SUMP pictures: please make suggestions to improve

This is a typical acrylic 3 foot long sump, 3 chamber that I use for my 90 gal bow front LRWF and softies tank. As you can see I am using bioballs, then I have a few lbs of LR with macro algae, a decent skimmer, some live sand, then off to the return pump. Light turns on when tank lights turn off and visa versa. People have suggested getting rid of the bio-balls and substituting with coral rubble. Anything else I can do to improve on things, suggestions, criticisms, etc:

 

I would slowly get rid of the bioballs and rubble since they both will allow detritus to build up in the sump. I would have the refuge on one end , the skimmer on the other and the return in the middle if you have 3 chambers. Split the the incoming water water with the majority going to the skimmer chamber. You will get more water cleaning this way than you currently have it since you are either running the water through the algae too fast or are skimming cleaned up water.

 

+1 on not needing plastic or rock in the sump
also empty your skimmer cup Pez Blanco LOL?

 

IMO the skimmer should be in the first chamber where the water enters. Bio-balls should go. Nitrate factory most likely. Replace with Chaeto and LR. The LR can be rubble but larger pieces would be okay and may be easier to vacuum. If your are feeling frisky you could add some Caulerpa to the fuge just make sure you run 24 hour lighting. Caulerpa is a great water scrubber and studies suggest it also has healing agents that are beneficial to your livestock. I run both in mine. The only problem I run into with this is sometimes the chaeto is over run by the caulerpa. I cut them back and seperate. Then the cycle repeats itself only the chaeto will over run the caulerpa. Cut and repeat.

Criticisms? I would move that light so it is not pointing directly on your skimmer too. You are growing algae in your skimmer. Its a skimmer and this is Reefing not hydroponics. ;-)

 

Ok, so if I'm understanding this correctly I should get rid of the bio balls. That is LR that I already have in there not coral rubble. Move PS to chamber which receives the water first, then have the pump in the middle chamber then create a refug. on the far right side? Should I get rid of the sand that I have in there as well?

Thanks

 

Hi 2in10, Can you explain how to create a proper refuge. on the far right side then, obviously with the light being concentrated there.

Thanks

 

Pez,

I would get rid of the bio balls. I would suggest doing this slowly to prevent a spike in ammonia etc. You could add a filter sock attachment to catch the incoming water. Your chamber already has enough room to do this. Then I would move the skimmer to the chamber where water is coming in from the overflow. It should have a chance to skim the dirtiest water. Adding live rock to your refugium section will help replace your bio balls. Not sure if I read if you're already doing this. Concentrate your light to the refugium area will help as well.

 

New changes to sump, what do you think?

Ok, So I was not able to squeeze the PS into the first chamber so as you can see I am pointing the intake in the direction of old water coming into first chamber via drip using LR. I moved the pump into the middle chamber and have taken out 90% of the sand and also have created a mini refuge on the far right side chamber:

 

More pics:

 

One more: