MY DIY project Stand/sump/etc.....

[john73738]

Hi All,

Looking for advice on my sump design. Just in the planning stage of my project until my Wife to be (11/02) get moved into our house in Dec.

So here is the initial rough design. revisions are in the works to edit dimensions, and add the plumbing.

Here is the method behind my maddness...

1. Water enters through the sterlite drawers on the right. Each will have:
1st drawer Pot scrubbers
2nd Drawer Filter Media
3rd Drawer Carbon in bio bag

2. After mechanical. filtering water will flow to second chamber via 3 bio wheels.

3. Water will then flow to return chamber via 3 more bio wheels.

Return pump will be bulkheaded to sump rather than submerged.

make second chamber larger, then plant removing 3 bio wheels, and adding light to stand.

will have heater in return chamber

Return will be plumbed to have excess water re-enter return chamber to adjust flow rate, and help oxygenate water.

I understand that this is serious overkill for a 75 gallon cichlid tank. My reasoning is that I can be on the road a lot for work, and this will help my Wife to be, and her 3 sons be able to better take care of the tanks. Also I am setting up a 55 gallon planted tank as soon as I set up those inhabitants a new home and I heard that this is the way to go for planted tanks. Also SW is in the future.

Any questions please ask, and I would love feedback on my design.

Tanks

Bear

[exodon king]

I don't understand your drawing, but from your explanation there are a few things I would change.
First, you want your first drawer to hold the mech media. You don't want your scrubbies to get clogged with debris and detritus. So definitely switch the media in drawers 1 and 2.
Next, unless you are removing meds, there is no need for the carbon. You're better off using the third drawer for more bio media (scrubbies).
Also, I would get rid of the bio wheels all together. With the wet/dry action of the drawers, and the volume of the media, you won't need the wheels
Beyond that, your return plumbing sounds right on.

Best of luck.

[fishmonkey]

looks good! and anyways, the bigger the sump, the better.

[john73738]

Thanks, I did some revamping of the design after the post getting rid of three of the bio wheels. Please explain not needing carbon. All the store bought filters use it so I am confused why it would not be needed in a sump pump.

[exodon king]

Originally Posted by john73738

Thanks, I did some revamping of the design after the post getting rid of three of the bio wheels. Please explain not needing carbon. All the store bought filters use it so I am confused why it would not be needed in a sump pump.

They're not necessary in those filter cartridges either. Carbon is only needed to pull chemicals out of the water. If you are not dosing meds, you don't need it. Not "all" storebought filters use it. Most give you the option (canisters Qualiyu HOB filters), and the ones that make you use it (poor quality HOB filters that use cartridges) are crap to begin with.
Also, the carbon is only active for 5-7 days. After that its just taking up space in your filter
Not only that, but its potentially harmful, as after the carbon is spent, it becomes a nitrate factory, and may leach toxins into the system.

[john73738]

Did not know that.. Thanks that is good to know.

[john73738]

Here are some updated plans.... Comments

[exodon king]

is that center section for a refugium or something?

[john73738]

Yes I am planning on planting it. Still researching.

Thanks for the help, Trying to break the whole store bought mentality and going outside the box and turning this into a hobby rather than just having pet fish.

More to come soon plans on the stand are coming nicely.

[exodon king]

thats great man. DIY is the only way.