Sump Setup Question

[F_Angel]

I have a 65 gal tank and a 20 gal sump tank, I'm using a mag drive 7 (500gph), a Coralife 125 gal Needle Wheel Skimmer, and would like to use BioBalls and Activated Filter Carbon (in a bag).

What would be the best (or your preferred) set up, I have pexiglass, like most of you show you use, and lighting grid to hold the bioballs and charcoal filter.

 

[bassnman11]

Bio balls are pretty much a dead item, usually causing nitrate problems. You would probably be better off placing live rock rubble in the bottom of your sump and some type of microalgae to eliminate nitrates. Just my opinion.

 

[Toddrtrex]

First off,
[welcome]

There really isn't any need for the bio-balls, they will just end
up causing issues in the long run.
As for carbon, with my sump, I made a PVC shelf in the return
section. The water has to run though a bag of carbon before getting to the intake tube that runs to my pump.

Here is a picture of my sump ( 20g for my 58 )

Here are a couple of pictures of the the last chamber from my
30g sump for my 75. Very similar set up.

The shelf:

Top down of the bag on the shelf (FYI -- I didn't drill either pump,
the bigger PVC pipe that you see, is part of the over the top method to get the water out of the sump. The "T" you see was
to prime the pipe with water.

HTH