Michael1212
Member
Hi all, I'm planning a new 100 gallon long planted tank, and I would like to run an idea by the folks here on an aspect of my sump filter design.
The basic idea illustrated in the image attached shows water falling from the main tank into a detritus settling chamber. Waste is free to float around in here, but can not escape due to gravity and the brown coloured filter pads drawn above. Due to gravity these pads should stay very clean and not require frequent changing. The ceramic rings in blue should stay even more clean. At the bottom of the settling chamber is a drain controlled by a tap. Once a week or every couple days, I will stop the pumps, then open the tap, which lets waste drain into my houses plumbing. 10 - 30 seconds should be enough to see all the gunk flushed out. No need to wash filter socks or change pads! Depending on turbulence it may be ok to open the tap while leaving the sump pump still running.
I'm also incorporating an auto water change system in here, and a method to quickly drain 0% to 75% from the lower water column of the display tank, which should be effective for cleaning a sand substrate. Overall maintenance should be minimal, while keeping water quality high.
Please let me know thoughts and any issues that I haven't yet thought of.
Cheers,
Michael.
The basic idea illustrated in the image attached shows water falling from the main tank into a detritus settling chamber. Waste is free to float around in here, but can not escape due to gravity and the brown coloured filter pads drawn above. Due to gravity these pads should stay very clean and not require frequent changing. The ceramic rings in blue should stay even more clean. At the bottom of the settling chamber is a drain controlled by a tap. Once a week or every couple days, I will stop the pumps, then open the tap, which lets waste drain into my houses plumbing. 10 - 30 seconds should be enough to see all the gunk flushed out. No need to wash filter socks or change pads! Depending on turbulence it may be ok to open the tap while leaving the sump pump still running.
I'm also incorporating an auto water change system in here, and a method to quickly drain 0% to 75% from the lower water column of the display tank, which should be effective for cleaning a sand substrate. Overall maintenance should be minimal, while keeping water quality high.
Please let me know thoughts and any issues that I haven't yet thought of.
Cheers,
Michael.