Sump question

[Brando457]

I was wondering on a sump setup like this where you would place the protein skimmer or would you have to do a HOB?



Also I assume above where the bioballs are you could run filter media like carbon or floss?

Wondering what individuals who buy a sump like that change or do to it to be better performing.

- Brandon

 

[ds4x4]

HOB either on the tank or sump if you have the room.. could fit a small in sump skimmer depending on size..

 

[Brando457]

HOB either on the tank or sump if you have the room.. could fit a small in sump skimmer depending on size..

I was wondering how I would fit the skimmer in the right chamber if that is where the return pump goes?

Also what could I replace the bioballs with and where would I put live rock and sand?

 

[Baxreefs]

I is was using this as a sump, depending upon the size of the display an HOT off the left side is best for say a 65 and down, Anyhting bigger I'd prefer an in sump. Again I'd try to fit it in the left, but that looks like it may be hieght restricitve. If your sump is sitting out in the open and not under a display, you could build a shelf for a skimmeer to stand on easy enough. The right side is a better place for sand and LR. And yes, the return pump would sit in the right side. It'll be too turbulent to the left were your drains are comming in. A trickle filter like this is probably best used with the HOT.

 

[Brando457]

for the advice. I'm buying evos sump but will have this one from buying my tank.

 

[mfisher2112]

I ran one like this with a skimmer. Depends on the dimensions of the trickle filter/sump, but a small berlin in sump filter fit in mine, BARELY.

The biggest problem you run into is, keeping the skimmer in the right side, the evaporation changes the water level constantly. Skimmers should have a pretty constant water level in the chamber they reside in. I found that keeping up on the top off without an auto top off was a pain keeping the skimmer dialed in, and it would skim in "bursts".

As for the bio-balls. If the system isn't running already, you can just yank the bio balls and use rock rubble if you want. But if it has one of those "spray bars" you'll want to remove that too, otherwise the rubble will behave exactly like the bio balls never being fully submerged in water.

 

[Gecko]

Dont forget you can always drill the sump and use an external skimmer