diy first sump fillter help low budgit

[meandovii]

i am in the process of building my first sump filter and i have a small list of questions first of all let me just explain im building this just to see if i can (its only for a 55g) but anyway heres my list:

1.what is the best pump/cheapest pump i can get for less than $150.

2.what is the best spot for the pump pre or post filter box

3.also if i do not want a pump or cant get one could i make it run on gravity like used in a gravel vacum

4.finaly what sort of media should i use and in what order

thanks for the help if any it would be certainly help a noobie like me.

 

[meandovii]

anyone?

 

[keonetfish]

You cant use siphons back and forth unless the water levels are at the same elevation. Siphoning only works down.

For media I would use ceramic rings, but for low budget just use bio balls. It works for me, but its just my opinion.

 

[cichlid2006]

heres my list:

1.what is the best pump/cheapest pump i can get for less than $150. Not in the US so I cannot help with this.

2.what is the best spot for the pump pre or post filter box The pump goes in the last chamber of the sump, after all the stages of filtration have been done. Mechanical first, then biological if needed then back to the tank via the pump. Chemical can also be added if needed.
3.also if i do not want a pump or cant get one could i make it run on gravity like used in a gravel vacum Gravity or a syphon will bring water from the tank and the pump is only used to send water back up to the tank. Never pump water out of the tank into the sump, it is asking to be flooded because one pump will fail and it is likely to be the top one. It's sod's law.

4.finaly what sort of media should i use and in what order See Q2.

thanks for the help if any it would be certainly help a noobie like me.

My thoughts in red in the quote.

Another note, give people more than an hour before becoming impatient.