Sump built no room for bio media ADVICE NEEDED

Freshwater .This 29 gallon sump was built for me. ZFOr 90 gallon tank. The design was for my filter pad media section and bio balls that are already seeded. I took another look and see no room for my bio balls plus grate area unless I skip the filter pad or put the pads on the small area.


I did not realize it was bulit by design for ceramic media and media socks and not bio balls. The tallest has three holes for overflow.



Any advice appreciated. Pump is rio2500 and heater go together. ( I was told to float bio wheels with pump?) Maybe do bio balls in second compartment?

I appreciate your time and advice.

 

I would do bio balls in the pump chamber you said you are running filter socks? that should be all the mechanical filtration you need id say put bio media or plants in the 2nd chamber (plants when doing well "eat'' ammonia and help out quite a bit

 

HI Tamara,
What was the intended design and water flow and water levels?
What is the intention of the overflow holes?
Just trying to picture what was intended to happen.

That said, I would consider cutting the left hand baffle out, lifting it an 1" or 2", then putting some supports in to hold the egg crate, and bio balls on top.
I would then treat the left section as the intake. I would also add another baffle to the middle/right section so that the water goes over the baffle.
The idea, water enters the left section, flows over the bio balls, then from the bottom, travels to the middle section. Over -> under -> over baffles to the return section.
Remember too that the water level will balance out at the lowest baffle.

If you wanted a higher level, remove the small baffle from the return section. I don't think micro bubbles would be a problem for you (unlike a Saltwater system with a skimmer), and thus the bubble trap type baffles you have may not be required.

 

Here is new design. Thanks for all the responses as it makes a difference.

 

Which end is the return section?
If it is the right side, I don't think this design will work. The water won't be able to get high enough to get to the third chamber.

If the return is the far left side, after the bio-balls, is it going to be able to hold enough water for the return pump to stay submersed? What about after evaporation?

When all the silicone dries, take it outside and fill it with water, one as a leak test, and two, you'll see how the water will flow through it.

 

The pump is on left hand side.

Thanks for your input.