Mechanical filtration
Follow a clean strip of fleece through the filter cradle to the waste roll. The demonstration accelerates clogging so you can see the level sensor request a short advance.
Red Sea · ReefMat operation ↗BENEATH THE SURFACE / AN INTERACTIVE FIELD GUIDE
Inside the reef.
A living reef has a hidden support system.
Take it apart. Follow the water. Discover every layer.
THE COMPLETE SUMP
Preparing the filtration studio…
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Read the filtration guide ↓Drag to orbit · Pinch or scroll to zoom · Select a part
Cutaway removes one side of the housing to reveal the water-filled rotor well. Speed is slowed for inspection.
EXPLODED VIEW
Everything connected.
ASSEMBLEDEXPLODED
THE WATER’S JOURNEY
Different jobs.
One healthy habitat.
- Display & overflowWater leaves the surface by gravity.
- Fleece rollerSuspended debris stays on the moving fleece.
- Skimmer chamberA separate pump mixes water and air; foam carries some organics to a cup.
- Bubble trapOver, under, over: baffles discourage bubbles reaching the return.
- Return pumpThe impeller lifts water back to the display.
Biology is already in the reef. Microbial communities live on rock, sand and other wet surfaces. They transform nitrogen compounds throughout the aquarium; they are not an extra mechanical screen at the end of the sump.
These are complementary processes. Trapping particles, exporting foam and converting ammonia do not replace regular observation, testing and maintenance. Internal circulation pumps move water around the reef separately from the sump return.
Go deeper
Foam fractionation
The skimmer’s water circuit sits inside the larger sump circuit. Water exits below; rising foam reaches the collection cup.
Red Sea · illustrated skimmer manual ↗Biology & circulation
Explore the enlarged rock habitat and the wet rotor inside a return pump. A sump also provides room for other equipment, such as heating and top-off.
TMC · biological filtration ↗Sicce · pump components ↗Return-pump hydraulics
The pump and plumbing meet at an operating point. Compare the three head-pressure examples above, then use the actual manufacturer’s curve for equipment selection.
KSB · system and pump curves ↗References inform the principles; this exhibit does not reproduce a particular product or provide service instructions. Dimensions and equipment sizing must be chosen for an actual aquarium. Isolate real equipment from power before maintenance and follow its manufacturer’s manual.