any suggestions on my sump design?

[giar]

So i decided to make use of my old 55 gal tank... the idea is to combine
- aquaponic
- auto drip
- sump and internal sump

I cant have the sump placed under the main tank, the stand design doesnt allow it , Thus it comes the internal sump concept. Just let the excess water flow freely from the side. So i dont need a bunch of pipings as you can see below.

Im thinking to have the sump with 4 chambers.
#1- new water (well water) where it will be pre filtered by active carbons.

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#2- mechanical chamber + some bio ceramic

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#3- plants only chamber

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#4- clean water to the main tank

This project is like 50% done..

I just need to make the chambers in the sump and drill the sump for the overflow to the backyard

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated

I drill the side tank and use 2x 1-1/4in pvc to make an overflow from the main tank to the sump


The chambers in sump is not yet ready.. hence askin for some ideas or opinions here.. in gonna take my time on the design



This is the return pump to the main tank.. as you can see, the plumbing setup is so simple


The tank is behind the wall, and this is the view of the tank in my office




I also use 2 Fluval fx6 and 1 eheim 2217 which mainly for mechanical and bio filtration.. ive been having nitrate issue hence the additional sump with a bunch of plants there might help with my problem

 

[giar]

Tap water quality
0ppm ammonia
0ppm nitrite
40ppm nitrate

RO/DI is too expensive and dont feel like investing on that, plants should do the trick..and extra filtration from the sump wont hurt, except the bill lol

 

[J. H.]

I would combine #2 and #3. Put the bio on the bottom with the plants either floating in foam rafts, floating plants or plants in pots placed on top of the media. Or if you already added the baffle, just do the same on both sides. You can get more media and more plants this way. Also, it might be good to put some mech before your bio in the sump, even if you are using canisters for mech, as some dirt will work its way into the sump, and cleaning biomedia is a horror.

 

[giar]

I am actually thinking just to put mech filtration and plants only in the sump.. so no bio media since i already have them in my 3 canisters.. do you think it is a bad idea?

So the concept why i added a sump is for nitrate absorber factory lol..

 

[giar]

for the plants i am thinking of photos, since its really cheap and i can find it easily here

 

[DN328]

I am actually thinking just to put mech filtration and plants only in the sump.. so no bio media since i already have them in my 3 canisters.. do you think it is a bad idea?

So the concept why i added a sump is for nitrate absorber factory lol..

I like having chambers. BUT, if you plan to just have mechanical filtration and pothos/plants with the intent to try to reduce nitrate you may be better off with no chamber. Throw in some socks and the rest exposed for plants.

You have room for biological filtration and some cases could be used with media hosting denitrifying bacteria - especially when used with a reactor. I think the jury is out on that in some cases and more than you want to do unless the plants alone don't do it for you.

 

[giar]

Mmmm... i will consider the no chamber option..

How about just a chamber for mech, and the clean water + plants are in one big part of the sump? That way i will have a lot of rooms for the plants itself.

The mech chamber is just there just incase some waste get its way to the sump. 80-90% of the sump space will be for plants + clean water

 

[DN328]

Mmmm... i will consider the no chamber option..

How about just a chamber for mech, and the clean water + plants are in one big part of the sump? That way i will have a lot of rooms for the plants itself.

The mech chamber is just there just incase some waste get its way to the sump. 80-90% of the sump space will be for plants + clean water

Yes, I should have stated separation of mechanical chamber would be good to your point. But not needed for the rest given your intent.

 

[giar]

Ok cool i think i will do that.. just one small chamber for mechanical, then the water goes to the plant + clean water side and then to the main tank... the plants will be submerged and placed inside flowerpot. So under any circumstances,it wont clog the pump

 

[DN328]

Again, I like chambers so I'd do chamber for return pimp as well...but that's me.

Also, if you are thinking pothos, I think you'll want thosed emerged and not submerged is what i understand.