How much biomedia in the sump?

[shluffer]

I am trying to figure out how much biomedia I need for a 120 gallon tank. I currently have two mono's and a scat in it, but will likely add one more mono, one more scat, and a GSP. I think this would qualify as a heavy bioload (maybe too heavy?). I will also be running a canister on it, but would like the sump to be able to handle the bio filtration for the tank (the canister will also have some biomedia in it, but I would like it to be supplemental to the sump).

A related quesiton, will the amount of biomedia necesary be the same if I use a wet/dry setup versus submerged for the media?

I understand that the answer varies depending on the type of media. I am currently planning on using scrubies. If bioballs or something else require less space I would concider using them instead.

 

[Dr Joe]

Not knowing the size of the biologicals, I'm going to ballpark this at 3cu ft of scrubbies in a well pre-filtered 55g tank with a 8x to 10x turnover.

Cycle this filter way in advance of adding biologicals and then only add one every few weeks.

Yes, media wise it would be the same W/D or sump.

If you have any of the ceramic or bio-ball media you can mix those in to fill any gaps. It's good to mix media.

Sorry batteries are starting to give out on the crystal ball.

Dr Joe

.

 

[Nic]

why some 4" filter socks and do submerged media?? buy a 4L bucket of matrix maybe 3L of some regular sintered glass rings

 

[shluffer]

why some 4" filter socks and do submerged media?? buy a 4L bucket of matrix maybe 3L of some regular sintered glass rings

I don't understand your answer. Are you suggesting that I use an alternative media? If so, whats the advantage? Does it require less space?

 

[Jgray152]

I'm going to ballpark this at 3cu ft of scrubbies in a well pre-filtered 55g tank with a 8x to 10x turnover.

3 cubit feet? 36"x36"x36" sumps really do suck for bio filtration huh!? A 8-10x turn over rate is high! You go for overkill....obveously, which isn't a bad thing....

1-1.5 cubic ft of bio media would be more than enough for a heavily stocked 120. 400 gallon tanks are being biologically filtered with less than 2 cubic ft of bio media. A 40 gallon sump is more than enough as well.

1 cubic ft equals 20 liters. Its rare I see a 120 or even a 180 gallon tank filtered with 20 liters or more with canisters with perfect water stats.....

I stated canister filters because usually people that build sumps, build them for much larger tanks and use them on smaller ones

I don't understand your answer. Are you suggesting that I use an alternative media? If so, whats the advantage? Does it require less space?

Its more expensive to go with another media other than scrubbies/bio balls or bio bale. I prefer bio bale.

Technically speaking, you could in "theory" use less sintered glass or matrix due to the very high surface area per cu/in (or cu/ft) comparied to bio bale, bio balls and scrubbies. I have yet to see any proven tests that state what "lesser" amount is safe with these materials.

 

[shluffer]

I'm looking for a 40 gallon for my sump but I haven't had much luck finding one. I can get a 30 for like 30 bucks, but I'm trying to find a 40. I would go with the 55 (going overboard doesn't hurt) but fI can't fit it under my tank (its 4 ft tank so the inside of the stand is 47 inches). Its to bad realy since I have an empty 55.

 

[wow_it_esploded]

3 cubit feet? 36"x36"x36"

That's 9 cubic feet... But yeah, I would err on the safe side and go with about 2 cubic feet

 

[Rivermud]

Do a little research and make the decision for yourself with the good feedback from the people here.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=221252

 

[Rivermud]

3 cubit feet? 36"x36"x36" sumps really do suck for bio filtration huh!? A 8-10x turn over rate is high! You go for overkill....obveously, which isn't a bad thing....

 

[zennzzo]

3x3x3=27 peeps...