New Filtration on the 120g.. Over Filtration JDM Style

My 120 gallon hasn't been running for a while now and it's been killing me just watching it sit there. I'm going to set the tank up and what better way then over filtered! I am a fein for filtration as some of the members here may know. So I decided to get even a little crazier then last time with the filtration. My previous filtration consisted of a 15 gallon wet/dry with bioballs as the media and a 24 hour automatic water changing drip system.

A few main details about the new filtration setup:
• The tanks dimensions are 4'x2'x2' (120 gallons wide)
• The tank already has one 1.5" hole drilled in the upper right hand corner
• The pump used will be a new reeflo snapper hybrid (2700 gph at 0 feet of head)
• The tank that is going to be used for the sump is a 40 gallon breeder (36"x18"x16")
• Filter media is going to consist of 55lbs of ceramic rings, I am later going to add a few liters of Bio Home, possibly some BioMax and a little bit of Carbon media.
• The pre-filter is 2 x 200 micron socks

I have drawn out some diagram blueprints so that everyone can get the idea for my new filtration. You may have to use your imagination for some of the diagrams. They are hard to draw to scale so that you can still understand the layout due to the perspective of how the plumbing is designed. Keep in mind that none of the diagrams are to scale. I tried to draw them close so that everyone can get the gist.

The first diagram is my original blueprint with baffles and jap mat but I have decided that I am lazy and I may or may not add a few baffles.

The next couple of diagrams explains how I have decided to lay everything out.

The Biological media is going to be raised off of the bottom of the sump using eggcrate material to allow flow to pass through all of the media.

My goal is achieve 17-18x the turnover on this tank. I did the calculation with head loss on the pump and I am able to receive these numbers. In order to do so my overflows have to be able to support the pump. If the tank wasn't drilled already, I would probably do the overflows a bit different but I have to work with what I have. I would of ran 2" overflows and only 2 of them. After doing research and calculating numbers, I realized that 1.5" overflow can only handle about 1350 gph and that is if the pipes are completely filled with water, no friction, vertical drop of 20 inches plus ...ect. So with that in mind the 1.5" over flow and piping can roughly handle 800-900 gph each. I decided that I am going to drill 2 more holes and run a total of 3 x 1.5" overflows to support the flow needed. The plumbing is going to later reduce down to 2 pipes and expand to 2 x 2" pipes that run to the 2 filter socks. See the diagram below, this can be tough to explain without writing a book.

I would appreciate any helpful input that anyone may have. This thread will be filled with diagrams and images until my project comes to an end.

Monster Filtration for Monster Fish!

Venom SS;4822689; said:

Looks like a good plan. I like the filter sock prefilter. My wet dry can be a PITA since the drains go directly to a 1" sponge pad that sits on the drip tray. I have to unscrew the lid in 4 places to take it out to rinse it alot more than I would like to. Not very efficient either.

Keeping your return(s) big and fat helps alot on that pump. When I talked to the rep for them they told me keeping the return line as big as you can makes it run super quiet. When I redo mine I want to keep the return lines as fat as possible for as long as possible only reducing it down when I have to.

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I had the same pad/micron material setup that sits on a drip with my previous wet/dry and I know your pain. I won't do that again. Filter socks are the easiest way to pre filter and I am trying to make maintenance as simple and easy as possible.

As for the return plumbing, I am going to run 1 1/2" pvc with a ball valve straight up and then add a pvc fitting that goes from 1x1.5" and splits to 2x 3/4" fitting. I am then going to attempt to attach a 3/4" centipede connection to each so that I can adjust the nozzles to achieve my desired flow and current. I don't think this will muffle the flow?! I'm technically just splitting and not reducing.

High City Rida;4822848; said:

Very nice right up and design. I wanted to do sock as well but decided to do drip tray like my other sump just for pure simplicity. I will be following this thread so get some pics if you can. This is my first sump build as well so I will be checking your progress as well.

Are you going to be using bio balls or pot scrubbies? And are you going to secure you egg crate with glue or make a stand to sit on?

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You can actually do filter socks and a drip tray if you create the right size baffle and position them right. I thought about, but after looking at the plans I realize that it would really take away the amount of submerged media that I can stuff in the sump.

No bio balls for now, maybe I will upgrade the sump in the future. I have a 55 lb. of ceramics that should be here by the end of the day tomorrow.

I already started to construct the egg crate idea. I made it like a platform. I will post some pics tonight of a few things that I have laying around.

HULON;4823370; said:

Looks real good boost you should build a chamber for coarse sponge stacked more bio and mechanical all in onenice thread anxious to see it stocked....just had to post and check it out after lookin at venoms

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Thanks bradda, As soon as I position the 55 lb. of ceramic rings in the sump, I'm going to utilize all the remaining space. you'll see ahah

gangster;4824921; said:

Filter socks are the way to go! Id like to thank Jose for that idea. Having a filter sock that is easy to get to is key. When I mess w/ my plumbing in a bit im gonna fix it to two socks as well like I had originally planned. I run a 100 micron sock and it keeps the tank sparkly. But w/ one sock and my JDM style tank my socks get dirty fast. My socks are dirty as hekk and close to overflowing in 24hrs. But it takes about 30 seconds to switch em out. Im gonna order some 100/50 micron socks next...two socks woven together

Mcmasters has em dirt cheap when you buy 10+ at a time and they are quick to ship em out. ANd talk about some of the cheapest mech filtration since they are washable. Get a bunch so you can toss em in a bucket...When I have 5 or more that are dirty I toss em in the wash....no soap, no bleach. Give em a few runs and...walah! New clean filter socks Much cheaper than buying sponges etc.

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I'll have to check out and see what he's got. Yeah my friend Mike tells me he throws them in the wash with bleach but I'm a little sketchy about that. I'm prob going to take you advise and just wash them with no chemicals. (not a big fan of chemicals lol)

I have to run out for away but here is a quick update before I go.

Image 1 is my brand new reeflo snapper. I love this pump, it looks like a turbo.

Image 2 is a quick picture of the 40 gallon breeder and some egg crate. I have an idea for the filter sock holders so these are still in the making.

Image 3 and 4 are some pictures of the egg crate platform that I constructed.

Image 5 and 6 are some pvc pieces that I purchased for the drain idea. I shuffled them around to show you two different options... I like option 2