AlexKilpatrick Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 I finally got my 156 all plumbed and ready to go today. And, a first for me, no leaks! I'm using a Hamilton fixture, one of the only ones I could find at the odd size of 5' I have a PM sump with an PM RL225 skimmer that fits nicely. I'm using a smallish wet pump for a return because I don't want to have a ton of flow through the sump -- just enough to get things circulated. I plan to use a wavebox to get good flow in the tank. Adding sand tomorrow, and I have some rock waiting in the garage. You can see how well illuminated to cabinet area is by the lighting fixture. Too bad I'll lose that when I put in the sand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindside Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 looks good man, put the sand in already, i know you have it! i sold it to you this afternoon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexKilpatrick Posted October 11, 2009 Author Share Posted October 11, 2009 Wow! Good memory! Yeah, I am going to try to do that today. I still have to get the salinity right, and I have to finish putting in enough RO/DI to fill up the sump. I hate putting in the sand initially, though. It just looks like a clouded mess for days and days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoneroller Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 Nice setup. Some would say to add the rock first so it's resting on the bottom rather than a sandbed. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexKilpatrick Posted October 11, 2009 Author Share Posted October 11, 2009 (edited) Nice setup. Some would say to add the rock first so it's resting on the bottom rather than a sandbed. Good luck! I have never heard that. I am planning to have a really shallow sandbed, so I am not worried about a lot of crap getting generated in the bed itself. It seems like having a layer of sand would help to cushion the rock against the glass. A long time ago I ran bare-bottom, but I do like the look of a little sand. Edited October 11, 2009 by AlexKilpatrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexKilpatrick Posted October 11, 2009 Author Share Posted October 11, 2009 (edited) Here is a picture of my sump. Can anyone tell me where the proper water level is? Right now I know it is too low because the pump will run dry if I try to run it. The returns are also very noisy. Edited October 11, 2009 by AlexKilpatrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mitch Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 The PM website lists what the water level should/will be for each of their sump/refugiums: http://precisionmarine.com/html/refugiums.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mFrame Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 My returns were very noisy as well, check out the Hofer gurgle buster. Easy to build with about $5 worth of parts and it almost completely silenced my setup. Otherwise things are looking good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoneroller Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 I have never heard that. I am planning to have a really shallow sandbed, so I am not worried about a lot of crap getting generated in the bed itself. It seems like having a layer of sand would help to cushion the rock against the glass. It's about stability and the threat of some fishes like gobies (or other fauna) burrowing or shoveling sand that might undermine a rock-stack. No need for cushion IMO. Also, the right level in a sump also depends on how much water is drained from the display when the power goes off in the middle of the night!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexKilpatrick Posted October 12, 2009 Author Share Posted October 12, 2009 MItch -- thanks for the pointer to the PM site. Tjat is just what I needed. VWMike -- My problem is not the return, but the drain in the sump itself. I extended the tubes so they drain underwater. That helps a little, but there is still a fair amount of gurgle and air bubble noise. Anyone have any suggestions for helping with sump drain noise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 its a single or dual sock set-up? My PM sump is dual and without a doubt there will be either a 90 dergree or 45 degree fitting in the drain. Thats where the noise is coming from. Any bend will create the noise you here, i too tried to extend the tubes into the sock with not much help in noise. A little noise is soothing to me. I set my level in the sump with the return flow, about half way up the grating at the end of the refugium area. Thats just how i run mine. I dont run the socks anymore either!!!! I Let it feed the refugium with the extra stuff from main tank after feeding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexKilpatrick Posted October 12, 2009 Author Share Posted October 12, 2009 Actually, I just found this diagram on RC. Seems like it would help. You wouldn't even need the cap on the top -- just an open T to allow air to escape without bubbling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mFrame Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Actually, I just found this diagram on RC. Seems like it would help. You wouldn't even need the cap on the top -- just an open T to allow air to escape without bubbling. Check out the Hofer, I understand that the noise is coming from your sump but that's because of the amount of air entering the overflow pipe in your aquarium. The Hofer allows you to limit the amount of air to make it much quieter. You then tune your return pump and the Hofer and the noise in your sump will be greatly diminished. In effect it will act similarly to your picture, but without a cap you're still going to get a loud gurgling sound. It's easier to limit the amount of air entering the system than to deal with it at the sump afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexKilpatrick Posted October 18, 2009 Author Share Posted October 18, 2009 (edited) VMMike -- Thanks for the tip of the Hofer Gurgle Buster. I built a couple today and they work great. The eliminated almost all of the noise in my sump. Edited October 18, 2009 by AlexKilpatrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.