Critique my setup. Need ideas.

[miafish]

Ok here is what my current 55G w/ overflow setup looks like using a wet dry filter.

I want to somehow convert my wet dry into a fuge but there isn’t much room to work with. I was thinking if maybe I can fill the overflow section of the tank with LR rubble. Then use the bioball chamber in the wet dry to have a nice sand bed with the nitrate absorbing plants. I’m just kind of thinking out loud and have a few questions.
Can I use the overflow to store LR rubble?
Can the water flow straight onto the plants and LS or will it just constantly be stirred up.
What will serve as my mechanical filtration, since I will be removing the filter that sits on top of the wet/dry? Maybe I can just leave it on or does the fuge need to be open?
Even if I can set it up like I hope, will it be enough?
Thanks

 

[miafish]

bump

 

[capt.t]

That whole idea of yours is a Giant receipe for Disaster! Are you trying to duplicate a sewer system? I think it's illegal to purposely mutate any living creature... JK buddy! I think you will have to seek the assistance of a professional at your lfs like Henry to get this contraption running. :help: :notsure:

 

[miafish]

Capt.T, what can I say the guy that got me hooked on this told me he knew what he was doing and recommended this nitrate factory setup that I now have. As a matter of fact he has the same current setup and has killed more living organisms than the Exxon oil spill did. He is known among the community as the grim reaper of the aquatic world. Even worse this amateur is thinking of upgrading his tank so he can increase his murder rate and deplete the hobby if its limited livestock. God can only hope that Henry, the lfs owner won’t sell him that 90G he is eying.

 

[capt.t]

I feel your pain! I would not associate with this individual, and I'd inform
the lfs in the aerea not to sell to this individual until the tank is up, and running properly!

 

[miafish]

Anyone have any ideas???? :notsure:

 

[bawood]

I'd pull out the bioballs and if the area is submerged replace with live rock rubble. The larger pieces tend to be better at removing nitrates. Lots of people use limited mechanical filtration, you could leave filter pad that you show and just be sure to wash it regularly to keep it from building up with stuff. I'd add a skimmer once you can afford one. It looks like you have bio balls in your overflow, I'd remove those as well. You could have rubble there, but I probably wouldn't as it makes servicing this area difficult. Do you have LR in your main tank?

 

[miafish]

BAWood, thanks for the reply. The bioballs in the wet dry are not submerged but I can have the overflow submerged if I wanted to. Do you think I can set up a fuge out of that current setup. I have about 50 lbs of LR in the display tank.

 

[acrylic51]

I agree with BAWood with the LR.....I would opt against the sand idea though.....your going to have good water movement in that area and a DSB will get blown all over the place and will wind up making its way to your return pump and blown all over your DT..........

 

[miafish]

Does it need a sand bed for the algae to grow? Can I have the water falling straight onto the algae.

 

[bawood]

Most macroalgae that aquarists use derive their nutrients from the water column, not the substrates. So you do not need sand.