Sump Filtration?

[DisneyMatt10]

Hey everyone,

I apologize if this has been discusseddiscussed before (which I'm sure it has been) but. . .a question for you all...

I'm working on setting up my sump system, I'm looking for some advice on the type of filtration to use. I know I "need" biological, chemical, and mechnical. . . However I don't know what to use for each type of filtration. I know I'm going to have a refugium, but that some all I really know for now.

What are some of the best types of mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration?! Any advice you can provide is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

~Matt

 

[Zero Nitrates]

Filter socks, live rock and a skimmer work great.

 

[DisneyMatt10]

Filter socks, live rock and a skimmer work great.

Is that all that's needed?? Or should there me more?? Bio-balls, filter floss?? Anything like that??

~Matt

 

[cloak]

Filter socks, live rock and a skimmer work great.

+1

I'm not really a big fan of using any type of mechanical filtration on a regular basis though. Just letting things float freely throughout the system and relying on nature to take it's course has always worked well for me. When it's time to stir things up and remove a considerable amount of muck in a short period of time, then I'll incorporate a filter sock or a sponge to do so.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/dw/index.php

 

[Zero Nitrates]

You can set it up a thousand different ways. Simple is what I use

 

[Colin Chaplin]

+1

I'm not really a big fan of using any type of mechanical filtration on a regular basis though. Just letting things float freely throughout the system and relying on nature to take it's course has always worked well for me. When it's time to stir things up and remove a considerable amount of muck in a short period of time, then I'll incorporate a filter sock or a sponge to do so.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/dw/index.php

What type of sponge are you using?.

 

[AZDesertRat]

I keep it simple, live rock, 5-6" of live sand and a protein skimmer. No socks, foams or floss. I do sometimes run reactors with GFO and carbon too but not always.

 

[cloak]

What type of sponge are you using?.

I usually just stack 3 of those Aquaclear 50 foam sponges in my overflow. These do a good job, but when I really need to polish the water I'll hook up a filter sock to the end of my plumbing as well. Once the water becomes clear I remove them all.

 

[Colin Chaplin]

Thank you for your reply.

 

[ash9965]

live rock , chaeto / SCA 301 Skimmer and a filter sock once in a while if everything gets stirred up

 

[zoomonster]

Plenty of ways to do it and many disagree on mechanical filtration i.e. socks, sponges etc or even skimmers. Hardly anyone uses bio balls (classic wet dry setup) or anything of the sort for saltwater anymore. Like bio balls/cubes etc. sponges are also a nitrate factory and something else to have to clean. Some use sponges to just deal with a bubble problem.

What I use in a precision marine R36+ sump
Chamber 1: 2x 200|300 micron socks, Skimmer
Chamber 2: Sand, small live rock, chaeto lit 24x7 by a Phillips 6500K 100w equivalent CFL bulb in a $10 gooseneck fixture. Eventually I'll get some mangroves. The density of chaeto does the work of a sponge and keeps any micro bubbles from skimmer getting back to return.
Chamber 3: Nothing but return pump.
Return pump manifold feeds: CaRx and a BRS 2 cannister setup with GFO and carbon.

 

[DisneyMatt10]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the responses to not only myself, but to others in this topic. . . I have learned a little more from each post made. Now that I am getting a grasp for what type of filtration I should use... My next question is:

Should my Protein Skimmer be in the second chamber of the sump? (Second only to the chamber that houses the pipe that the water flowing from the display tank goes in to.)

-OR-

Should my Protein Skimmer be in the second to last chamber of the sump? (The chamber right before the return pump?)

Also, with this being said... do I need a "bubble trap?" and if so... Do I need it before or after the protein skimmer?

Thanks for all your help thus far.
~Matt

 

[ash9965]

Skimmer should be in chamber right before return pump I wouldnt worry about a bubble trap as someone stated earlier worse case if you do have problems with bubbles you can put a sponge in between the final chamber to reduce them

 

[DisneyMatt10]

^ Awesome! Thanks!

- Matt

 

[zoomonster]

Well part of that answer is what fits where and whether you want to have a refuge or not. I would have the skimmer in first chamber, refuge in second and third is return. I have a pretty big skimmer and it just does fit in first chamber with filter socks. This is an old pic when I was setting up but sometimes pics are better than words. The head is off the skimmer and hadn't yet put sand/rock/chaeto in center chamber.

 

[smh254]

Here's how I have mine set up. 1st chamber overflow, filter sock, heater and skimmer. 2nd chamber live sand, live rock, mangrove and chaeto. 3rd chamber return pump and float switches.

 

[DisneyMatt10]

Thanks for all the feedback so far!

With all the research I have been doing, and with feedback from you all I think I am getting close to having a good sump setup!
~Matt