2 sumps better than 1?

[tattoobaz]

Alright folks need your help again.

My tank is ordered and on its way (8x2x2) and now i am looking at filtration.
Originally i was after a couple of FX-5 but this time of year just cant warrant spending that sort of money.

So i thought i would go for a w/d but the way i have my stand setup i only have room for two 20 gallon sumps at one each end.

So what im asking is would this be a viable option to have two smaller sumps rather than the single large one.

thanx in advance guyz & girlz

 

[Dr Joe]

Yes you can, but the rule of thumb is 1/3 to 1/4 the size of the primary tank so your looking at 50g-60g.

40g split will only make for a light bio-loaded tank. If that's ok go for it.

Dr Joe

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[bukster]

why is 1/4 recommended? i have a rather small sump on my 125g not even close to 30g but it work incredibly. no matter the bioload i put in there the sump has handled it like a champ. just curious why more is recommended. seems to me it's more in how you use the space than just how much is there. i may be wrong but i'd like to know why

 

[Wolf3101]

It less the size or even number of the sump(s) that matter as it is the bio-mass. If you build a pair of media filled mini bio-towers that feed the sumps you can gain enough bio-mass in the wet/dry portion of the system without resorting to a huge sump.

The towers work best on non-drilled tanks because of the extra highth...

 

[tattoobaz]

bio towers sound like a good idea but how much room do they need? im a little limited cos the tank is in my living room.

I dont think the missus will be too happy about me spreading even further out. lol

 

[Wolf3101]

4" to 6" is all you need. Thats plenty of diamiter for scrubbies or ceramic rings. it's basicly just a pipe anyway....The overflow feeds into it and the bottom end feeds the sump. Almost forgot....run a pre-filter on the overflow with scrubbies.

 

[tattoobaz]

Cheers wolf that sounds good. Thanks a lot for your help should have plenty of room for that.

The more i can save sensibly on the setup the more i can spend on fill her up!!

 

[tattoobaz]

I have just been onto the bank and they offered me a little bonus for xmas

does anyone think i would be better off buying something like an FX-5 and use that with one sump or keep with the 2 sumps?

Opinions anyone?

 

[Dr Joe]

why is 1/4 recommended? i have a rather small sump on my 125g not even close to 30g but it work incredibly. no matter the bioload i put in there the sump has handled it like a champ. just curious why more is recommended. seems to me it's more in how you use the space than just how much is there. i may be wrong but i'd like to know why

You could be one of two things:
1) Lucky

2) Knowledgeable

Beginners and people that don't want to know that much about their systems, need to have larger W/Ds as they are more forgiving.

Wolf3101 is correct...it's all about the bio-mass.

But in a compact high volume system it is far easier to have a catastrophic crash. So more experience is called for here.

In your circumstance (space and found money ) I would say have one of each, I think you will be happy with it that way.

Oh, and it doesn't hurt to get you DW something shiny too! (usually in the yellow gold range). Just to show her your thinking of her...

Dr Joe

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[tattoobaz]

Thanks Dr Joe. I think that after advice from yourself and wolf3101 i will be going with one of each.

I do have around 5' of space in total to play around with so im pleased with that and yeh just got to keep her happy now with my new "found xmas money"

thanks again