Wet/dry Sump Filter

Hello, new to the forum and new to the Wet/Dry Sump filtration system. I was given a 55 corner tank with through tank plumbing. Tank came with a wet/dry sump and UV clarifier. Tank has been up and running for a week and still kinda cloudy not crystal clear. In the sump I have Bac BIO Balls along with a bag of charcoal and media on the top of the Bio Ball side. Should I add a canister filter as well? Looking for recommendations.

Pls share your SUMP setups!

THANKS!

 

Can you take a picture of your sump?

 

 

Its hard to see but that drawer should have mechanical media in it. The charcoal should be in the last compartment not on top of the bio balls. The water level should be no higher then the first level of bio bslls on the tray. you can put bags of matrix below the bio ball tray. You should'nt need a canister. I would give it a few more weeks and the water should clear.

 

What's the actual flow rate on the return pump given all the head loss and plumbing, etc. ? What mechanical filtration do you have? Looks like your missing mechanical filtration to me.

Also, the UV filter shouldn't be hanging like that. The tube needs to be parallel to ground and the tubing needs to be perpendicular to the ground (pointing straight up/down) to avoid any air bubbles in the UV filter chamber. I would affix to wall or adjust its position somehow. Water flowing into the UV filter needs to be very clean and little to no turbidity (cloudiness) in order for UV filter to be effective. I have a DIY "quick filter" on my return pump consisting of polyfil (stuff used to stuff pillows, etc.) that works like a polishing pad. Keeps water crystal clear and UV filter at its optimal cleaning potential.

Sumps are awesome, I wouldn't get another filter. Perhaps get a sponge and throw into the sump to grow some bacteria on it in case of failure or if you wanted seeded filter for another tank.

 

What's the actual flow rate on the return pump given all the head loss and plumbing, etc. ? What mechanical filtration do you have? Looks like your missing mechanical filtration to me.

Also, the UV filter shouldn't be hanging like that. The tube needs to be parallel to ground and the tubing needs to be perpendicular to the ground (pointing straight up/down) to avoid any air bubbles in the UV filter chamber. I would affix to wall or adjust its position somehow. Water flowing into the UV filter needs to be very clean and little to no turbidity (cloudiness) in order for UV filter to be effective. I have a DIY "quick filter" on my return pump consisting of polyfil (stuff used to stuff pillows, etc.) that works like a polishing pad. Keeps water crystal clear and UV filter at its optimal cleaning potential.

Sumps are awesome, I wouldn't get another filter. Perhaps get a sponge and throw into the sump to grow some bacteria on it in case of failure or if you wanted seeded filter for another tank.

Yes I know my plumbing needs drastic work and will be done soon for the UV filter. The sump is setup with white coarse foam on top tray of the bio balls not Charcoal. The charcoal is on the pump side.

 

Its hard to see but that drawer should have mechanical media in it. The charcoal should be in the last compartment not on top of the bio balls. The water level should be no higher then the first level of bio bslls on the tray. you can put bags of matrix below the bio ball tray. You should'nt need a canister. I would give it a few more weeks and the water should clear.

Charcoal is on the return pump side, I have a coarse foam on the first level where the water enters the sump. Should the matrix be under the Bio Balls? This is my first time ever with a sump and was given the whole setup.

 

If this is a new setup and hasn't cycled yet, do not run your UV filter! Wait till you are cycled then turn it on.

Is the tank cycled? Is this all new biomedia? Sometimes new tanks get cloudy. The solution is to cycle it properly. What are your water parameters?

I have a 55 gallon tank with 29 sump with Poret filter blocks as baffles (mattenfilter style) and a UV filter on the return giving me level 2 sterilization. Water was crystal clear before I added the UV. I use UV to control disease as I had mysterious deaths I couldn't diagnose. Not for cloudy water or green water control.

 

Charcoal is on the return pump side, I have a coarse foam on the first level where the water enters the sump. Should the matrix be under the Bio Balls? This is my first time ever with a sump and was given the whole setup.

Yes the matrix should be submerged and bio balls should not be. I would put some filter floss or a fine pad under the coarse. You probably have a bacteria bloom if the tank isn't cycled, it should go away in a few weeks. You could add a water polisher to the tank using a bottle and a power head.