Sump/Over Flow Question(s)

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Cookinit

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 13, 2009
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Minnesota
I'm buying a 125 Gallon tank and one place I have been looking a lot is on craigslist. I see this one tank and it lists this for its filtration...

"Over flow, new 29 tall Bio filter"

I'm still new to the hobby and I have only dealt with HOB and Canister filters before, so I am literally clueless about the whole sump/over flow thing.

Question being, how well are they vs canister, and with what little information is provided, would that be adequate for filtering a 125 gallon?

I have looked at the sticky post, but it had info about a wet/dry filter.
 
Most will agree that they are as good if not better than canisters when comparing cost to effectiveness. But there is sopme personal bias involved as well.

Sumps are basically thi same thing as a wet/dry. The difference would be water/air contact time on the bio media. sump = submerged biomedia, wet/dry = nonsubmerged.
 
It's going to depend on flow rates more than size, however, I think you'll be ok. The larger the sump, the longer the water is in contact with the filter material. The longer the better, but I think a 29 will be ok, little on the low side, but still ok.
 
Thanks for the help guys...

Question on how to fill the tank with a sump...

Fill the sump first then tank - or do I need to do something different? Any different in cleaning practices I have to do with my python? Also, I've read that you can put the heaters in the sump instead of the tank itself (gives the tank a cleaner look), how well does that work? Since it's a 29 Gallon tank do I have to run it at a higher temp then what I want my tank to be? - IE set it for 84 if I want the tank to be 76?

Thanks again
 
I asked because I didn't know, this is the response I got...

I’m not sure what an HOB is. This tank has a corner overflow, drain into a 29 tall tank that has wet/dry bio balls and filter matt, then pumps up to a spray bar across the back. Also has the 350 magnum canister.

I haven't seen a pic of this setup yet since the seller is at work, but is going to send some tonight. Hopefully if it's decent looking then it sounds like the filtration isn't going to be a concern eh?

Also - do you put the heater in the sump tank? Is that better/worse? I do like the idea of the tank looking clean in terms of wires and stuff in it.
 
Cookinit;3187496; said:
Thanks for the help guys...

Question on how to fill the tank with a sump...

Fill the sump first then tank - or do I need to do something different? Any different in cleaning practices I have to do with my python? Also, I've read that you can put the heaters in the sump instead of the tank itself (gives the tank a cleaner look), how well does that work? Since it's a 29 Gallon tank do I have to run it at a higher temp then what I want my tank to be? - IE set it for 84 if I want the tank to be 76?

Thanks again
Click to expand...
Fill the sump to the desired "high level" this will be the level the sump will be if the power goes out.

Then fill the tank till the water just starts to overflow, then stop filling.

Plug in the the pump and everything should be fine.

When you want to clean the gravel, unplug the pump and let the tank equalize, (stop overflowing) then note the water level with a small mark on the plexi or glass. Do your regular gravel vacuuming. Replace the water to the level you marked on the glass or plexi and de-chlorinate before you plug in the pump.(chlorinated water WILL nuke the benificial bacteria in the filter)

As far as heaters in the filter... just set it to the desired temp, and then use a separate thermometer in the tank to read actual tank temp. Adjust the heater acordingly
There is no set differential from sump to tank. That would depend on alot of factors. so the easiest way is to set the thermostat on the heater and then read the tank...In my system my tank temp is 2 degrees cooler that the set temp in the wet/dry at 82 degrees tank temp. different tank temps require different thermostat settings (I.E. to get 85 tank temp I need to set at 89 degrees) I'm sure it has to do with thermal insulation properties of the plexi and the ambient room temp...;)
 
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