What filter media to use?

[Hokag3]

Hi, I have already set up and running (now mixing the salt) a 2x1x1 c/w sump. Now I am wondering what to do next...which filter media should i use?

Bio balls or coral chips?

[veliferium]

Skip the coral chips and bio balls..

Build a refugium instead and add in chemical filtration.

[Eric]

Hi, I have already set up and running (now mixing the salt) a 2x1x1 c/w sump. Now I am wondering what to do next...which filter media should i use?

Bio balls or coral chips?

Forget abt the refugium too since the sump is quite small. Not going to help much. Filled up your main tank with Live rocks for bio-filteration, & go with a powerful skimmer (eg. H&S or Beckett) in the first compartment & return pump, chiller pump on the last compartment. Simple, clean operation.

Eric

[Hokag3]

Yup, agree with Eric...my sump 2 small 4 refugium, but really dun need any bio filter?? First time i heard of it

[subxero]

Yup, agree with Eric...my sump 2 small 4 refugium, but really dun need any bio filter?? First time i heard of it

With large amount of live rocks.. it is a bio-filter

[dsam]

Forget abt the refugium too since the sump is quite small. Not going to help much. Filled up your main tank with Live rocks for bio-filteration, & go with a powerful skimmer (eg. H&S or Beckett) in the first compartment & return pump, chiller pump on the last compartment. Simple, clean operation.

Eric

Dun mind me asking. Wat do you mean when you mentioned first compartment & return pump? Are you refering to the same compartment?

Isn't the first compartment for the water to flow down from the main tank, and the return pump in the last compartment where it pumps the water back to the main tank?

Sorry, me still learning, thats why I asked. Pls enlighten me.

[Hokag3]

Other than live rocks, can coral chips or the bio balls act as bio filter?

[Awgui]

coral chips n bio balls can act as bio filters to allow aerobic bacterias ==> converts ammonia to nitrate.

However, they may trap debris and may also be a nitrate factory and the final product nitrate would be a big problem

Live rocks are good as it also allows anaerobic bacteria to thrive as well, to convert nitrate to n2.

This is what i learnt from the forum. Correct me if i m wrong. Thanks.

[Eric]

Dun mind me asking. Wat do you mean when you mentioned first compartment & return pump? Are you refering to the same compartment?

Isn't the first compartment for the water to flow down from the main tank, and the return pump in the last compartment where it pumps the water back to the main tank?

Sorry, me still learning, thats why I asked. Pls enlighten me.

Ya, 1st compartment is where your tank water overflow down, which is where your skimmer pump should be too.

Your last compartment would be where you place your return pumps (pump water back to tank). Just before your last compartment its good to have 3 or more layers of baffle plates to reduce air bubbles from going back to tank.

Eric

[Tanga]

Sorry newbie here too. what is baffle plate.

[Eric]

Sorry newbie here too. what is baffle plate.

baffle plates are just layers of glass use for reducing air bubbles.

Eric

[subxero]

Ya, 1st compartment is where your tank water overflow down, which is where your skimmer pump should be too.

Your last compartment would be where you place your return pumps (pump water back to tank). Just before your last compartment its good to have 3 or more layers of baffle plates to reduce air bubbles from going back to tank.

Eric

Aren't skimmer pump suppose to be in the middle/second compartment?

[Alvin Tan]

coral chips n bio balls can act as bio filters to allow aerobic bacterias ==> converts ammonia to nitrate.

However, they may trap debris and may also be a nitrate factory and the final product nitrate would be a big problem

Live rocks are good as it also allows anaerobic bacteria to thrive as well, to convert nitrate to n2.

This is what i learnt from the forum. Correct me if i m wrong. Thanks.

the reason y bio balls will become nitrate factories...the only reason is bcos reefers here did not place a strainer of top of the bio balls tower..with a sponge on top and a strainer...how would dirt enter the bio ball tower??? therefore..bio balls are useful to a large extent and of cuz..with the correct usage...nitrate factory is defintely a NONO!!...for a small sump...glass rings can also be introduce to home bacteria..

[Hokag3]

I think it would be better if there is a picture of the sump, of how all the equipments r placed so newbies like me can learn frm it.

Sorry...i know this is a bit spoon feed....

[Eric]

I think it would be better if there is a picture of the sump, of how all the equipments r placed so newbies like me can learn frm it.

Sorry...i know this is a bit spoon feed....

1st compartment is where your overflow from tank goes in, that should be where you put your skimmer pump so most detritus carried over will be skim out. 2nd compartment you can put ur calcium reactor or you can leave it empty. 3rd compartment is where your return pump is. In between 2nd & 3rd, there should be layers of baffle plates to eliminate air bubbles.

Eric

[Kotobuki]

Hahaha I confuse liao,

Pai Seh very newbie.

My current setup is:

4 compartment Sump 3ft x 1.5ft x 14"

1st compariment(water from tank)

- Suspended filter wool(common white wool from LFS)

- Followed by strainer and bioball(still suspendend on top of water)

- Den A.R.M(Ammonia Removal Media underwater)

2nd compartment

- Skimmer

3rd compartment

- currently nothin inside but plan to load tons of algae plants inside.

Inbetween the 2 baffel plate of 3rd and 4th

- active carbon wool

4th compartment

- return pump and control valve

I feel abit weird about the active carbon location was wondering if i should relocate it???

Any senior here care to comment about my setup??

All comment good or bad are welcome. Would very much wanna learn more

Rgds

Tak

[Angel]

Place the carbon in the 4th compartment.