Sump design question

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J

johndirst

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 11, 2010
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Cincinnati
I am going to be building a wet/dry sump filter for my 380 gallon aquarium (details can be found here) and I had a few design ideas I wanted to get some input on.
NOTE: the 3.5" holes in the back will be used to feed the sump, the holes in the bottom of the overflow are covered and sealed, and the return pump will feed into the tank outside the overflow box.

Right now I am thinking of running dual Quietone 6000 pumps.

Here are my two designs so far:
In both designs the water would be gravity fed via two overflows into both section "1" and section "4" would house the two return pumps (~2000GPH).


  1. sump2 side.jpg
    The intake pipes would have filter socks on them (first line of mechanical).
    The water would overflow into section "2" and travel down through a bunch of scrubbies.
    Then the water would flow up through section "3" with ~5 liters (on each side) of Eheim Substrate Pro.
    Then return via section "4" and the pumps.

  2. sump1 side.jpg
    The intake pipes would have filter socks on them (first line of mechanical) and section "1" would have some scrubbies.
    The water would traverse into section "2" and up through more scrubbies.
    Then the water would overflow into section "3" with ~5 liters (on each side) of Eheim Substrate Pro.
    Then return via section "4" and the pumps.

I have never made a sump filter, but have been researching online to determine what is the best for my tank.

Thank you for any advice/info.
 
Will the filter socks be the only form of mechanical filtration ?
 
dawnmarie;4260523; said:
Will the filter socks be the only form of mechanical filtration ?
Click to expand...

No. In any design I would have scrubbies and possibly some Eheim Mech Media.
I currently have about 11 liters of the Eheim Substrate Pro, so I would just need to purchase the mechanical media if necessary.
 
haha, ok, I am still trying to get used to the terminology... (total noob :nilly:)
I will have some scrubbies for bio-media, but also some foam/sponges to help with pre-filter (mechanical).

But the primary form of mechanical would be the filter sock (need more?)
 
Bump
 
Any advice?
 
BadOleRoss;4263119; said:
50 and 100 micron filter pads will also make nice additions to your mechanical filtration. Available at Foster and Smith.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I will be getting some of that for sure.

I was hoping to get input as to the filter design. I am just not sure if it is wise to have inputs on both sides feeding into a main return (with two pumps) and my reasoning is simply because I have overflows on both sides of the tank.
Overall, I guess it is just important to get the water flowing through the media.

Also, this is more than likely a stupid question, but I see a lot of people using scrubbies for bio-media and I have a bunch of Eheim Substrate Pro. Is the Eheim better than scrubbies? I would image the answer is yes.
 
why use 2 return pumps? one big one would suffice. your overflows will only drain as much as is pumped in (providing they are not on the bottom of your tank). I would have each of the overflows drain through a 'drawer' system type wet/dry and then collect in your sump. Super easy maintenance and works well. Plastic drawers are dirt cheap at your local walmart. Just find the right size.
 
Crispy;4263995; said:
why use 2 return pumps?
Click to expand...

My target is 2000GPH and looking online it was cheaper to buy dual pumps rated at 1000GPH with 6 feet of head than a single pump at 2000GPH. Also, I want to have to return lines (one to each side of the tank) and I feel I would get more even distribution if I ran two pumps.
Of course I am always open to suggestions :)
 
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