Will gravel function as good mechanical filtration in a sump system?

Hey guys,

I'm starting to fill my sump (29g) for my 110g tank. I was wondering if gravel would work well as part of the mechanical filtration system.

I will be using filter sponges, filter floss and hopefully, if possible, gravel.

Thanks guys!

 

gravel isn't that great for filtration. The only time I would ever suggest putting gravel in the filter is to transfer the bacteria living on it to new filter media (someone trying to cycle their tank). Beyond that, I think it's worthless as media.

 

Is there any reason why?

I'm not aiming for any bacteria to take up home on there, as I have many, many other places for that to happen. The only job I need it to do is to mechanically filter the water running through it. Would it not be worth it?

 

I would suggest pool filter sand, instead of gravel.

 

Okay... I like that idea. Any pitfalls?

Would it work well? Wouldnt it clog? Maybe if I just stir it up once a week?

 

This is for the sump?

I suppose it would work kind of like the fluval pre filter media, except it wouldn't be nearly as effective. I agree that the pool filter sand would be better - that's why it's used in pool filters, because if it's mechanical filtering abilities (as well as biological). The gravel is just too big and dense.

where do you think this is going to go in the filter?

 

In my sump I have 4 compartments, one being for the return pump and heaters, the rest for the filtration. I'm dedicating one to mech filtration and the other two to bio media.

 

I too would do one mechanical and 2 biological.....but there are FAAAAAAAR better mechanical medias available than gravel.....

 

okay! I'm just looking for available options Something that isn't too costly either.

Do you have anything in mind?

 

Gravel works as a brilliant filter medium for me both mechanically and biologically and I say this because of the measured results I have achieved - so don't discount it.

With filters I have found the best advice is "try it and test it". Some filters are not as good as the advertising claim. You only know by testing the water.

 

Sponges - cheap and they don't have to be replaced.

 

@ Redshark - I actually will try it... It could work, if not it's not difficult to remove it!

@ Jaysee - What sponges exactly? I need something that will fit a 320mm x 150mm compartment? I don't know where to find sponges like that?

 

AC110 sponges are very large and can be cut to fit any form

 

hmmm... I guess I'll just have to investigate at DIY and aquarium stores. I actually do prefer sponges but I just don't know how to use them in that size.

Who will have AC110 sponges?

 

I don't know what stores you have in russia..... Any that carries AquaClears.

 

Russia??

RSA = Republic of South Africa

We have AquaClears everywhere here so maybe i've just been missing something...

I shall check it out

Thanks for the help

 

Ooops. same difference I guess I can stop reading your posts with a russian accent.

 

Sadly, these sponges do have to be replaced.
I have found they only last 12-15 years.

 

Hahaha... What do you mean same difference??! ;D

I'm now worried about how my posts would've actually sounded

@ Dino... Thank you... great consumer advice there ...

 

Glad to be of service.

 

gosh... lol!

 

Same difference because I am not any more knowledgeable about the stores in south africa than the ones in russia.

Now you get a german accent.

 

... german... Why because its the same?... It's really not ;D

 

Okay fine, now you sound like the guy from die hard!

To an untrained ear it sounds similar.

 

All you humans sound the same to me.

Gotta love babble fish.

 

Lol... I choose to submit... simply because I know a losing battle when I see one

 

Lol... I choose to submit... simply because I know a losing battle when I see one

I thought afrikaans was similar to german. Am I wrong?

 

It is a combination of Dutch and German.

 

Wow guys... I'm impressed

Indeed a combo of both, but also has influence from Zulu and SepedI - Both local languages spoken here. South Africa has... 11 official languages and about 93 unofficial ones, so english and afrikaans are common, so are zulu, sotho, xhosa and venda... and from there it becomes chaos. The more rural areas of South Africa are like a whole different country. Trying to communicate with locals in the middle of nowhere places reminds me of the time I went to Tokyo... Bleeg!

Unfortunately afrikaans has it's own accent. Nothing like dutch and nothing like german. The men sound like tree stumps and the woman like very repetitive high pitched birds ;D;D;D

But it is definetely unique, and worthwhile listening to... haha

 

The more rural areas of South Africa are like a whole different country.

There are places in Tennessee that are the exact same way.

 

I can imagine...

 

...and Georgia. The attempt to teach the kids to speak properly pays the bills, though. ;D