Underworkings of your reef: Do you have media in your sump?

[Peace River]

Underworkings of your reef: Do you have media in your sump?​

Whether it is an old school approach like bio-balls or a more recent approach like purigen, there are many types of media that can be used with a reef tank to accomplish a range of filtration tasks. One of the most common types of media is activated carbon. Depending on the tank style, the media may be placed in the sump below the tank and other times the media is placed in the back chamber of an all-in-one (AIO) system. Regardless of the type or purpose, do you have media in your sump? If so, please let’s us know what you use and feel free to share any related tips!

Photo by @Epic Aquaculture


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[Crabs McJones]

No media, just ran skimmer and a well stocked fuge. Tried carbon once when I was having issues right before teardown.

 

[lapin]

Media : Rock rubble in a big basket middle chamber. Seeded with Premium Seed Cryptic Sponge Pack from Tyree.
Reactors for other media

 

[Reefer Matt]

Not media, per se, but I have live rock in the sumps for my frag tanks. This allows me to use the entire main tank for frag racks.

 

[Reef and Dive]

Yeah. Much more than I needed.

 

[rhitee93]

I keep some live rock in a fuge area, but that is all.

 

[shwareefer]

If sponge covered live rock in the sump is media, then yes.

 

[shakacuz]

chemi pure blue, sponge pads, filter socks, bio media (maxspect and marinepure)

 

[JC1977]

Running two baskets loaded with Siporax.

 

[Dbichler]

Had the bio bricks they turned to mush so cleaned sump now just live rock.

 

[Rob Biederman]

I feel so basic compared to some. Just a marine pure brick and some carbon

 

[Imrahilwjz]

Right now just a marine pure block

 

[Gregg @ ADP]

Does detritus count as media? Because that is the only thing I have in my sump.

 

[MrGisonni]

Brightwell Export Bio Blocks and a few random pieces of live rock

Brightwell Aquatics - MicroBacter Lattice XL

 

[tzabor10]

I always have extra live rocks in my sump. They always come in handy to glue a frag to on its way in. Especially Euphyllia so they don’t get toppled over by the sand sifters. Also keep those bio cubes

 

[steveschuerger]

I use a canister filter as a pseudo sump with my AIO tank. Provides additional mechanical filtration and I use carbon as well

 

[Bob E]

yes, have a couple of midsize blocks with a couple more smalls ones

 

[Spac3Ag3D]

6 months ago I updated to a Trigger Systems Triton 44 sump. It’s been the best move I’ve ever made.

 

[ScottB]

My frag system is on the larger side and my sump is 9' long so yeah, I have a lot of rock and marine pure block down there.

 

[SocalS14]

I keep leftover rock in my sump - I figure just more places to grow bacteria.