SUMP DESIGN... Need Feedback :)

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West1

West1

Peacock Bass
MFK Member
Sep 27, 2007
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sump.png

This is my idea. Already have tanks to be used. The 20gl will hang directly under my return (still thinking of a way to hold it so I can take it out and clean it when I have to).

My biggest thing is I like how my 60gl sump is right now... 40% media and the rest free flowing water for grow outs (in my head its perfect after my 1 month Prazi bath for new fish, so they are in water with a great amount of movement to grow a lil faster :D). I want to keep that idea and work from there.

I need feedback... Pros and Cons:popcorn:

(forgot the sponge on top of the 100% submerged ceramic rings. 1 drip plate for the Bio Balls and 1 Drip plate for the Rings)
Also, Drains from 20gl to the sump will be 2"Dia and drain from 300 is 1.5". This way that should never be an issue

This is what it looks like now...

photo[1] (2).JPG


THanks you
 
Looks like a great sump setup, I've been thinking of building a sump but havn't had a vision but your layout just helped me a lot. how long has it been running for?
 
You've probably thought of this, but I just thought I'd add that you might want to add some form of mechanical filtration before the water goes to the 20 full of bio balls just so you dont have junk in there along with your bio media.
I like the idea with the 20 gallon full of bio balls though, if you have the water running fast enough so air gets to it, that'll be some bio filtration.
 
I thought of adding Mech. Filt. to the Bio balls but I just want a hard flow through the bio balls. The drain will be as low as I can get it on the 20gl for fast draining.

Im thinking of the ceramic rings 1-2" off the ground with an egg crate so debree does not pile up. I would rather have it flowing through the tank than piled up.

As for my sump/grow out tank, ive had it running for maybe 1-2 years?? Ive grown out a few fish in there and all have grown on me fairly quick... latest victim is a Ery Ery. Got him a couple months ago around 3" and he is 5" now and growing.
 
You should focus on getting more mechanical filtration on this system.

Why the sponge filters? Are they for seeding other tanks?
 
the input flow wouldn't be as important as the output flow for the 20 gallon as the faster it drains the more chance air has to get to the bio media. I would add a filter sock or something to make sure debris doesn't get stuck in the bio balls and decompose
 
The sponge filters are just for extra filtration and air I guess. Is it pointless to have?

For the Bio Balls, I thought best results is when the water travels through them unsubmerged? This is why I was debating between adding some Mech. Filtr. to the 20gl.

Which would be better?
Filter sock on the 20gl and a stack of maybe 4 sponges on top of the ceramic rings (filter socks slow down my flow quite a bit)

Only sponges on top of the ceramic rings?
 
I am thinking about skipping the filter socks in general and doing 4 Layers Coarse Sponges before the B.Balls and Ceramic Rings.

I remember seeing some big 2" thick yellow square sponges for ponds at Petco (pricey too) and i will be looking around for the deals.

So it sounds like the Mech Filt is the only flaw right? The rest looks good??
 
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