310 mega matrix planet aquarium build

[solor]

Now my issue is bubbles in the display. My biggest regret is to small of a sump. I have a maybe 6 x 6 area for my skimmer and bio reactor to drain into and it creates a lot of bubbles that enter display. I have tried multiple filter pads with no luck possibly due to water volume.

Does anyone think the crushed rock will work? That is my next thought...

 

[solor]

The sump is barely too big to pull out the front and replace with a custom made sump. I would have been to cut off 3 to 5 Inches of the current sump to remove...

I have not found a modular sump that I am happy with but do have a 6' acrylic display tank that is as an original premium aquatics display tank before they moved to Edinburgh. It was the best sump I have ever had for a 180 gallon, but won't fit unless I cut and reglue multiple times whitch is considered, but would rather find a company that designs a worthwhile option .

I have had custom done by Bashea on the past but had to "Fix" a leaking bio reactor per his replay, order a new lid since he sent a 3/8 and I plumbed for a 1\2 inch per advertise and was told that people run to much water through them and then free shirt after $3000 dollars (not requested) was printed with the logo on the back... not real impressed with quality control...

 

[Pntbll687]

The sump is barely too big to pull out the front and replace with a custom made sump. I would have been to cut off 3 to 5 Inches of the current sump to remove...

I have not found a modular sump that I am happy with but do have a 6' acrylic display tank that is as an original premium aquatics display tank before they moved to Edinburgh. It was the best sump I have ever had for a 180 gallon, but won't fit unless I cut and reglue multiple times whitch is considered, but would rather find a company that designs a worthwhile option .

I have had custom done by Bashea on the past but had to "Fix" a leaking bio reactor per his replay, order a new lid since he sent a 3/8 and I plumbed for a 1\2 inch per advertise and was told that people run to much water through them and then free shirt after $3000 dollars (not requested) was printed with the logo on the back... not real impressed with quality control...

Do you have any pictures of the sump area?

If you have room next to the sump, going external with the skimmer could do two things, 1- open up space inside the sump and 2- increase overall filtration. Reefocto makes some smaller external skimmers, and if you're not afraid of wait times or custom work, Lifereef can build a skimmer for practically any application, and he could do a modular sump no problem!!

As for the bubbles from the reactor, adding a "splashdown" chamber to whatever plumbing entering the sump could help. I made one a long time ago with pvc pieces. I used a 1/2" X 2" bushing, then connected 2" pipe and a flat cap on the bottom. The existing plumbing should extend down about half way into the 2" pipe and about an inch below the water level in the sump (I had 1/2in plumbing and drilled out the bushing so it slid around the existing pipe, and added a little teflon tape to make it snug in place). Drill holes in the pipe near the water line and a little above to allow the water out, and a couple relief holes in the top to release any air. I drilled the holes near the water line on a 45 degree angle upward to allow the water out with as little bubbles coming out as possible.

 

[Pntbll687]

so 2 and a half years later I added sand. I gave up on bare bottom, could not get equilibrium. I haven't changed much expect adding the xf350ce on both sides, middle too along with the Mp60 and MP40 on both sides. Hind sight MP40 are not strong enough for an 8 foot tank from the sides but I do not have access from the back which was the original placement idea and I have 6 backups so they stays they are placed on the back towards the bottom to keep flow behind the rocks.

Just an observation I've made over a couple years.

Tanks that start bare bottom and do not thrive, usually straighten out after adding sand, for some reason. Not sure why, whether it's additional bacteria being able to grow or something else.

BUT, a tank that has sand has an easier time transitioning to bare bottom. Why? I have no idea. Maybe down the road the sand can come out and bare bottom will be ok.