First Time Feeding fish with Sump W/D.

[ScullCraca]

But half the point of the mechanical stage is to keep the bio stage from getting full of crud. I would change the setup and add a screen because it is setup is backwards. Unless you really like scubbing ceramic I guess.

Its like putting an airfilter in your cars exhaust...its already gone through the engine

I have a mechanical before the bio.. I have the filter pad just after the ceramic and then the bio balls and then a micro sponge and the the charc bags. Is that good enough?

 

[ScullCraca]

Here is what I am using right after the ceramic PRE-Filter Drip tray then the

LFS Filter Pads
Surface area/cu.ft. NA

Upsides:Easily obtained,often best choice for mech filtration.Varying levels of porousness for further customization of mechanical filtration.

Downsides:Somewhat pricey.Not often sold in what I would consider "bulk"

Overallrobably the most frequently used mechanical medias available.Most often what people choose to put in their drip trays.

Then the bio balls and then

Filter Sponges/Foams

Surface area/cu.ft.: roughly 75-175 depending on porousness

Upsides: An excellent all around choice of media in most applications.Technically you could run sponges or foam of varying porousness in your entire sump.Holds up well under "Rinse and re-use" conditions.

Downsides: Clogs.not the highest in terms of surface area.If you have a rather large bio-load or somewhat of a lack of space you may want to look into media with a higher surface area.Rather pricey if needed in large quantity as well, IMHO

Overall:A good pre-filter or bio-media however frequent rinsing will be needed if you are using this as your primary source of mechanical filtration

and then the Agua Clear charc. bags two at 70g and 110g bags. This is how the sump is designed and the book that cam with it said it can be used.

 

[ScullCraca]

Bump

 

[Fish Eat Fish]

You are using the ceramic for growing bacteria right? If you are thats part of your bio.

IMO I would have the mechanical before any other part of the filter as it will save you lots of work in the future.