Wet Dry Filtration Systems

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Wet Dry Filtration Systems

You might be able to find a good working magdrive pump elsewhere....or buy new from drsfostersmith.com which is pretty cheap.

The return line can be either regular hose for filters with a u-tube return or you could go with hardpiping with pvc.

The overflow siphon tube all depends on the overflow capabilities itself and not the size of the tank. I have a small overflow on my 135g and it has only one siphon tube while my 125g has a much larger overflow box/dual siphon tubes/and dual drain pipes.

[PhishPhreek]

Re: Wet Dry Filtration Systems

Murphy's Law - sooner or later you will have to dissasemble the system for some reason....

therefore I went with plastic tubing for the overflow and return lines.

[Hanson77]

Re: Wet Dry Filtration Systems

As far as that seal being cheap and easy.....they usually would have done it thereself if that were the case.  I would check into something new or atleast working used and even then it's a toss up.  I got a cannister filter from someone on here that was supposed to be working flawlessly that I still haven't been able to use because don't want to buy all the pieces that it's missing or wrong because I could have bought one new after all that....LOL.  Just my two pennies.

[PhishPhreek]

Re: Wet Dry Filtration Systems

Do a web search for a parts list and find the pieces you will need.
Then do a search for the pieces to see if they are available and how much they will cost.  Then estimate how much time it will take you to fix it and double it if you have never done anythihg similar.

So, will you save enough money to make it worth your time ???

[fishlady]

Re: Wet Dry Filtration Systems

i have to ditto on hanson....i bought a filter on here from an individual and got hosed big time.....even with a money back promise...it leaked and had a part missing.....and when i tried to call in the promise they so suddenly and convienently stopped talking on the forum....lesson learned big time....i think he should buy new myself.....just my humble opinion....



fishlady....

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Wet Dry Filtration Systems

Hahaha I got hosed too..
Traded an eheim canister and the self priming pump didn't work and would actually render the pump worthless and it was missing parts.....

That person said he would replace the parts too.......think its been about a year or at least close now.

[CichlidFan]

Re: Wet Dry Filtration Systems

Well, I really do appreciate all the feedback folks, and I think I will just try to slow my impulsive butt down and bit and take this one step at a time here. I'm going to research the cost and features of the pumps and check out the return plumbing possibilities as well. I'll most likely go with a new pump and maybe even get me a hurricane overflow. I was checking out this site the other day, and I don't think the cost for the 600 model is out of line.

Here's the link for future reference in case any of you haven't already heard of them:

http://store.hurricanefilters.com/quprov.html  or   http://store.hurricanefilters.com/index.html


Again, thanks alot for all your help.

CF

[PhishPhreek]

Re: Wet Dry Filtration Systems

This is the pump I used and I've been happy with it.


PUMP

[CichlidFan]

Re: Wet Dry Filtration Systems

Well, I've got over a hundred bucks invested in my first W/D now, but I'm fairly happy with my efforts to this point. I bought a used sump & overflow with the balls and one hose for 80.00, and then purchased a pond pump from home depot for 59.00, and some plastic tubing and hose clamps, but to my amazement, it is working just fine. I'm sure it will take time for the beneficial bacteria to grow on my Bio Balls, but as long as we don't get nuked or our lame duck prez don't do anything to shifty, there should be plenty of time for that.  We'll see....I still would like to chat with some of you guys who invited me to call and talk wet drys, and I've even tried to call a couple of you but for one reason or another did not connect, but that too will change with time I'm sure.

Thanks again for the encouragement and advice guys.....

CF

PS....I saved that Harbor Frieght webpage to my favorites, I plan on making another one too......

[h0nkzz]

Re: Wet Dry Filtration Systems

i just bought that Harbor Freight pump for my 150gal tank filtration, now I too will recomend that pump ... Thanks to PhishPhreek for the heads up !

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Wet Dry Filtration Systems

What are you still in question about the system?

[CichlidFan]

Re: Wet Dry Filtration Systems

Well, is there anything else that can be done to increase the effectiviness of the W/D system. Can anything be added or improved upon.

One thing I noticed right off the bat, is that the straining material that sits on top of some white plastic egg crate platform above the Bio Balls gets pretty dirty and clogged up fast.

It looks like a piece of square batting material or cotton of some sort, and it is now in need or replacement or cleaning. Is there anything better to use as a straining compound or material for the initial cleansing material before the water drips down onto the BB's?

And, will having a small light shinning on the Bio Balls help the growth of the beneficial bacteria ?

Thanks

CF

[Mzungu]

Re: Wet Dry Filtration Systems

And, will having a small light shinning on the Bio Balls help the growth of the beneficial bacteria ?

Good question! I don't think it will help in any significant way. If it were a refugium, then yes, definitely. But beneficial bacteria won't need it.  :)

[CichlidFan]

Re: Wet Dry Filtration Systems

Thanks Mzungu, I put a small engery saving 60 watt bulb down there next to the balls thinking it might help the bacteria grow faster.

I am a bit uncomfortable leaving it on all day, I think I'll take it out of there since it's only a sump and not a refugium.

CF

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Wet Dry Filtration Systems

I think somewhere it states that the bacteria actually likes it to be dark.

Here are some good discussion wet/dry-sumps.....think you have to be a member to get on it though.

http://tropheusfanatics.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=624

http://tropheusfanatics.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=596

In my wet/dry I have the drip tray that I usually elevate so that it's not sitting directly on the filter pad...drip tray....bio-balls....open water space(which I have my heater here)....large rectangular coarse sponge...pump area which has Seachem Purigen....powerhead with output pointed upwards to increase surface agitation/gas exchange...return pump which also has a coarse sponge on it....ball/cutoff valve....returns which are with regular u-tube returns which have small 4-5mm holes drilled into them above the water level to break siphon if there was ever a power outage.

That's how both of my wet/drys are but on one tank which has lots of PC lighting I have a small 9" box fan pointed in the direction of the opening to help cool the water down.

Another thing is to replace your overflow drain pipe with one similar to the durso standman pipe to quiet it down a bit....http://www.dursostandpipes.com/

I actually filled my tank and am too lazy to build one but what I did was cut thick Styrofoam boards so that it would fit over the drain pipe openings itself and that helped a lot, just make sure you don't cover up too much of the surrounding area.


The beauty of the sump is to remove all hardware that doesn't need to be in the tank so heaters, chillers,uv, dosers, reactors, probes, and the like can go in there.