Build Detritus Trap in Sump

[fernandokng]

Does anyone know how to design/build a detritus trap in a sump?

What I'm looking to do is build something in the first compartment of my sump (where display tank drains - right before the skimmer comparment) to trap detritus, so it settles mostly in that location (so that I can easily siphon out during water changes). Currently, most of the detritus settles between all the different comparment and it's a PITA to clean out.

Someone in MR mentioned this to me before, but I haven't found any reading material on the web.

I'm also not looking to use filter socks, or put rocks/bio balls in the compartment.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[jhale]

I have seen people place a piece of glass or acrylic at an angle in the first compartment.
this will allow the detritus to collect at the bottom in a small area rather than spread out all over the floor of the sump.

 

[autoponicz]

it will depend on your flow in the sump too...if its fast...then the detritus will still get carried to the other compartments...

 

[ZANYMASTER]

Yup,it's pain to clean out when you've got tight baffles(Thanks Jeff).:lol:

 

[h20 freak]

Why not just put a poly filter or filter sponge somewhere in the intake?

 

[fernandokng]

Then it becomes like a filter sock.

I'm trying to avoid filter socks altogether, since I don't want to be consistently cleaning it every 3 days

I will try to stick a glass in there as jhale suggested, but I'm sure I'll have to fiddle around with it so it catches the detritus perfectly.

 

[boardryder]

The angled piece sounds like a good idea.

 

[fernandokng]

Tried it overnight, but doesn't seem to be catching anything. The water seems to be gushing down too fast, as mentioned by autoponicz.

Either that, or I'm angling it incorrectly.

 

[nanoreefer22]

Pics?

 

[boardryder]

How about some foam? Depending on the porosity it will trap the detrius for sure. Just check how a canister filter works. Easy to clean too. Just pull it out and rinse it.

 

[fernandokng]

Not planning to use foam either (it would be the same as using a filter sock) - I want to avoid cleaning it so often...

I'll try to put up some pics tonight.

 

[autoponicz]

honestly...good husbandry is part of a sucessful tank

 

[fernandokng]

Yup, totally agree - husbandry is critical. But I have been reading that there are reefers out there who don't use filter socks. School of thought is that the skimmer would skim the items that would otherwise be caught in the filter sock.

My result has been great with the filter sock. <2ppm nitrate on the salifert kit.

Just looking to experiment to see if there is truth in this theory. And if there is truth, then I'd also save myself 20 minutes of handwashing the filter socks every 3 days

The results after 2 days with no filter sock - skimmer has not pulled out as much as it did before with the filter sock. I will give it sometime though, as I also changed to a new sump set up, and that could be having an impact on the skimmate.

(Not sure if there is truth to this, but I think that the skimmer pulls out more with a filter sock because of the detritus/food trapped decaying with in the sock - and since my skimmer's water intake is right next to the filter sock, most of the dirty sock water is going directly there.)

 

[reefman]

i dont use filter sock. but not cause of no3 or any other reason other than trying to keep as much pods as possible. my 1st baffle just have a openning in the middle. i use a T at the end of the input pipe to stop detritis from being stir up at the bottom. not all but most of the dirt will settle at the bottom over time.

 

[fernandokng]

Reefman - do you have a pic of how it looks like?

Here's the set up of mine. It's not catching detritus - it's been 3 days.

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=20506&catid=member&imageuser=3313

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=20505&catid=member&imageuser=3313

Few notes:

1. The blue is a cup - I put it over the drain so that it doesn't splash all over the place

2. The diagonal glass is only 10 inches wide, while the sump is 12 inches wide. So there's about 2 inches of space between the diagonal glass and the side of the sump.
It's even placed in the middle - 1 inch on each side.

Any suggestions? Should the diagonal glass be placed at a 45 degree angle instead? (rather than at ~135 degree as it currently).

 

[reefman]

heres a pic of the 1st baffle. note: the top n bottom is closed off. this enbles dirt to settle to bottom n prevent big bubbles to get to 2nd compartment.

 

[mmike1992]

i have this for about 2 years works great every other week i vacuum out the sump.really well made and easy to clean takes me about 10 min. from start to finish
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3728+3895&pcatid=3895

 

[fernandokng]

This looks neat. Not sure if I understand what you mean the top and bottom is closed off.

From what I see is:

Water is entering from the top, via a drain pipe, and exiting at the right of the T (where micro bubbles are showing).

Do you mean that the top where the drain pipe is entering is sealed?

And Do you also mean the opening on the left is sealed?

heres a pic of the 1st baffle. note: the top n bottom is closed off. this enbles dirt to settle to bottom n prevent big bubbles to get to 2nd compartment.

 

[fernandokng]

Mike - seen this before, looks cool, but too expensive for me :tongue1:

i have this for about 2 years works great every other week i vacuum out the sump.really well made and easy to clean takes me about 10 min. from start to finish
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3728+3895&pcatid=3895

 

[reefman]

This looks neat. Not sure if I understand what you mean the top and bottom is closed off.

Do you mean that the top where the drain pipe is entering is sealed?

the water is only able to get into the 2nd comp. from the middle gap.