Equipment Review and Discussion :: Freshwater Sump: Good or Bad

[Drake33535]

Im working on a design for a new tank for my little RES, Jackson. I love Saltwater aquariums and have fallen in love with the idea of a Sump. The only thing is that I am having trouble with the media.

My current thinking is thus:
1. Mechanical filtration on drain tubes
2. Anachiris or another freshwater plant to act as a nitrate remover <refugium>
3. Sand for more biomass<refugium>
4. Carbon(This I am unsure of)

All of this would be kept in underneath the Display tank along with heaters and plumbing.

Is there anyone out there who is using a sump for the their turtle and can give me some advice?

[steve]

Sounds very interesting. Would you need supplemental lighting for the anarchis?

[jozzep]

I think Chris AKA "paapoopeepoo" has something like that.
I love my canisters...

[papoopeepoo]

I say it's a very good idea. I've been running my sump/refugium since the beginning of summer, so about 4 months. I haven't done more than 2 filter cleanings on my FX5 (making it 3 today) and have only done about two 25% water changes during the life of the refug (most of which being during the first few weeks after setting it up).

Here's a link to my post about the setup:
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22117

I'm still growing plants in my refug, and I've calibrated my heater so that it is down there too.

For me, the main advantages are: low maintenance, surface skimming from the overflow, constant water level in the main tank (so temps on basking areas are always perfect), and I can keep a few feeder fish in the sump if I don't want to give too many to the turtle at once.

[Drake33535]

Papoopeepoo,
Is the sump your only form of filtration or are you also using a canister?

I like the idea of putting little fish and shrimp in the refugium. it would make a great little side show next to the turtle.

[papoopeepoo]

Papoopeepoo,
Is the sump your only form of filtration or are you also using a canister?

I like the idea of putting little fish and shrimp in the refugium. it would make a great little side show next to the turtle.

The refug has plants, gravel, and some chemical media to keep it all accessible. Most of the mechanical and biological filtration happens in my Fluval FX5.