Filter Media In Overflow

[psycho-killer]

hey all,

om my new tank has an overflow with is the same bredht as the tank 50cm and about 15 cm in lengt on the side of the tank,

can i use say a 10cm layer of crushed coral,10cm layer of ceramic rings,and then alot of live rock, and ontop use filter wool than will be cleaned weekly ? is that ok or will that trap nitrate ?

in my first compartment (water inle) i will only use as much live rock as i can then the secind is my skimmer and uv filter,then then a compartment with acitvated carbon and elimi-phos,and the last is my heaters and return pump.i have alot of surface movement and my 3 150 watt metal halides about 30cm from the top of the tank,and have 2x 6000L seio;s for water movement and alot of live rock thats going into the display,my return pumps is 6000L as well,the pipe that returns is about 5 cm under water and uses a upside down T so the water is going right and left so if the pump goes of the water drops by about 6cm so not to create a backflow. its been tested and works hehe,

im also getting a nitrate and phosphate reactor to go into the sump and an auto topoff,

does this sound ok ??

thanks all,



i also have a cube 60 litres with 2x 18watt pc lights and night leds a skimmer a heater and uses a 450l pump and ceramic rings and carbon and elimi-phos,the pump running at the moment doesnt create alot of water movement can i just use a small powerhead for movement ? in the filter compartment the water is also very slow moving will that create a problem with filtration ?

thanks all sorry for the long post....

 

[andywg]

The overflow idea should be ok, but consider what will happen if you ever need to get to anything in there. I'm not saying don't do it, and it should work well (especially if you can easily replace the filter wool).

Rather than allow the return pipe to backflow so far, why not drill a small hole at or just below the water level when the return pump is in operation? This will allow you to keep more water in the display tank and make topping up the sump a less frequent occurence.