Order of sump

brad shawn · Jun 30, 2019

good morning! In the process of setting up my first tank reefer 250. Looking at the sump layout and all that good stuff. And I’m a bit up sure on the order of things. Filter sock is mechanical. theres a second plastic sock along side could I use another filter sock for more mechanical filtration? Or best to stuff it with filter floss? I have marine pure ceramic bio balls can these goi in the refugium area? And skimmer last?

LiveWire · Jun 30, 2019

This may help. Lots of sumpy information. Cheers!!

brad shawn · Jun 30, 2019

Thank you!

LesPoissons · Jul 3, 2019

Latest findings are that you dont need filter sock or floss except to control micro bubbles if those are an issue, but if you purchase a sump pre-made, it should take care of bubble issues. Bio balls are also outdated and just hold nitrates. Think of your sump as an area to hold your equipment, refugium, ans dosing site for tank. I would do a refugium section into a skimmer section into their return. Forget filter socks bio balls and filter floss. It's unnecessary and more maintenance for you.

brad shawn · Jul 3, 2019

Maya Ybry-Yagy said:
Latest findings are that you dont need filter sock or floss except to control micro bubbles if those are an issue, but if you purchase a sump pre-made, it should take care of bubble issues. Bio balls are also outdated and just hold nitrates. Think of your sump as an area to hold your equipment, refugium, ans dosing site for tank. I would do a refugium section into a skimmer section into their return. Forget filter socks bio balls and filter floss. It's unnecessary and more maintenance for you.

Interesting... I’ll look into this. I’ll do away with filter floss I’ll add a second filter sock to remove particulate. The “ bio balls “ aren’t plastic bio ball but marine pure bio media. Thank you for the reply much appreciate the input

lapin · Jul 3, 2019

I think you have it.
I use socks . They help keep my sump clean. I would rather wash socks then vac my sump. Floss works the same way but is disposable. Socks are too if you are rich.

brad shawn · Jul 3, 2019

lapin said:
I think you have it.
I use socks . They help keep my sump clean. I would rather wash socks then vac my sump. Floss works the same way but is disposable. Socks are too if you are rich.

Cleaning filter socks seems like it will be less of a hassle than Messing around with filter floss although I have a bunch of it. I’ll use it is during the cycle to help polish the water then switch over. The bio media I can put in the refugium area?

jtl · Jul 3, 2019

Filter socks made a big difference in the amount of waste in the sump and when coupled with GAC it kept my water pristine. At some point I switched over to using filter media pads that had a course and a fine filtration. It was so easy to change them out weekly and throw the old ones away.