Plumbing questions - reactors and dosing and return pumps etc

[FlickaSA]

Hi - setting up my first big-ish tank (140g).
I've not run reactors or dosing in the past - tank wasn't big enough to warrant it.

I'm planning on running a reactor manifold (GFO, Carbon, Bio Pellets) and dosing (calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, trace elements).
They'll be t'd off my return pump.

So in the sump, water goes in the overflow from the tank, then to the skimmer, then to the refugium, then return pump.
From the pump, it will t-off to the reactor manifold back to the skimmer and then onward again.

I know bio pellets and GFO both act on Phosphate - the GFO will be there if phosphate climbs in spite of the bio pellets as a backup if extra export is needed.

For test kits, I'm running Hanna Nitrate HR, Phosphorous ULR, Aquaforest/Seachem/Red Sea for magnesium, alkalinity and calcium.
Seachem Ammonia badge for peace of mind. Intermittently using API (I know they're not great) for nitrite and ammonia tests and PH.

Does that sound right?
Am I missing something?
Where in all this do I put the dosing system?

 

[lapin]

Sounds good .
Idea: I would set up some way of adjusting the flow to your reactors. Ball valves are good. An independent pump is even better.

 

[Bartanto]

Sounds good .
Idea: I would set up some way of adjusting the flow to your reactors. Ball valves are good. An independent pump is even better.

Agree on secondary pump for manifold/reactors if possible. Also, if you’re doing the plumbing to the DT go as big of diameter as possible for flow. I went 3/4” on a 150 gal with a UV plumber in and I’ve kicked myself constantly for not going at least 1”

 

[FlickaSA]

Agree on secondary pump for manifold/reactors if possible. Also, if you’re doing the plumbing to the DT go as big of diameter as possible for flow. I went 3/4” on a 150 gal with a UV plumber in and I’ve kicked myself constantly for not going at least 1”

I've got a 10000l/hr (2640 gal/hr) pump for my return to allow headroom for the reactor manifold.

Reactor manifold I'm doing is based off a DIY one I saw on one of the threads on this site. Will definitely involve valves and transparent containers so I can see that I've got the right flow going.

Why would you want to go big on the DT inlet? Still learning and this is my first custom tank.

Would you branch the dosing off the return pump or put that separate? That should dose into the return chamber, right? If separate, why?

I like to get all the info :)

 

[Bruttall]

So in the sump, water goes in the overflow from the tank, then to the skimmer, then to the refugium, then return pump.
From the pump, it will t-off to the reactor manifold back to the skimmer and then onward again.

I prefer the Triton Method for my sump, water comes into the Fuge from the tank, no Filters or socks, then to the skimmer/media chamber, then return pump. Very simple but extremely effective setup.

Unlike traditional refugium designs, the TRITON sump features an innovative layout with the algae bed positioned before the skimmer. This allows the algae to effectively filter the water before it flows into the skimmer chamber, where unwanted proteins are removed. The design includes a protein trap in the second chamber, allowing proteins to accumulate until the skimmer can efficiently filter them out, enhancing overall performance.

The Algae Refugium Provides the ideal conditions to grow a variety of algae types and provides a refuge for a range of biological life (eg. isopods, amphipods, copepods, etc) that produce plankton to help feed the coral growing in the display aquarium.

Skimmer An essential element for gas exchange and the export of biological waste, the skimmer prevents waste from breaking down in your aquarium, ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for your corals.

Above copied from Triton. Here is a link to this info,

https://www.triton.de/fileadmin/user_upload/triton/documents/triton_method/TRITON%20-%20Products%20-%20Document%20-%20TRITON%20Method%20-%20Full%20Manual.pdf

 

[FlickaSA]

I prefer the Triton Method for my sump, water comes into the Fuge from the tank, no Filters or socks, then to the skimmer/media chamber, then return pump. Very simple but extremely effective setup.

Unlike traditional refugium designs, the TRITON sump features an innovative layout with the algae bed positioned before the skimmer. This allows the algae to effectively filter the water before it flows into the skimmer chamber, where unwanted proteins are removed. The design includes a protein trap in the second chamber, allowing proteins to accumulate until the skimmer can efficiently filter them out, enhancing overall performance.

The Algae Refugium Provides the ideal conditions to grow a variety of algae types and provides a refuge for a range of biological life (eg. isopods, amphipods, copepods, etc) that produce plankton to help feed the coral growing in the display aquarium.

Skimmer An essential element for gas exchange and the export of biological waste, the skimmer prevents waste from breaking down in your aquarium, ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for your corals.

