Sump designs for Ecosystems

[ourmanflint]

Hi

Thought it might be an idea to pin down some efficient designs for sumps based on Ecosystem filtration. What designs are you all using, pics and diagrams if possible.

Just about to put the baffles in my new sump for my MM system. What do you think?

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/sump-V3.jpg


Cheers

:D

[pisces]

Well I got mine ordered yesterday and will look something like this:

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/brinno/Sumpdesign.jpg?t=1227107444

Dimensions are not final as it depends on the internal space available in the cabinet but you get the general idea! :)

[pisces]

Yes got it Alan! :laugh:

[newreefman]

nice designs :thumbsup:im doing my sump now. will this design work the same with live sand + cheto ??
the balls on left are at two levels -on egg crate ??? bubble stop on right is a normal baffle ??? thanks

also sorry if im blind whats diff with your pic alan ??

[pisces]

Alan had got my image up cos I was struggling with it! :o

Anyway, yes bio balls on two levels of egg crate. This was a recommendation by my tank / sump designer/builder. The idea being that different bacteria will colonise on the bio balls which are never actually submerged compared to the fully submerged ones. Seems this is the way they always recommend doing it. If it does not work you can always take the upper egg crate out I suppose. Also bio balls in between final baffle plate to stop any macro algae escaping into pump chamber. I will also be using filter floss/wool over upper level of bio balls to filter out solids. This will be changed every week as routine maintenance.

My sump has also been designed to accomodate an MCE600 skimmer should it ever be needed. Just a fail safe for peace of mind really. ;)

[Haile S]

Is anyone tumbling chaeto in their sump?

[Cranners]

Nope

just caulerpa and the odd bit of chaeto

J

[daveabbott007]

Any one using LR rubble (Or alfagrog) in there first section instead of bio balls? is there any advantage/dis-advantage or any consideration that need to be met when using rocks instead of balls??

[ourmanflint]

Any one using LR rubble (Or alfagrog) in there first section instead of bio balls? is there any advantage/dis-advantage or any consideration that need to be met when using rocks instead of balls??

I did set out to do that, but left the first compartment empty for now to see how things go in the first few months, would ideally like to expand the idea of ecosystem filtration to include lots of sponges.

:D

[Cranners]

The bioballs are really just a detritus trap or dispersing bubbles before going into the mud filter. Anything can be used really bioballs, live rubble etc to do this.

My filter has a live rubble section before the return pump which becomes more cryptic when the algae grows over it making it darker.

I have placed a carbon bag in the return pump section and have put some rowaphos in a bag amongst the live rubble to remove some nutrients and other nasties. I need an extra pump to run my small CT phosphate reactor - I am looking to increase the growth of my acropora and I thought reducing the phosphates would help

J