12 replies to this topic

[Charga]

I am just setting up a sump filter for the first time and the last piece of the puzzle I am looking for is does anyone know where to get a rigid plastic mesh sheet to cut to size that can go under the bio media but hold it off the bottom of the tank to allow free flowing under the first glass divider. I can`t find anything at Bunnings or Masters unless I buy a sheet of acrylic and drill the holes as I need them

[jeffblack]

I used egg crate, available from most plastic suppliers or maybe one of the sponsors has some.

[malawiman85]

+1
Egg crate is good. I have used flywire mesh before too. Just got to have a frame of innert material to silicone to or depending on the media just silicone the mesh across the gap under the divider.
Use egg crate though if you can get it.

[Charga]

Thanks guys I have made a couple of calls and found some egg crate after googling it that is exactly what I was after might even use a piece as a divider in my sump main section so I can run plants on one side and the return pump on the oher

[kassysimon]

Where did you get it from mate?

[Charga]

Vebas have it in stock

[Charga]

I just had another issue with my sump as I have a one way valve mounted in the return pipe (bilge pump valve from BCF from the pump to the display tank so it doesn`t flood if the if the power goes out on my house. But I just had to turn the power off for some electrical work and the one way valve has failed so I am curious what system do other people use to stop drain back.

[kassysimon]

A sump large enough to hold the water that drains into it.
If you do want to use a check halve you a flap valve as it's less likely to fail.
But I've never used one and most people don't.
A correctly designed sump will have enough room to hold the water that drains out.
That's what you should be aiming for because then you don't need to rely on a check valve.


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[Evil_Boof]

I use a philmac one way valve. Brought for $10-20 at any good retic shop. Hasnt failed for me! Its on a 6x2 with a 3ft sump running 4000lph

[Charga]

Thanks guys I my sump is big enough to catch it but I it goes close I could always raise my pump outlet higher in the display tank but I like the safety of having a one way valve as I travel with work heaps. I will have to checkout a retic shop I think thanks

[kassysimon]

Better to raise it mate. Nothing to rely on that way.


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[Labcat]

In a retic shop the other day looking for a check valve. The poly one they had needed too much forward pressure to open up for my purposes, and the gate valves were all brass. The idea struck to use a pair of threaded 15mm to 25mm poly-pipe adaptors screwed together in such a fashion as to create a cavity and put a marble inside. A piece of random plastic also jammed in stops the marble from blocking one end...

[malawiman85]

I use a 40mm one way vavle from a pool shop. Bit more expensive but worth It.

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