sump for new discus tank with two overflows

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I agree about the long narrow sponges, I'd simply have a piece of coarse sponge sitting across the top of a lower baffle between the planted bit and bio media to stop leaves etc getting in there, or even just a flat piece lying across the top of the bio media (are you going to run a drip tray to distribute the water evenly across the media?).

RE the carbon, I'm not a discus expert but I don't see the need for using it on a daily basis, RO water or not. IMO it is more for removing meds or excess tannins or something specific rather than just general filter media. How big is your tank? It could get expensive regularly replacing a large enough amount of active carbon to make it worth while.
 
I agree about the long narrow sponges, I'd simply have a piece of coarse sponge sitting across the top of a lower baffle between the planted bit and bio media to stop leaves etc getting in there, or even just a flat piece lying across the top of the bio media (are you going to run a drip tray to distribute the water evenly across the media?).

RE the carbon, I'm not a discus expert but I don't see the need for using it on a daily basis, RO water or not. IMO it is more for removing meds or excess tannins or something specific rather than just general filter media. How big is your tank? It could get expensive regularly replacing a large enough amount of active carbon to make it worth while.

the "slim" sponges in the second rendition appear narrow but these have not been drawn to scale (my great drawing skills) and will essentially be same as regular sized pads.
 
the "slim" sponges in the second rendition appear narrow but these have not been drawn to scale (my great drawing skills) and will essentially be same as regular sized pads.

pads come in sizes from 1"x1"x2" up to at least 39"x39"x4". regular size pads doesn't really mean anything concrete. my regular sized pads are 19"x23"x either 3" or 2". but my water flow is against the 19"x23" area, not the 2" or 3" area.

your friends don't know what they are talking about. plants are excellent filtration.
 
pads come in sizes from 1"x1"x2" up to at least 39"x39"x4". regular size pads doesn't really mean anything concrete. my regular sized pads are 19"x23"x either 3" or 2". but my water flow is against the 19"x23" area, not the 2" or 3" area.

your friends don't know what they are talking about. plants are excellent filtration.

^^ so glad to read your response. I'm gonna go with plants.

Is the refugium light required to be on 24 hrs ?

My filter pads are 1" thick. Anyway, that part is now clear in my head.
 
^^ so glad to read your response. I'm gonna go with plants.

Is the refugium light required to be on 24 hrs ?

My filter pads are 1" thick. Anyway, that part is now clear in my head.

Just run the light 8 hours a day or so, like the sun would be. I think a lot of times people have macro algae and stuff in there and the lighting is critical, but I still think it is only required 8 or so hours
 
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