Lecture 3 - Sumps and How they work

I'm running a sump on my 2m tank..since i'v done this,i dont think i'l consider getting another large tank unless it has a sump..the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages..also..with regard to problem of water back siphoning into the sump and flooding the room..there is a simple solution..i'v made a hole in my return pipe where the water gets pumped back into the tank..put the whole jst below where the water level would be when the pump is on..that way,if power cuts..the water level drops,and the siphon is stopped coz air gets in thru the hole..problem solved

 

Hello all,

Got a bit of a sump question ( which may seem silly – my apologies in advance ! ) so I thought I might as well post it here….. I need to replace the baffles in my sump and was wondering what the BEST configuration for the first baffle / chamber is ? Gert eluded to two options and I’d like to know what would be best…

IE: Should the first baffle be placed high to allow water from the over-flow to flow underneath into the second chamber, OR should the first baffle be place from the bottom up to create a settlement chamber wherein water from the overflow collects in the first chamber and then flows OVER the first baffle into the second ?

What would the most Co2 efficient option be ( as tank will be planted ), and would the second option ( settlement chamber / water flows OVER first baffle ) not also create a bit of a safety net should a fish end up in the sump somehow ? :wondering:

 

Well its quite a small sump ( only 100L or so ) which came with the tank, and I cant upgrade just yet... so using what I got, there will only be about two compartments for media so I will probably go with normal mechanical filtration in the first ( Filter wool / sponge or similar ) and the second chamber will probably be bioballs for Bio filtration... would also like a heater placed in the sump ( now the question is where should this go ? ), and obviously the return pump in the last chamber ?

 

Hi Guys

Thinking of Building a sump for my tanks with a trickle filter (as the Prof Suggested). I have been looking for the perfect way to run the overflow with not much success. I am going to build one this weekend and let you know how it comes along. one question thought is if the power cuts off and the power comes back on do will the overflow start automatically?

I have seen the overflow in drilled tanks but mine will not be drilled.

 

Will do, thanks Butcherman ! So do you think the first baffle should be placed from bottom up to allow water to flow OVER the first baffle then ?

 

First chamber for detritus settlement ie over rather than under, otherwise it will end up in other chambers all over your filter media. Learnt this the hard way

 

I had to 'edit' my sump to add more chambers, but currently it goes under over under and over into an empty spill-over chamber. To stop the detritus issue, I have a nylon mat in first chamber and inflow runns water through it first, every week i take out the mat and hose out all the solid gunk (leaves, snails etc)

 

Great, thanks for the replies guys - Will go with the first baffle being from the bottom up to allow water to flow OVER into the second chamber.... I prefer that idea, was just wanting some input / confirmation first...

 

I need some help with a sump.

1st time ever doing a tank with one.
Mine looks like this


What should go where? Is this right?

 

Thanks bud. Sounds simple enough!

 

Is this going to be a planted tank ?

 

Is this question for me?

I am still thinking about it, but more than likely will go that way

Have read that it isnt a good idea as it removes the Co2?
But have also read that it makes no difference.

 

I found some threads on MonsterFish's site where the guys discussed this issue, if the overflow drop isn't harsh, and the sump can in some way be sealed off, less gassing off would occur, but all in all, sumps do apparently cause gassing off more CO2 than canisters contribute

 

Water only needs to drop...70cm Once up and running i will monitor everything.

 

What I've been seeing more and more on foreign forums is a filter sock under your overflow pipe. Like the one seen on a pool gobbler. Apparently it helps capture bubbles and a lot of dirt, like a pre-filter.

Basically what you'd do is have it suspended right under your overflow pipe, hanging down from a plastic sheet with a big hole in it for example.

 

They have been in use in SA for a couple of years, cost about R400 for bracket and sock