phosphate media, carbon - sump

I am currently setting up 2 tanks, one for me and one for my father. My dad's tank has this sump: Marineland Filter Sump model 2 .. I will be taking the biowheel out.

I have this sump.. Proclear 150 Pro with skimmer and prefilter.. I will be taking the bio balls out.


The marineland has 3 or 4 trays where media can go .. carbon, phosphate remover whatever else. My wet/dry sump has a prefilter tray over where the bio balls go which I could fill with media as well. The flow rate over these areas would be same as tank turnover since it has to pass through to get to the return pump. Is this going to work well? compared to a reactor? What kind of media can I use for a trickle setup like this?

Also was thinking I could add an additional tray in the proclear since I don't need the space for the balls. Thoughts? thanks

 

As far as media, I would imagine anything you like... Nitra Zorb, Phos Zorb, things of that nature. And the space where the bio balls used to be could be filled with any number of sponges, filter pads, or even live rock rubble, which seems to be fairly popular these days.

 

I've got the TidePool II which is pretty much the same design and in the top tray I use Quilt batting that I buy for a king sized quilt and cut to fit. One roll will last me a very long time. here's a link, but you can also get it at wally world in the sewing dept.Mountain Mist Polyester Quilt Batting-King Size 120"X120" It's cheaper at wally world, about 18(?) bucks per roll

then for the other 2 I have carbon in them, about a half inch in each tray. I don't run phos anymore, just that stuff.

In the other section I installed a piece of acrylic and made like an overflow into the main area where I've got chaeto and rocks and a little sand.