Mechanical Filtration

[Teeb]

I'm in the process of building a new sump. Space is very tight and I can't find a good spot for a filter sock in my first chamber. It's a basic "skimmer > fuge > return design. I could add a sponge prefilter to my return pump that would help with water polishing, but how important is it to have all the big stuff filtered out before the fuge? My fuge will be nothing but large LR rubble. Am I just asking for a ton of buildup this way?

[Mr.Schertz]

with a sponge yes, just throw some blue poly pad or filter floss in there. THat way you can remove it every couple of days.

[hobogato]

put up a drawing of your design, maybe we can tweak it to get that sock filter or filter pad that mr.shrertz mentioned.

[twychopen]

I put the filter pad in my overflow box. It works great. Its not the prettiest thing in the tank but it does a great job and once the water level starts to rise, I just lift the pad a little bit to clear up flow and start a "new piece". It does wonders in my tank! I wish I had a picture to show you it!

[Teeb]

I was just looking at a standard 3 baffle design. I was looking last night and like the sponge/bubble trap idea on the ADHI sumps. It doesn't look too hard to do. I would just rather it be between the skimmer and fuge instead of the way they have it set up. My biggest issue is making sure that the sponge is in a conveient location so it can be replaced easily.

http://fishpetlove.com/images/FI-DHREFUGIUM-20.jpg