I can slide the whole sump out once drained in about 5 minutes.
I had to plan how to position the sump because the space under there is to tight to get more than half an arm into the sump let alone do any maintenance.
The first baffle can be accessed without moving anything as it sticks out 4-5inches from under the stand.
I could have placed the sump parallel to the tank above and had the whole sump under the tank.
But because it's designed with mechanical at one end this would have meant that the drains would have been different lengths.
With the sump placed this way the drains are even and the return is short meaning the pump can move more water over a shorter distance.
The whole sump only requires 50w of power using the Rio20HF which is similar to an FX5 but with much more turn over and filtering grunt.
The tanks water used to very dark from tannin almost cola coloured but has really cleared up over time.
Water changes, time, carbon and purigen have all helped but I can now see through the water which is great.
I attached some pics of the overflows and plumbing behind the tank.
It was before the sump was moved into place and plumbed to the tank.
I also added a pic of the small swimming pool sand filter (20kg)which I have had filtering the tank while getting the sump right.
I am running both together as the future bio loads will be much greater even though it's overkill for now.
Once fully cycled I will be able to move my grow out stock into it once the Gator gar moves into her pond this summer.
I had to plan how to position the sump because the space under there is to tight to get more than half an arm into the sump let alone do any maintenance.
The first baffle can be accessed without moving anything as it sticks out 4-5inches from under the stand.
I could have placed the sump parallel to the tank above and had the whole sump under the tank.
But because it's designed with mechanical at one end this would have meant that the drains would have been different lengths.
With the sump placed this way the drains are even and the return is short meaning the pump can move more water over a shorter distance.
The whole sump only requires 50w of power using the Rio20HF which is similar to an FX5 but with much more turn over and filtering grunt.
The tanks water used to very dark from tannin almost cola coloured but has really cleared up over time.
Water changes, time, carbon and purigen have all helped but I can now see through the water which is great.
I attached some pics of the overflows and plumbing behind the tank.
It was before the sump was moved into place and plumbed to the tank.
I also added a pic of the small swimming pool sand filter (20kg)which I have had filtering the tank while getting the sump right.
I am running both together as the future bio loads will be much greater even though it's overkill for now.
Once fully cycled I will be able to move my grow out stock into it once the Gator gar moves into her pond this summer.
