Sump & Filtration Advice - Tropical/freshwater Tank

[zoddy]

I recently was given a 3 foot display tank to replace a 2 foot shrimp tank I used to have. I am now wanting to use this 3 foot tank for keeping tropical fish in a reasonably heavily planted tank.
The fish I am considering primarily is Gouramis, and maybe some catfish to assist in keeping the tank clean.

I'm not sure what substrate I'm using yet, but my guess it will be whiteish in colour as the stand is black and I'd like to contrast against this.

I was thinking of using the 2 foot tank as a sump below the 3 foot and using a syphon to feed the sump (I have a design I'm bringing across from my marine tank which is auto starting and I've used for years - so its a proven method of safely syphoning). In the sump I want to store my heater and filtration media to keep the display tank clear of clutter.

I've read that this method might remove CO2 from the water therefore stunting or killing my plant growth - obviously something I don't want to do. What methods are possible to still utilise the sump without killing my plant growth? My design was going to be similar to this one from Monster Fish Keepers which uses bioballs in the central compartment before returning the water to the display tank.

Is this a viable method, or will it still reduce too much CO2 from the water?
My overall goal is to have a filtration method which has reduced visability from the main tank, including (if possible) hiding heating devices etc.. due to the small display tank size.

 

[andywg]

Your problem will be that the CO2 will be driven out through increased surface area and surface agitation (when the water is running down the drains).

You can do planted tanks with sumps, but you will have to do a fair amount ot counteract the effect of the sump. Generally I wouldn't recommend a sump if you want plants top form a central part of the tank.

 

[zoddy]

You can do planted tanks with sumps, but you will have to do a fair amount ot counteract the effect of the sump. Generally I wouldn't recommend a sump if you want plants top form a central part of the tank.

Thanks for your quick reply, would using a Co2 reactor system combat the loss effectively enough? Plants will feature heavily in the tank, so perhaps the sump is a no go. Should I just use a good external canister filter instead and hide the heater with plants?

 

[andywg]

You will be injecting the CO2, but then driving it off again. I would recommend a cannister with an inline heater, then there is no heater in the tank.

 

[zoddy]

I didn't know such a thing existed... Sounds like an ideal solution - Thank you very much for your help and speedy replies.
The sump has been dumped

Just need to find a seller now that can help me with such a filter - in Australia.