Sump Chamber Designs (extra chamber for fry) help

[kevin007]

I have a 55G ready to be converted into a sump for a 220G mbuna tank.

I want to run this filter along with a Eheim 2217 and Fluval FX5.

I want to create a chamber or 2 for fry raising/ recovering beat up cichlids

Where should this chamber be? Before the mechanical filtration so all the fish poop don't end up clogging the pump? etc etc. I have no idea where to start.

 

[Jgray152]

First, a 55 gallon sump would be more than capable of handling an aquarium over 600 gallons, depending on dimensions.

You don't need to run two other canisters along side of your sump.

You should have more than enough room for a "fry" compartment + filtration in a 55.

 

[kevin007]

First, a 55 gallon sump would be more than capable of handling an aquarium over 600 gallons, depending on dimensions.

You don't need to run two other canisters along side of your sump.

You should have more than enough room for a "fry" compartment + filtration in a 55.

Thanks for the reply.

I am running the 2217 because I already have it, I plan on buying a FX5 because it will speed up the water changes by using the FX5 to drain the water.

Do you have any idea on the sump design? How should I create the chambers so the fry stay in it? etc etc

 

[CHOMPERS]

Actually, fry are better in a stand alone tank with a sponge filter. Gravel is a good second choice.

You have the right idea of putting the fry chamber before the mechanical filtration. It will allow the fry to pick at any uneaten food, prior to it being filtered out. However, it will be important to shut down the pump when you do feed them.

The sump would really be a better recovery area (though you wouldn't be able to use it as a hospital tank for medicating sick fish).

(By the way, this is ok for a wet sump but not for a wet/dry. A wet/dry needs to have the mechanical prior to the bio-media.)

 

[kevin007]

Actually, fry are better in a stand alone tank with a sponge filter. Gravel is a good second choice.

You have the right idea of putting the fry chamber before the mechanical filtration. It will allow the fry to pick at any uneaten food, prior to it being filtered out. However, it will be important to shut down the pump when you do feed them.

The sump would really be a better recovery area (though you wouldn't be able to use it as a hospital tank for medicating sick fish).

(By the way, this is ok for a wet sump but not for a wet/dry. A wet/dry needs to have the mechanical prior to the bio-media.)

Thanks. I am not too worried about the fry, I'm sure the survival rate will be quite high in a 220G with 600lb of limestone, but a fry chamber would be nice if I decided to save some.

 

[Jgray152]

I plan on buying a FX5 because it will speed up the water changes by using the FX5 to drain the water.

It will be cheaper and probubly easier to install a "T" with 1 ball valve on 2 of the outputs. One goes to the tank while one goes to a drain/window. Maybe?

 

[kevin007]

It will be cheaper and probubly easier to install a "T" with 1 ball valve on 2 of the outputs. One goes to the tank while one goes to a drain/window. Maybe?

I can't beleive I never thought about this before thanks!

(I will only have one 55G sump and one 2217 to filter this tank, do you think there is enough mechanical filtration?)

 

[FSM]

yeah, you can definitely put some filter floss in the sump though. Thats what I do, although I've also got an AC110 on the tank now.

 

[kevin007]

yeah, you can definitely put some filter floss in the sump though. Thats what I do, although I've also got an AC110 on the tank now.

I know the 55G sump is not going to be 100% filled, so I am worried that the volume that is left (I'm guessing 40ish gallons) won't be enough to filter a 220G tank.

I'll be using bioballs or pot scrubbers for bio, floss/foam/whatever for mechanical, hopefully some micron filter bags too for water polishing.

 

[Jgray152]

55 gallon is more than enough for mechanical and biological filtration. You can make the mechanical area 13"L x 13"W x 18" deep if you would like. That equals out to 169 sq/in area and 49 liters of mechanical . That will be a crap load of mechanical filtration. Keep a 8" long area for the pump compartment and you will still have roughly 26.5"L x 13"W x 16" deep for your bio which will equal out to be 90 liters of bio media. Just to give you an idea of how much that is, the Fx5 holds 5.9 liters of bio media and the Eheim 2080 holds 12 liters. You can make the mechanical as large as you wan't since you only need roughly 30 liters of bio media for your tank.

The dimensions I gave are very very rough and will be different depending on how you build the sump.

A 55 Gallon sump will handle everything you throw at it when on a 220 gallon.