What media to use in my sump

[s.a. boy]

Hi every one as I sure you have realized by by nic I'm new at this! I have bought my tank it's 1300mm x 600mm X 500mm about 390l of water. What media should I use in my sump and how much. For now I'm only going to have fish with live rock in the tank but will add an 1 or 2 anemones later. <img src="graemlins//urrr.gif" border="0" alt="[urrr]" /> <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[marine qa]

Welcome NuBoy,
How are things in sunny South Africa?
For future reference, I believe you have roughly a 100 gallon tank. That will be more familiar to most of us.
The Media used in your sump depends on what type of filtration method you use. I, and many others, have begun filtering our tanks with Live Sand, Live Rock, life-filled mud, etc. These systems requre a living substrate with generally low water circulation. Look at my post below for a simple, yet untraditional, version of this sump.
Other sumps employ media like balls with many tiny holes, and sponge filters. These generally do not have any substrate.
The answer to your substrate question will probably depend on what you can get. Just for your information, I have had trouble getting Live Sand through international customs.
Good Luck.

 

[s.a. boy]

Very Nice Tank you have There Marine QA,
South Africa isn't bad these day!(HOT)
Thanks for the advice. Not need to get live rock through customs I have a few good suppliers here. I was just looking for some advice.
How big is the pump you are using in that tank?

 

[ramone]

In regaurds to the response above, What if you have a tank that has LR and LS plus a pre-filter, Protein skimmer, bio-balls and charcoal? Does that mean that it is twice as good as just using LR and LS for your filtration? Just wondering ! <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[bt_1999_66]

Ramone,
That's almost exactly what I am finally using and it's working for me...!
Have had Lr for about 2 years...
Skimmer for about 2 years...
Live sand, but only 2" for 2 years.. Just added another 3" a couple of weeks ago...
Pre-filter for 2 years....
Bioballs added a couple of weeks ago...
No charcoal..
And now nitrates dropping like never before.... soon to be below 10ppm.
I would say that a combination of these is really working wonders...