Wet/Dry sump not enough?

[Owens]

So, I have a 125g tall with dual overflows and a 30 or so gallon sump, it is a drip system. No matter how many water changes I do, there is always some floating debris in the tank.

My water parameters are always ideal. Instead of doing weekly water changes, I have been trying to do a little per day to try and remove any debris. (bare bottom tank btw)

Do I just need to add a canister filter to my tank? I know the overflow/drip system isnt the best at mechanical filtering, but im pretty ignorant towards advanced filtering to begin with.

Any help or ideas to get my water crystal clear is appreciated.

Stock is about a 12" Aro (which will be moved to a bigger tank when needed, dont need to be lectured on aros) and a handful of Bichirs ranging from 8-15" (I plan on overstocking with Bichirs once I get my filtration figured out)

Thanks in advance.

 

[guano]

What's the turnover in the tank? Also maybe look at incorporating filter socks to your setup. I would start at 200 to 100 micron range and work your way down till you achieve the clarity you're looking for. I buy my socks from mcmaster-carr, great site and very fast shipping

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[Owens]

Im not sure of the turnover, as I bought it used and im sure its an old pump. I was actually going to do the whole filter sock idea, but wasnt sure if I could do that on the intake of the pump, because that is the only place I would be able to put a sock.

 

[Gill Blue]

sounds like your bio is good, add a canister or HOB for particulate. you don't want to put a sock over your pump intake, that's just asking for trouble.

 

[Owens]

Thats what i thought. I guess ill look into canister filters, because I dont know much about them other than the basic principles. Thanks for the advice so far.

 

[geronimo69]

I run a 35 gal sump on my 150 gallon Fahaka tank. I didn't really have as bad of a problem with debris as you, but still enough to annoy me. What I did was add a Fluval 405 completely full of filter wool. Now my water is crystal clear without any debris (except for the few minutes after my Fahaka smashes a crayfish), but that's it! Other than that, he looks like he's floating in mid air, since the water is so nice and clear.

 

[Mount_Prion]

Is there a sponge on the front of the pump to deal with larger debris?

Agreed with the others in that if you want your water crystal clear, buy a canister with high turnover (say, 750+ gph if you've already got at least 500 going on, more if needed, about 1k max) and fill it with various sized filter pads/sponge and it should polish your water.

 

[Owens]

Sounds like a plan. Yes, I have a sponge between the bio balls and pump, which makes me wonder how some of the stuff gets through either way. I may exagurate on how bad the debris is, Geranimo, bur like you it is more than enough to annoy me. I would post a picture but im at work. Looks like ill be doing the filter pads/sponge like many of you are recommending, any specific brands or filter pads work best?