Fresh water sump setup help

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
So Rays produce alot of ammonia, I'd, like you have stated, do K1 to take care of any ammonia concerns. As for nitrate which obviously you'll be producing in huge amounts also keep an eye on that and do proper water changes. Looks like you have a plan and it looks good to me. I'd honestly not worry about plants in the sump, the amount of plants needed to make any sort of dent in your numbers won't really be possible in the chamber you've indicated.
 
twentyleagues said:
So Rays produce alot of ammonia, I'd, like you have stated, do K1 to take care of any ammonia concerns. As for nitrate which obviously you'll be producing in huge amounts also keep an eye on that and do proper water changes. Looks like you have a plan and it looks good to me. I'd honestly not worry about plants in the sump, the amount of plants needed to make any sort of dent in your numbers won't really be possible in the chamber you've indicated.
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Well im glad to hear I'm on the right track for the K1 taking care of the Ammonia. (Beyond the other beds of pond matrix that will be in baskets. I have already bought 1 gallon bucks of that).

How much k1 do you presume I'll need? Dimensions of that chamber that would house k1 is approx 17x21x17. I know they say it goes off the fish but figure I'll just run max in it. They sell it in odd quantities though so I'm uncertain. Also does brand matter? Can I just get what ever k1 is sold on Amazon or ebay cheaper?

Lastly recommended air pump because I need a 4 or 6 inch air stone to move the k1 right?? I have a flival q.5 (worthless) and a fluval q2 and it takes all it has just to power the 1 air stone in the current set up. I cant even run the air stone and sponge filter together off it. I wanted a huge air pump, but these tanks are for display in my living room so noise is a factor.

And then lastly, the least restrictive sponge or screen to block k1 from leaving that chamber.
 
I think any type of the k1 type media is fine. As for amount I'm not sure. I was going to say for an air pump get a linear piston air pump like an Alita 40 but they are pretty loud.
 
twentyleagues said:
I think any type of the k1 type media is fine. As for amount I'm not sure. I was going to say for an air pump get a linear piston air pump like an Alita 40 but they are pretty loud.
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I have a feeling all will be loud and I should probably hide it in my basement and just run the main air hose up to under my tank and branch off. Would that one be big enough to do the k1, plus a large aire stone in 2 tanks plus a sponge filter or 2? May as well have 1 to do all
 
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For sump design with the way it's set up I'd make a sort of divider out of PVC, light diffuser and plastic gutter guards to give yourself a few inches of water on top of the k1 to keep it out of the pipe going to the next chamber.

Cle_utv said:
I have a feeling all will be loud and I should probably hide it in my basement and just run the main air hose up to under my tank and branch off. Would that one be big enough to do the k1, plus a large aire stone in 2 tanks plus a sponge filter or 2? May as well have 1 to do all
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Yes it will be fine. Look up aquarium coop they have a couple videos on how to " plumb" those air pumps. They run more efficiently when run in a loop.
 
twentyleagues said:
I'd make a sort of divider out of PVC, light diffuser and plastic gutter guards to give yourself a few inches of water on top of the k1 to keep it out of the pipe going to the next chamber.
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Not sure I'm following you. Happen to have a photo of something similar? Are you suggesting making a false top so the k1 can't come to the surface with something like gutter guard but water level will be higher still for the over flow of the tank?
 
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twentyleagues said:
It depends on what you are worried about ammonia or nitrate. While plants will remove some of both they require other elements to remove either also. Not all plants are equally good at removing either also. Some are better at using nitrate some are better at ammonia. Floating plants leaves exposed to the air are typically the only ones good at using either as a "food" source, duck weed, water lettuce, frog bit, will those work good in your situation I'm not sure. Hornwort, val, Pennywort, wisteria, are good nitrate removers that work well in the water. Obviously the best way to control nitrate is water change. With rays most people are most concerned with ammonia.
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What are good options of plants that use ammonia? I was under the impression plants didn't go for ammonia?
 
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