Cryptic zone in sump

[Yanir34]

Hello reefers ,I will try to summarize this post : I want to create cryptic zone in my sump.

Data : it's 500 liters display tank , 100 liters frag tank , 200 liters sump .
Return pump is Red dragon 9,000 l/h , and maxpect 6,000 l/h pump for chiller and frag tank.

I want to turn mainly chamber number 2 to cryptic zone.
I orders some hard dark plastic in the size of #2 chamber for sides and upper area of this chamber ,for complete darkness.
I already put 60 kg of dry Indonesians rocks in it .
As shown in the pic below :
A - is main drain 40 mm
B - is emergency drinn 32 mm
C - is main drain of frag tank , 32 mm
1 - is first Chamber in sump
2 - is the second chamber (that is spoest to be cryptic zone)
3 - is the third chamber of skimmer
4- return pump (not shown in the pic)

Questions:
1. How do i seed the rocks in the cryptic zone ?
2. What is the recommended flow rate for the #2 cryptic section ?
3.How can I reduce the flow of l/h to this section?
4. Should i use mechanical filtration with this method?

 

[Miami Reef]

What’s the purpose of a cryptic zone?

 

[exnisstech]

.

 

[UncommonSense]

In my experience, you don’t need to black out a cryptic fuge completely unless there’s substantial light spill on it! — the filter feeders aren’t too picky, as long as nuisance algae isn’t growing!

 

[Yanir34]

What’s the purpose of a cryptic zone?

Removing DOC (dissolved organic carbon) and simultaneously no3 and po4 , with natural grow of sponges .
Probably the most powerful filters of the coral reefs.

 

[Yanir34]

In my experience, you don’t need to black out a cryptic fuge completely unless there’s substantial light spill on it! — the filter feeders aren’t too picky, as long as nuisance algae isn’t growing!

What about the flow...?

 

[UncommonSense]

What about the flow...?

Your total sump turnover rate is quite high for a cryptic zone; but it will still function decently!

I believe I was moving around 1,500-1,800lph through a non-baffled ~75L tank full of rock to good effect, when coupled with an ATS on my old ~200L system!

 

[Yanir34]

I can spilt the main pipe of the main drain into 2 with gate valve , and get 1,000 l/h to the cryptic zone and 7,000 l/h directly to the skimmer section .

 

[UncommonSense]

I can spilt the main pipe of the main drain into 2 with gate valve , and get 1,000 l/h to the cryptic zone and 7,000 l/h directly to the skimmer section .

Tuning split drains is a challenge of water following the path of least resistance: typically not advisable!

You could just plumb your main tank drains to compartment #2! — make extra-large compartment #1 your refuge and use the frag tank main drain to feed it!

This would also allow you to use compartment #2 (now main tank drain compartment) to house an ATS, if you so choose!

 

[Dan Reef]

Here’s mine

It’s 6 month old.. very few sponges. Not sure how beneficial it’s but will maintain.

 

[exnisstech]

Here’s mine

It’s 6 month old.. very few sponges. Not sure how beneficial it’s but will maintain.

About 1.5 years on this one. It was all live rock when it was started. I have sponges and a lot of filter feeding tubes worms as well as pods and other creepy crawlies.
I leave all the sludge/ mulm settle and never clean it. The worms love the crud.
As far as flow through the chamber I have no idea. Whatever goes through the socks passes through this chamber. I've never been one to calculate flow.

 

[Yanir34]

About 1.5 years on this one. It was all live rock when it was started. I have sponges and a lot of filter feeding tubes worms as well as pods and other creepy crawlies.
I leave all the sludge/ mulm settle and never clean it. The worms love the crud.
As far as flow through the chamber I have no idea. Whatever goes through the socks passes through this chamber. I've never been one to calculate flow.

Are you using filter socks for mechanical filtration ?

 

[exnisstech]

Yes. I'm using 200 micron mesh socks. They don't catch everything but I don't mind a dirty sump and they're really easy to clean with just a garden hose. I'll run with no filtration before I mess around cleaning felt socks again.
I would really like to have a reefmat 1200 (l love my 500) but I'm just not up to crawling around to do the plumbing.