Sump media help

[Artt]

I purchased a second hand tank that has a sump. I've somehow managed to wing my way through converting it from marine to fresh by removing some baffles. I got all the plumbing going, pump working ect.

I'm at the fill it with media stage. What media would you recommend and how do I calculate how much media I will need?

The tank is 102 gallon the sump holds about 20 gallons when running between it's max and minimum capacity.

You are probably going to ask me what type of sump....I can take a picture if that helps but I have no idea.

I've always run canisters or HOB, this is all new to me.

 

[jaws7777]

Sumps are great you will love the ease of maintenance.

Its hard to calculate exactly how much media you will need. What fish ? What size ?

Any media will work even lava rock. Its not a huge sump so i would just say add as much new media along with whats in your cans that the tank will hold and provide you with ample space to be able to work with

I like seachem matrix but at the end of the day its all the same crap. All it does is provide surface area for bb to grow on.

What are you using for mech ?

 

[Artt]

J jaws7777

Sump drains into a filter sock, then I was planning on packing the first compartment following the sock with sponge, then next with the bio. Last one has pump and heaters.

Stocking is 6 blue acara and 12 emperor tetras to begin with. I have 6 keyhole cichlids and a couple of peppermint plecos ordered but they will go into qt for a few weeks. I'm hoping to get a pair of blue acara before I add the keyhole cichlids and plecos.

The I have all the filter media from my 450 litre I drained before Christmas. It's probably about 2 litres worth of bio balls, the same of ceramic noodle and a heap of quilt batting. I've been keeping it all in an esky with air and feeding it algae wafers every other day. I have my fingers crossed it is still cycled. I'm planning on using this to jump start the new tank so I can hold onto the canister for my 55 qt.

Worst case I always have a few spare sponges filters running on my pond I can take out one or two of those to help.

I'll have a look at the pond matrix. Would ceramic noodles work as well?
My LFS sells 4kgs of it for $30. I don't have to go with the cheapest option but hey more money for fish and plants is always good.

 

[Artt]

One more thing, the back up overflow drains into the bio chamber of the filter in case of any issues with the first should I throw another filter sock on there just incase?

 

[jaws7777]

J jaws7777

Sump drains into a filter sock, then I was planning on packing the first compartment following the sock with sponge, then next with the bio. Last one has pump and heaters.

Stocking is 6 blue acara and 12 emperor tetras to begin with. I have 6 keyhole cichlids and a couple of peppermint plecos ordered but they will go into qt for a few weeks. I'm hoping to get a pair of blue acara before I add the keyhole cichlids and plecos.

The I have all the filter media from my 450 litre I drained before Christmas. It's probably about 2 litres worth of bio balls, the same of ceramic noodle and a heap of quilt batting. I've been keeping it all in an esky with air and feeding it algae wafers every other day. I have my fingers crossed it is still cycled. I'm planning on using this to jump start the new tank so I can hold onto the canister for my 55 qt.

Worst case I always have a few spare sponges filters running on my pond I can take out one or two of those to help.

I'll have a look at the pond matrix. Would ceramic noodles work as well?
My LFS sells 4kgs of it for $30. I don't have to go with the cheapest option but hey more money for fish and plants is always good.

I think you should be ok with what you have. Test that media you have cycling or hope to have cycling lol if your getting nitrates your golden. Good job with the back up lots of people skip it. No need for a filter sock there.

Post some pics of your sump and bio.

If it were me id skip the foam and strictly use the filter sock for mech. The foam is just an extra thing to clean.

 

[jaws7777]

Most of us just cram bio in there and leave the rest to nature. I couldnt tell you an exact amount of media needed. Eye ball and test the water is my method.

Drstrangelove might be able to give you some ball park numbers

 

[jaws7777]

One last thing as long as you move the bio from your can into the sump the bb colony will be able to handle the bioload. Even if the media that you have on the side isnt cycled throw it in the sump it will eventually house bb. As long as your bioload doesnt change drastically and immediately your tank/sump/bio filtration shouldnt miss a beat. Slowly add the new fish once they come in but only after you give the new media some time to cycle. Sorry for rambling

 

[Artt]

J jaws7777
It wasn't rambling, it was all useful info. Thanks heaps for the help.

I'll get some pictures when my toddler is napping. I don't want to clue her into the fact there is water for her to play with just hidden behind some doors.

Child safety locks are the first thing on my shopping list today.

 

[DN328]

One more thing, the back up overflow drains into the bio chamber of the filter in case of any issues with the first should I throw another filter sock on there just incase?

What type of drain are you planning to implement? If you have one main drain, I'd consider sending the second through a filter sock first for mechanical too.

I

 

[Artt]

What type of drain are you planning to implement? If you have one main drain, I'd consider sending the second through a filter sock first for mechanical too.

I

I'm not sure I understand your question.

The second one is purely a back up overflow in case something goes very badly and the first overflow becomes blocked.