 Depressed
I am having some issues with my new setup. This hoppy is sometimes more elegant in design than reality. I set up a 65 gal with a 20 gal sump 1.5 wks ago. The specs are Fish Only with minimal live rock, Urchin Pro Skimmer (turned on today), AGA Megaflow, Rio 2500 for Return (using a valve to control otherwise the drain is very loud), Fluidized Bed Filter.
I added 22lbs Fiji Cured Live Rock from liveaquaria.com last Thursday along with Bio Spora. Nitrite spiked and was at zero on Sunday. I added 4 Damsels this Thursday.
Heres the issues:
The bed filter was working for a few hours, but I messed with it briefly and now it wont fill with water - the pump is working perfectly. I tried to empty the thing, but sand got everywhere - I hate it. I want to scrap it, and I dont really beleive that the tank wont be able to handle a large bio load. Doesnt the bacteria form everywhere? I dont know what to do. Not much room for a wet/dry unless i could somehow mount it into the 20. I personally dont like the look of adding 70lbs of live rock, but would add tons of live sand. Please advise on necessary bio filtration.
The tank has tiny bubbles - seems because the Megaflow drain creates them and then they are getting caught in the Rio pump on the other side. How can I help this?
Where in this setup should I place my charcoal and polyfilter? Cant fiqure it out.
My main problem may be that I went with the 20 gal tank as a wide open sump as opposed to something expensive and already constructed. I did this so I can put my skimmer in there and work with plenty of room.
All responses are greatly appreciated. | 
