Matrix Sump

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Ames

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 16, 2008
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QLD Australia
Hello Everyone I am new to this forum! I am about to set up a 6x2x3 African Cichlid tank and have been researching heaps on filtration!

My plan currently is to convert an old 4 foot tank into a sump, fill it with matrix and other media and also have a small refugium... (typically used for salt water I know, but can be good at reducing nitrates etc)

I have had conflicting stories about what media is best, and am torn on who and what to believe... I have heard bio balls are great and I have heard they are bad, same with matrix....I have also been led to believe they do the same thing... so my plan was to go with matrix purely because it fits in with my sump design...

I would love any suggestions!!!
 
Ames;1780613; said:
Hello Everyone I am new to this forum! I am about to set up a 6x2x3 African Cichlid tank and have been researching heaps on filtration!

My plan currently is to convert an old 4 foot tank into a sump, fill it with matrix and other media and also have a small refugium... (typically used for salt water I know, but can be good at reducing nitrates etc)

I have had conflicting stories about what media is best, and am torn on who and what to believe... I have heard bio balls are great and I have heard they are bad, same with matrix....I have also been led to believe they do the same thing... so my plan was to go with matrix purely because it fits in with my sump design...

I would love any suggestions!!!
Click to expand...

I use both in mine for the most part the bio balls are used for degassing the water as it passes over them from the drip tray they are not submerged in the sump water. They have some limited bio capability. I use Pond matrix in the sump totally submerged right underneath the bio balls as my main bio filter...
 
Are you building a wet/dry sump? Usually thats what the purpose of them is, although you don't have to. That means water flows onto the top of the chamber with biomedia, and trickles down over it, and then on to the pump. If you aren't going to have a wet/dry portion, then bioballs are useless. They have low surface area and won't work as well fully submerged. Matrix will work well fully submerged though, like it would in a canister. If you have a wet/dry part, put bioballs in that and any other space you can use matrix.
 
I agree with above responders. I would also use Eheim Ehfisubstrat Pro in place of Matrix.
 
my sump is not yet built, I have a 4foot tank ready to go, just need a suitable design! if I was to go with bio balls yes it would be a wet/dry obviously matrix wouldent be.... does anyone use refugiums here?

who would reccomend bio balls and who wouldent?
 
you're on the right track, sump all the way! look at as many designs as possible, find the ones that look like the ones you want, and ask the person the pro's and con's of thier setup. from your answers you can make an educated decision. dont be scared to ask too many questions, that is the perpose of this site.
 
thanks, I am just concerned about what media I am going to use, I still dont know whats is best wet/dry or a wet sump!!! some more input on pros and cons of these 2 systems would be great!
 
hello,
(this is my first post!) i am going to be purchasing a 150 gal tank w/o a filter (5x2x2) this weekend, and i want to get a head start on planning out a filtration system. Currently i have a 45 gal. 6 sided flat back, with 2 oscars (6-7 in. and a 3-4 in.) and a bosemani rainbow. i was thinking that i could use the 45 gal for a wet sump and basically create a giant power filter, with cellulose sponges. do you guys think that would be a good idea? or would a sump with a more diverse filtering media be more beneficial? also i was considering adding a fluidized bed filter to the mix. but only if/when my budget allows for it. what do you think?
 
Eh, Matrix will also work in a W/D setup. The reason many people prefers bioballs in W/D filter is because of price.
W/D are usually large and filling them up with quality media like matrix will put a dent in the wallet.
But if you are feeling rich, go for it. Personally I feel it would be an overkill.

Quality media => Tons of surface area
W/D setup => Highly oxygenated water

Both gives one heck of a nitrifying army
 
If you haven't seen it yet, check out the Beginners Guide To Filter Media sticky.

I'm setting up a sump right now,and am going with matrix with scrubbies on top.

For a FW refugium, I like the idea of putting the pump in the middle chamber and then splitting the overflow between the filter chamber and the ref. You can then control the flow through the ref with a valve, allowing most of the water to go through the filter. Then you can have a tall baffle between the ref and pump chamber, giving you more volume. The ref can be used for fry as well as plants. That was my plan, but my sump tank was just to small, but with a 4' tank you have the option of a refugium if you want. In the end, my priorities were filtration and increased total water volume. The refugium was a secondary concern.

A lot of good info in the DIY forum here.
 
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