Sump Filtration - What do you use?

[AquaStudent]

Here's a design #3. It's a slight modification on the second design. The difference is instead of a weir after the fluidized bed I have a screen or drilled acrylic. Not sure how the air bubbles would be forming. It's hard visualizing where to put a weir after the fluidized bed and still be able to mostly fill the tank.

Perhaps I could just put a screen in front of the pump instead...

 

[AquaStudent]

I think I've decided on a pump. I'm liking the 700gph Mag Drive (as talked up by a few of you). With few feet of head in my system it won't be 700 gph but that should be more than enough for my system.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4587+4590&pcatid=4590&r=488

Now the next debate is the overflow size. I'm trying to decide between 1" and 1.5". The reef central suggestion for minimum overflow size at 700 gph is 1.09". So with the head height 1" should be adequate. I'd like to go with the larger size for safety but I don't want noise to be amplified.

Thinking...thinking...

 

[DougGosnell]

I can not tell you how many times I went back and forth when doing my filtration system. In the end, I think I did the simplest one and think it was the best.