Sump design for my 1400L

[David R]

Did this today, looking for suggestions...

http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k186/ ... plan-1.jpg

I like the idea of having both submerged and exposed media, and this is about the only way to do it with the low height of the tank. It will also also keep the head down for the return pump, it should be less than 90cm.

The filter wool will be in an draw that can slide out to make it easy to get to for cleaning, and when the draw is out it will leave a gap to get to the foam, which hopefully won't need cleaning so often.

I'm unsure about how big to make the compartments for the media. The tank is about 370g/1400L, but isn't going to be overstocked with huge monsters (thread about stocking etc here). I was thinking on making the chamber for the bioballs is 40cm tall, 30cm long and 48cm wide, about 57 litres. As for the submerged media (noodles, pumice of bioballs?) I'm not sure on how much I'll need. Obviously more is better, but only to a point.

The drip system is a long-term project and won't be set up now, but I'm future-proofing the sump by adding a drain for when it is up and running. For the time being, I've worked out that the water level will be about 25cm with the pump running, which leaves another 25cm for water to drain from the tank when the pump is switched off. 25cm height gives ~70L, which is about 3cm depth in the tank, so that should be plenty, I'm not expecting more than about 1cm to drain back from the tank.

So, suggestions? feedback? Scrap it and start again?

[Matto]

you could put the bios in a different place like with the heaters?

[Adrienne]

I think it looks good but I would probably chuck the bio balls in with the heaters as well. Very workable though.

[spoon]

is that for the tank in the big tanks thread? the one with the 400mm high stand?

if so where will you put the sump ? behind or to the side of the tank?

[David R]

Adodge I don't really want to put anything in with the heaters as I'll need some space for the water to drain through when the pumps shut off.

Spoon, sump is going in the garage behind the tank, going to run the pipes through a hole in the wall, and will eventually do the same for the 6' next to it and build a new stand for it so they are the same height.

http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k186/ ... =sump1.jpg

[Matto]

well could you make the sump longer so you can fit them in the main part?

[David R]

Mk2 design, replaces the baffles and separate bioball chamber with one large wet/dry chamber fed by a big drip tray:

http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k186/ ... pplan2.jpg

Drilling the tray to get the flow rate right would be a little tricky but not impossible, just a matter of trial and error.

[Matto]

much better

[David R]

I've done a more accurate drawing of the above plan on paper, and I'm still stuck on how big to make the chamber for bio media. Its going to be 42cm high and 48cm wide, so its only the length that will vary.

30cm = 60L media

40cm = 80L

50cm = 100L

60cm = 120L

Planning on using bioballs for the above water stuff, and either bioballs or noodles for the submerged stuff.

[henward]

Prefer set up one.

reason is that you will get maximum filtation by re routing into the bio chamber, but as for the third set up you posted, how does the water spray from the top of the bio media? spray bar? pump?

why not a tower format?

[David R]

but as for the third set up you posted, how does the water spray from the top of the bio media?

why not a tower format?

Tower takes up too much height, plus I want to have the sponges submerged for more effective mechanical filtration.

Water will be sprayed onto the media via multiple spraybars or a large drip tray with holes drilled through it.

[henward]

thats ok then i reckon both set ups are good.

as long as you utilise both wet dry and submerged.

wet dry trickle is supposed to be extra good right?

excited to see the set up.