New Reefer 350 - Help in Sump Please

[SCHAULJ]

Hello, I just purchased a new red sea reefer 350 w/ new Red Sea LED 90's. I am looking for recommendations on media for my sump. This is my first sump. I will have the Vectra S2 and the Reefer RSK 300 protein skimmer. I plan on using 2 media cups. I with floss and .... this is where I would like help. I ve seen bags of carbon, purigen, matrix, plates, etc... Open to any and all suggestions. Appreciate the help in advance.

 

[geddavis]

I have a reefer 350 and a lower mesh filter sock and a media cup with floss on the top is best. If you do filter floss on both then they will clog in a matter of days not even a week. I have the one with media and floss closer to the input. I would run whatever you need to. The one thing I will recommend if you plan on zoas or box fish is to run carbon. Otherwise run only what you need. I run a bit of GFO as my phosphates are a bit high. I also filled up the small compartment before the filter sock holders where the drain runs into with bio balls. Also I highly recommend using the new refugium it works great.

 

[robocop1906]

All media has pros and cons so I'd say look at the reviews of them all and go with what fit's your long term goals. It's hard picking a media up front not knowing your bioload. I don't have a heavy load so I have to dose nitrate to keep them off zero and my Cheato keeps my phosphate down to well so constantly throwing a bunch of it out. I do run carbon because if you ever have a ICP test done there is not so good trace element your tank will collect over time that running carbon will help with. Again, carbon has it's pros and cons. I do use bio-balls, Live Rock in sump, and the Bio-Blocks as well. Ditched the filter socks and placed a cleanup crew in the sump to eat detritus. Agree that filter floss gets clogged to fast so if you have an automated top of that will be a problem. I went with this sponge grate material that had a bit larger holes to catch the big stuff which is not very much as I don't overfeed the tank. I have the food in an automated feeder that feeds multiple times a day, just enough that the fish consume before it makes it's way to the overflow.

 

[SCHAULJ]

Thank you both for the suggestions! This is helpful.