Bio-balls or scrubbies?

[MBilyeu]

I am going to build a sump for my new 200g tank, and was wondering if I should use bio-balls or scrubbies. Essentially my sump will be designed with just two walls of eggcrate which will split it into three sections. The first (small) section will be the inlet from the overflow. The second (middle) section will have the media in it. The last section will have the heaters and return pump in it. Will bio-balls work, or are they only good for wet/dry systems? If both would work, what are the pros/cons for each?

One more quick question: Should I put a UV Sterilizer in the overflow line, or the return pump line?

 

[Bderick67]

Go with scrubbies, you can get them for much cheaper and they have about twice the surface area of bioballs.

 

[jlnguyen74]

One more quick question: Should I put a UV Sterilizer in the overflow line, or the return pump line?

I would put the UV sterilizer in the return line to assure the water is sterilized and clarified when it returns to the tank .

 

[MBilyeu]

I would put the UV sterilizer in the return line to assure the water is sterilized and clarified when it returns to the tank .

This wont put undue stress on the motor of the return pump? (I was planning on one of the coralife twist UVs)

 

[MBilyeu]

Go with scrubbies, you can get them for much cheaper and they have about twice the surface area of bioballs.

Thank you.

 

[Pharaoh]

+1 for scrubbies

 

[kallmond]

Any item with a high surface area to volume ratio will work. I used mountain dew bottle caps because I had a whole recycle bin full of them. Scrubbies are a great cheap choice because they're easy to clean, super cheap and flexible (so you don't have a lot of dead space).

I've heard of people using shredded milk cartons, drinking straws, whatever. Anything that will provide surface for bacteria to grow. The more surface area the better.

 

[jlnguyen74]

This wont put undue stress on the motor of the return pump? (I was planning on one of the coralife twist UVs)

As long as you use the hose/pipe at least the same size with the outlet nozzle of your pump, then the stress is very minimal. Also, each UV handle different flow rate. Make sure your pump is not too strong than the recommended flow rate for the UV.

 

[MBilyeu]

As long as you use the hose/pipe at least the same size with the outlet nozzle of your pump, then the stress is very minimal. Also, each UV handle different flow rate. Make sure your pump is not too strong than the recommended flow rate for the UV.

Got it, I will make sure to check that first.

I now have a question about the pump. Originally I was going to get a pentair/lifeguard Quiet One 300 because that is the pump with the highest flow rate (~600gph at 4') at the price point that I can spend (according to the wife). I was in Home Depot today and saw that they had sumbersible utility sump pumps with incredible gph ratings. The 1/6hp one which is just $15 more than the pentair is rated at 1145gph at 4'. My only thought as to why I shouldn't get one of these is that they are not really built for constant use, where the hobby pumps are. Am I correct in this assumption, or should I buy the one at Home Depot?

 

[MBilyeu]

Ok, nevermind. I just read the owners manual and it says to not use where water recirculates, or when fish are present.