New to Sumps...need some help/advice

[tdowning]

Good morning R2R. So i'm moving from a 29g biocube into a 125g display tank w/ a 55g sump. I have no idea how the sump works/operates. I have included two pics. My assumption is that the water is going to enter the sump on the right hand side of the picture, pass through my skimmer, and then I'll need to add a biological and chemical filtration somewhere after that. The sump is drilled in the lower left hand corner for the return which I have a pump for that as it was included w/ the sale. Can someone direct me to a good filtration system that I'll want to use in this set up. Also, the sump itself is 4' long, 21" tall and 1' wide. Thanks for any help/insight you may have!

 

[reefs+waves]

Water will enter on the right, pass through the filter sock holder, and get filtered by your skimmer in the next chamber. The next part of the sump you could put filter sponges, a block of marine pure, and you could put some bags of chemical media of your choice on top of the sponges or marine pure. Next compartment is where you put your return pump.

 

[Killer Karma]

Water will enter on the right, pass through the filter sock holder, and get filtered by your skimmer in the next chamber. The next part of the sump you could put filter sponges, a block of marine pure, and you could put some bags of chemical media of your choice on top of the sponges or marine pure. Next compartment is where you put your return pump.

Personally if you have not already purchased a return pump, with that sump set up which is very similar to mine, I would run an external pump. Also if you could split that middle compartment it would be exactly like mine and you could run your skimmer and a chamber with chaeto. You will be happy in the long run to have a nice macro algae compartment.

 

[miPapareef]

Your assumptions are correct about the sump. It is set up for an external return pump so you'll need a bulkhead to plumb that hole.

I'm not sure you need anything more than your skimmer, a heater, and the return pump to start. But there is room for reactors or media bags.

Here's an quick sketch of how you could set it up.

 

[tdowning]

Your assumptions are correct about the sump. It is set up for an external return pump so you'll need a bulkhead to plumb that hole.

I'm not sure you need anything more than your skimmer, a heater, and the return pump to start. But there is room for reactors or media bags.

Here's an quick sketch of how you could set it up.

Thank you for the art!!! The picture is helpful

 

[tdowning]

Personally if you have not already purchased a return pump, with that sump set up which is very similar to mine, I would run an external pump. Also if you could split that middle compartment it would be exactly like mine and you could run your skimmer and a chamber with chaeto. You will be happy in the long run to have a nice macro algae compartment.

I believe it is an external pump. So you are suggesting to create another chamber in the center? Could you send me a picture of your setup so I could see it?

 

[tdowning]

And of a side note, I have a Vortex Omega 150 skimmer.

 

[Killer Karma]

I believe it is an external pump. So you are suggesting to create another chamber in the center? Could you send me a picture of your setup so I could see it?

It would be difficult to see in a picture unless I did some serious scraping, however where he has the "yellow" gfo /carbon, instead of a reactor you would have a macro algae section. Like the post indicated it is probably not necessary, I personally like growing macro algae and having the light on when my other lights are off, but it would require another light and creating an extra break so the algae doesn't escape.

 

[tdowning]

It would be difficult to see in a picture unless I did some serious scraping, however where he has the "yellow" gfo /carbon, instead of a reactor you would have a macro algae section. Like the post indicated it is probably not necessary, I personally like growing macro algae and having the light on when my other lights are off, but it would require another light and creating an extra break so the algae doesn't escape.

Thanks!