Sump for breeding tanks

[Raul-7]

I want to setup 4x20L's as breeders; then have a common 55G sump for all of them with a UV and Mazzei venturi [for aeration] on the return. I know this is frowned upon, but I'd rather take advantage of all that water volume for stability and ease of maintenance.

[Barbie]

I set up a rearing system like this at my shop for my more common types of ancistrus and growing out fry. It's about 700 gallons and can be "flow through" water changed. Basically it allows the water to be kept absolutely pristine. Quarantine and aggressive treatment of any potential parasite issues are an absolute must, but it works quite nicely.

Barbie

[Raul-7]

Do you sterilize the water on the return?

[Barbie]

On my personal rearing system? No. On the system for the shop, yes. I just treat the fish in the rearing system before they went in. A couple times, actually. If there are any strange fry losses I treat them again. Dale just sent me a bunch more fish than I could handle anywhere else so the system will be receiving one more treatment this year ;). Luckily proform c is pretty effective against cooties without killing too much bacteria and the flow through water change system makes even that easier to manage.

Barbie

[Raul-7]

Do you have a refugium setup inside the sump?

[Barbie]

Why bother? My nitrates are never higher than the 5ppm they come out of the tap?

Barbie

[Raul-7]

I mean with multiple tanks draining into one sump; it would help keep nitrates down. I know waterchanges will too, but plants would be a nice safeguard especially emersed and floating species.