Sump Questions?

[Jim_PA]

For those that have sump,

Do you have filter socks or using polyfill? Right now I use filter socks, but does not seem like I get very much flow out of them, thinking of switching to polyfill. Thoughts on using poly fill? Since right now my drain area is large, I was thinking putting those scrubbers on the bottom, egg crate on top of them, then the polyfill?

The reason I am asking is my filter socks are in need of being replaced and thinking it might just be better going forward with the polyfill?

Any thoughts?

[Cthulhu]

I had a sump for my reef... But I don't understand your question, what do you use those filter socks for?

[Jim_PA]

Originally Posted by Cthulhu

I had a sump for my reef... But I don't understand your question, what do you use those filter socks for?

The water that drains out of my tank via overflow goes into the filter sock in the sump. I have to change them every 2 - 3 days. Now that I am working on setting my tank back up, been down for a few weeks, trying to see if I can make any improvements to filter and spend less money on socks using polyfill rather than the socks. Wonder if it works just as well.

[ngrubich]

Why not just make your own socks from some standard felt? I think you'd end up changing the polyfill more often, costing you more money in the long run. If you don't want to make your own, you could always order some (various micron sizes) from McMaster Carr.

[jjp2]

Those socks are notorious for clogging and require regular cleaning. I don't use them on my sump, just run from the tank into my media, then through perot foam.

In your case, I would replace them with something like you are thinking... the scrubbers for media or something else, and the poly over it.

[GeToChKn]

The best filter system should be coursest to finest material to allow less and less clogging. I always setup a sump the same way a canister is. You don't put polyfill or fine sponges as your first filter stop, it's always the last.

[Jim_PA]

Originally Posted by GeToChKn

The best filter system should be coursest to finest material to allow less and less clogging. I always setup a sump the same way a canister is. You don't put polyfill or fine sponges as your first filter stop, it's always the last.

I think my only option if I go with that thought, is to stay then with the filter socks. I don't have the funds to make changes to the fine sponges so on that are end of the line. So what I am saying is I don't have room to put poly at the end.

Each side of my sump as filter sock, then goes to course foam, then fine foam, then all my bio media. I have each section in the sump sized off for each type.

I guess I have the best setup with what I have, and will need to just buy some more and deal with the cost, I don't have machine to make my own.

[OrangeSoda]

I think that your best bet would be the polyfil.

It may not help you now, but this is the way I'm going to build my sump when I upgrade my tank. Maybe this will give you some ideas on your setup.


The light blue is the overflow into the sump.
The dark blue is coarse foam blocks, I figure having space below them is going to force the poop to fight gravity. Also, it will give any intrepid overflow surfers a chance at survival.
The light green is polyfil. The fourth foam block is only there for spacing to keep the polyfil from contacting the heater in the next chamber. Could be switched for eggcrate.
The red is a heater (since I had the empty chamber with good water flow).
The gray is filter sock (or 2 or 3 depending on width). They will be set into a drilled glass panel.
The dark green will be a bag or basket of biomedia.
The navy blue is of course a return pump.



This setup should be minimal maintenance. Vacuum the overflow area of solids once a week. Rinse the coarse sponges once a month or so, and change the polyfil as necessary.

[HD Blazingwolf]

Lets take another look as to why the media is filling up so fast
What and how often are u feeding?
What about water changes?
And what is ur substrate?

My sump's one and only filter pad gets changed twice a week if i feed more bloodworms.
Once a week if i feed dried veggie foods with less protein..

Less try to rememdy the problem as a whole!

[Jim_PA]

Originally Posted by HD Blazingwolf

Lets take another look as to why the media is filling up so fast
What and how often are u feeding?
What about water changes?
And what is ur substrate?

My sump's one and only filter pad gets changed twice a week if i feed more bloodworms.
Once a week if i feed dried veggie foods with less protein..

Less try to rememdy the problem as a whole!

No fish in the tank, just getting it set back up, so no feeding right now.

Water changes will be once a week.

Miracle Grow Organic Potting Mix capped with Caribsea Instant Aquarium Tahitian Moon Sand.

Not that they are that dirty, just going back to trying to save the most money.

If I am to change the filter socks every 2 days, that what I used to do. I need to buy several sets. They are rather expensive, as they are the big ones 7 inch rings.

What started this is just me setting tank back up, making sure I am doing what best. It does not seem like very much flow in the sump. Area where filter socks are one on each side, don't see much water movement, baffel open at the bottom then into 2 baffel with filter sponge, then poly fill and sump media. Return pump mag 18. I see water moving over top the baffel as they should be. Just not sure if it enough? Maybe I am worried for nothing? Seems like I get more flow when filter socks are removed. That why I was thinking poly would be better?

Since time is limited each week I will have to work on the tank, just trying to do what best in the long run.

[HD Blazingwolf]

expense wise, i'd go for some thick coarse foam right there.. its washable.. it'll be expensive up front but will save in the long run

flow through the sump will be the same. its determined by ur return pump and overflow