Please review my sump tank

[IceBikers]

Hi.. please check out my tank(my dad's actually) and the sump tank.
http://hongheng.fotopic.net/c1044099.html
Tank used for arowana. The tank is 5x2x2 n the sump is 3x2x2. My dad paid for de sump tank done by person from aquarium shop. It only has 3 compartment

1st: wool n jap mat
2nd: rocks and small bag of carbons.
3rd: coral chips
*According to the photos the coral chips was at 2nd compartment because i forgot to put it back after some adjustments at third compartment. Bio balls is used. a small pump at the 3rd compartment is used to pump back the water to first compartment thru the UV device.(my idea, wasn't know work or not).

Problem: the ph level is very high!!! i tried to remove the coral chip and it is still de same. How to reduce ph, those ph lower fluid from de market is very expensive. any natural way?

Changes wishes to be made.
1st: Waters are pump back to the tank thru the UV.
2nd: Replace all rocks at 2nd compartment with ceramic rings, or remain half of the rocks n add in ceramic rings.

if i were to replace all rocks with ceramics rings, how many will i need?

What do u think? does rock really works? or ceramic rings is better?

Thank you.

[xXx]

my opinion:
take out the carbon unless ur water is very cloudy or u wanna remove medication tat u add in and carbon is dangerous as it will release the substance that it absorbed and also normal usage 2-3 mths and wat rock did u add is it ammonia rock?
slowly add in coral chips to adjust ur desire ph, if too high can add black water, ketapan leaf or i heard peats also can bring down ph.
i suggest tat u throw ur bio ball away as i find it useless and waste or space and use course ceramic ring or sintered glass ring and how many kg i dunno maybe ard 10kg up to indivual
for UV its to kill bacterial and also for clear water but no matter good or bad bacterial will kill by the UV so i dun think is good
so run well with with ceramic ring u will hv clear and good water soon
tats my own opinion only.........:teeth_smile:

[rahimi]

I think it is ok !!!

[Hendri]

very nice setup.... still ok

[daniel]

Bioballs are mainly used in a dry-wet part of the sump and above the water level. It is normally placed at the first compartment where the water flows in from the tank above.

From your diagram, the basket that collect the wool looks not secure. The wood may absorb the mositure from the water and give way later.

Active carbon is normally used to remove medication after treatment and remove smell from the water. Once it losts it capacity to absorb chemical, it will release back to the water, so it requires regular change.

I do not know about the rock used. Is it zeolite rock which is used to absorb ammonia? If it is zeolite rock, you need to recharge them after a few months of usage with salt water. They are good for benefical bacteria to grow on them. Most people use lava rock which has a higher surface area for BB than zeolite rock. I only used zeolite rock when I am cycling my filter or a sudden high ammonia level.

You may want to consider putting the following:
1st compartment: bioballs, jap mat and wool;
2nd compartment: coral chips, creamic/glass rings, lava rocks;
3rd compartment: empty or coral chips.

During the begining of the cycling of tank, the ph may be high but it will drop once the filter is cycled. Hence, coral chips are used for buffering to maintain the ph level at near 7 - 7.5.

[IceBikers]

thank for ur replies guys. well it is just normal rocks use for construction which i personally think it is not effective and efficient there for i ask u guys.

may i know how lava rocks and zeolite rock look like? any photo?


i suggest tat u throw ur bio ball away as i find it useless and waste or space and use course ceramic ring or sintered glass ring and how many kg i dunno maybe ard 10kg up to indivual

what is de different between course ceramic ring or sintered glass ring?

Btw, may i have a looks for u guys's sump tank? :)

thank you

[weeyang19]

Bioballs are mainly used in a dry-wet part of the sump and above the water level. It is normally placed at the first compartment where the water flows in from the tank above.

From your diagram, the basket that collect the wool looks not secure. The wood may absorb the mositure from the water and give way later.

Active carbon is normally used to remove medication after treatment and remove smell from the water. Once it losts it capacity to absorb chemical, it will release back to the water, so it requires regular change.

I do not know about the rock used. Is it zeolite rock which is used to absorb ammonia? If it is zeolite rock, you need to recharge them after a few months of usage with salt water. They are good for benefical bacteria to grow on them. Most people use lava rock which has a higher surface area for BB than zeolite rock. I only used zeolite rock when I am cycling my filter or a sudden high ammonia level.

You may want to consider putting the following:
1st compartment: bioballs, jap mat and wool;
2nd compartment: coral chips, creamic/glass rings, lava rocks;
3rd compartment: empty or coral chips.

During the begining of the cycling of tank, the ph may be high but it will drop once the filter is cycled. Hence, coral chips are used for buffering to maintain the ph level at near 7 - 7.5.

agree with bro daniel