Sump? What?

Spiritofthesoul · Feb 7, 2011

This is my plan for my sump

Jc1119 · Feb 7, 2011

jcardona1;4866080; said:
Or you could forget about that old school design and make one like mine. All you need is an old glass tank. No dividers, no baffles, no drip trays. Filter sock at the inlet, ceramic media in the middle, and pump on the other side to return the water to the tank. Couldn't be easier!

What do you have holding the socks in place? I've seen lots of ideas on how to do it but most place the socks way too high in relation to the top of the sump.

jcardona1 · Feb 7, 2011

Jc1119;4866607;4866607 said:
What do you have holding the socks in place? I've seen lots of ideas on how to do it but most place the socks way too high in relation to the top of the sump.

Yeah, I had the same issue with those pre-made filter sock holders. This is a little DIY contraption, using plastic-coated cable and some S-hooks. I made a hole in the fabric of the socks. That is where the hooks attach, which then attach to the cable which hangs over the pipe. Works great, very simple, and costs just a few bucks to assemble.

Here's another angle

Jc1119 · Feb 7, 2011

Lol. I love it!! Spent a few hours looking at all kinds of holders that I don't like at all and yours can be made for a few bucks and a trip to lowes! Great idea...

I'll be using that one for sure! Thanks

Carefree_Dude · Feb 7, 2011

does anyone here have a good recommendation for a 1000gph+ overflow box?

cichlid2006 · Feb 7, 2011

I am moving away from the traditional style of sump in favour of filter socks and some ceramic media in bags.
Instead of the cable system I am planning on obtaining a plate of glass with 4 x 4" holes done at the glaziers because I am planning on running 4 socks. I feel that will work better in my situation. Plastic containers with holes cut in would work also.

As for the troll, if you bothered to research filter socks you will find that reefers use them quite a lot and have done for many years as they are easily changed every day or two preventing nitrates from climbing in their precious and very expensive reef systems. The fact that many marine enthusiasts swear by them is a testiment to their success.

Carefree_Dude · Feb 7, 2011

Hey, I came up with a genius or very stupid idea! I read that many sumps have a y valve after the return pump to help regulate how much water is returned. One end goes to the tank, the other back into the sump. Why not put a hanging basket with bio balls or another wet dry material where the water goes back into the sump at? Or get another smaller pump for this purpose? It would be like, "yo dawg, I heard you like sumps so I put a sump in yo sump so you can filter while you filter!"

watercrawl · Feb 8, 2011

jcardona1;4866200; said:
Man, your panties must really be knotted up. You must be upset that you spent all that time/money/effort building a sump when this thing does the exact same more efficiently.

When and where did I say everybody was wrong? I'm only offering advice and how to do things easier and cheaper. You either take it or you don't. Don't tell me what I can and can't post, thanks. Dye test, are you kidding me? Who do you think you are to make such an absurd request? I wouldn't do it for my own purposes, let alone for some troll on a forum board. I don't want nor need to convince you, I could care less.

Besides, what more proof do you need other than 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites?

Yes, troll, that's what I am.

You don't feel the need to price anything to me, yet you try with your "what more proof do you...." comment.

Water will take the path of least resistance. In the case of your design, that is up and over that mass of media. I want to see a dye test of it, is that so wrong of me? The simple fact is, that with a baffled system, the water has no choice but to flow where you direct it. Like I said, your design may work perfectly, but I won't believe it until I see it for myself.

BTW, my wet/dry cost me $12ish in glass, $5ish in acrylic, and a few dollars in silicone and PVC for stands. Not exactly a ton of money there smarty pants. Took me about two hours to make it and I KNOW my water flows over the media just as I want it to....do you?

Oh, second BTW, what's up with the troll and filter sock thing? I presume that wasn't directed at me since I had nothing said about the filter socks. Right?

jcardona1 · Feb 8, 2011

watercrawl;4868448; said:
I KNOW my water flows over the media just as I want it to....do you?

Yes, I do. You're making it seem as though the water only gets one pass at the bio media. It gets recirculated over and over and over, many times per hour. What's the point of bio filtration? To consume ammonia, and then nitrites right? If I have neither, isn't the filter working? And please don't say it must be the bacteria in my substrate that's doing all the work. The argument is null as far as I'm concerned.

Also, a conventional wet/dry drip setup is highly inefficient. Just look at the drip tray. If you actually watch how the water drip over the media, many parts of the bio balls or pot scrubbies will never even have a drop of water over them. And if you have a filter pad on the drip tray, as soon as it shows the slightest signs of clogging, the water begins to flow to the sides.

And lastly, this is definitely not a new idea. Folks have been using this style of sump for the longest time. Take for example, these very old photos. Somebody should call them up and let them know they are doing it wrong!! :wall: