Rich Jackson
Member
I have a 3 x 2 x 2 tank that used to be a marine setup. I have a sump underneath to use but don't know whether to use it or block up the holes in the tank and run 2 external filters. any advice on which way and why please.
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sump or externals?
- Thread starter Rich Jackson
- Start date
nbaker
Member
Could you use the holes as inlets for external filters?
Rich Jackson
Member
Don't think it would work as holes are 40mm and in the base of the tank.
You choose, benefits both ways but a lot depends on how good & how much your C02 supply will be . ( I mean how much you have to pay for the gas & how close the suppler is etc. ) As a sump will burn more gas than a closed system, I love sumps myself!
Yo-han
Member
Except the fact that a sump loses more CO2 (but this can be reduced greatly if you want) I think a sump is far superior. Or to be more convincing: Amano says a canister is inferior to a sump
Rich Jackson
Member
I didn't want to use Co2 injection as I was planning a lower tech tank. I have been planning this tank since May!!! talk about being slow! although I like to think I'm being thorough. is it possible to reduce Co2 loss enough with a sump to not need to inject it?
Yo-han
Member
Off course, just make sure you don't use too much light!
Rich Jackson
Member
surely it cannot be as simple as that?
Yo-han
Member
Maybe someone else has a different opinion but IME it is just that simple! More light means more CO2. Less light, less CO2, but less choice in plant species, because some just need more CO2 than can naturally exist in your tank. You can always add a carbon source like excel/easycarbo to provide more carbon for your plants. This is not lost due to a sump.
Samuran
Member
Sump tanks = Win
Ben
Ben
Rich Jackson
Member
Right. Now I have decided to keep my sump is it worth me starting it up by itself to mature it before I fill my main tank?
Rich Jackson
Member
My DI set up coming along nicely
Rich Jackson
Member
Rich Jackson
Member
Rich Jackson
Member
Rich Jackson
Member
And a tank that is getting there!
Rich Jackson
Member
Cheap low power LED
Hi all,
I like sumps as well, the best filter definitely a "wet and dry", doesn't matter whether it is in the sump or over-tank.
If you don't add any CO2, "wet and dry" trickle filters add CO2 at most times, because they are very effective at gas exchange, due to their huge gas exchange surface where the thin film of water is flowing over the media surface. This is why marine aquarists went away from them, they were "nitrate factories", what that really means is they had the capacity for the nitrification (oxidation) of a huge amount of NH3. Because we have access to water for water changes and vascular plants that take up NO3, this isn't a disadvantage for us.
What applies to oxygen also applies to CO2, which is at about only 400ppm in the atmosphere, but is much more soluble than oxygen. If you aren't adding CO2, the larger your gas exchange surface is the more closely levels of dissolved gases will correlate with atmospheric levels, which is good for both your livestock and your plants.
cheers Darrel
I like sumps as well, the best filter definitely a "wet and dry", doesn't matter whether it is in the sump or over-tank.
If you don't add any CO2, "wet and dry" trickle filters add CO2 at most times, because they are very effective at gas exchange, due to their huge gas exchange surface where the thin film of water is flowing over the media surface. This is why marine aquarists went away from them, they were "nitrate factories", what that really means is they had the capacity for the nitrification (oxidation) of a huge amount of NH3. Because we have access to water for water changes and vascular plants that take up NO3, this isn't a disadvantage for us.
What applies to oxygen also applies to CO2, which is at about only 400ppm in the atmosphere, but is much more soluble than oxygen. If you aren't adding CO2, the larger your gas exchange surface is the more closely levels of dissolved gases will correlate with atmospheric levels, which is good for both your livestock and your plants.
cheers Darrel
Rich Jackson
Member
What's the best way of setting up a trickle filter in a sump?
