Sump chamber utilization question

[peekay]

Newbie question. As you can see, I'm using the first chamber as mechanical and biological filtration ( bio balls and floss). The more I read, the more I'm second guessing this set up. I was thinking of putting a ball of chaeto in the first chamber as opposed to the bio balls and floss. Keep the skimmer in the second chamber, don't know what to do with the 3rd chamber (keep heater in there). Small fuge in the third chamber and return in the last chamber. Any suggestions on how to do things better? Any opinion is valued. Thanks

PK

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

 

[mcgyvr]

Weird sump..
I'd do nothing in 1...skimmer in 2...chaeto in 3 and 4 I guess...return in 5...
Did you make that sump?..
Maybe its intended for reactors in one section..

 

[peekay]

Weird sump..
I'd do nothing in 1...skimmer in 2...chaeto in 3 and 4 I guess...return in 5...
Did you make that sump?..
Maybe its intended for reactors in one section..

Got the sump from SCA with the aquarium. Lots of space.

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

 

[Bruce51]

I would remove the wall between 3 and 4, make that a large refugium with chaeto,2 inch sand bed, and rock rubble, and move the heater to the same compartment as the return pump. lose the floss and add a filter sock setup in first compartment

 

[peekay]

I would remove the wall between 3 and 4, make that a large refugium with chaeto,2 inch sand bed, and rock rubble, and move the heater to the same compartment as the return pump. lose the floss and add a filter sock setup in first compartment

I know you can't see in the picture, but the wall between chambers 2 and 3 has a gap at the bottom, so I would get sand in the skimmer chamber, and that would probably not be ideal? I could probably move the wall between 3 and 4 closer to the left so I could have a bigger overall fuge? Wish I would have thought this out better before I put water in!

 

[mcgyvr]

Really nothing wrong with how you have it now..
Don't sweat it..just enjoy

 

[nereefpat]

My 0.02$:

It looks like a good sump. It adds a little water volume, and it holds your equipment.

I like the idea of combining chambers 3&4 and using it for chaeto and some rubble...if you want.

 

[peekay]

Thanks to all, my ultimate goal is to be able to establish a stable system, and utilize as many natural, biological filtration methods. So much experience and knowledge on this site...amazing resource.

 

[jpruitt]

Sump chamber utilization question

I'd leave the first chamber as is with the floss to help polish the water. Def put the chaeto in chamber 3. The 4th chamber is leave, it would be good for a bubble trap and to make sure no chaeto get into the return pump. Here is mine. It's empty in the photo but you get the picture. I have 2 4 inch socks that I bought the holders for and use floss.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lapin]

Get some of this for chamber 4. Also known a spaghetti matting.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aquamesh-blue-3.html
Will keep stuff out of the return pump section. Stop all bubbles and provide a great home for pods.

 

[peekay]

Get some of this for chamber 4. Also known a spaghetti matting.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aquamesh-blue-3.html
Will keep stuff out of the return pump section. Stop all bubbles and provide a great home for pods.

This looks like a fantastic idea. Thanks for the tip!

PK