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  • Setting Up Wet-Dry Sump/Pump Filter...

    Okay, so it looks like I'll be purchasing a 125 gallon tank next weekend for my soon to be Tropheus colony. What I don't know much about are wet/dry systems. From the start of looking at this tank I was 100% canister. But I've learned that when I purchase this tank a Proclear wet/dry sump will be included with the purchase.

    I'm not exactly sure of the size, but here's a picture of the one that will come with the tank:


    So here's where I need help with..

    Approxzimately what size is this sump? Is it big enough for 125 gallons? What size pump do I need for this sump? Any specific brand/model recommendations? What about overflow boxes - what size as well for that?

    What else will I need for this to work?
    Experiencing an aquatic renaissance!

  • #2
    Re: Setting Up Wet-Dry Sump/Pump Filter...

    What size wet/dry is it rated for.
    I have had the best of luck with the mag pumps.
    Depending on how much water flow you would like for the size of pump to get.
    I personally would use a mag 9.
    You will need an over flow with a flex line to wet.dry, also a return line with a nozzle at the end for the return.
    Board Member of Houston Aquarium Society
    Mod OF Marshreef

    Breeder of Discus, Angels, Bristle nose & Sail fin Mollies
    Coming soon Daphnia

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    • #3
      Re: Setting Up Wet-Dry Sump/Pump Filter...

      I really have no Idea what size the sump is - looks like 12"D x24"Wx 18"H  and if you only use 2/3 of it that is 15g
      I would think you would want a sump 25% of your tank size 30+ galons


      I would get a pump with a flow rate of 2x the tank size  min.  (250+gph at 5'head)
      You better make sure the overflow is rated for even more than the pump flow or the overflow will overflow all over da flo.
      'Dear Lord,' the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. 'Without you, we are but dust ...'
      He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four-year old girl voice, 'Mom, what is butt dust?'

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      • #4
        Re: Setting Up Wet-Dry Sump/Pump Filter...

        If it's a 125g tank and RR then it should be min. of 600gph and the smallest Overflow I have seen offered was 300gph. I would use that as a starting point as to what return pump to use.

        I favor Magdrives and Eheim hobby pumps over others........you spend so much money on the fish so it's no reason to skimp.
        700g Mini-Monster tank

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        • #5
          Re: Setting Up Wet-Dry Sump/Pump Filter...

          Okay, thanks for the quick replies!

          Originally posted by eklikewhoa";p="
          If it's a 125g tank and RR then it should be min. of 600gph and the smallest Overflow I have seen offered was 300gph. I would use that as a starting point as to what return pump to use.
          Its not RR, so I'll need a HOB overflow box. My primary concern is that I don't want this tank sticking out 10 to 12 inches away from the wall. Suggestions? What does the outer half of the overflow box do? Is there a way to just eliminate that piece for space concerns?

          Originally posted by PhishPhreek";p="
          I really have no Idea what size the sump is - looks like 12"D x24"Wx 18"H  and if you only use 2/3 of it that is 15g
          I would think you would want a sump 25% of your tank size 30+ galons
          So that means this this sump is too small for a 125g tank..

          I would get a pump with a flow rate of 2x the tank size  min.  (250+gph at 5'head)
          You better make sure the overflow is rated for even more than the pump flow or the overflow will overflow all over da flo.
          Okay, so just make sure that the overflow can take in more water than the pump can pump out - but if that's the case, then how do you keep the sump from overflowing below?
          Experiencing an aquatic renaissance!

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          • #6
            Re: Setting Up Wet-Dry Sump/Pump Filter...

            Specs & flow rates for MAG-7

            Specs & flow rates for MAG-5
            'Dear Lord,' the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. 'Without you, we are but dust ...'
            He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four-year old girl voice, 'Mom, what is butt dust?'

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Setting Up Wet-Dry Sump/Pump Filter...

              Originally posted by jeebus";p="
              how do you keep the sump from overflowing below?
              With the return pump turned off, fill the tank and let it overflow untill the sump is at the max water level mark on the sump.
              Then start the return pump and if the power goes off the excess tank water will drain back into the sump and not excede that high water mark.
              'Dear Lord,' the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. 'Without you, we are but dust ...'
              He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four-year old girl voice, 'Mom, what is butt dust?'

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Setting Up Wet-Dry Sump/Pump Filter...

                Get the Eshopps overflow....it requires only 3" from the wall to the back of the tank and the box that goes inside the tank is black acrylic.....also with your overflow you should be able to handle that tank size with that sump but the lower profile return you use the less water you are required to keep in the wet/dry....this means more available volume in the event of a power outage.

                Also either install a check valve or simply have a siphon break hole drilled on the return nozzle right below the water surface.
                700g Mini-Monster tank

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                • #9
                  Re: Setting Up Wet-Dry Sump/Pump Filter...

