Set Up Sump

[theotheragentm]

I have pondered setting up a sump as I have some Platy fry, which I am afraid will get caught in the current filter suction intake. I'm not convinced I really want to do it, but I have never seen the equipment to do it. Can someone point me to a gravity drain setup with a pump to put the water back?

 

[nmonks]

I don't know about elsewhere, but in the UK sumps are used primarily in marine aquaria for holding stuff like live rock and large algae. I'd be tempted to ask your question in the marine hardware section of the forums. The mechanics will be identical whether in freshwater or salt.

That said, fry generally don't get sucked into filters provided you use a filter of appropriate size. Anything air powered should be fine. I use a small air pump and a plastic box filter filled with wool and a bit of gravel. Works perfectly.

Cheers,

Neale

 

[Mr Miagi]

Use google. Its endless diagrams, explanations, and instructions.

One of these can accomplish the overflow from the display to your sump tank: (Reef Depot Link, but just for an illustration, you could buy one anywhere) Its an overflow box, and saves you drilling your tank. It keeps a full suction even if the powerruns out, so unlike conventional means, when the power fails, water wont start returning to the tank or sump.

Design your sump, to how easy or complex you like. The best site on the web for a range of designs and tutorials is probably Melev's Reef. Although "reef" and marine, the same principles are the same for any FW sump.

Id be inclined to work on a "refugium" design for your platy fry, that way you basically have a devided section seperated fomr baffles and your return pump, that acts as a mini tank for your fry. You could add light and grow plants, or have oraments, bare bottum, anything you like.