Filter media for a tumbling chamber

[Reinboordt]

Howdy All,

My sump came with the tank and it’s originally from China so the dimensions and sump design are a little different to a typical North American set up.

I have the sump pretty much figured out at this point and I’m going to have a bio media chamber that all of the flow will pass through, a skimmer chamber and a return.

The first chamber of the sump however is where I feel I need help .
the water enters via either the full syphon line or the overflow line, the floor has a ramp on the bottom and the flow of water creates a tumbling motion. The water overflows the top of the chamber. Right now the tank has been freshwater for years and I have some plastic scrubbies floating around in there for bio media.

What could I utilize this space for in a low tech reef set up?

Would this be a good place for rock rubble, a deep sand bed, miracle mud, chaeto?
I kept a reef tank about 15 years ago and it had a self contained filter at the back of the tank so I didn’t need to get as involved in the design. There are also many more products and methods now vs then.

I look forward to hearing your ideas!
Thanks

 

[mypocketreef]

Hey! If you have a space to filter out larger materials first, like floss, then I think it depends on the size of the space. If it is big enough it sounds like it could be a nice spot for a refugium. You could add a red light and some macro algae, and even copepods to produce a nice snack for your fish! The nice thing about them is you can modify them as you go. Adding macro algae will help lower nutrients in your tank (awesome if you have a larger bio load), just be careful not to do it to soon as you’ll want to make sure your tank has had time to build up nitrates and phosphates if you are planning on corals.

 

[Reinboordt]

Hey! If you have a space to filter out larger materials first, like floss, then I think it depends on the size of the space. If it is big enough it sounds like it could be a nice spot for a refugium. You could add a red light and some macro algae, and even copepods to produce a nice snack for your fish! The nice thing about them is you can modify them as you go. Adding macro algae will help lower nutrients in your tank (awesome if you have a larger bio load), just be careful not to do it to soon as you’ll want to make sure your tank has had time to build up nitrates and phosphates if you are planning on corals.

Thank you for the info!

My plan is low tech corals and focus more on inverts than having a heavy fish stocking (tank is approximately 69g + 25-30g sump, depending on water level).

I was thinking of adding the filter floss in a container underneath the drain and change it out. Also I had the idea of creating a little baffle with filter floss/sponge where the water overflows into chamber 2.

If I have the floss basket under the in flow this may hamper the ability to have a Refugium light, as of right now I may not have enough plug outlets for an additional light but this can be changed.
The second chamber I will create a rack to have different types of porous media for the water to flow through.

If we remove the Refugium from the equation what else would be a good option?

 

[mypocketreef]

Hey! If you have a space to filter out larger materials first, like floss, then I think it depends on the size of the space. If it is big enough it sounds like it could be a nice spot for a refugium. You could add a red light and some macro algae, and even copepods to produce a nice snack for your fish! The nice thing about them is you can modify them as you go. Adding macro algae will help lower nutrients in your tank (awesome if you have a larger bio load), just be careful not to do it to soon as you’ll want to make sure your tank has had time to build up nitrates and phosphates if you are planning on corals.

Thank you for the info!

My plan is low tech corals and focus more on inverts than having a heavy fish stocking (tank is approximately 69g + 25-30g sump, depending on water level).

I was thinking of adding the filter floss in a container underneath the drain and change it out. Also I had the idea of creating a little baffle with filter floss/sponge where the water overflows into chamber 2.

If I have the floss basket under the in flow this may hamper the ability to have a Refugium light, as of right now I may not have enough plug outlets for an additional light but this can be changed.
The second chamber I will create a rack to have different types of porous media for the water to flow through.

If we remove the Refugium from the equation what else would be a good option?

My next recommendation was going to be the porous media but sounds like you already have a plan for that!

