August Update

It's been a few weeks since my last update.  That's about the time the "sump build" started.

Utilizing days off, plus other random moments here and there, I've finally completed the sump... mostly.

Still on the to-do list is to get the baffles worked out.  I went with the "weather stripping" method and got less than stellar results.  Once the baffle situation is worked out, I am going to (once again) attempt to move my HOB skimmer to the sump.  After the skimmer is gone (if possible), I'll then move my heater to the sump.

Other than that, it's up and running.

A couple days ago I ended up (finally) removing the Chaeto from my display tank.  I trashed all of it (about two grapefruit sized balls) except for about a golf ball sized piece.  I threw that down in the sump so as not to have to look at it anymore.  I'm hoping with the new changes, it doesn't last long ;)

Took a few shots tonight.  Didn't get any of the sump (here is my sump gallery), but I did get a few close-ups after lights-out with just the actinics.

Everything is still going well.  I'm not sure if it's the new RO/DI system installed or the sump (perhaps a combination of both), but I've been feeling good thoughts from the tank.

Just before installing the sump and water system, I completed removal of a vast majority of the substrate. Last week's water change consisted of 10 gallons and about 30 minutes.  Such a nice change of pace for cleaning the tank.

Today's water change also included the sump since it'd been working for about a week now.  I utilized the power head I purchased for my salt storage container.  I used it to suck up the detritus on the bottom of the sump and had it pump it through my gravel vacuum tube into a bucket.  The sump took about 5 gallons, and the tank another 10 gallons.  ASW was already made (had been for about 4 days), so I headed down to the basement with three buckets, filled them up, and brought them back up to the tank.

I utilized the same power head to pull water from the buckets into the sump.  The whole process took about 30 minutes again.  Now with all the things I have in place, I KNOW I'm removing much more of the detritus than I was 30 days ago, and I KNOW that I'm not adding anything with my water.

Removing crap and not replacing it while filling with water is a really nice feeling, I must say.  Probably why I was in the snapshot mood tonight.  I have a restored feeling of pride in the tank.