Could I use my planted 29g as a sump to filter my new cichlid 90g?

[Complexity]

I was reading aggrofishkeeper's thread about filtration for his tank, and it's making me wonder what I should do for my new 90g tank. I had originally thought I'd do something similar to my 75g planted by using two large canister filters, but now I'm rethinking it.

I know absolutely nothing about wet/dry filters or sumps.

I'm too scared to have the tank drilled so whatever I do will most likely be based around the tank remaining stock.

My understanding is that there are two main issues with cichlid tanks. One is removing nitrates and the other is supplying a high oxygen level in the tank. Is that about it or is there something else I'm not thinking of?

What if I were to put my 29g planted tank under my 90g tank to be used as a sump? I already have the lighting and injected CO2 for that tank with two XP2 canisters. I could use either my 29g tank or a 20L that I have.

And if this was a good idea, could anyone tell me how that would work in conjunction with my 90g tank? Would I still need a wet/dry filter? What about filtering the sump? Could I use my two XP2s somehow?

I don't have to use my 29g planted tank stuff for my 90g if it's not a good idea. I was just wondering if using it might turn out to be a good idea, especially since I already have all the stuff.

[Oscarcrazy]

I think that it is a great idea. You would just need an hang on the back overflow to get the water from the 90 to the 29. You might be able to use the canisters as a kind of return pump to to return the water to the 90. I seen that done with fx5's.

[Rico]

i think you should just drill it. we do it at the store. it only takes a few minutes.

[Complexity]

You guys do? If the store will do it for me, then I'd be willing to do it. I just didn't want to be breaking my own brand new tank.

How many holes would need to be drilled and where would they be located?

[Oscarcrazy]

drilling is by far the easiest way to get water from one tank to the other. Rico can set you up real nice.

[jughead]

i'll take the other side,i wouldnt drill it.to me,the only advantage would be having the tank closer to the wall.that being said,i've had no problems with the 1 drilled tank i have.only limitation on hob overflow boxes is if you trying to move a bunch of water,which shouldnt be an issue with a 90.now,if you're putting a wet dry on a 800.........................

[Mzungu]

Are you talking about using your 29 planted as more of a refugium-style sump? Or emptying it out and using a plain 29g and turning it into a sump?

[Mzungu]

In either case, I would recommend using your 2 canister filter idea instead. Wet/dry's are nitrate factories. Plus, I'm one of those people who don't like to hear my fish tanks, and wet/dry's are pretty darn noisy. :)

[Complexity]

This is all new to me. Does anyone know of a website that offers some basic info on sumps and drilled tanks? I'm pretty lost at the moment.

[Complexity]

Are you talking about using your 29 planted as more of a refugium-style sump? Or emptying it out and using a plain 29g and turning it into a sump?

Good question. I honestly don't know! I don't know what a refugium or a sump is.

Let me put it in very basic terms. I see people who have tanks of some sort underneath their main tanks. I have seen some references to putting plants in those underneath tanks. And I'm thinking... well, I have all this stuff, could it be used to my advantage?

In either case, I would recommend using your 2 canister filter idea instead. Wet/dry's are nitrate factories. Plus, I'm one of those people who don't like to hear my fish tanks, and wet/dry's are pretty darn noisy. :)

Oh, no, I don't want noise!

If wet/dry's are nitrate factories, and high nitrates are a concern with a non-planted tank, then why would a person use one?

[Mzungu]

Lol! Not too sure about that one... :)

You can get a quiet pump, but you're always going to have a sound like a fountain for the tank that uses a wet/dry.

Using plants in your sump is basically a refugium. A refugium is a place to cultivate bacteria, plant and macroalgae (for SW), copepods, and all kinds of other tiny life that can help with your filtration, excess food, live food needs.

For some reason, refugiums aren't really used for freshwater aquariums. Why? No idea on that one, either. Maybe because FW aquarists have pretty much figured out how to keep fish healthy, and a little bit of nitrates doesn't hurt too much. Who knows? I see no reason why you couldn't employ the refugium idea for your FW tank, but it would probably be best to just throw a PC light over your sump, along with some hornwort, and be done with it.
I'm sorry I don't have a good link for you regarding the basics. If someone still hasn't posted one, I'll see what I can find on my bookmarks when I get home tonight.

[Mzungu]

One of the first places I usually check for good advice is wet web media - have you tried there for a good summary?

[Complexity]

You can get a quiet pump, but you're always going to have a sound like a fountain for the tank that uses a wet/dry.

I do not like that sound. I just got an XP1 for my Q/T just to get rid of the sound from the HOB. Sounds like a wet/dry filter may not be in my future. I'm glad you mentioned the sound issue.

I see no reason why you couldn't employ the refugium idea for your FW tank, but it would probably be best to just throw a PC light over your sump, along with some hornwort, and be done with it.

Sounds pretty much the same thing to me. Am I missing something?

One of the first places I usually check for good advice is wet web media - have you tried there for a good summary?

I've looked, but they're format is very chaotic and poorly organized to me so I generally become bleary-eyed reading through multiple pages before finding giving up in exhaustion.

[Darbex]

Its a good idea. The plants will act like a cleaner they will take out the chemicals in the water similar to any filter and they have the added benefit of adding O2. Now if you make it like a true wet/dry you will have the trickle effect with will break the water surface and let CO2 escape and creates that noise. Though I havent had to much noise come from mine. However, if you use two canister filters or pumps one to pump water from the 90G to the 29G and one for the return trip you can put them in the tank and it will not create the water surface disruption and will reduce the noise pollution of a true wet/dry.

[Darbex]

Just my five cents