Aquarium conversion

[James53]

Should I use Liquid carbon? Activated carbon? Choice of substrate suitable for low tech? Thanks

 

[Edvet]

For low tech I prefer no carbon, liquid or activated, and most substrates will do, i use just sand. With sand some ferts in the water will help your plants, you don't need expensive soils

 

[Edvet]

https://www.ukaps.org/forum/forums/el-natural-low-tech.27/ for tips

 

[James53]

Thanks

 

[ricky tango]

had never really thought about the fact the water falls to the sump rather than syphoned on a vacuum as with an external filter

 

[HiNtZ]

had never really thought about the fact the water falls to the sump rather than syphoned on a vacuum as with an external filter

To be fair, a bit of both happens. I made a durso type pipe for mine to stop the gurgling and the flow rate was right on the edge of the water just falling down to the sump. One little increase in pump output and the pipe would become submerged then the siphon would activate.

My mistake? The pipe was too small I diameter.