Adding a chamber

[Simona586]

I wanted to add a refugium to my sump how long can my tank last without my sump I'll have power heads and lights on?

[Sir Patrick]

What equipment ya got running in your sump?

[Simona586]

i have an impact 200 protein skimmer by sealife systems and to mag 7 pumps i think and a uv sterilizer thats supposed to be in the tank but i put it in the sump and it seems to be doing fine and thats it. should i do a refuguim or should i just leave everything alone?

[softiegirl]

If you have the room for the chamber go for it, but it sounds like you will be shutting down the tanks filtration? Do you plan on siliconing a baffle in for the chamber?

[Simona586]

i also have the berlin sealife systems reef sump but its the older one with out the filter socks it has the slide box to put filter pads and some media

[softiegirl]

thats the one i use, i just took out the filter media and added live rock to it. If you plan on siliconing, you need to allow at least 24 hrs for it to dry so that could lead up to some issues in the tank as far as filtration goes, even with the powerheads running, thats pushing it for sure. Are you considering using the berlin as the refugium? that could work, just need some live sand, chaeto, rock and a clamp on light with a CFL bulb to keep the chaeto growing.

[cg5071]

do you have a hob filter you could throw on the tank? i recently treated my entire tank with herbtana and it said to shut off the skimmer while using it. it took 2 weeks for treatment and my tank is fine even though i pull an entire cup of gunk every day for the past few days since putting the skimmer back on. i would think you would be fine for a day or 2.

[Sir Patrick]

How big is the tank, and how much live rock ya got?

[Simona586]

sir patrick my tanks a 120 gal with about 100lbs in the tank and about 15 - 20 in the sump right now. this is what the filter looks like now... after it goes threw that sponge the protein skimmer pump is right there and so are my return pumps...i wanted to silicone a piece of plexy glass about 5 0r 6 inches to the right of were the sponge is and put some sand and chaeto and more live rock...

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx341/simona586/photo1.jpg

[ReeferMike]

a tank can run for weeks , even months with nothing but liverock, powerheads and lights... just make sure theres good water movement at the waterline, and feed very sparingly.

[Sir Patrick]

^ agreed- with all that rock, you should be good for as long as you need.

[Simona586]

okay cool i figured it could thanks everyone for the info and help ill post pics when i do it and when its done