Where do bio balls go in a sump?
They are not intended to trap detritus and particles, and if you are using them in the sump, should be placed in the area of your sump least likely to come into contact with detritus, normally closest to the return. Detritus should be removed through other forms of filtration such as a filter socks or filter sponges.
Are trickle filters any good?
Trickle filters provide excellent biological filtration, but do not do much for mechanical or chemical filtration.
Are Bioballs effective?
Bio balls provide a place for all the good nitrifying bacteria you need in your tank to live. This is why they have grooves and spaces, as this allows more bacteria to cling to the ball, making these more effective compared to simple spheres.
Do bio balls need to be submerged?
It is also important to remember that bio balls are not meant to stay submerged underwater. They are designed for water to trickle over them so that beneficial bacteria stays wet while the tank water is aerated.
How big should my sump be?
The typical pit is 30 inches in depth and 18 to 24 inches across. The standard sump pit insert available in home improvement centers is 26 gallons and 18 inches diameter. In many cases the pit needs to be a minimum of 24 inches and up to a depth of 36 inches. But some builders just use a common 5-gallon bucket.
What is a wet/dry trickle filter?
A wet/dry filter also referred to as a trickle filter or a bio-tower, is an anaerobic filtration method. The clean filtered water is then deposited back into the aquarium either directly, or first into a sump or some type of water containment area and then returned.
Are Wet Dry sumps good?
They are excellent for salt-water and extremely large aquariums that require heavy biological filtration. The name wet/dry comes from the fact the filter is exposed to aquarium water (wet) and air (dry). This allows ample amount of room for good bacteria colony to grow efficiently.
What size pump do I need for my aquarium sump?
For reef aquariums, the general rule among hobbyists is a turnover/flow rate of 5 to 10 times the tank volume per hour. For example, a return pump for a 50-gallon tank would equal a flow rate of 250-500 GPH (at the point of returning to the display tank).
Can Bioballs be submerged?
