DIY wet/dry questions

[Macboy]

Hi,
I am considering a DIY wet/dry project as my existing amiracle slime line is too small for the plans I have. I have a 72gal bow and want to get into corals eventually. Are there any good instructional links (hopefully with pix and/or vid)? One more thing, should I go with a refugium instead of a wet/dry? Hearing this is the way to go if keeping corals. Advice very much appreciated.
Brian

 

[JohnK]

Check this out

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

 

[stevenp]

You'll find the general consensus is to skip the wet/dry and instead dedicate the space to a functional sump (possibly with an integrated fuge). The live rock in your tank provides better biological filtration than a wet/dry.

The link John (JimmyJ) above posted provides a wealth of information on sumps - Mark is certainly 'the man' when it comes to this subject

 

[NateHanson]

If you want to keep corals forget about the wet/dry bioballs part of the sump. Just make space for a big skimmer, refugium, and return pump area.

At the top of this forum (DIY) there is a "Project Showcase" thread that has pictures of member's DIY projects, and I think you'll find some examples of sumps in there. You could also do an advanced search for threads with "sump" in the thread title in the DIY forum.

For basic info on Sumps, look at the top of the Reef Talk forum for a sticky entitled "Useful Threads". There are links to great general interest threads in there, and one is about sumps.

Good luck, Nate

 

[alpha0r]

You'll find the general consensus is to skip the wet/dry and instead dedicate the space to a functional sump (possibly with an integrated fuge). The live rock in your tank provides better biological filtration than a wet/dry.

Agreed. The wet/dry is very efficient at producing nitrate but has no way to export it. Fish can stand nitrate at fairly high levels but corals can not. So skip the wet/dry and go for a fuge with macroalgae and a DSB. I would recommend you put the biggest one you can fit into your system. Bigger is better!

Here is a ton of info on filtration.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marsetupindex2.htm

 

[Macboy]

Thanks all,
I will definitely be checking out provided links and doing a search on sumps on BRS. Probably will be posting some more questions so....

 

[Macboy]

I have decided to go with a sump w/ refugium as this was the most suggested way to go. Melevsreef.com is an excellent resource for a novice like myself. I have purchased a 20gal long tank (12x30) which I will convert. My planned set up is as follows 12" for the protein skimmer chamber, 12" for the fuge, and 6" for the return chamber. Somewhere in there I need to fit the baffles which was suggested as placing under over under at 1.5" apart. Are the baffles considered part of the fuge chamber? Because with the baffles included the #'s aren't adding up. I also need 12" for the skimmer chamber because the footprint of the one I am getting is 9x12. Any thoughts on this?
Thanks all,
Brian

 

[NateHanson]

You can see how quickly the space in a sump gets used up! I'd make sure you have your skimmer before you build the sump. You don't want to find out you can't quite fit that 9x12" skimmer in your 12x12" skimmer section!

The baffles need to be spaced at least an inch apart, (closer to 1.5 is better if you can steal the space), and that means they need 2 to 3 inches. So you could have a 6" return section 12" skimmer section, and a 19" fuge between. Or you could put your fuge in a separate container or even a 5g bucket next to the sump, and just have a sump, with baffles, and a return section. If the sump can't be larger than a 20g, then I think I'd either skip the fuge, or put it outside of the sump. It'll be more convenient to have enough space for equipment in the sump.

Also remember that the size of your return section will determine how often you need to top-off, because as water evaporates from the system, the level drops only in the return pump section. a 6"x12" return pump section may only allow a gallon or two of evaporation before the pump intake sucks air. Not a problem if you have an auto top off system, but if you're topping off manually you need more space.

 

[Macboy]

Thanks Nate,
I will go with 1" on the baffles. I want the refugium so will make mods to accomodate that. Have to wait on the skimmer as I am buying used from a BRS member who has to dismantle his tank. Having a hard time cutting the acrylic, will probably have to go to a professional or check out home depot or Lowe's to see if they will cut it.
On the baffles I don't need to cut teeth in them do I? Just the one dividing the skimmer chamber from the refugium correct? Appreciate your advice...

 

[NateHanson]

You only need teeth after the refugium, to keep the macro algae from tumbling over the baffle.

 

[Macboy]

ok...got it, thanks.

 

[Macboy]

Just want to follow up on my diy project. I completed it last week and thanks to melvesreef.com and the very knowledgeable people here at BRS, it came out great. The skimmer started making skim mate within a few hours and the fish certainly are enjoying the improved parameters.
I did the 20 gal. long refugium with an Octupus protein skimmer bought used from a BRS member. Best investment to date as far as the hobby goes. I am impartial but must say the Octupus skimmer is awesome...highly recommend one. I would post pix of the final product but not sure how.
Anyway, ready to go with T5 lighting so I can get going with corals.
Would do halides but was told T5's pretty much do the same for less money.
I am sure there is some differing opinion there but like everything, patience is key.

 

[NateHanson]

Would do halides but was told T5's pretty much do the same for less money.
I am sure there is some differing opinion there but like everything, patience is key.

I think there's probably a consensus here that T5s do not do the same thing as MH. T5s have their place, but they are not as intense as Metal Halides.

 

[Macboy]

Yeah....I am learning the difference between the two. I was just repeating what a LFS worker told me. He said I could do a good amount of corals with the T5's but obviously not all.
I am actually thinking about getting a bigger tank...100-125gal range so until I decide on that, buying the lighting now may be jumping the gun.

 

[Jennifer]

T 5's will work just fine. Lots of people seem to have success with them.
IMO MH's just look a lot nicer. I never get tired of the shimmering water effect from them.

Post a pic of your new sump.