sump or externals?

[Rich Jackson]

Could I just put a couple of pond plant baskets above my sump and feed the overflow into them and let water trickle into sump? What media would I put in baskets?

 

[foxfish]

I don't know if there is a best way as it depends on the space available but in principle all you need a box containing some free flowing material like bio balls, the box is placed above the water level.
The balls need an even flow of water to travel down over them, this can be achieved by either the overflow return from the tank or a separate pump installed in the sump.
Plastic lunch box or B&Q storage boxes are great & easy to modify, you just need a bit of pipe & a small power head to construct a basic trickle filter.

 

[Rich Jackson]

Cool thanks. Will look into that and give it a go!

 

[foxfish]

My sump is actually at the same level as my tank & set behind a false wall but you can see I just use a B&Q plastic box with a spray bar fitted in the top & filled with bio balls & ceramic rings.

 

[Rich Jackson]

Does the trickle tower have to be sealed?

 

[foxfish]

Not if you are low tech.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Does the trickle tower have to be sealed?

No like "Foxfish" says you aren't adding CO2, so levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are going to be higher than in the tank water. The more gas exchange you have the better.

cheers Darrel