Blog Comments

If you were running a crushed coral sub in a fowlr this would definitely be a great option. I still think ug filtration is a viable system even though it isnt widely used any more the reverse flow is the way to go so garbage does settle under the plate. In a reef thank that running good you wont have as much in the sand bed because you have more micro organisms that are in the bed eating the detritus as where in fw we dont have this luxury to that extent any how. the best way to hide your plumping in the tank with you putting a top to bottom overflow would be to run it in th over flow either drill from the bottom with a bulkhead or you could drop it in from the top if you prefer and are not going to be tight to the wall

I keep 3,4, and 16 onhand and havent had need for any other 16 is good any gaps I got a pack of syringe for like diabetics to inject it into an voids in joints

You can use #3 or #4. I've never used the two-part #40.

It would be tough to beat the Marcorocks sand deal at $29 for 40 lbs. I used Tropic Eden sand from Premium Aquatics. If you spend $175, shipping is free.

Is there any other reliable sources to purchase sand and LR from? I would buy it from my LFS but their prices are just not reasonable.

Ok i will probably use 3/8" since that is the thickness I am going to use to build the sump.

The other conflicting information I keep running into with acrylic is whether you have to use a capillary method with weld-on #4 or a two part poly...something like Weld-on #40 I believe.

Anyone have any insight into this?

He also has Live rock listed on his website for half the cost here with free shipping

1/4" to 3/8" would be my suggestion. If you feel the center needs reinforcement and will still let you install plumbing, go for it.

Yep, that's a good way to hide plumbing. It isn't all that different from a closed loop set up, other than the pump being visible in the tank itself.

DJ - that comment about the pennies made me want to click on the "like" option. Too bad we don't have that here.

Marco rock is less expensive, and shipping it is pretty cheap since it arrives dry -- no water weight. Jessy used it in her tank, and I used some pieces in my frag tank, but not in my reef because I prefer live rock.

Thanks for the input trplxj! When i read about it keeping the waste off the bottom I thought what a great idea as well as an inexpensive DIY. I might just have to give this a try with added flow from another means

Originally Posted by chuck

I wonder if you eliminated the powerhead and used your return from the sump and plumbed it straight into this if you would have proper flow for your reef?

This is exactly how I have the return on both of my freshwater setups. One tank is a 125 the other 500. Both tanks have sand substrate and this works rather well at keeping the fish waste from collecting on the bottom of the tank. As for flow for a reef......I don't think you would have enough.

Got ya DJ. Looked like an interesting concept. I am looking for options to keep as much of the "equipment" out of view as possible.

Thats him I read a article he wrote about when they used pennies to treat ick, that had to be back when jesus ran the lfs

No you have to have movement up in the tank, substrate in a reef tank wouldnt stay put with a bunch on flow under it Chuck where as in that article it was stone in the bottom

Thank you for confirming my thoughts. I just could not imagine that anything near that thick was really needed. 1/4" it will be.

I believe you are talking about PaulB. He is here on Reef Addicts too.

Wow 40 years is unheard of for a setup to be running.

I wonder if you eliminated the powerhead and used your return from the sump and plumbed it straight into this if you would have proper flow for your reef?

yea that's just a form of reverse flow under gravel filter. There is a guy on rc I cant recall his name but he has been do it for many year. He just had his setup hit 40yo I believe

Right. Since it will have water on both sides there is no need for 1/2" material. I would use 1/4" personally.

It seems like a good idea to get flow into places you normally can't reach with a powerhead.