New to sumps

[Mdoc]

im new tonsumps and salt water in general. I recently purchased a setup from someone and the sump has no baffles and no where for any filter socks .. is “ mechanical filtration”not really necessary..

 

[Saltyreef]

Is the sump the larger square tank everything is sitting in? Was the other small tank setup for cascading? Example, small tank has return flowing into it and overflowing into the "basin" tank where the return pump sits?

 

[Saltyreef]

I would look into a sump design you are comfortable with versus trying to make something work. Thats not a very popular sump design and you may have more trouble than its worth to make it work. Youll want some mechanical filtration somewhere in your system weather it be sump, hang on or another.
Welcome and good luck!

 

[Mdoc]

Is the sump the larger square tank everything is sitting in? Was the other small tank setup for cascading? Example, small tank has return flowing into it and overflowing into the "basin" tank where the return pump sits?

The larger tank that everything is sitting In is the sump .. the smaller tank was used as part of the ATO or atleast That’s the way he explained it to me .. I was never able to see everything set up it was all in pieces when I picked it up

 

[Peace River]

There are many different approaches to setting up a sump. I encourage you to read this R2R article - “Sumps - The Rundown”.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

You can buy a filter sock holder on Ebay that will attach to a aquarium sump. Really the only other thing you would need is 1 baffle to create a return pump chamber which will help keep the water level regulated in the sump. Just my thought.

 

[Sailingeric]

I have no baffles in my 20 gallon long sump. Just a plastic weave basket to hold chaeto. The other tank is my ATO water.

 

[Mdoc]

I have no baffles in my 20 gallon long sump. Just a plastic weave basket to hold chaeto. The other tank is my ATO water.

Would you be able to send a closer up picture of your setup?.. I have a general idea of how everything needs to go just trying to get a better idea

 

[Sailingeric]

I don't use socks, I vacuumed my sump once a month or so, but I also feed on the light side so not a lot goes down into the sump (in theory). The small white pipe in the first post my ATO to keep the tube higher than the ATO water level so not to cause a siphon.

 

[Mdoc]

I don't use socks, I vacuumed my sump once a month or so, but I also feed on the light side so not a lot goes down into the sump (in theory). The small white pipe in the first post my ATO to keep the tube higher than the ATO water level so not to cause a siphon.

Awesome thanks!!

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I don't use socks, I vacuumed my sump once a month or so, but I also feed on the light side so not a lot goes down into the sump (in theory). The small white pipe in the first post my ATO to keep the tube higher than the ATO water level so not to cause a siphon.

Agree, great idea. I’ve got a bashea sump without a refuge section. Gonna steal ur set up if ok. Did you put any sand or mud or another substrate under the cheato?

 

[Sailingeric]

I have some rock under there. I got the basket at Target for around $5 or $6