Sump/bio media Question

[JamesLibTech]

I am having my house fumigated(tented) and I have a chance to reevaluate my filtration while the tank is torn down. As of right now it consist of a sump that has about 15-20 gallons of water in it and a Sicce Whale canister. The tank right now is 48" x 20" x 20". I just ordered a new tank that will be the same foot print but 5" taller giving me a few more gallons to play with, but the big thing for me was getting the lighter background.

My sump is a leftover from a previous reef, it is the basic sock chamber, skimmer chamber, bubble trap then pump chamber. As of now I have been using filter sock and bio balls in the first chamber, because I figured it get's a lot of air bubbles from the water splashing down. Then in the second chamber I have Seachem Matrix and Pond Matrix lifted off the bottom about a inch or two so water travels under and through it rather than just over it. This is really what my question is about. I am wondering if anyone has an alternative approach or suggestions on how to better use the chambers. I do run a smaller sponge filter in the tank to help with oxygen and I was wondering if that is even needed with the agitation the water receives falling into the sump.

Any suggestions or constructive criticism is appreciated! :antlers:

http://i.imgur.com/HXJ9gOTh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/WNZNHgWh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/NaunVhGh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/dLh0XjRh.jpg

[a volar]

I have used sumps extensible in reef tanks as well as fresh water tanks and still used them, I always have a filter sock in drain in first chamber, then any or a combination of bioballs, ceramic rings, poret foam or even scrubies in secod chamber and return pump in third chamber, if I use a rectangular tank as sump I just divided it with egg crate as needed.

[boxhead1990]

id ditch the bio balls as matrix and pond matrix will be more then enough bio media only so much bacteria can grow with only a certain amount of fish haha

[Nu2Discus]

The bio balls really should be used in a trickle tower, and should be out of the water. Ceramic media should be used under water. Also the bio balls have limited surface area compared to ceramic. Look into marine pure. Apparently one marine pure bio ball is supposed to be equal to having something like a few liters of the plastic bio balls. The marine pure also comes in blocks, and is supposed to be able to remove nitrates as well. I personally haven't used it yet, but will probably try it. Anyway look into it and see what you think.