Sump questions

[silentspidey]

So im planning to do a DIY Sump with a overflow box. The only thing is i dont know what size tank to use for my 75 gallon tank. Does it matter or should i just shove the biggest thing i can do? How could i make it a higher GPH flowrate? would that just be up to the return pump? Is this gonna keep the tank cleaner since the filtration should be better? or will i have to add powerheads?

75 Gallon Freshwater
2 Penguin 330
1 Oscar
2 Jack Dempseys
2 Convicts
3 Cory Cats
1 Pleco

i know not the best setup but i have been distracted with my 20 gallon planted tank. I feel like i have been neglecting my big tank.

Thanks in advance for the replies

-spidey

[Sarkazmo]

The sump's size should be large enough for all your filtration, heaters, etc. A 20G High or a 29G would work great.

Flow is going to be determined by your pump. The larger the pump, the higher the flow. Of course your overflow box needs to be able to handle the high volume pump or it'll fill up and run over and you'll have a flood.

You also need to make sure of your min and max volumes of water for the sump. You need a low enough MAX so that if the power goes off and the water back siphons that you don't end up with a flood. But the MIN needs to be high enough for all the equipment you'll be putting in the sump.

The bigger the sump the better as you're adding to the total volume of water which will buffer any changes that take place in the tank allowing for your to carry a higher bio-load without risking the health of your fish.

To be honest though, two Penguin 330's is pretty good filtration for what you've got. Are you just wanting to hide all the equipment or what?

Sark

[silentspidey]

really just not impressed with whats it doing. i have alot of dead spots. in the middle and in the corners so i see alot of debri in the water. just like chewed food or maybe some waist. Its just every time i do a water change its just really dirty and i figure with better filtration would help me with water changes.
what should i do? is a sump not a good way to go?

[MonkeyPox]

Adding filtration won't prevent the need or frequency of water changes. Biological filtration converts ammonia to nitrite and then nitrite to nitrate. Nitrate is practically removed by water changes. Adding more filtration does not impact the amount of nitrate that is produced, which will be a lot with your stocking.

When people describe their water as being dirty, they are usually referencing products they can see in the water column such as uneaten food or other particles. Generally this is a product of mechanical filtration, which you can impact by adding something like a low micron sock or polyester fill you can grab at walmart.

You have heavy waste producing fish, so you can expect to see feces and food waste on the bottom of your tank. You can add powerheads to help stir the bottom of your tank around some, but suctioning off the gravel during a water change is really your best option.

[silentspidey]

Well i will be looking into adding some powerheads. Stirring up the gravel seems to be the best idea. It just looks like there not pulling in with a strong enough force to pull in debri.

Yea my fish like to poop....lol

any other ideas. maybe a powerhead powering a few undergravel pvc pipe jets moving the water under or i am just drunk and my imagination is runnin

[MonkeyPox]

None of the fish you listed like a particularly large amount of water movement, so as you increase powerheads you also increase stress.
No matter how much water movement you provide, it will not in any way eliminate the problem you are attempting to cure. Reducing your stock is the only way to accomplish that.

[silentspidey]

So i just have really messy fish. >< I knew Oscar was messy but didnt think the others were. But i would say its more my Jack Dempseys than my oscar. I did plan on moving one of them just to maybe replace him with something less aggressive.

Thanks for the info.

Then there has to be other good things about having a sump. Im starting to second guess doing one for my tank. What else are they good for then besides hiding the equipment?

-Spidey

[MonkeyPox]

They have a much larger capacity for bio media then a canister or hob filter. They also increase your total water volume, which can help with stability. Hiding equipment and keeping a constant water level in the tank are the main reasons in a fresh water environment.