Sump Question

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Backfromthedead said:
2" drain is big, plenty big for a 5x2x2.5, but an sp4 is on the wimpy side for a tank that size and plumbing that large. I use an sp4 on a 65g with a 30g sump (system less than half the size of yours).

First thing I must ask, do you have the sp4 controlled with a valve as well? In order to properly tune an overflow, you will have to set the drain valve, then adjust the pumps flow to match the drain. If you are just running the sp4 full blast and trying to adjust the drain to match, you will have problems finding that sweet spot.

As far as getting the overflow perfect, you will benefit from acquiring and installing a more powerful DC pump like a jebao dcp-15000 or similar. These pumps have digital controllers that allow much finer control over flow than your sp4 with a valve will.

As to your sump, I'd have to see how you had the socks installed. With socks and the foam in the next section, nothing but the smallest particles should be getting through. If your socks were getting fouled quickly, you can split the single main drain you have into 2 or even 3 socks if you want to mitigate this.

I don't use k1, but as far as I know there is no major benefit, especially concerning mechanical filtration, to having a "static" k1 chamber. AFAIK The only way it works well as mechanical is in a pressurized closed filter system like an ultima filter.
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Also what micron sock would you use?
 
Lkeizm said:
Well the new tank is going to be 6x2.5x2.5 what pump would you recommend for something that size?

yes the sp4 is running with valve also but I do have it running with the valve wide open

as far as the socks go, I didn’t have nothing to hold the socks, so I managed to find some that were draw strings and then tied them around the pipes entering the sump, so the water passed through them first then the foam,then through the bio chamber and into the pump but was still finding particles, maybe if I got a holder of some sort and used decent filter socks that would clear a lot up?
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If I was building a 72x30x30, I would want the overflow capable of handling up to 5000 Gph (probably 4 1.5" main drains) and at least 2 pumps that could handle this or better at full power. Assuming a head height of 5' and typical plumbing restrictions, I would get 2 pumps rated for around 4000 gph each at 0' head, the aforementioned jebao dcp-15000s would be my choice. With this kind of equipment, you could run the system wide open on near full power for a marine system, run it at half power for a freshwater riverine type system, or 1/3 power for a less turbulent freshwater setup.

Mind you I always recommend high flow through sumps because that's what I like. Some people prefer lower flow through sump and augment flow in the DT with powerheads.

I'll be honest with you, I run my socks the same way you've described. And I'll be doubly honest, I'm not a stickler for floating particles in the water, so I'd have to see exactly what you mean before going any farther because what I may think is passable might not be to you lol. But if stuff was getting past the socks and the foam, then you must have had a bypass issue somewhere.

I use these socks and love them
 
Backfromthedead said:
If I was building a 72x30x30, I would want the overflow capable of handling up to 5000 Gph (probably 4 1.5" main drains) and at least 2 pumps that could handle this or better at full power. Assuming a head height of 5' and typical plumbing restrictions, I would get 2 pumps rated for around 4000 gph each at 0' head, the aforementioned jebao dcp-15000s would be my choice. With this kind of equipment, you could run the system wide open on near full power for a marine system, run it at half power for a freshwater riverine type system, or 1/3 power for a less turbulent freshwater setup.

Mind you I always recommend high flow through sumps because that's what I like. Some people prefer lower flow through sump and augment flow in the DT with powerheads.

I'll be honest with you, I run my socks the same way you've described. And I'll be doubly honest, I'm not a stickler for floating particles in the water, so I'd have to see exactly what you mean before going any farther because what I may think is passable might not be to you lol. But if stuff was getting past the socks and the foam, then you must have had a bypass issue somewhere.

I use these socks and love them
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Yeah my tank is a freshwater so i try and make sure the flow isnt too over the top

This is what il buy now and give these a try https://charterhouse-aquatics.com/s...ts-mechanical-filter-bag-system-black-acrylic

As i just looked at my filter sock, its not even a filter sock per say, its more of a fleecey bond style with no micron rating, maybe thats why they wasnt working when i tried them plus they come from china on ebay,

So just ordered some more and will give them a try and see what the water ends up like

if the water still has particle in then you think its bypassing the sponges?
 
Lkeizm said:
Yeah my tank is a freshwater so i try and make sure the flow isnt too over the top

This is what il buy now and give these a try https://charterhouse-aquatics.com/s...ts-mechanical-filter-bag-system-black-acrylic

As i just looked at my filter sock, its not even a filter sock per say, its more of a fleecey bond style with no micron rating, maybe thats why they wasnt working when i tried them plus they come from china on ebay,

So just ordered some more and will give them a try and see what the water ends up like

if the water still has particle in then you think its bypassing the sponges?
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Yes most likely. If you're having trouble maintaining water level in the sump it could be flowing over the sponges periodically.

