Monster sump finally full...

[Ramesh]

I finally filled my 4x2x2 monster sump after realising 240 scubbies and 500 bio balls wasn't going to fill this bad boy.
The sump swallowed 660+ scubbies and 950 bio balls.

As you can see the 500g tank has turned a dark cola colour from the two extra large logs the have been soaking in it for 3 weeks.

They have finally sunk and I'll do a water change, vac up some of the dead bugs and bits that have fallen off and start the canister stocked with carbon to keep the tannins in check hopefully.

Should I add some shell grit (Calcium carbonate) to keep the acidic tannins in check (neutral) or will the carbon be enough to remove them?

I am waiting for my 25w laguna UVC to arrive and then I'll plumb the sump to the tank ready for water.
I posted a few pics of the fish waiting for their new home to be ready.

 

[Pharaoh]

That's a lot of scrubbies! Nice work. Did you build the sump yourself?

 

[Ramesh]

Bought the tank (4x2x2) and had it modified into a sump but it wasn't made as I asked so I modified the baffles.
You can't see it too well (1st pic) but I changed the height of the first two baffles and lifted the drip tray height to fit in more bio media.
Next sump I do it all mysef but the friend who made the 500g offered to make it as an all in one so I though why not.

 

[LowCel]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...........me like!!!!!!!! Very nicely done.

 

[Ramesh]

Will a 50% water change and Carbon fitration clear the tannins up??
I am interested in other MFK's experiences with using carbon to remove heavy discolouration of water.

 

[volcomstone]

Will a 50% water change and Carbon fitration clear the tannins up??
I am interested in other MFK's experiences with using carbon to remove heavy discolouration of water.

I would try seachem purigen. Others here can vouch also but it should be able to remove the tannins and make your water crystal clear

 

[velanarris]

Best way to remove tannins is to pull the driftwood out and boil it in some of your sump or water change wastewater. Tannins bond to proteins and if the water you boil the wood in is fairly clean they'll just bond back onto the wood. Wastewater is typically teeming with proteins and as such will capture and sequester the tannins very effectively.

 

[UnbelieveableD]

looking real good so far. I agree with the purigen - that and a few water changes should have it cleared up pretty quick. Can't wait too see it finished. what are you stocking it with?

 

[LowCel]

I boiled mine but still had some tanins. Once I added purigen and matrix carbon the difference was amazing. Within a day or two my tank was crystal clear.

 

[BigCountry]

Purigen is so expensive though compared to good carbon....

I have been pumping carbon with 40% weekly water changes and my wood is still leaching though (after a month)....

If you guys are swearing it works, I might just give up and purchase some Purigen....lol

Do you just run it like carbon in a media container? It's a lot smaller substance right?