Diy Sump, need your opinion

[kingyella]

Im almost finish with my sump, and wanted to get your opinion on the last piece to the puzzle. I got a piece of 1/4" plexiglas cut for my drip tray, but i haven't installed the top rail for it to sit on because im trying to see exactly what height it need to be placed at. The way my sump is designed like many other on here the water will flow under the first chamber wall then pour over the second. Is it uncommon to put the filter floss or jap mat underneath the drip plate? because most sumps i see the water hits the filter floss first then trickles over the bio media. But if i do it that way i don't think the water would be distributed over the floss evenly. So basically im trying to see if the drip plate should be flush with the second chamber wall or drop it a inch or so to allow for the width of the filter floss and jap mat. And then after the drip plate is placed on top it'll be flush with the second chamber wall?

this is kinda what i had in mind. blue box in the middle area at top is the drip tray.

 

[bitteraspects]

the filter floss goes above the drip tray. this way debris doesnt clog up the holes in the drip tray and flood it. the drip tray is to drip it evenly over the bio media.

 

[kingyella]

ok, thanks for the response. you make a good point,

 

[KaiserSousay]

The larger your drip tray, the harder it will be for an “even” dispersion of water.
That’s why most use a smaller “box”, with layered media.
Just me, but simpler equals better.
For 99% of FW sumps, I like an open design. The less dividers, spillways, bubble traps, etc. the better.
A wet/dry, media “tower, sitting in a container has done the job for me.
Easier to maintain and less hassle in construction.
If you had a refugium in mind, or a grow out area, or even planted nitrate eater section, then I could understand the dividers.
Otherwise, do yourself a favor and keep it simple.
$0.02

 

[bitteraspects]

Actually, with your design you would put the mechanical filtration in the first chamber. Either sponges and floss, or a filter sock. This way the water is pre filtered before it ever gets to the drip tray. The filter floss on too of the drip tray is more for an open design like John mentioned.

 

[kingyella]

yeah, the water will enter a filter sock first, but for some added mechanical filtration, i was thinking something on top of the drip tray or under it, but you made a good point that over time it will clogg the holes. Maybe in that second chamber i can wedge the jap mat in there so its force up and through it.