Sump Questions

[gogger]

In the process of setting up a 125 I bought off craigslist. It is drilled and was running a sump. Freshwater.

THey just had a small storage container with the water running into it and then it just landed on some filter material and they had some kind of styrofoam block in there. and then the return pump.

So I went to aquarium adventure and a guy there just sold me a type of filter sock to run it through and then said throw some bioballs in it also.

I plan on it being a community tank of slightly more agressive fish, barbs and what not.

My questions are this:

I have a 10 gallon and a 20 gallon tank I am not using. Which one should I use for the sump?

Is this sock and bio balls deal good enough?

I plan on studying some of the other filters people have built and upgrading eventually. But in the mean time will this get me started?

It is already plumbed and has the pump so this seems like an inexpensive way to go.

Can I put carbon in the sump? Seems I could put what ever I want in there is I just put it in a big nylon stocking or something?

Anyways some input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Piscine]

If it were me, I would get a 29g to use as the sump. With a 20g, the water level (while the pump is running) will have to be fairly low to allow room for the excess water from the main tank to drain into in the event of a power outage, or if you just want to turn the pump of for maintenance. With a 29g, you can have a little more water in the sump and not worry so much about it overflowing when the pump is not on.

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

Sumps are like tanks

Bigger = Better

 

[gogger]

I can probably do that. But does the rest sound ok? Is it that simple. I expected it to be more complex.

 

[justin guest]

The sock and bioballs should work well but pot scrubbies would be cheaper than bioballs and just as good. Run the scrubbies as a trickle filter for maximum effect. As to carbon I wouldn't bother unless medicating. Water changes remain the simplest and cheapest way of maintaining high water quality.

j<><

 

[gogger]

Well I bought some bio balls but will be looking for pot scrubbies to use in the future.

 

[justin guest]

Well I bought some bio balls but will be looking for pot scrubbies to use in the future.

don't hesitate to mix the two together as different filter bacteria species like different surface types to grow on

j<><