Large Tank Filtration

Hi Zoom. I have no experience with sumps as well. Prefer canister filters as they work. I just want to do a water change every second week as I don't always have the time. I am experimenting on the 1.2m tank with a sump, but still not sorted out properly. Till then I will stick with my canister filters. I know proff uses sumps and canister filters on his tanks.

 

Same here, but at this stage it seems like pie in the sky. I also use a canister and toy with the idea to go to sump for that very reason. I have however realized, with my current system, that the sump is just going to do better what my canister already does and that is converting NH3 to NO2 and NO3. My NH3 and NO2 is virtually zero, so why go to sump then? Sump can not convert NO3 or take it out of the water and that is the reason for doing WC. So, the only way to stretch the period between water changes is to find a way to remove NO3. That is where I hope the trickle filter comes in...

 

Some people's biolode is so low that they can stretch 2 weeks, and some even 3 weeks. NO3 is directly preportional to your biolode

 

I have not build it yet, but imagine it will not flow a full pipe stream. Not if you do not deliver a full pipe stream with your return pump from the sump. It is basically an overflow, and just the amount you deliver, will overflow. Or is there something else I am overlooking?

 

Very much true. My problem is my bio-load is forcing me to do weekly WC. Another factor, basically the same thing, is that my water volume is only 90lt. So, if I can anaerobically remove some NO3, I can stretch the period.

 

Why waste time with removing NO3. Just plant your tank heavily.

I mentioned in a PM to Gregorian; I use to go 3 weeks without doing a WC. My ammonia and nitrites was always zero, as it should be. and my nitrates only went up to 10-15ppm. PLANTS DUDES PLANTS!!!!

I only do WC weekly now due to ferts having to be reset.

 

An abundance of plants bring a whole other element of chores of its own again. I already have plants and suppose that is why I can get to 2 weeks if I let the NO3 go slightly high.

I am looking for the easy way out! Let us investigate that trickle filter! Where is @Altum?

 

I could be wrong guys but from what i have figured out over the weeks a sump and trickle filter is the same thing. The only difference comes in where there is abit of a technicality with the wet\dry trickle filter! What ive seen is that the sump\trickle filter normally provides only bio filtration and then the guys add a section to do mechanical filtration which they refer to as the "DRY" part making it a wet\dry filter.

I could be wrong this is just what i interpreted so far from my looking around.

 

@jwalker, I have a feeling you are right, but hope you are wrong ;-)

 

I think a sump and a trickle filter work very similar in principle, but I think a trickle filter works more on the water "trickling' over the filter media rather than being pumped or moved through the filter. This obviously means that the filter would be far larger, however the fact that the bacteria on in direct contact with the atmosphere, and thus o2 is far better. I could be wrong alltogether. I seriously doubt this filter would eliminate nitrates tho @Tom.K

Sent from my Tablet using Tapatalk

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trickle_filter

 

A wet/dry filter:
http://www.reeftime.com/diy-reef-projects/diy-filtration/quick-easy-wet-dry-filter-sump/6.htm

I've made one similar to this and is working great.Been using it for 5 years now,only occasionally cleaning it.
http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects/diy-filter/111.asp

 

@Rudi

What size tank do you have your wet\dry filter on?

 

It's a odd size tank,one of those Chinese jobs.Approximately 180l.It initially had a "hood-filter",build in thing,but it was to small and not very affective.I DIY'ed the wet/dry and haven't looked back.
You can obviously customise the bucket filter to suite your needs.

 

@Rudi, Did you drill a hole at the bottom of your tank for the bucket or are you using an overflow\siphon system?

 

@jwalker,
I'm using a pvc pipe overflow.

 

@Rudi is it possible for your post a pic of your system? Would be appreciated