hi ya guys

im just trying to figur out what order to put my filter media into my sump...

the water goes into the sump then hits one layer of glass then falls down and goes via the filter media then hits another layer of glass (these layer are thin shets of glass so that the water can seep between them.

it then goes under and then over a little bit then the pump pickes it up...

im wanting to put big noodles. little noodels. bits or coral / coral rubble. some course spounge, and filter wool on top

any thning else i should add to it? and what order do i put it on

It all depends on the flow of water.

Water should pass through media in this order (well that is the way I do it in all my filters)

1. Noodles

2. Coral Rubble

3. Sponge

4. filter wool

this way you will get the big stuff out first and the smaller stuff at the end.

It all depends on the flow of water.

Water should pass through media in this order (well that is the way I do it in all my filters)

1. Noodles

2. Coral Rubble

3. Sponge

4. filter wool

this way you will get the big stuff out first and the smaller stuff at the end.

that makes sense but all my canisters are the complete opposite smaller fine stuff on top than large bio balls at the bottom.

My old-style filters have always gone:

1. Coarse Sponge

2. Fine Sponge or filter wool

3. Coarse Bio Media

4. Fine Bio Media

The rationale behind this is clogging order. The coarse Sponge catches the worse of the big stuff then the fine sponge or filter wool catches the fine stuff leaving nice clean water to enter the bio media. This extends the life of the bio media as it does not clog up as quickly.

However, I now use a 15 micro pleated cartridge pre-filter on the inlet to the bio filer so there's no need for sponges or filter wool. The media is ordered to optimise for breaking down ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Small coarse media is used at the inlet while large chunky media is used at the end (better for nitrate reduction).

all the sumps ive seen went

filter wool

coarse spounge

small bio

big bio

i now have

filter wool, coarse spounge, small ceramic noodels, bio balls, and large glass noodles. i was thnking

filter wool then coarse spounge. then on to the drip tray then onto small noodels, coarse spounge, big noodels, course spounge, and then on to the bio balls then going through the drip tray and then under the wall past the heaters then into the pump and back to the tank

that makes sense but all my canisters are the complete opposite smaller fine stuff on top than large bio balls at the bottom.

Not sure about yours, but my cannisters flow from bottom to top.

I believe fluvals are bottom to top.

that is why I have my noodles at the bottom and sponge at the top.

Same goes with my AquaClear HOB filters

wok do you think my idea will work?

As long as you have easy access to the diffferent media you should be fine. just try it and see. change if necessary.

Casserole has a big sump that seems to work very well. Might be worthwhile to get his input too.

ok ill get it set up and repot back to ya

I have the filter wool first to stop the other media clogging. I have also balanced a fish net above the filter wool and below the inlet to stop duck weed going through the sump. It seems to be working well

You want the Filter wool and stuff first to stop the majority of crap getting to your biological media as you dont want these clogged up at all

I run Filter foam then a sponge then onto Bioballs and Matrix then Purigen in my sumps

Only ever clean the Foam and sponge

Keeps the tank crystal clean and the majority of the media never needs a clean

Brad