Sump mod for roller mat filter ? How to ?

[tugdu77]

Hello

I am about to start a new tank, Aqua Medic Armatus 300 66 gallons (currently running a Red Sea Max 130D LPS/SPS for 10 years, AIO).
The sump is designed for filter socks but for limited maintenance, I will use a roller mat filter.
I need to modify the sump. As it is my first sump, I would like some advise please

There are 3 chambers (1, 2, 3 on the pictures).
Chamber 1 is the overflow spillover where the drain pipe end up.
There are 3 glass partitions (a,b, c on the pictures).
The roller mat is design to receive the drain pipe from the overflow (enclosed picture from the manual).

Removing glass partition A is enough to get room for the roller filter.
Questions are:
- No water level issue this way if a get rid of the spill over chamber?
- Should I keep glass partitions B and C?
- What to use chamber 3 for? Macro algae reactor ?

Thanks for your help.

 

[griss]

I do not have any experience with roller mats but, I don't think you'll have any issues removing partition A. I would keep partitions B & C to help reduce micro bubbles returning to the tank.

I've never used a macroalgae reactor either. But, I suppose you could place one in chamber 3.

 

[tugdu77]

Thanks for your reply.

Then should I lower partition C to direct the water over instead of under it ?
This way I can drop chaeto in room 3 and the current will go up "naturally" through it ?

 

[griss]

Personally, I would not move partition C as the way the partitions are placed is to reduce microbubbles from getting to your return pump. But, let's see if we can get some other opinions

@kharmaguru @Reefing102 @JCOLE @wvned

 

[Reefing102]

I’m speaking from a side that hasn’t used a roller mat either. That said, if I had the proper tools, here’s what I would do:

Take out partition A and B
Put partition A where partition B was
Silicone Partition B to line up with the side glass of Chamber 1 so it’s the same height.
Cut the filter sock holder down to 1 for Chamber 3 as a “just in case” scenario.

You can still use Chamber 3 for macros but if the need was to ever arise where a filter sock was needed (I use socks to hold carbon every now and then), I could always put a sock in.

Not sure on dimensions but an algae reactor may fit in the return pump area too if that’s a concern.

Also moving partition A you may be able to put it so it’s a more “snug” fit for the roller mat
Just some thoughts.

 

[tugdu77]

Thanks for you thoughts !

Take out partition A and B
Put partition A where partition B was

Partition A will end up higher than the side glass : chamber 1 is higher than 2 and 3 (not obvious in the pictures).
So water will escape from the side of the new 1+2 chamber, over the current chamber 2 side.

Not sure on dimensions but an algae reactor may fit in the return pump area too if that’s a concern.

Unfortunately it is not wide enough. Look easiest to use a full small chamber with no need for extra hardware besides the light. I do prefer this over a sock, even if I understand from your experience how useful it can be. I will keep that in mind, thanks.

Also moving partition A you may be able to put it so it’s a more “snug” fit for the roller mat

The roller mat will fit chamber 1+2 snuggly enough: water flows from the sides of the roller.

My concern is more about the over or under flow of partition B next to the roller.
Keeping the original partition B means water going under. But I can also lower it so it becomes an over flow.
It leads me to 2 possible scenarios after removing partition A :

roller mat > under flow under partition B > under flow under partition C (no mods to partition B and C)
roller mat > under flow under partition B > over flow over partition C (my previous post picture, lowering partition C)
roller mat > over flow over partition B > under flow over partition C (lowering partition B)



PS : I will use Red Sea sump modification kit to do that.

 

[tugdu77]

Working great, thanks for your advises !

 

[griss]

Good to hear.