Sump Design

[LoganBlade]

Set up plans
40gal long
30 gal long sump
Set up as illustrated. 2 ways for fresh water with possible salt water later.
Does this meet the need?

This is my Test run on the 125 gal tank I picked up free the other day. Maybe next year when I get more experience I will set it up. for now trial time.

 

[Pharaoh]

Seems OK to me, but it would help if you labeled things so we knew what you were using specifically.

 

[LoganBlade]

I will make edits to picture but plan is
the star things are bio balls
the yellow is filter material.
the yellow in with the green is gravel or sand and the green above is live plants.
This is me being impatient but I will fix with better labels. Also in th efirst one with submerged bio balls. would lava rock or the ceramic be better?

 

[Dobsie]

I will make edits to picture but plan is
the star things are bio balls
the yellow is filter material.
the yellow in with the green is gravel or sand and the green above is live plants.
This is me being impatient but I will fix with better labels. Also in th efirst one with submerged bio balls. would lava rock or the ceramic be better?

Is this for fresh or saltwater?
I think you are describing a refugium and that really isn't necessary for a fresh water tank.

 

[Valous]

Ok first off you want to filter the water before it gets to the bio ball. second it looks more over worked then it need to be. so might i suggest that the water comes down to a filter pad. a coarse or fine. then travels up (removing the glass that would make the water travel up then down on top of the pad)threw filter floss. that then drips over your bio media or a refugrium depending on your choice. then up to were your pump and heater are... if that makes sence

 

[LoganBlade]

Is this for fresh or saltwater?
I think you are describing a refugium and that really isn't necessary for a fresh water tank.

welll i am planning a switch to salt if all goes well with my training. but dont plants help? i have 30 longgals to fill up

 

[Pharaoh]

I recommend that you take out the bio balls in the first chamber and add in a filter sock. This will help filter the water coming straight out of the tank. Also, swap out the bottom layer of yellow media and put bio balls in there. The rest you can leave as-is and your filter should work well.

 

[Conner]

I recommend that you take out the bio balls in the first chamber and add in a filter sock. This will help filter the water coming straight out of the tank. Also, swap out the bottom layer of yellow media and put bio balls in there. The rest you can leave as-is and your filter should work well.

+1. You definitely want mechanical as your first stage, and filter socks are relatively cheap and easy to swap out and clean.