Planted Sump?

[Zante]

I am designing a fairly large tank, and would like to use a sump as filtration.

I was thinking of using a sump divided in three sections: first one with the usual sponges and media, third one with heaters, pumps, and co2 reactor.

It's the second section that I think is a bit unusual: a planted section.

The idea is to put a layer of substrate and plant something like vallisneria that will grow and grow, and absorb any pollutants. I would mow it every now and then, and time the lighting in the sump to be on when the lighting in the display tank is off. This way I'd also have more ph stability, since there would be plants absorbing the injected co2 round the clock.

A handful of snails would keep the planted section of the sump clean.

Anyone already tried something like this?
Is it worth it or is it just a gimmick?

 

[wirralbull]

look up refugium. i think thats how to spell it. i am planning a sump filtration system at the moment so will keep watching youre thread

 

[Zante]

Don't hold your breath

The tank is still a long way off, I'm still deciding what to do with it and how.

 

[nmonks]

Yes, it's been done many, many times. But by marine aquarists. They use algae (which grow much faster than the plants we tend to grow) and consequently remove ammonia and nitrate quickly enough to make a difference.

The use "algal scrubbers" in freshwater applications is primarily a topic of interest to professional aquarists and those performing real-world water management issues. If you read a book like "Dynamic Aquaria" you'll find lots of technical background and design plans. But in practise, a hobbyist can rig up something worthwhile using anything that grows quickly. Floating plants are the obvious ideal, since they don't need a substrate and a very easy to crop without causing the remaining plants damage. Vallisneria grows fast, but trimming the leaves is difficult, and obviously it needs a deep substrate.

Cheers, Neale

Anyone already tried something like this?
Is it worth it or is it just a gimmick?