Best Filtration..

[ddbriggs]

Hi,

I have a 4 x 2 x 2 tank with a 36x15x18 sump.
The sump currently contains 2 different grade filter sponges where the water first enters the sump, then under them is a load of alfa grog, and some activated carbon, currently nothing else in the sump apart from 2 heaters.

I was just wondering if this sump is doing better than say an XP3 or the like, and also if i could make the sump more efficient with extra media?

One other thing is, i dropped some of the varbon in the sump, will this cause any problems if not removed?

Cheers Guys!

 

[timmustang]

If your fish arent dieing and your water is clean and not too high with ammonia and/or nitrates. Id say your fine. Just make sure you have enough bateria in the tank. And Im not sure by what you mean by dropping carbon in the sump. If you mean some carbon is running loose in the sump, you may want to get it out in fear of blockage. Any pics of your setup?

 

[ddbriggs]

yes i dropped some carbon loose in the sump, no chance of it blocking though.

Heres one pic of the sump, i have a few more to upload but will get round to it soon..

 

[ddbriggs]

i wonder what im doing wrong its not showing up

 

[WyldFya]

Is your sump a wet dry or just a sump? There are canisters out there that can do more, but they will cost you a lot more. It also depends on what you are looking to do with your filtration. Carbon really is a mechanical media, and as such should be in a HOB or powerhead setup. A sump, or canister generally is used for both bio, and refugium. A really good mech filter is the Fluval FX5, and a really good bio filter is an eheim 2260, 2262, 2080. The Eheim 2078 is a great all around filter, but still not as good as an FX5. Sponge filters over the intakes can fix the eheims downfall in mech filtration. A wet/dry would really boost your bio filtration, and wouldn't be too expensive to upgrade to. Another addition to a w/d is a refugium which can help with nitrate removal.

 

[ddbriggs]

alot for all your replies, if you look in my personal galery there is a few pics of the sump, i am no sure wot u mean by wet dry?

oh and please excuse the state of things in the pics, i havnt finishd the stand yet!

i basically want to know what is he best form of filtration for my tank, i think as i have the sump already maybe i would be better off keeping the sump just optimising it maybe?

 

[WyldFya]

A wet/dry is a filter that gives the bio media time to be in contact with water and air. The best for of filtration is different for different needs, what is your goal with your filter?

 

[ddbriggs]

my goal? i dont understand?
basically to keep my water quality as good as pos and as little as possible media changes on the filter.

when i am talking of water quality we have to remember that my tank wil be pushed to the limits