is it worth the effort?

[andy1985]

I have a 450L fish tank, which i am going to be adding Discus into it, i have a FX5 currently on it. i was looking to add a sump, but only have the space for a standard tank that is 40 by 25 by 25cm, which i would convert into a sump which would have filter sock on the intake and then full of lava rock. the cost of that would be around £50 excluding pump.

or should i build an acrylic sump that is 40 by 30 by 80 high which would cost around £120.

or third option is to have no sump at all?

All input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tlindsey]

I have a 450L fish tank, which i am going to be adding Discus into it, i have a FX5 currently on it. i was looking to add a sump, but only have the space for a standard tank that is 40 by 25 by 25cm, which i would convert into a sump which would have filter sock on the intake and then full of lava rock. the cost of that would be around £50 excluding pump.

or should i build an acrylic sump that is 40 by 30 by 80 high which would cost around £120.

or third option is to have no sump at all?

All input would be greatly appreciated.

I personally would go with the sump and no FX5 cannister filter. Swapping out filter socks would be better than maintaining a cannister filter. Also Discus will not grow well with excessive detritus and high Nitrate levels.

 

[duanes]

A standard tank used as a sump will be fine.
This whole baffles, and compartments thing is highly over rated.

My sumps are old scratched up tanks, with bio-media in mesh bags thrown in where there is the most current

, no baffles, mechanically filtered with filter socks.

I have used old 50 gallon barrels as sumps that also are just as good.

The only things that matter to me, are enough space for the gear I want in the sump, like the ability to hold lots of mechanical and bio-media, and if its comfortable enough for me to get my arms in, and do maintenance on.
I find permanent baffles restricting and hard to get around in.

 

[Oughtsix]

I personally would go with the sump and no FX5 cannister filter. Swapping out filter socks would be better than maintaining a cannister filter. Also Discus will not grow well with excessive detritus and high Nitrate levels.

I agree with tlindsey... the most important thing in a filter in my opinion is ongoing frequent maintenance. When I used canisters I did not clean them nearly as often as I should have. I like filter socks that I can pull, clean and replace in a couple minutes... much easier than pulling and cleaning an entire canister filter.

I have not kept discuss but read up on them a fair bit because I would like to some day. Exactly as lindsey said... the FX5 will collect detritus and convert it into a constant ongoing supply of nitrates. If you clean the canister frequently (weekly or so) this should not be a problem... the problem I have is motivating myself to clean a canister on a weekly basis.

Being a stupid American I can't comment on your sump size choice.... LOL! (40 x 25 x 25 is bigger than my house! ) Your sump needs to be large enough and kept at a water level low enough that it does not overflow during a power outage. If there are no overflow issues any size sump will be effective. I would recommend tossing some bubble discs or bubble wands under the mesh bags filled with lava rock... then it should do an excellent job as filter.