wet/dry sump design

[Ames]

hey guys I would appreciate your thoughts on this design... I am planning on a 6x2x3 cichlid tank (no plants)

basically (if the pics to small) I have a 4ft sump that I will put a bucket into which will house the bioballs...then some matrix (or similar) then a baffle, then a refugium, a few more baffles then the return...

what do you guys think? does anyone use a refugium for freshwater with any success??

 

[BushFishRox]

the matrix wouldnt be needed and IMO a waste where you have it as the bioballs would have already done the job.

also where you have the lower walls is where the water line would be not up where you would have it...

 

[japes]

also where you have the lower walls is where the water line would be not up where you would have it...

If it's running too much water in the system then the water level will work fine how he's drawn it, though I'm guessing that's a minor technicality. Matrix is a great fully submerged biological media, and if you're having a sump you may as well make full use of the room you've set aside.

It's not a case of the 'bioballs doing it first' either, the media will still be home to biological bacteria.

As for your design Ames, personally I think Refugiums are cool, but for the hassle of setting one up, and the cost of lighting it, I honestly don't believe it's worth it. Personally I believe it's redundant for fresh water, I'm sure others out there may have experienced decent results with them, but I'd remove that entire partition, and either extend your bio-ball tower to be wider or just use the area for the extra water.

Up to you, a refugium or even just sand or gravel in that partition would aid filtration to a certain extent. I chose to keep my wet/dry sump really simple though.

 

[Ames]

if i put just sand or gravel would that be suitable for a freshwater? what benefits would that give me?

 

[Ames]

as i understand it the sump water level will sit to wherever I fill it up....

 

[rallysman]

The way you have it would work for sure. You could always tweak it and others will have opinions on what they thing is better. I like the idea of having a 'fuge, but I don't think I would make it that big. I would rather have more bio-media.

 

[japes]

if i put just sand or gravel would that be suitable for a freshwater? what benefits would that give me?

It would be much the same as the anaerobic bacteria that live in the substrate in your tank.

 

[Ames]

is there much difference in running matrix to bioballs?

 

[japes]

Matrix does much better than bioballs when full submerged, but I'm quite sure that bioballs are the best media for a wet/dry environment.