DIY Sump Filter

[Dr Joe]

ALRIGHT an MFK'er with power tools .

Good progress, you do nice work .

I can almost hear the silence of the water flowing...

Dr Joe

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[joeytoe]

top layer is gonna be kitchen scrubbies then 1 gal of Bio-balls and the bottom layer is Ammo-Carb

Id just use the pot scrubbers, theyll do the job more than enough. Ive yet to have even the slightest need for Ammo-Carb.

Nice job by the way.

 

[sparker18]

Id just use the pot scrubbers, theyll do the job more than enough. Ive yet to have even the slightest need for Ammo-Carb.

Nice job by the way.

Yeah but what about some type of chemical filtration?

 

[ethnics]

chemical for what? all i use is mechanical n bio filtration. top layer is poly from walmart, n all the bio is scrubbies. thats it. water is krystal clear

 

[MilitantPotato]

Very nice! Looks like a great setup, any plans on adding a baffle or two?

I agree with skipping the ammo-carb, unless ya have a reason for using it it will just stunt your bacterial colony by removing its food.

Carbon is unneeded too most of the time in my opinion, but it does have it's uses. I always keep some on hand for med removal or when I set up a brand new tank.

 

[sparker18]

Very nice! Looks like a great setup, any plans on adding a baffle or two?

I added one baffle today, I had planned to put two in but I'm not sure if I'll put the second one in or not.

I always thought the carbon helped keep the water parameters right?

As for using scrubbies, would the green scotch-brite pads work?

 

[rallysman]

As for using scrubbies, would the green scotch-brite pads work?

Yep, as long as they aren't treated with anything they'll be ok. I use floor scrubbing pads (from the big rotary machines) and they work like a charm.

I'll second the thought that you don't really need carbon. I don't have it in any of my filters. I use the space it takes up for more bio media.

 

[sparker18]

I added the baffle to it last night. I'm gonna let everything set until Sat. before I fill it and check for leaks. If all goes well I should have it connected to the tank and running by Sunday. Have to go back to Lowe's and get some more PVC connectors that I forgot. I'm worried that my pump will suck the water out quicker than the overflow puts it in so I'm gonna use a ball valve to to let some of the water flow back into the sump. Thanks for the info on the carbon I'll leave it out and see how things go. Anyway here's some updated pics

 

[Dr Joe]

Too purtee fer wurds...Come on Sunday! (and don't let the game get in the way).

Dr Joe

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[sparker18]

Well I decided it had cured long enough so I filled up the first section with water and had 2 small leaks so I patched those. It has to dry for 24hrs so I'll fill it again tomorrow and see how it goes. I hate waiting