Above copied from Triton. Here is a link to this info,

https://www.triton.de/fileadmin/user_upload/triton/documents/triton_method/TRITON%20-%20Products%20-%20Document%20-%20TRITON%20Method%20-%20Full%20Manual.pdf

Ok - so my sump has a smaller chamber for the DT overflow, then two larger ones. Baffles between them. Do you reckon I can just reverse it and do this option?

I don’t do filter socks or matts etc because I forget to clean them and it gets bad. Macro algae is tricky here in New Zealand because our natives are all cold water species and the things like chaeto are persona non-grata.

I don’t see the protein trap in the second chamber you’re referring to in your diagram. How does that work?

In my reactor manifold situation, the reactor outflow would then go into the second chamber with the skimmer I assume?

 

[Bruttall]

Ok - so my sump has a smaller chamber for the DT overflow, then two larger ones. Baffles between them. Do you reckon I can just reverse it and do this option?

I'd think so, yes.

I don’t see the protein trap in the second chamber you’re referring to in your diagram. How does that work?

I think the Protein Trap is your fuge, with detritus being trapped there it creates a breeding ground for the planktonic life, I seeded my tank with a bunch of pods when I set this up, it's effective.

In my reactor manifold situation, the reactor outflow would then go into the second chamber with the skimmer I assume?

That's how I would plumb it. I run a huge external skimmer I built myself (see the link in my sig), the feed pump and return for it are in the same chamber, after my refugium.

 

[FlickaSA]

I'd think so, yes.

I think the Protein Trap is your fuge, with detritus being trapped there it creates a breeding ground for the planktonic life, I seeded my tank with a bunch of pods when I set this up, it's effective.

That's how I would plumb it. I run a huge external skimmer I built myself (see the link in my sig), the feed pump and return for it are in the same chamber, after my refugium.

I might have to remove the one baffle pane between the middle and small section to allow enough headroom for overflow from the tank if the pump stops. But I do like this approach - it’s what I instinctively want to do, but so many reefers rely on gadgets and things I thought I was mad.

No water changes (or at least minimal water changes) is bliss - salt is expensive!!

And just a few large chunks of rock is enough? No need for ceramic filter cylinders or any of that malarkey? Is that enough for the pod population? I thought they needed a lot of hiding space.

My original tank DT and sump are crawling with the things, so I can easily seed the new tank.

 

[Bruttall]

The pods will breed in your macro algae, and in any rock you have in sump or DT. No reason to try and create habitat for them as it will already be there.
You might be able to get Macro Algae shipped to you from Algae barn maybe, they sometimes have clean chaeto for sale, not sure what your import regulations are though.

 

[FlickaSA]

The pods will breed in your macro algae, and in any rock you have in sump or DT. No reason to try and create habitat for them as it will already be there.
You might be able to get Macro Algae shipped to you from Algae barn maybe, they sometimes have clean chaeto for sale, not sure what your import regulations are though.

Import regulations give macro algae a hard no. It would get stopped at the border and incinerated.

You can’t even buy live pods here. They get passed from reefer to reefer as corals and live rock are traded, probably from populations started before bio control stamped down, maybe some acclimated ones from brave souls trying to turn cold water critters to warm. I got mine started from aptasia infested live rock from a really old tank. Same with phytoplankton- it’s dead or you’re lucky enough to find someone who grows it. No fish stores stock it live.

Minimal shrimp, only one kind of snail (turbo), no crabs of any description, no berghia.

I get why, but it makes doing things like reefing that much more complicated.

 

[lapin]

Let me add something Dosing? You might think about a calcium reactor to take care of your dosing needs.

 

[RobertK]

I don’t see the protein trap in the second chamber you’re referring to in your diagram. How does that work?

My understanding is that the protein trap in the skimmer chamber is created by the second baffle, with water flowing under the baffle. Proteins tend to accumulate at the surface of the water, so by having the water flow under the baffle rather than over it the proteins remain in the skimmer chamber longer, where the skimmer can remove them.

 

[FlickaSA]

Let me add something Dosing? You might think about a calcium reactor to take care of your dosing needs.

Thanks for the note!

A calcium reactor would be something a ways down the line if I go into SPS. At this stage I'm only looking at softies and LPS, so I think dosing trace and something like kalkwasser or 2 part calcium and alkalinity would be fine.

I will need a serious light upgrade before I can even begin to consider SPS and age the tank a whole lot for the stability.

 

[Freenow54]

Hi - setting up my first big-ish tank (140g).
I've not run reactors or dosing in the past - tank wasn't big enough to warrant it.

I'm planning on running a reactor manifold (GFO, Carbon, Bio Pellets) and dosing (calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, trace elements).
They'll be t'd off my return pump.

So in the sump, water goes in the overflow from the tank, then to the skimmer, then to the refugium, then return pump.
From the pump, it will t-off to the reactor manifold back to the skimmer and then onward again.

