Wet/dry filtration

[redstarz32]

hi.....Im a newbie and my question is that Im upgrading from a 55gal to a 100gal FOWLR, the tank I bought has an overflow. So I was thinking of getting a wet/dry system rather than swapping Filstar xp3 to the new tank. What do you recommend I get? (size,brand,kit) thank you.

 

[prime311]

Make a sump/refugium. The wet/dry doesn't do anything you can't already do with sufficient live rock.

 

[redstarz32]

thanks for the reply, the sump/refigium...thats like a wet/dry filter? I also have a Coralife 65gal skimmer, will it be hooked up onto that system?
any suggestions...on what size, what brand, or things I will be needing if Im going to make my own. Also, I noticed that the hole from the tank overflow is about 2inch diameter single hole. Thanks again for the advise

 

[prime311]

Just look around for info on DIY sump/refugiums, theres way too much out there and options for me to go over it all in a single thread. Once you have an idea of what you want to do, I can help critique your design and answer any specific questions you have left. Or if you're lazy and/or don't care about cost, you can buy a premade one.
Heres some pics to give an example of what we're talking about:

 

[ilovemytank]

Originally Posted by prime311
http:///forum/post/2806299
Make a sump/refugium. The wet/dry doesn't do anything you can't already do with sufficient live rock.
I hear alot of people saying this. I personaly wouldn't go without the wet/dry part of my sump. I love the section for the filter pad ( I use 100 micron ) and then I have about 20 lbs. of live rock in there. I have a total of 245 lbs. live rock but I wouldn't feel just right without that little bit extra in there.
I used to run two filstar XP 3s on my tank in addition to the wet/dry sump as well because I have a heavy fish load. I recently replaced the cannisters with a refugium though.
All my fish are hidden in this picture. I was doing work on the bottom of the tank when I stopped to take this.

 

[redstarz32]

Thank you all for helping me out, alot of knowledge on this site.
By the way, Im in the process of purchasing a used wet/dry system off of craigslist. I have a 100gallon tank.

 

[redstarz32]

Ilovemytank, that is a nice setup you got.

 

[redstarz32]

Update, well I just bought a truvue Delray 125 of off craigslist at a bargain, it came with a rio pump....my question is, instead of using the bioballs that came with it, cal I put a LR in there then sand below it? and should I get another tank to house the protein skimmer heater and yet another pump for return to DT? Thanks again for your help guys, I appreciate it. Tony

 

[redstarz32]

Well, I just got an answer from Truvu and they said that I could use LR/LS in place of bioball....only problem now is where the heck do I place my skimmer

. On the Truvu Delray 125, the other half where I plan to put the LR/LS houses the return pump.

 

[ilovemytank]

Originally Posted by redstarz32
http:///forum/post/2810104
Well, I just got an answer from Truvu and they said that I could use LR/LS in place of bioball....only problem now is where the heck do I place my skimmer

. On the Truvu Delray 125, the other half where I plan to put the LR/LS houses the return pump.
The Live rock rubble is great to replace bio balls but don't put the live sand in there. Most likely your return pump will sit on the bottom and will suck up sand and/or create a sand storm. How big is the sump part of that unit and how big of a footprint is your skimmer ?

 

[raccoon]

I used a wet/dry on my first 75gal tank and it was nothing but a pain. I could never get the water down to a good level. The bio balls just trap debris and really don't work in my opinion. I now have a 150g with a 30g sump. My water quality is excellet! If you are still going to use the wet/dry i would replace the bio balls with live rock rubble. And dont add sand to it as it will cause problems with any pumps you have in there.
Henry
Keeping your fish Healthy? What about your body?
http://www.BeyondAcai.com

 

[redstarz32]

Originally Posted by Raccoon
http:///forum/post/2824014
I used a wet/dry on my first 75gal tank and it was nothing but a pain. I could never get the water down to a good level. The bio balls just trap debris and really don't work in my opinion. I now have a 150g with a 30g sump. My water quality is excellet! If you are still going to use the wet/dry i would replace the bio balls with live rock rubble. And dont add sand to it as it will cause problems with any pumps you have in there.
Henry
Keeping your fish Healthy? What about your body?
http://www.BeyondAcai.com
I gave the wet/dry to my brother....I now have a 40gal ref/sump under my 100gal DT. About the sand....I learned the hard way, my skimmer seized! As far as the refegium goes, what can I house in there? What kind of Algae besides cheato?