I'm starting to think, since your tank is so tall, you're just having trouble getting gunk into the overflow from the bottom of the tank. Greater turnover/flow and directed nozzles on your return could help. Some people point powerheads across the bottom of the tank to stir things up. Ime there are always extra things to consider maintenance wise when you have a tall tank, over 2 ft.

My socks are a felt type with drawstring as well, but you might have to try a few out to find what works best in your setup.
 
Lkeizm said:
So ive had my 190G running now for a little while, i filter it using a sump, so i have a corner weir and the water goes through the comb at the surface almost and then goes into the pipes which lead to sump then get pumped back into the tank.

The issue im having is there always seems to be some sort of particle floating in the water column, the way ive done the sump is 4 chambers, so it runs into static K1 micro media to start with, then goes through sponges into the bio media chamber then to the pump into the tank.

Ive now added an fx6 to help the sump out and try and clear some of the stuff in the water, no matter what i do even if i add filter floss i just cant seem to shift the particle in the water

any suggestions?
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I have this exact problem In my tank. But I have huge water movement in my tank. I ave a reeflo 2 hp 11000gph at 72 ft of head pump and that is 2 inch pvc pipe, 12 ft up and only 2 90's to get in to the tank so it is moving some water plus I have 3 cross flow wavemakers. My overflow is a full c2c that is about 92 inches long.

Is the quick easy fix is flocculator it will clump all the smaller Particles together and make them big enough for your mechanical filtration to take them out, But this is a temporary fix You might be feeding too, much you might need more flowing your tank, you might be over stocked? But what I am doing as a permit fix is putting a bead filter on. What that is is a pool sand filter filled with glass beads it will filter down to 5 microns and catches 50% of particles between 5 and 15 microns that pass through in a 100% of anything over 15 microns. I like this better because it's reusable and it will last forever. I have tried running carbon but it did not help. I am running about 10 pounds of carbon right now and the water does not look that good.if you don't mind more work you can add some wavemakers I like the cross flow ones the best as they move more water and are not as direct of a stream so it gets more of the bottom of the tank and just use polishing pads. But they cost money and add up.
 
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Lkeizm said:
The tank size is 5 x 2 x 2.5 and the pump I currently use is a fluval sp4, and yes you are exactly right, that picture is exactly what I have but the valve is on the lower drain, I seemed to have messed my words up lol. I just can’t seem to get the correct balance no matter what I do it’s always to much or too little, the first chamber I did try filter socks, but didn’t have any luck eliminating the particles, I believe the pipe is 2-3 inch I will measure when I’m home
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Is try using a gate valve the one with a knob that u turn not a handle
 
Backfromthedead said:
I would not drill any holes in the overflow box. I've seen several keepers attempt this but they usually just end up making things more difficult.

Esox modified bottom skimmer is genius, but won't apply to your tank as from what I understand you have an enclosed bottom drilled overflow with a Herbie type drain setup.

If I'm reading you correctly, you're saying that the higher drain is the one youre controlling with a valve and the lower drain is completely open? This should be the other way around. Your lower drain is your full siphon and will need to be fine tuned with the valve, and the higher drain, right at about the waterline, is your emergency drain in the case of a clog. Here's a helpful picture to show you what I mean. If your setup is much different pls post a pic.
View attachment 1464405

As for the floating particles, I'm thinking you could probably eliminate 90% with reconfiguring your sump a bit and increasing your turnover rate. For instance, i would just convert the k1 chamber into a filter sock chamber. What is your flow turnover? What kind of pump are you using? Also, what size pipe are your drains?
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I am using k1 as a pre-filter it works good for bigger particles not the fine ones.
 
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Lkeizm said:
This is the one I’m using, in an ideal world I should of used a gate valve, but it was my first ever tank with a sump so some stuff was confusing to start with, just got the basic stuff

View attachment 1464416
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You can make a stand pipe out of 2 90's and drill a hole in the top add a air hose and a needle valve this way you can make fine adjustments and not need to take your system apart

20210623_205331.jpg
 
You can also try some random flow generators I have them and they work very good but they do add a decent amount of back pressure but the the random flow is amazing. I put one on my tank and in 30 seconds I could not see my fish because of all the detritus and everything it kicked off that was underneath the rocks that I couldn't see and everywhere else

Random Flow Generators - RFG Nozzles | Vivid Creative Aquatics

vividcreativeaquatics.com vividcreativeaquatics.com
 
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Tj203 said:
You can also try some random flow generators I have them and they work very good but they do add a decent amount of back pressure but the the random flow is amazing. I put one on my tank and in 30 seconds I could not see my fish because of all the detritus and everything it kicked off that was underneath the rocks that I couldn't see and everywhere else

Random Flow Generators - RFG Nozzles | Vivid Creative Aquatics

vividcreativeaquatics.com vividcreativeaquatics.com
Click to expand...

These are great I use the 1" and 3/4" rfgs from VCA and plan to use a 1.5" on my next.
 
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