I know bio pellets and GFO both act on Phosphate - the GFO will be there if phosphate climbs in spite of the bio pellets as a backup if extra export is needed.

For test kits, I'm running Hanna Nitrate HR, Phosphorous ULR, Aquaforest/Seachem/Red Sea for magnesium, alkalinity and calcium.
Seachem Ammonia badge for peace of mind. Intermittently using API (I know they're not great) for nitrite and ammonia tests and PH.

Does that sound right?
Am I missing something?
Where in all this do I put the dosing system?

I Like Using a Canister filter for that. As to Bio Pellets if They are white Randy Holmes Farley warns about them putting Aluminium into your Tank. Not sure what Aluminium does bad , Maybe gives the fish Dementia ? Also big discussion on the benefits of higher Phosphate which like you I don't like.

 

[FlickaSA]

I Like Using a Canister filter for that. As to Bio Pellets if They are white Randy Holmes Farley warns about them putting Aluminium into your Tank. Not sure what Aluminium does bad , Maybe gives the fish Dementia ? Also big discussion on the benefits of higher Phosphate which like you I don't like.

Thanks for the tip on the bio pellets. Will check the ingredients before adding.

I’m good with high-er phosphates and nitrates. Sort of the 30-40ppm in the nitrates, 0.2-0.3ppm on the phosphates, but I want those systems in place for keeping the range so I’m maintaining not reacting. I have a tendency to overfeed and probably won’t stop

 

[Freenow54]

Thanks for the tip on the bio pellets. Will check the ingredients before adding.

I’m good with high-er phosphates and nitrates. Sort of the 30-40ppm in the nitrates, 0.2-0.3ppm on the phosphates, but I want those systems in place for keeping the range so I’m maintaining not reacting. I have a tendency to overfeed and probably won’t stop

Me as well. Randy said he found out about the aluminium on his own, Contacted the Manufacturer who denied it

 

[14 foot reef]

Hi - setting up my first big-ish tank (140g).
I've not run reactors or dosing in the past - tank wasn't big enough to warrant it.

I'm planning on running a reactor manifold (GFO, Carbon, Bio Pellets) and dosing (calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, trace elements).
They'll be t'd off my return pump.

So in the sump, water goes in the overflow from the tank, then to the skimmer, then to the refugium, then return pump.
From the pump, it will t-off to the reactor manifold back to the skimmer and then onward again.

I know bio pellets and GFO both act on Phosphate - the GFO will be there if phosphate climbs in spite of the bio pellets as a backup if extra export is needed.

For test kits, I'm running Hanna Nitrate HR, Phosphorous ULR, Aquaforest/Seachem/Red Sea for magnesium, alkalinity and calcium.
Seachem Ammonia badge for peace of mind. Intermittently using API (I know they're not great) for nitrite and ammonia tests and PH.

Does that sound right?
Am I missing something?
Where in all this do I put the dosing system?

My opinion on this goes against most of the replies here..

You will never get consistency in a manifold situation with 1 pump doing that many things especially if you incorporate your skimmer in this single pump design.

I have been reefing for 45 years, you can take my advice or leave it. But if you are still in the hobby 2 years from now and successful, you will have changed almost everything mentioned to separate pumps. You might as well go ahead and set it up the first time correctly.

 

[FlickaSA]

The skimmer has its own pump and have concluded the dosing can have its own pump.

Can you explain why you’d use separate pumps for reactor manifold and return? Or are you saying a separate pump for each reactor? What consistency are you referring to - flow rates through the manifold and into the DT?

I’m basing my plans off information gleaned from long time reefers here in New Zealand but different experiences and information from this forum are always taken into consideration.

 

[FlickaSA]

The skimmer has its own pump and have concluded the dosing can have its own pump.

Can you explain why you’d use separate pumps for reactor manifold and return? Or are you saying a separate pump for each reactor? What consistency are you referring to - flow rates through the manifold and into the DT?

I’m basing my plans off information gleaned from long time reefers here in New Zealand but different experiences and information from this forum are always taken into consideration.

 

[FlickaSA]

My opinion on this goes against most of the replies here..

You will never get consistency in a manifold situation with 1 pump doing that many things especially if you incorporate your skimmer in this single pump design.

I have been reefing for 45 years, you can take my advice or leave it. But if you are still in the hobby 2 years from now and successful, you will have changed almost everything mentioned to separate pumps. You might as well go ahead and set it up the first time correctly.

The skimmer has its own pump and have concluded the dosing can have its own pump.

Can you explain why you’d use separate pumps for reactor manifold and return? Or are you saying a separate pump for each reactor? What consistency are you referring to - flow rates through the manifold and into the DT?

I’m basing my plans off information gleaned from long time reefers here in New Zealand but different experiences and information from this forum are always taken into consideration.