Sump set up

[Bean Jonkus]

Hi all, I recently purchased this new to me 400G acrylic tank along with this acrylic sump box. up until now I have been solely on canisters and hob filters and am looking for some help regarding the set up of this. I have done some research and think I have a decent understanding but would like some more input before I buy the rest of the materials. I should mention that this will be fresh water and set up for my gar and catfish.
So I was thinking of using 1 of the 2 holes as a straight piped emergency drain, the second id like to dedicate to the main plumbing and drop it down at a 45 degree angle after my ball valve and Y if off into the 2 filter sock slots in my sump box. as for returns I planned on running 1 or 2 (size and price depending) return lines back into the predrilled holes on top of the tank for return lines.
As for the media, that is where I think I could use a bit more advice. I am planning on having the 2 socks in the first chamber of the sump, the second chamber has a bunch of small holes in it for the water to flow through and was thinking maybe that's where I would put some lava rock and or ceramics? in the largest chamber I want to do a combination of rocks, ceramics, plants, and some shrimp. I was thinking of putting some sponges in the baffles? is that a good idea? do I need sponges if I have the filter socks? anyways the last chamber would then be the return pumps and heater. Any tips tricks or info would be greatly appreciated
P.S. I know I need to plug those 2 holes on the end of my sump box in order for it to work with my return pumps and hold water properly.

 

[danotaylor]

There’s numerous ways you could do this. Essentially what you shared is gonna be ok except your idea for the straight pipe emergency drain won’t work to drain the main tank because it will only drain water from behind the over flow weir.
Your filter socks will remove the fine particulate waste and will begin to overflow if not cleaned routinely. With that in mind you don’t need sponges in the baffles. You really want the water to be able to flow thru the baffles freely to the return section. Your baffle heights are such that even if you used sponges and they got clogged, water would not overflow out of the sump, but sponges are not necessary.
TBH all the surface area you need to house adequate beneficial bacteria will be in the media bed post socks and also pre-baffles.
Keep it simple

What are the main tank dimensions? Gonna look great when you’re up and running!

 

[Bean Jonkus]

Thanks for your input The dimensions of the tank are 96x48x20
If I want the water to flow freely through that first chamber after the socks, what would you recommend I put into the flow through chamber, anything?

 

[danotaylor]

Pretty much all of the particulate waste will be removed in well maintained socks so Larva rock, ceramic, clay balls, bioballs, or any other coarse media in that section would be fine, so long as it doesn’t block the holes. The pumice style media that is in the picture is great biomedia, just fill the chamber w media to the height of the water level.
Remember that the water level in that 1st compartment after the socks will be the same height as the middle baffle height

 

[duanes]

Agree with the above, since biomedia is basically just a surface for beneficial bacteria to live on, it doesn´t matter if its lava rock, old hair curlers, ceramic rings, or what ever is in your pic, there really isn´t anything mysterious about biomedia, the bacteria don´t care.

The only way you will know is if ammonia and nitrite are detoxified, by testing.
There aren't any overt visual cues, turbidity can be clear or brown and still be safe,
particulate can make water appear tea brown or crystal clear and still be toxic.
And it doesn´t take much volume of media, to be effective

 

[Midwater]

If you have got two holes, then I would do a Herbie, one siphon and one durso. All my tanks have Herbies.

As for socks, I tried them but they get clogged up in half an hour. A couple of strips of filter floss is much easier.