DIY Wet Dry question

[aggrofishkeeper]

I've been thinking about attempting to build a wet dry filter myself out of buckets and tubs from Wal-Mart. I was wonder what is more important as far as "biological filtration", (this might be a silly question btw) does it matter about how big the sump (gallon wise) itself is or how big the area for the amount of bio-balls is?

I.E:

Which is more important xx gallons of sump or xx gallons of bio-balls?

I was thinking like a 20 gallon tub with 2x5 gallon buckets for bio-balls and 2x1'' drains running from the hang over prefilter to the 2 buckets... And the return pump would be in between the 2 bio-ball buckets in the tub.

Thanks,

Jason.

[cichlid1409]

the amount of media is whats important but you need to make sure theres enough volume for water and its not going to overflow in the event of a power failure. buckets could work seen people use those before . i wouldn't use the rubbermaid tubs though they are too thin and bow out alot. if you want something like a tub go to lowes and pick up some heavy duty tool boxes . around $20 i think and can hold up to 400 lbs.

[fshfrk]

This is what I use but it probably will not fit under a 125 stand.

[aggrofishkeeper]

Not planning on putting it in a 125, more like 240-280g.

But thanks for the heads up. :)

[Zulaab]

3G of bioballs / media area per 100g tank -- so for a 280 I would shoot for an area of 9g of bioballs / media minimum. Fshfrk over does his.. and uses about 20g+ of media area so his wet/drys can handle a 700-800g tanks

[aggrofishkeeper]

So the Rubbermaid/Sterilite containers expand out? The guys on the DIY videos all use these types of tubs. I was planning on doing 30g tub with a 10g tub inside for the bioballs.

[fshfrk]

afk come over sat or sunday and check out some home made W/D's.

[aggrofishkeeper]

If you're inviting I'll come. :)

I defiantly want to try to make my own. Because my Pro Clear 300 Premier was around $500 all together with the Danner Mag Drive 18.

I figure if I could spend $20 on a container and a bucket and buy a used mag drive 18 on EBAY for like $100. I be saving around $300 for a bigger wet/dry.

[fshfrk]

yea call me.