What would be a good sump setup for my 300 gallon freshwater tank? Plants, gravel/rock, bioballs?

Question

I have a 300 gallon tank that was originally used as a salt water tank. I was planning on using it as a cichlid tank with some tiger oscars and convicts. There is an overflow and a sump. I have heard of using sumps or a "refugium" in freshwater tanks as a biological filter and also to add oxygen to the water. I was wondering if this would be an effective method. I can just as easily not fill the tank up all the way and not use the overflow. I have a couple of canister filters and an emperor 4000 biological filter. What would be the best setup for this "refugium" to benefit my tank, or is it even worth the trouble? Should I just stick to the normal setup without the overflow? I have not setup this tank yet, but I wanted to look into this before I decided how it was to be setup.

Also, what kind of problems would this cause if the electricity were to go out?

Answer 1

The biggest problem when the electric goes out is that you'll need to account for the water in the plumbing draining back into the sump - you won't be able to keep it filled to the top or it will overflow. Before you start the system, for good, only fill the sump enough that there are a few inches of water over the pump to return the water to the main tank. Start the system up and mark where the water level is on the side of the sump. Shut the system down and wait for the water to drain back into the sump and mark the water level again. The distance between the marks is the minimum distance from the top of the sump that the water level should be when filled. You should allow some extra if you're going to use plants, gravel, etc. in the sump (or even better, have them in place when you run the test).

Either a wet/dry or refugium will give good biological filtration. I've also seen sumps where these are combined. If you're planning to use plants, you'll need additional lighting for the sump, and plants that fit with the intensity of the light you provide. Since you won't be seeing the plants, you can go for better nutrient removers rather than looks. I'll include a listing of plants below with lighting and other requirements.

The canister would also work, but if you can't raist the water level to the very top of the tank because of the overflow, you might put some strain on the motor of the Emporer. Would depend on the distance from the water level to the top of the tank (and does your filter siphon water back into the tank if the power goes off, leaving it to run dry when the power comes back on?).

Just my thoughts on the matter.

Answer 2

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