 

[mypocketreef]

Hey! If you have a space to filter out larger materials first, like floss, then I think it depends on the size of the space. If it is big enough it sounds like it could be a nice spot for a refugium. You could add a red light and some macro algae, and even copepods to produce a nice snack for your fish! The nice thing about them is you can modify them as you go. Adding macro algae will help lower nutrients in your tank (awesome if you have a larger bio load), just be careful not to do it to soon as you’ll want to make sure your tank has had time to build up nitrates and phosphates if you are planning on corals.

Thank you for the info!

My plan is low tech corals and focus more on inverts than having a heavy fish stocking (tank is approximately 69g + 25-30g sump, depending on water level).

I was thinking of adding the filter floss in a container underneath the drain and change it out. Also I had the idea of creating a little baffle with filter floss/sponge where the water overflows into chamber 2.

If I have the floss basket under the in flow this may hamper the ability to have a Refugium light, as of right now I may not have enough plug outlets for an additional light but this can be changed.
The second chamber I will create a rack to have different types of porous media for the water to flow through.

If we remove the Refugium from the equation what else would be a good option?

Also, forgot to mention that inverts are def awesome, just be cautious if you want corals and a low fish load bottoming out nutrients could be a concern. I believe you mentioned a protein skimmer? If he’s than that may not even be necessary in a tank that size with low fish load!

 

[Reinboordt]

Also, forgot to mention that inverts are def awesome, just be cautious if you want corals and a low fish load bottoming out nutrients could be a concern. I believe you mentioned a protein skimmer? If he’s than that may not even be necessary in a tank that size with low fish load!

Thank you for the advice.
I was told not to set up a skimmer for the first few months anyway.
Yeah I have a plan for porous media but I think in a sense I’m just overthinking it. I want to make sure I’m utilizing the layout that I have and I’ve heard good things about Deep sand beds. There’s so many products available for sump media it’s kind of confusing.

I will definitely be having fish but most likely just small species.

 

[mypocketreef]

Thank you for the advice.
I was told not to set up a skimmer for the first few months anyway.
Yeah I have a plan for porous media but I think in a sense I’m just overthinking it. I want to make sure I’m utilizing the layout that I have and I’ve heard good things about Deep sand beds. There’s so many products available for sump media it’s kind of confusing.

I will definitely be having fish but most likely just small species.

You definitely sound prepared! Like I said before the nice thing is you can always add on! So even if you leave it empty to start you can see how it goes and add if you feel necessary:)

 

[Reinboordt]

You definitely sound prepared! Like I said before the nice thing is you can always add on! So even if you leave it empty to start you can see how it goes and add if you feel necessary:)

Thanks, for the beginning I may do just that. I might have some extra live rock depending on how much fits in the tank.
The 1lb per gallon rule tends to be too much rock for quite a few tanks.

I have a friend with a FOWLR that is going to give me some seeded media from his sump and some sand so I think I can jumpstart my cycle pretty quick

 

[Reinboordt]

Just thought I’d update here. I believe I’ve figured out the function for each section now.

1st chamber (4”L x 11.5”D x 16” H)
Filter socks/floss as water enters
Deep sand bed at the ramped section and live rock/bio media here
Constant height.

Flows over
2nd chamber (6.5”L x 11.5”D x 13”H)

Protein skimmer on a stand maybe some more bio media. Constant height in this section

1” bubble trap baffle

3rd chamber (7.5”L x 11.5”D x 4.5-14”H)
Porous bio media section with room for other filtering types.
Good size for a skimmer but water level is inconsistent.

1” bubble trap baffle

4th chamber (9”L x 11.5”D x 4.5-14”H)
Return DC pump and a long section in behind for heater.
Not sure what else can realistically go in the return section.

I’m trying to keep it relatively simple and get the most out of my space. I’m constrained by the sumps current design and dimensions. I can add other media for altering chemistry etc as and when needed.

I can always add chaeto to the first chamber if and when that is an option.

My original plan was to have the skimmer in the 3rd chamber as its roomier but I have read that they need a constant water level to run at their optimum.

Any major issues with this ?
Thanks all for giving your opinions I’ll post pictures or maybe start a tank thread when i start the set up!