Sump/Bio Media Question

[WHODAT83]

Hey Yall,
So we are currently in the process of trying a little something new with our sump to increase our biological filtration.

We are currently running a 55 Gallon Sump on our 300 Gallon Aquarium. In our 55 Gallon sump dual socks , (2) Phosban 550 Reactors full of Matrix, A larger Bag of activated carbon and a Cal Aquatics UV Sterilizer.

Right now the sump is setup so that the drains are flowing into the sock then in the the center compartment where there is 2 pumps, 1 cycling the UV and 1 cycling the Reactors, then through Poly-Filter and Nitrasorb and into the return section.

Our idea for the setup would drain to pre filter pad - then to the trickle tray which would provide the trickle for the bio-balls under the bioballs would be egg-crate following by another section for Pond Matrix.

I would then use the 2 reactors for carbon and tie the reactors into the UV.

So to eliminate any confusion it would look very similar to the picture but there would be a large amount of Martix under the bioballs.

Any comments or ideas to increase bio would be greatly appreciated? we were going to do a canister full of matrix but I have read that the canisters need to be a good amount below the water line you are pulling from. If we did a canister is would be pretty much right next to the sump

 

[Jag586]

Why not toss a bunch of ceramic ribs in the sump so the water has to flow past them to return to the tank

 

[celebrist]

Shouldn't need carbon except for emergency use I would think. Are you dropping the socks?
I have assorted different biomedia in lingerie bags and lots of plants in my sump

 

[predatorkeeper87]

Get rid of the carbon, it has no use except pulling chemicals from the water and you shouldn't have any if you aren't treating the tank with meds.

Sounds fine to me otherwise, leave the matrix where its at, and fill all available underwater space that's left with bags of matrix and it should be fine.

 

[WHODAT83]

Shouldn't need carbon except for emergency use I would think. Are you dropping the socks?
I have assorted different biomedia in lingerie bags and lots of plants in my sump

I a back and forth between dropppng the socks. I do like the filtration they give us but they can get a little pricey and be a PITA. If we do keep the socks the other option to increase bio would be to just throw some back of bio media in the sump with some low tech gas growing plants.

 

[WHODAT83]

Get rid of the carbon, it has no use except pulling chemicals from the water and you shouldn't have any if you aren't treating the tank with meds.

Sounds fine to me otherwise, leave the matrix where its at, and fill all available underwater space that's left with bags of matrix and it should be fine.

Thanks!! This is probably the route we will end up going with until we move. Once we get the tank into our new place Inolan on doing at least an 80 gallon sump to increased he water volume and available space for media, livestock and plants.

 

[duanes]

Socks can be rinsed, or bleached, and will give a fairly long life if not man-handled.
I usually have one sock filtering, while 1 is soaking in bleach, and another drying, or being dechlorinated in a sodium-thiosulfate bath.
In this way no one sock is being pounded, or worn out, and their life is prolonged.
Hosing them down is easy, but puts extra stress on the seams.
And I agree, just placing bags of media (even something as simple and inexpensive as lava rock) on the floor of the sump will provide plenty of extra biofiltration.

 

[WHODAT83]

Do yall use the pond matrix of just the standard matrix? I know the Pond has a a little more surface area but that about it.

 

[ragin_cajun]

I use Pond Matrix. I just need a lot, and it was cheaper.

 

[predatorkeeper87]

Do yall use the pond matrix of just the standard matrix? I know the Pond has a a little more surface area but that about it.

My sump on my 310 is filled with lava rock on the bottom, I like the look better than clinical mesh bags filled with biomedia. My 125 sump is filled with sand and a drip bucket.