Help setting up sump

[marietrg]

I've got a 3 chambered sump. The first chamber is where the water drains into from the aquarium. It has an eggcrate shelf. The second chamber goes up over a baffle. I've got my skimmer and plan to put some grape algae there like a refugium. The third chamber flows over a baffle again and has my return pump.

I need to add some filtration. What goes on the eggcrate shelf in the water return chamber? I was going to put a foam filter block there but wasn't sure what is best.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

It depends, many people limit the mechanical filtration just for the fact that they need to be changed out on a regular basis, (3-4 days). If you want to incorporate mechanical filtration I would recommend filter socks attached to the first chamber where the water drains into the sump.

However mech filtration isn't a must.

 

[briankmarsh1980]

all i use is a filter sock on the drain and change it out every couple of days

 

[marietrg]

Hmm really nothing but a skimmer? I thought the eggcrate shelf in the first part of the sump would have some purpose.

 

[JordanB8810]

I use a filter sock as stated above for mechanical filtration. I find they are the best at removing particles. If you are going to use the middle section like a fuge, why not just add lighting and a DSB for to create a fuge? If so, I would move the skimmer to the first section of the sump if possible.

Also, your sump might already have this but if the sump doesn't have a bubble trap somewhere after the skimmer, you might have some issues with microbubbles in your tank.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hmm really nothing but a skimmer? I thought the eggcrate shelf in the first part of the sump would have some purpose.

Sounds like you have a wet/dry filter that has been converted into a sump/refugium. When it was a wet/dry that shelf had filter media that laid flat in that spot, not necessary for what you're going to use it for.