Sump

[Oliver]

I am getting a sump for 2 reasons.

1. To house my skimmer and heater
2. To attempt to grow macro algae to lower nitrate and phosphate levels.

Are there any tricks to growing macro algae?? Is it good to have boubble baffles to stop boubbles, do they work?? Do i need bio balls or filter pads, my tank is a reef with coral.

Thanks for any help

 

[mogurnda]

Are there any tricks to growing macro algae??

Light and nutrients. Most species are less picky about spectrum and intensity than corals, in my experience.

Is it good to have boubble baffles to stop boubbles, do they work?? Do i need bio balls or filter pads, my tank is a reef with coral.
Thanks for any help

Baffles serve a couple of very important purposes. First, they keep bubbles out of your return pump. You can have a fairly serious problem with microbubbles in the main tank if your baffles are poorly designed. I've been there. It won't hurt anything, but it's unsightly.
Baffles also maintain steady water levels in the different compartments. Constant water level is especially important for in-sump skimmers.

No need for bioballs or filter pads. Some people use filter socks to reduce the amount of detritus going to the sump or fuge.

 

[PaulB]

Do i need bio balls or filter pads, my tank is a reef with coral.

From what I've read on various forums, the bio balls will only increase your amount of nitrate as they are so efficient at converting waste. So if you're not having any ammonia / nitrite problems then I would avoid them.

You can have a fairly serious problem with microbubbles in the main tank if your baffles are poorly designed. I've been there. It won't hurt anything, but it's unsightly.

I thought microbubbles could harm corals if they get into the main tank and collect round them. Or is this a myth?

 

[mogurnda]

I thought microbubbles could harm corals if they get into the main tank and collect round them. Or is this a myth?

Probably. Eric Borneman listed it as a myth in a column a while back. Note that wave action at the reef crest, where corals thrive, generates a lot of microbubbles. The main drawbacks of microbubbles are reduced visibility and light penetration.