cleaning build in

Hi
I am looking at a built-in filter/sump in the tank that fits behind or on side of the tank (the all in one option)

My question how do you clean it?

Will you not remove all good stuff if you take out the dirty media?

Any input or advice would be appreciated

 

Hi
I'm sure people who actually know something will chime in but i assume you make compartments like a normal filter or sump, and dont really remove the biological filter media just the mechanical i.e. Filter floss, Sponge etc

 

Ok thanks

 

It is a bit of a mission if it is a small compartment in the back and you run a planted tank. It accumulates a lot of muck that starts blocking the filter media and making the pump in the back run dry. I used to clean mine about once a month, just rinsed the much off in tapwater. Tank looks like this if you disturb the stuff in the back:

 

Oi ok yes that is a mess
Thanks

 

How big is the tank?

 

No I don't have it yet
Am busy with research as

I want to do a rack of tanks and not sure about the best option

 

My 4 foot had a side sump. Just make sure you plan it properly. Mine didn't work out so well.

My opinions on positives and neagtives:
Positive
Can hold lots of media
Affordible

Negatives
Detritis build up needs to be cleaned often
Takes up tank space
Sometimes difficult to clean

My advice would be to build it with black perspex if you would like to go this route.

 

Great idea the black
Yes am also looking at the pro and cons for this method in a racking system
And I'm not so sure anymore
Thanks for your input

 

If it's on a rack system, and the filter area is on the back end of the tank, will that not also make it a bit hard to reach into? Especially if you need to get to the inside of the filtering area, but there's a shelf above, might make it tricky to maneuver

 

This is what I had before I decided to remove it.

 

Yes thanks that is what I come to realize hahaha it will not work in a rack system

 

Ok thanks everyone
All input much appreciated
will create new post more specific on fish room /racking tanks and best way to filter / heat as I think I have the air sorted?

 

How about a hamburg matten filter. Never needs cleaning.

 

Hi
Never heard of it will Google and look into it

Thanks so much

 

The Hambug Matten filter does need cleaning - but - lesss frequently and it's much easier. Honestly, the best system for a rack is to have overflows drilled and use a sump on the bottom rack. As someone said, unless you leave LOTS of space between the tanks, to get your hand in to a small gap to remove the stuff inside the built in is not a nice job!! On my racks I have 3 4ft tanks, one is the sump and the other two hold the fish. Even then, be sure to leave enough space between the sump and the tank above so you can work in the sump easily. I put my heater in the last pump chamber for the whole rack and it heats everything.To tell the truth, the 2 tanks also have Hambrg Matten filters in, but that is more to stop babies over flowing into the sump when the system is running. My sumps are all 3 chambers, first one with a filter sock over the inlet, then 30PPI sponges to catch the particles, one chamber with matrix in and the last chamber with the 2 pumps and heater.

 

Ok yes saw some videos on the HMF and didn't think it would be sufficient for larger tank
Ok will do more research on sump filter
Thanks

 

well i have a fluval spec 4 (19L) as the one in your picture and its pretty easy to clean the filter and it traps alot of the gunk in the tank. i do have filter floss on top of the standard filter but thats just to keep the shrimps out will share a few photos of how it looks etc

 

ignore the dirty floss fridays are tank days

 

Oh ok clever .jip I'm never too old to learn and with thus hobby the more you learn the less you know hahaha

Thanks