Sump Assistance

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
T

Tien

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 1, 2010
198
0
0
Las Vegas
I am in the planning stages for my 500 gallon I have sitting in the garage. I have two 1100 gph pumps, 4 ocean clear canister filters, and the sump in the pics below. The tank is bottom drilled with 4 holes. I have never used a sump and need some advice.

picture.php


picture.php


picture.php


picture.php


Here are my questions:

1) What is the hole in the second and third pics above? The hole has an acrylic plug that can be twisted and removed. What is the point of this?

2) What is the peice in the 4th picture? This piece is too large to fit into the sump. It is just large enough to cover the top over one of the compartments only. the side peices seem to fit loosely over the sides of the sump. My only thought is that it is a cover to place a light for algae growth.

3) What should I put in it? I know I will do a wet dry filter with bio-media in the first taller compartment. COnsidering it is fresh water what should I do with the other 3? Will plants and algae be effective for nitrate removal in this sump?

4) The tank does not have a built in overflow. I plan on hanging an overflow on the back for the sump. I will use each pump with 2 canister filters and 2 holes for each pump (one intake and out put each). Is there any way to incorporate the sump into the system without hanging an overflow on the back and still utilize all of the other equipment?

:nilly: Sorry guys, I am new to sumps and large fish. I wanna do it right the first time and MFK is helping a ton!
 
Hmmm...I can see them on my end. I had just posted them. Do they need to go through an approval process by MFK administrators first?
 
Pix not working.


3) What should I put in it? I know I will do a wet dry filter with bio-media in the first taller compartment. COnsidering it is fresh water what should I do with the other 3? Will plants and algae be effective for nitrate removal in this sump? There is really only one method for Nitrate removal. Water changes. There are anaerobic denitrators but they are tedious and not for beginners.

4) The tank does not have a built in overflow. I plan on hanging an overflow on the back for the sump. I will use each pump with 2 canister filters and 2 holes for each pump (one intake and out put each). Is there any way to incorporate the sump into the system without hanging an overflow on the back and still utilize all of the other equipment? IDK, but HERE is a good option.
 
There's a ton of wet dry filtration subjects on here. You can get a lot of general questions answered. As far as what goes where in a wet dry system? They are hard to screw up because it's such a simple system. Most wet dry systems are set up for water to overflow from the fish tank to the sump. The first thing you want to do is filter that water as it enters your sump. Some people use filter socks, I just use a filter pad. After the water passes through the pre filter then it splashes down a column of bio media. This can be anything that doesn't rot or dissolve. Bio-balls, lava rock, pot scrubbies, what ever you want. The more the better. The bio media above the water line is considered the dry part in a wet/dry system. I try to make the "dry" part as big as possible. The more water splashing down through the bio media the better IMO. Leave the last compartment empty for a submersible pump, heaters, test equipment, and so on.

Good luck with those pictures :)

Edit: I agree with Arowan, water changes, water changes, water changes
 
Thanks for the info. I will try to get the pictures working when I get home tonight so you can see the peices I am talking about.
 
Yes they are very clear. I'm setting up two 120 tanks to a large sump filter similar to yours but am new to hobby. That is a great sump.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom