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View Full Version : So what's with all the chambers?



DarkHorseMBA
Mon, 23rd Aug 2010, 10:42 PM
I'm working on refurbishing my first reef tank, there is another post about that here. The tank has a built in sump/filter, its in the back of the tank. I thought I knew how sumps worked, but this has so many baffles and chambers. I've attached a photo and diagram, I'll try to explain what I know or think things are, maybe someone with a patient disposition can help explain some of this to me.

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Between each chamber there is a black pvc egg crate type grid.

1. This is the overflow water, water enters here and once the chamber is filled the water flows into chamber 2.

2. These seems to be where I would put a filter or sock to catch fish waste? The water then flows/trickles into chamber 3.

3. Is there where I would put carbon? Then the water flows into what looks like a bubble trap, and into mystery chamber 4.

4. I have no idea what might happens here, the tube at the top is on the outside of the tank, and there is dipstick looking thing with a green tip at one end an acrylic tube on the other. The water flows from here into what looks like another bubble trap, and overflows into chamber 5.

5. there is a removable acrylic plate here with drilled holes, just seems to be laying there, no sure it belongs. Water passes into chamber 6.

6. I guess bio balls or refugium plants go here?, water flows to chamber 7.

7. Bio balls, if there are plants in #6.

Finally out to the large chamber to be pumped back into the tank. The tube shown in on the inside of the sump/filter, unlike the other tube.

So am I totally of base here? Any help would be appreciated.

DarkHorse

alton
Tue, 24th Aug 2010, 06:30 AM
I agree with bio balls in #6 to create a trickle filter and placing filter pad on top to help keep them clean. The rest looks like your guess is good as mine? The more times water goes over a water fall it adds more oxygen to the water?

txav8r
Tue, 24th Aug 2010, 09:19 AM
#4 might be a skimmer. Is the green tip an airstone?

RayAllen
Tue, 24th Aug 2010, 09:32 AM
Jack you and I both noticed what looks to be a airstone in #4. Looks to be a built in airstone driven skimmer.

The top is probably removable with a collection cup.

Chambers 6 and 7 look like media chambers. I would put LiveRock rubble in both of them.

RayAllen
Tue, 24th Aug 2010, 09:49 AM
Do you know what aquarium you have? Brand/model etc... Im sure there would be a diagram online somewhere with what orignally came in those chambers.

txav8r
Tue, 24th Aug 2010, 09:56 AM
What ever brand it is, it's an interesting design.

Nice avatar Ray. LOL

DarkHorseMBA
Tue, 24th Aug 2010, 02:06 PM
You know come to think of it the stone looks/feel like an air stone. Does that mean it's a skimmer, there is cup or tue looking thing at the top would I need and air pump for it?

DarkHorseMBA
Tue, 24th Aug 2010, 02:09 PM
The worn down label on the front looks like Summit aquariums or Summir Aquatics, google turned up nothing.

txav8r
Tue, 24th Aug 2010, 02:24 PM
If it's an airstone driven skimmer, yes, you would need an air pump. That is what I believe it is.

DarkHorseMBA
Tue, 24th Aug 2010, 02:33 PM
COOL! built in skimmer, this is looking like better deal, worth the extra work.
Thanks for the help!

DarkHorseMBA
Tue, 24th Aug 2010, 03:53 PM
If it's an airstone driven skimmer, yes, you would need an air pump. That is what I believe it is.

Yup looks like it's a skimmer, found this diagram that looks just like it, though nothing on the complete tank.
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Kristy
Tue, 24th Aug 2010, 06:20 PM
Hey Dark Horse, if you happen to be free on Saturday, you should join us for the tank tours. You'd get to look at 12 or more examples of sumps and see how people do theirs. Pretty much every one does it differently.

DarkHorseMBA
Tue, 24th Aug 2010, 08:05 PM
Thanks for the invite, I'll have to check my wife we have 2 girls and Saturday is full of birthday partys and whatnot.
I'll check the schedule maybe I can make one that is close to home.