                  Originally posted by eklikewhoa";p="
                  Get the Eshopps overflow....it requires only 3" from the wall to the back of the tank and the box that goes inside the tank is black acrylic.....also with your overflow you should be able to handle that tank size with that sump but the lower profile return you use the less water you are required to keep in the wet/dry....this means more available volume in the event of a power outage.

                  Also either install a check valve or simply have a siphon break hole drilled on the return nozzle right below the water surface.
                  I'm going to look into the Eshopps overflow, that sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. What do you mean by "lower profile return" and "more available volume in the event of a power outage". I got lost on those two..

                  The siphon break hole sounds like a smart plan. I guess when re-priming, I just need to cover the hole up?
                  Experiencing an aquatic renaissance!

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                  • #10
                    Re: Setting Up Wet-Dry Sump/Pump Filter...

                    You will probably be using a submersible pump....there is a minimum intake height on that pump(unless you plumb it with an elbow)  which the water level HAS to be unless you want the pump to run dry.

                    The lower the intake on the return pump the less water you will HAVE to keep in the wet/dry which would mean the more AVAILABLE free space in the wet/dry for the tank to overflow in case the return pump is ever turned off for whatever reason.

                    As for re-priming....there is no need unless you remove the overflow box and empty water from the U-tube....there are cavities on both sides of the U-tube which keep the overflow primed when tank water level is dropped so all you have to do is refill the tank with water till it starts to "OVERFLOW" into the box which should start draining into the wet/dry....from there you let it rise enough and turn the return pump back on.
                    700g Mini-Monster tank

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                    • #11
                      Re: Setting Up Wet-Dry Sump/Pump Filter...

                      Just a side note on flow rates, each filter, elbow and any other fitting (spray bar) you add to the return piping will reduce the flow rate so more is better as long as you don't excede the overflow capacity.
                      'Dear Lord,' the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. 'Without you, we are but dust ...'
                      He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four-year old girl voice, 'Mom, what is butt dust?'

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Setting Up Wet-Dry Sump/Pump Filter...

                        Okay.. now I'm tracking. I think :)

                        Now here's the million dollar question: Which is better for a Tropheus colony - the setup we're discussing, or a couple of large output canisters?

                        I still have to go buy a good bit of equipment, so now is the time to figure out which way to go..
                        Experiencing an aquatic renaissance!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Setting Up Wet-Dry Sump/Pump Filter...

                          IMO/IME, Nothing beats a nice wet/dry coupled with a few canister but a wet/dry over a canister any day!
                          700g Mini-Monster tank

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                          • #14
                            Re: Setting Up Wet-Dry Sump/Pump Filter...

                            jeebus --

                            It looks to me to be a Pro-Clear 125 -- Call the guy and ask what the sticker (the one with the bar code) says.
                            Is the 125 is a 6ft tank ?
                            If this is going to be a Tropheus tank, here is what I would get.
                              Eshopps PF-1200 (dual output.)  Yes you will need to bring down two hoses which I could combine just before it enters into the wet/dry.  
                              Why this large of a over flow you say ?
                              I would do what Walter says and use a Mag 9 or Mag 12.  At 4ft head you are running 800g/1050g of water..   As debris (algae) grows on the inside of the over flow the flow rate goes down, and unless you want to constantly go back there and clean the overflow (I have the problem of the overflow sitting in an area where I cannot get to it easy) so I want to have the overflow to be able to "over do it" and still let 800g though it no matter how much you have stuff in it.
                            If you you let so much debris (algae) grow in there what will happen is the height of water in the tank will increase and the amount water in the overflow will decrease, and the natural thing will be to put more water into the sump to keep it level.  Well the problem lies in when you have a power outage that sump will over flow.  This is what you want to avoid.

                            If you dont want to run dual outlets, I would use the PF-800, but you have to choose a Mag 7 or 9.   You will want to install a powerhead like a MaxiJet 1200 with the filter installed to add to the filtration in the tank.   If you go with the bigger design I would just add a MaxiJet 1200 without pre-filter to get the extra water movement at the surface to not allow any water stagnation.   Tropheus love well oxygenated waters which is why I am telling you this.

                            What fish do Jesper have
                            180 WC T. Moorii Chilambo +1 Petro trewavasae.
                            110
                            Cyps, WC Xeno Spilopterus Kipili WC/F1/F2 T. sp red Kiku
                            58 S. Decorus

                            "The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." -Margaret Thatcher

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                            • #15
                              Re: Setting Up Wet-Dry Sump/Pump Filter...

                              Ok I blew the pic up it does look like it is rated for a 125.
                              Board Member of Houston Aquarium Society
                              Mod OF Marshreef

                              Breeder of Discus, Angels, Bristle nose & Sail fin Mollies
                              Coming soon Daphnia

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