Sump media Phase stacking, and maybe redo?

Hi Guys

I got this sump as a "Donation" from @Barry.M and i just want to know how must i put the media in this thing as this is my first sump, and if i must maybe add a compartment or make one bigger etc. I'm open to suggestions to this and any advice as im still new to sumps....

 

1st section, filter wool and sponge etc.
2nd section I would go with ceramic media/matrix/lava rock/ pot scourers.
3rd maybe some more lava rock etc.
4th would be heater and pump and maybe some AC in a bag if needed.
HTH

 

@Firefly thanks for the reply, the only thing im worried about if the media would be enough as this will be doing a 560L tank and im not sure if the filtration would be enough and i will have a 1100l/hour pump in here...

 

I didn't realize it was for that size tank. You should try and get a 3ft for it, or fill this one completely with matrix.

 

I will decide this weekend, but the honest truth, dont even know what matrix is... and think i will make modifications once i got time/money to do so...

 

Matrix is a bio-media. Supposed to be the best.

 

Matrix is made by Seachem (Seachem Matrix or Seachem Pond Matrix). Its expensive when compared to other media of similar sort, however the benefits (efficiency, life expectancy etc) is far greater. Filling the sump you showed above would be very expensive. I speak under correction, 200ml of Seachem Matrix treats up to 400 litres. If your are going to buy some for you sump, buying it in larger quantities is less strenuous on the pocket as it works out slightly cheaper (That's what I experienced). speak to sponsors on the forum, they should have it in large quantities or they ma be able to make a plan. HTH

 

Seachem Matrix 1litre treats up to 400litres. 250ml would only treat 100litres

 

The sump is a 60l sump, and im not sure how much i need... please advise guys

 

60 litre sump on a 560 litre main tank is way out of sync. You going to need a larger sump. I would use a 1.2 x .45 x .45 as the sump, and this 60litre as a trickle filter. If you interested in this idea, give me a shout and I can explain how.

Regards

Andrew

 

@pHish_man im intersted so please explain....

 

@pHish_man It's not impossible to use a 2ft sump for this tank, as I have used a 2ft sump temporarily on my +-650litre tank. I now use a 3ft sump. I defintely agree that its not the best as it limits the media you can add as well as not being as effective as a trickle filter. It seems to be doing the job for me though.

Please share on this thread or on a new one how to go about constructing a trickle filter. The web has various designs but none explain or show the detail you need to construct it yourself.

 

So i take it that its recommended to upgrade to a 3ft once i have the money to do so, else it can stay empty till then, or i can start cycling the tank and when im ready buy the 3ft sump...

 

Ok, I have some time quick so I will try and explain how I have set up a sump/trickle filter on my discus tank. Basically the first thing you need to get your head around is the use of a sump. For me, it is just that....a sump. In other words it is a means of catching the water that comes out of my main tank and from there I can decide where i am sending this water. So essentially your sump really needs to only have 2 compartments, an inlet and an outlet chamber. The inlet side is where I put my sponge and this acts as the mechanical filtration. The water flows through this and under the glass divider into the outlet side which will house your return pump and heater. The return back to my main tank has a T splitting the water return to enter the tank on oppposite ends ( this can be however you want it ). Just before this, I have another T which leads water to a trickle filter chamber that houses all my filter media. This can be siporex, lava rock, matrix, river pebbles or what ever media you choose. Just remember porous media is way more efficient than non porous and ceramic is better than plastic.

Ok, so the water enters the trickle filter via a spray bar at roughly 1.5 times total tank water volume per hour. So on my 950litre system I aim to push 1500lph through the trickle filter. The beauty about a trickle filter is that if the power goes off, all your filter media is not submerged under water as it would be in a conventional under over type sump system. This exposes the aerobic bacteria to air and the bacteria will not die off. My trickle filter is drilled on the base and after the water has passed through the media, it flows back to the sump. Here is a picture of my home made trickle filter.




I have the media packed into orange bags to make it easy to whip it out if I ever need to rinse the media, or if I need to steal some seeded media for a new set up.

One can also T off from the main return flow to run a denitrate chamber, but more on that at a later stage.

Please note that there are many ways to filter your tank, I just find this system which I have modelled on Dirk's set up to be highly efficient.

Shout if anything needs clarifying.

Good luck and have fun.

Andrew

 

@oupoot, the bigger the sump the better. The bigger sump adds more water to your system meaning more stable water parameters, etc. A 4ft as pHish_man suggested will be best

 

@pHish_man +1 Great explanation. More pics from different angles when you can. Would love you hear your denitrate idea aswell.

 

ok, here is the T-off from the return to the spray-bar feeding the trickle filter.




The stop valve enable you to regulate the flow and also to stop the flow completely. Adding a union makes it easy to remove the spray-bar and clean the jets, access the media etc etc

shout if you would like more pics

 

@pHish_man some more pics please, i tend to think better with pictures that words, still trying to get the whole idea of your explanation, and also, where do i get lava rock? i have no idea at this point.... also i got a 1100l/hour pump for the sump that i intend to use... also the pics if possible, of all the phases of each explantaion

 

OR... I just remembered an idea.

Use the largest bucket you can find. You might not be able to conceal it as well as a flat tank but here's the idea.

Take a large bucket. Cut two holes in the lid, at opposite ends.
Connect two pipes to the holes. One pipe must go almost all the way to the bottom while the other stays close to the top.
Put filter media in the bucket. ie from top to bottom, filter floss, foam, bio-media.
Connect a pump to the bottom of the pipe and you have a bucket sump/filter. This also works with those plastic shelving containers if you want a wet/dry filter.

Hope that makes sense.

 

Yeah i have seen that before, but dont like the look of it all, looks cheap in my opinion, i would rather wait a few months more before filling the tank than doing that....