HOB filter/skimmer to sump

[mp2022]

Hi all,
I have a 48 gallon reef tank with fish/inverts that is young ~1-2 months with a HOB filter and protein skimmer. I am making the move to a sump. I have a life reef HOB overflow box and will be using a 15g sump. My question is how to transition to the sump. I am currently using sea chem matrix carbon and matrix biomedia in HOB. My tank also has live rock/sand which I imagine is doing the heavy lifting for biofiltration as the tank cycled very quickly. I plan on using a protein skimmer in one chamber of the sump and eventually putting macroalgae in the refugium chamber. Should I just put the biomedia from the HOB somewhere in the sump? Maybe the refugium section? Thanks in advance.

 

[shakacuz]

biomedia can be placed in the drain section of the sump, or as a bubble trap after the refugium section, and before the return section. alternatively, you can place the bio media in the filter socks(if your sump allows for this), to have the water pass through it before entering the skimmer section.

this is assuming your sump layout is: drain, filtersock/roller section, skimmer/heater section, refugium section, bubble trap, return section

 

[mp2022]

biomedia can be placed in the drain section of the sump, or as a bubble trap after the refugium section, and before the return section. alternatively, you can place the bio media in the filter socks(if your sump allows for this), to have the water pass through it before entering the skimmer section.

this is assuming your sump layout is: drain, filtersock/roller section, skimmer/heater section, refugium section, bubble trap, return section

Thanks for your response. Yeah that’s the basic setup. Can the heater really go in any section that can fit it or does it have to be in the skimmer section for any particular reason?

 

[shakacuz]

Thanks for your response. Yeah that’s the basic setup. Can the heater really go in any section that can fit it or does it have to be in the skimmer section for any particular reason?

usually they're put in with the skimmer because some heaters are longer than others, and this chamber tends to be the widest due to the skimmer being in it. you can place it anywhere in the sump you see fit, except the return chamber since the return pump tends to run hot(and the space is limited). make sure to double check if the heater can be fully submerged or not- because this will factor in which section it can go in, too.