights, same filtration, ect. as you save up to buy the rest of the equipment. Its your best option in the long run if you decide to keep this system running. With the money you are into the livestock it sounds like a no brainer, but thats just my opinion. If you are going to be adding sump and modifying the tank substantially it would probably just be easier to move it into a new system when it is set up.

 

You may want to keep a little bit of your sand because it will seed the new sand. I changed out in the long haul about 5 or 6 large rocks - my less porous and less attractive rock and then added two new pieces of live rock from my LFS - I was trying to get a little more bacterial diversity since my existing rock was so old. I would keep the pieces that you like so the amount is really dependent on that - I don't think there is a formula for exactly how much to keep - if you change out most of your sand bed and keep a few pieces of live rock to seed the dry, then that should help with what you're trying to do.....you may be able to get away without doing a total restart but big water changes. I would put your existing live stock in another tank while you do the restart and change out of rock and sand....I really liked the results of using microbacter 7 - I used the full strength when I switched out my sand bed for two weeks and then I still use it on the maintenance dosage.