Sump on a discus tank?

[Second Hand Pat]

Hey guys,

This is my first post and I am enjoying reading this forum. Been lurking for a couple of weeks. Lots of good info and great and some sad stories.

I am currently looking for a larger tank (75/90 gallons) for a discus tank and yes, I'm a discus newbie. Quite a few of the larger used tanks are drilled for a sump. Do you guys recommend a sump on a discus tank. If you do what do you use it for? Extra bio-media, filtration etc. Also if you recommend a sump would you consider a tank with a existing overflow chamber?

Thanks,
Pat

[Skip]

idk anything about sump filters..

but WELCOME PAT!

[ZX10R]

You will get a million different answers on if sumps are good or not. Depends on what a person uses and they are most familar with. I personally have a 92 gallon corner tank running on two canister filters. And to be honest I think they are a pain in the butt to take out and clean every couple of months. I am building a stand right now for a 120 gallon tank I just bought and I am building my own sump out of a old aquarium. My brother has a sump on his 200 gallon tank and it seems so much easier then the canister filters. I see a lot of people just use hydro sponges also which I have never used so not sure how well they work. I have heard if you can get a tank with holes in it for bulk heads to run a sump that is the way to go. My tank is glass and new so I am doing a overflow box which won't do as good but don't really have a choice.

Good Luck and welcome Pat

Sean

[2wheelsx2]

You can use a sump for anything you want (bio, mechanical, chemical), but the main thing is the increased water volume. It will also allow you to move everything outside of the tank like heaters, probes, etc. You can even do water changes out of the sump without disturbing the fish. As long as you are comfortable putting it together and don't mind the noise (they're never going to be as quiet as a good canister), then sump is the way to go.

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks warlock.

thanks Sean, totally agree that canisters are a pain. I had one on a 180 fresh once upon a time. I would be interested in you DIY plan for your sump. I do have a sump on my reef tank. I have a 75 gallon reef with a 15 gallon sump. It is a 3 chamber sump used as a fuge. Input chamber has the protein skimmer, middle chamber is the refugium‎ with a light and macro algae and third is the return pump. Nice simple design.

thanks 2wheelsx2, I do like the increased water volume and the noise is no problem. Not sure how to do water changes out of a sump unless you pump your new water to the sump and use the sump pump to return the water to the tank.

[2wheelsx2]

thanks 2wheelsx2, I do like the increased water volume and the noise is no problem. Not sure how to do water changes out of a sump unless you pump your new water to the sump and use the sump pump to return the water to the tank.

There are several ways to do it. I have a Jehmco Super Safety siphon so I would use that myself, to pump out of the sump and then refill into the sump with a hose. But several guys I know with freshwater sumps just T off the return and let the sump pump do the water and then as you said, refill the sump and let the sump pump refill the tank.

[ZX10R]

Thanks warlock.

thanks Sean, totally agree that canisters are a pain. I had one on a 180 fresh once upon a time. I would be interested in you DIY plan for your sump. I do have a sump on my reef tank. I have a 75 gallon reef with a 15 gallon sump. It is a 3 chamber sump used as a fuge. Input chamber has the protein skimmer, middle chamber is the refugium‎ with a light and macro algae and third is the return pump. Nice simple design.

thanks 2wheelsx2, I do like the increased water volume and the noise is no problem. Not sure how to do water changes out of a sump unless you pump your new water to the sump and use the sump pump to return the water to the tank.

Pretty much what I am doing a three chamber sump. I age my water in a 55 gallon barrel so my plans are to put a T in my drain from my overflow box with ball valves. I will close the valve to my sump turn that pump off then open the drain to outside then put the hose from my aged water in and flush the tank.

First Section: 100 micron filter bags (2)
Second Section: Bio Media (AKA pot scubbies)
Third Section: Return pump 1000 gph

[Second Hand Pat]

Pot scubbies for bio-media, really??? which ones?

[saltydog]

I have a sump on my 180 being it was previously my reef tank and it works great, I had to do some adjustments with the PVC pipes so they were more submerged though. it is also planted with CO2 injection. although there is some gas off of it still works good I just have to replace my canister a couple of times a year.

By the way I use pot scrubbers too They have a great surface area for biologics. Cheap too. I think I paid like $1.00 for 2 packs of 8 or 12 I think. it has been a while back though.

Here is a link to pot scrubbers here on simply
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=62944

[Second Hand Pat]

Here is a link to pot scrubbers here on simply
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=62944

Thanks saltydog, I needed that link. I'm thinking the metal copper pot scrubbers and I know that can not be right. I would not mind a 180 again. I still have the stand and hood for it. Left the tank in the wall of the old house. What an awesome discus tank that would make.

Thanks again for all the ideas. Now to find a tank. Back to craigslist.

[ZX10R]

Pot scubbies for bio-media, really??? which ones?

Yep they wrok great. I buy the ones from Dollar Store you can get a pack of 6 or 8 for around a dollar.

[DerekFF]

I use both, a canister on my 75 and a home made 20g sump on my 110. The sump is the easiest to customize, modify and clean for maintenance and it also increases the amount of overall water that you can have. My tank also has an overflow built in though. After experiencing both styles of filters, im gonna have to go with the sump for its ease of maintenance, setup and cost and just overall great job at doing what it does.

[jannie]

To make your sump as quiet as possable check link below
http://www.dursostandpipes.com/
Can hardly hear mine now since i done the mod

You can use a sump for anything you want (bio, mechanical, chemical), but the main thing is the increased water volume. It will also allow you to move everything outside of the tank like heaters, probes, etc. You can even do water changes out of the sump without disturbing the fish. As long as you are comfortable putting it together and don't mind the noise (they're never going to be as quiet as a good canister), then sump is the way to go.

[2wheelsx2]

You can use a Durso mod or a stockman mod, but neither is going to be completely silent like a good canister. That was my criteria for a tank in my bedroom.

[csarkar001]

You can use a Durso mod or a stockman mod, but neither is going to be completely silent like a good canister. That was my criteria for a tank in my bedroom.

you can get a professionally made stockman for $20. its sold under the name: maggie muffler.