Sump requirements??

[dan0]

Hi There,

I'm thinking of building a sump for my 230L 4ft tank. What size sump tank should I use and what rating return pump would be appropriate? Does anybody use weir's? Would be cool if I can avoid drilling the tank.

Also what filtration media should I put in the sump?? I've seen ones with just some filter wool, and others with complete living organisms.

Apart from hiding skimmers and heaters, is it really that beneficial?

Thanks

[wasp]

The main purpose of the sump is simply to put the skimmer and other equipment. You don't need any other media in there although some people put some more rock in there but it is not essential. Filter wool is sometimes used to get rid of bubbles but it is better to achieve this by using baffles, as filter wool needs cleaning and if you don't can become a source of pollution to the tank.

You will sometimes see people using other media in their sump such as bioballs, coral rubble etc, however in my opinion this is not a good idea.

You can have living organisms if you wish, purely a matter of if you want that, some people use the sump to house stuff they can't put in the tank just at the moment. It does mean you would need light though.

[evilution5]

sorry to hijack this post.

with baffles which is it better to have 3 or 4?

[wasp]

Either although 3 is often enough. It is not a perfect science because the size of the sump, water throughput, and type of skimmer are all variables.

Best plan if you can, is look at a few sumps to get an idea of what works, then do what you think.

[chimera]

even 2 is enough for most sumps! under and over

[davidb]

I only have 1 - I put 3 in but had to rip 2 out to fit my mega skimmer in :roll:

[Rockerpeller]

i have 2 and its showin mini-bubbles. currently running filter wool to take care of it, but i know its just a temporary solution. plannin on adding a third baffle soon.

[Ira]

I have 2, one to divide off the chamber the overflow enters and another to divide off the pump section. Only time I get bubbles is when my topoff barrel runs out of water and the pump section starts running low.

[dan0]

Ok,

I'm fine with my stuff in my tank. I've just been informed my cannister filter is set up for marine, with phosphate and nitrate reducing media instead of the standard stuff.

[wasp]

That's OK then Dan0 phosphate removing resin will be a good thing. Had me going there though when I thought it was for biological filtration i was nearly going to say you should go back & ask for a refund.

Where the shop went wrong they should have explained it was for chemical media in the first place, otherwise how would you even know to change it.

[dan0]

Yeah, maybe I look like I know what I'm doing :lol: