adding a sump.....

[LittleDevil]

I am adding my first sump to my 150g. I have a 50 gallon sump tank with baffels added.

Do I use bioballs anywhere in the sump?

What do I put in the sump??Sand,miracle mud?liverock??What would be the best thing???

How deep of a sand bed do I need in a sump?

What type of lighting would be good?? and should I run the lighting opposite of the Main lighting? or same time? What would be the difference?

I know its alot of questions,but I really apreciate all the help!!

Thanks
MAtt

[tendar]

You dont need bio balls any where as long as you have live rock.

Generally some sand with some live rock works well.

If you have a deep sand bed in the display tank you dont really need one in your sump. I would add 2"+ in the sump. A DSP in the sump wont hurt anything and would probably be good but needed just some for stuff that makes thier way down there have some thing to hang out in.

About any lighting good for a sump if you plan on having some calurpa in there. Grow lights, no bulbs about anything. Usally reverse lighting is best so your oxygen level stays more consistant. You can also run the lights 24/7 but most seem to prefer reverse.

[LittleDevil]

Thanks for the info gregg......


As far as sand what kind would be good? How do I figure out how much I need to buy for the amount of space I have?
Thanks
MAtt

[tendar]

Here is a link to a sand bed caculator.
http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/SandBed.htm

reefland has a better one though he might show and figure it out for you if you have dimensioins and how deep you want.

A olite sand is best like south down or carbi sea ollite suger sixed sand.

[LittleDevil]

When I get ready to turn the sump on, how do I start the overflow ??? it has a big U tube....

Do I fill the sump up with fresh salt water then turn everything on??

What happens if my pump ends up pumping more than my overflow can handle? should I put in some type of shut off valve?

I have a 900 gallon overflow, and a mag18. Its about 5'5" to the top of my tank..
Thanks, sorry for all the stupid questions....

MAtt