Can I run the overflow to fuge weekly?

If I have a powerhead in the fuge can I just turn on my return pump once a week for a day to cycle things through? Then I won't have to worry about flooding, gurgling etc.

 

Do you have heat in both places separately?

Would you have some kind of water movement in the fuge? Even just an air pump would help.

 

Yes, I just hooked up one of those little whisper 10gal filters so there's flow. It could also be helpful because it's got a refillable filter that I put charcoal into.

 

so your fuge would hold the same water for a week and then you would turn on return pump to exchange water and let the new water sit for a week? Im not sure how well the fuge will be able to help your DT with this method but if you get good results then go for it.

 

You can, but it sort of defeats the purpose of having a refugium. The purpose is to constantly filter the water, your method won't necessarily be bad, but it won't allow for constant filtering. You may as well do regular water changes and you will achieve the same effect.

 

Hmm, not hearing a lot of support for this idea. I'm going to make a durso standpipe and am planning on running the return pump into my skimmer so then perhaps can run it all the time. It just takes care of: pump vibration, flooding possibility, elec' cost, and wear on pump doing it once in a while.

 

i understand your stance on pump, cost, etc. but unless you have a fuge just for some sort of creature, not running it defeats the purpose, and unless you have constant nutrient-rich water flowing over your macro, it wont survive.

 

A little more research may be in order here....

You're on the right track with the Durso, they're quiet and reliable.

Flooding: a properly designed sump/overflow system cannot over flow. The circulation relies entirely on the return pump. If it shuts off the plumbing in the overflow system drains into the sump and stops. Your DT stays full, the water drops below the level of the intake for the overflow. make sure you have enough excess volume in your sump to hold the full "dead" volume of water if the system shuts off.

Skimmer: A good skimmer should have its own pump, this is independent of the main return pump. They're generally smaller and use less power, and worth every penny. Some cheaper, and most older, skimmers rely on a diversion T from the return and a limewood or glass airstone and air pump, but that's "old school" and modern skimmers are much more efficient. Either way you have to pump water, a dedicated water pump on the skimmer is the way to go.

Electrical costs: A return pump will use a bit of power, but less than your lights. Saltwater tanks take money to maintain, no doubt... but modern pumps run pretty efficiently, you'll probably spend more powering your lights than your pumps.

Vibration: A well build and properly installed pump should be almost silent. A little back ground noise is to be expected, but usually water movement and normal background noise is louder. If you've got bad pump vibration noise you've probably got something wrong. Check to make sure the drive shaft is turning smooth, nothing is caught in the impeller, and that all the water runs through unrestricted pipes of a suitable diameter. For external pumps set them on a layer or two of styrofoam, carpet pad, cork tile, or foam rubber. If they sit on the floor of a sump use a thin layer of filter pad foam. this will provide some vibration isolation.

Wear on pumps: A good pump should have a 100% duty cycle and last for 3-5 years before any replacement maintenance is needed. They're made to run full power uninterrupted 24/7 for years - you will do more damage and add to the wear and tear turning it on and off frequently. All you should really have to do is check them every 6 months or so and make sure they're clean inside and out. Eventually shafts, bearings, props, etc will wear out and are cheap and easy to replace. A good pump motor should last 10 years.

 

Excellent information.

 

Thanks for the info. I had been running it all this time once a week and the chaeto was growing pretty good, but now I'll try running it 24/7. My concern was the overflow messing up somehow but that durso seems foolproof and everything is whisper quiet. Actually I put more water in the display so everything is topped off and it seems to have made it quieter.

Regarding skimmers, I am in the market for one if anyone has any suggestions. There are so many to choose from. I want to spend under $200. Do you think that swc cone is good?