Sump filter

[Tim Cuthbert]

I’ve watched videos on building a Sump and it looks pretty straight forward. My question are
1. If I use socks is that all I need for the filter
2. Do I need to put a protein skimmer in right away
3. I’m planning on using the middle for my refug area.
4. Where would I put the skimmer in that case?

 

[Phelipe's Ocean]

1. Filter socks are enough but some people dont even run any sponges and get great results. The term “filter” is very broad there is dozens and dozes of methods for filtering
2. I would put it in when the system begins and just let it kick in
3. I would put the protein skimmer before the refugium if you are growing chaeto so waste doesnt build up and then the chaeto can consume what the protein skimmer cant

 

[hijinks7]

1) mechanical sure... you can use whatever filter(s) you want.. Most will run a skimmer plus socks.
2) no.. but a skimmer will help with nutriant export as your bioload grows.
3/4) Put the skimmer in the same chamber as the socks.. i'm thinking you'll run the standard 3 chamber sump setup?

 

[Tim Cuthbert]

1) mechanical sure... you can use whatever filter(s) you want.. Most will run a skimmer plus socks.
2) no.. but a skimmer will help with nutriant export as your bioload grows.
3/4) Put the skimmer in the same chamber as the socks.. i'm thinking you'll run the standard 3 chamber sump setup?

I was going to build as 20 gal tank
1. Inlet
2. Socks
3. Refugiam
4. Return

 

[hijinks7]

my advice is plan ahead.. if you want a skimmer in the future find a skimmer now you want to buy and plan around that. Plan if you might need space in there for other things like reactors and such

 

[manilaboy1vic]

filter socks can become a chore.. i tried them.. that lasted about a week.. for me...

gotta change them every week, maybe more.. soak them in bleach then soak them in water with prime.. im sockless and proud of it.. just run a skimmer.. right away.. if you building a sump maybe you can build a shelf that holds a those foam blocks, then you can just rinse those off every w/c.. ?

my skimmer is in the first chamber (drainage chamber)

 

[manilaboy1vic]

See the foam block on the return chamber.. filters debris before you pump water back up to the display.. skimmer goes where the socks are... middle you can put a refuge.

before you make a sump.. pick out a skimmer and see what the recommended depth for it to run in is so you can build your sump to have the right amount of water level for the skimmer..

 

[theMeat]

Build your sump around your skimmer.

Cleaning socks gets old fast. I’d rather clean my sump every 6 months or so. If you don’t clean the socks every 4 days or so, you might as well not have them because what they catch will start to breakdown anyway

Drain, skimmer, fuge, return is the way to go. Unless you’re doing triton or the likes. Where they want skimmer after the fuge.