Another Tank.....lol

[Gareth]

I am a beginner when it come to Sumps So maybe you guys can help.

Ok so I am setting up another tank but I want to use a sump for this one. :eek::p

so what I am doing is putting Bio Balls in the first chamber to reduce any noise then I have air filter sponges in the second chamber. I have no idea what to put into the other chambers (2 more chambers before last chamber) and in the last I have a return pump (1900lt/h and can push to max hight of 2.25m)
can you guys help me by telling me what can I put in the other chambers?

this tank is going to be a grow out tank so that's why I am asking.

I will keep you up to date with the progress of this tank.

[Gareth]

O just before I forget the tank is 280lt (120cm x 45cm x 50cm[w/l])
the sump is a standard 4ft tank. (120cm x 45cm x 45cm)

[SalmonAfrica]

Hey Gareth

Generally you put the mechanical media (ie: filter floss, sponges etc) in the first compartment. There it can catch all the solid cr@p before the water passes on to the biological media (bioballs) which process the water on a much smaller, chemical scale. It becomes a real mess when the solid fish poop clogs up the bioballs, trust me.

You can use the other chambers for chemical media (charcoal, zeolite or whatever), heating units, a nitrate screen, extra plant growth area (which also acts as filtration), a detention centre for naughty fish awaiting removal, and obviously your pump which gets the water back into the tank.

[Gareth]

When it comes to the plants in the one chamber what can I grow there is there any specific plant or can it be anything?

[SalmonAfrica]

Depends really on what kinds of plants you like, your experience in keeping plants and how well you are able to light the sump. For example, Vallisneria requires very little care and the lighting doesn't have to be excessive, really. I had huge ones growing in my bedroom tank and they only recieved a little sunlight for a few hours in the morning. It's also a really cheap plant, and you don't have to plant it. It'll grow just fine floating around.

Other people get a little adventerous. One of the more effective nitrate removers are the mangrove trees. I don't know how you'll get your hands on one/some though, as very few nurseries down here supply them. They don't have to be put in brackish or marine water, but you must make sure that they get good light and plenty of fish waste coming their way via the water. I actually lost one or two simply because my fish weren't pooping enough!

Anyways, it's up to you. Just some ideas really.

[GG]

I agree with him that plants are a good idea for your sump, you might also consider keeping one compartment open, like SalmonAfrica said for naughty fish....:blink1::blink1::blink1:

[Gareth]

Thanks Guys I will keep this all in consideration when I finish the sum area tomorrow.

[GG]

It's a pleasure Gareth. I hope it helps.

[brads]

lol . . .

why not use moss in the sump it will do the same function as vallis yet the way it grows will be beter fore the sump .

1st chamber floss , 2nd differant sponges, 3rd ceramic rings or bio balls . that's the general order , play around with media just keep the type of media in the order stated .

cheers

[Stormer]

I'm kinda of a newbie when it comes to sumps but isn't yours kinda large?

[Gareth]

I think so as well but I am using a big sump because I am making the tank a grow out tank so I need good Filtration or that is what I was told any way...lol
but yes I used the 4ft tank because I could put in more Filter media and so on.

[GG]

I always say, the bigger the better. I don't like a dirty tank, so the bigger your sump or filter, the better, but then you sometimes get small ones that works fine. I guess you have to see what works for you.

[Gareth]

If I one day decide to use this tank as a planted tank then I will take a 100lt tank and modify it to be the sump and use this sump on my 2m tank

[Zoom]

The bigger the tank, the more volume you have, and the more space you have for filter medium. Yes Moss will work in a sump, just ensure that it doesn't overtake the pump. I saw a filter the other day where the mos had overgrown so badly that the pump burnt out.

[Sean J]

I wouldn't use moss in a sump. It grows way too slowly... Maybe try an algae screen. Do some research on it. The marine guys use it for absorbtion of extra nutrients in a tank and it works really well.

[Gareth]

Just a Question I have a T5 Balaster and it can hold 2 tubes.
How many T5 will I need to grow easy growing plants in the sump?

[Gert Combrink]

Gareth, just a suggestion: If the sump is underneath the main tank, you don't have lots of space, why not go the Genie CFl 6500K route?
My 2 zim cents...
Gert.

[Gareth]

were can I find these because all I can find at the hardware stores are 4000K
if I can find the 6500k how many should I put in?