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The sump/filter area of my savannah monitor enclosure in photos...
The pool is connected to the sump via a gravity siphon (overflow). The water is then filtered out of the sump and pumped back into the pond. The system has a total water volume of 40 gallons (the pond is 20 gallons and the sump is 20 gallons).
That Mopani driftwood is no longer in the pond. Apparently the rule about burrowing under heavy objects applies to water features too.
20 gallons of water weighs roughly 175 pounds. I didn't want the pond sitting on the substrate, thereby creating a crushing hazard, so the pond is fixed to a shelf.
Underside of the sump shelf
Shelf with FRP (fiber reinforced plastic)
Tub on the shelf. This is a mortar mixing tub from Lowe's
Connection from the pump/filter to the pond
Through this hole
Connection under the enclosure to the pump/filter.
The sump tank is divided into three sections to manipulate water flow. The divisions prevent the pump from becoming clogged by vegetation and from taking in sand, and keep the sediment in place.
Right division lessens the force with which the water enters the sump thereby protecting the substrate and plants in the center.
The left division protects the pump (and many of the fish).
The pump pulls water from the sump through the filter and returns it to the pond.
Input from the pond into the sump, with a grow bulb to the left
This filter was chosen because it's way easier to use than the previous generation of Fluval filters, and considerably less expensive. It's rated for 55 gallons, and if this isn't enough filtration, filter extension modules can be added on.
You have fish in there?! That is something I wouldn't have thought of. Don't the fish add to the stressing of the nitrogen cycle? I see the plants being beneficial as they would draw some out but don't fish just add more? Knowing you, you have researched this thoroughly, do I'm very interested to hear about it.
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The plural of anecdote is not data
Hey! The fish help clean up the detritus that's settling in the sump. They may also be an occasional food item for my sav if they grow large enough.
They don't seem to contribute to the nitrate load at all. Whatever waste they're producing seems negligible compared to what my sav does in that pool. I'm doing 10 gallon water changes every week so everyone seems to be doing well.
Thats great! Love the total ecosystem aspect of it. Im guessing they are bottom feeders that you have in there, so they probably help break down the sav waste too. Do you do your own nitrate/trite testing and pH testing daily? How much does it fluctuate after each waste from your monitor? How long does it take to flatten out again? It seems like quite a lot of water, so Im curious if you can actually see the difference or if it doesnt spike at all.
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The plural of anecdote is not data
that's pretty awesome. I haven't researched fresh water sumps at all, we only have our saltwater one.
does the water level get low easily in the upper tank bin?
also, i can't see what fish are there in the bottom? i like the sand idea....but doesn't the mulch break down "too much" into the water and cause alot of detritus?
how long as this particular system been set up?
very cool, i'm very interested as well! I too know you'll have good answers LOL
shrimp are great for cleanup. do you have other bottom dwellers or snails or anything?
Thats great! Love the total ecosystem aspect of it. Im guessing they are bottom feeders that you have in there, so they probably help break down the sav waste too. Do you do your own nitrate/trite testing and pH testing daily? How much does it fluctuate after each waste from your monitor? How long does it take to flatten out again? It seems like quite a lot of water, so Im curious if you can actually see the difference or if it doesnt spike at all.
Thanks! I just have guppies for now because I wasn't sure how the system would work out or if it could handle the bio-load from Liam. However, it seems to be working out very well because my two fish just produced about twenty fry!!! I test the ammonia, nitrates, and pH every few days and the ammonia starts to increase toward the end of the week so I do a ten gallon water change every week, and that's been working out really well. It seems like the bio-media and bacteria can handle Liam very well. There don't seem to be any spikes at all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jaleely
that's pretty awesome. I haven't researched fresh water sumps at all, we only have our saltwater one.
does the water level get low easily in the upper tank bin?
also, i can't see what fish are there in the bottom? i like the sand idea....but doesn't the mulch break down "too much" into the water and cause alot of detritus?
how long as this particular system been set up?
very cool, i'm very interested as well! I too know you'll have good answers LOL
shrimp are great for cleanup. do you have other bottom dwellers or snails or anything?
The water level doesn't get low in the upper tank and it only drops about an inch over a week in the sump. When I made the video, there were only two fish. They're on the right near the outlet from the pond. The mulch hasn't broken down as far as I can tell. It provided nutrients for the plants while I was cycling the tank. I believe the water system has been running since September. I don't have my notes handy right now, so I don't have the date handy, but the system was cycled for over one month before livestock was added. I also have ghost shrimp and snails in the sump.
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