sumps and matrix

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Discuss all topics related to freshwater and planted tanks.


Ames
 
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:29 am

sumps and matrix

by Ames

Hey guys I am currently trying to work out a design for a freshwater sump, i have been told to use bioballs and I have told to not use bioballs because they are a nitrate factory and I have been told to use matrix?

does anybody use bioballs/matrix? what does everyone think is best?
my sump design is as follows!!

chamber 1: thick foam, think foam, matrix OR bioballs, eggcrate
chamber 2:refugium
chamber 3: return pump


Peterkarig3210
 
Posts: 1980
Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:04 am

by Peterkarig3210

I don't know much about sumps, but I would make it so the first part filters out the particulates and you can clean that regularly. I don't know why Bio Balls would be a nitrate factory except for the fact that you do want bacteria colonising on them which convert waste to nitrites and then to nitrates. You don't want them getting all full of gunk so they should come after the particulate filtering material.

I was dumpster diving again today and this aquarium store uses water polishing filters as well as large floss bags for particulates. I've also seen Bio Balls used in aquarium store filtration systems. Just food for thought. I don't really know how they do it as I haven't taken the time to investigate. I actually like the idea of using pond filters which come in various sizes, and I used to have a hot tub filter I was going to use for a pond but never got around to that.

The hot tub filter seemed like it would be a fantastic high volume filter. I was going to have a smaller particulate filter come first which could be cleaned regularly, and then use the hot tub filter as a massive biological filter.

There are people on this site who are thinking of large volume filtration, so I imagine they'll put there ideas in this thread too.

sumps and matrix

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