DIY wet and dry filter

[richmond5]

Want to try my hand with DIY wet and dry filter. With a aquarium of 180 gal. and under tank usable space of 28"w 28"h and 23 d, what kind of pump, at what pump rate and how large the air and water exchange volume do I need? What about sump? Any input will be welcome!


Alex

[RockHound]

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj85/placer_mines/wdtfcopy.jpg

You are going to have to find a STURDY plastic container.
That will fit in your available space.
With room to spare, next to it, for the pump.

There are a 1000 differing types & size plastic storage containers.
It should not be tough to find one that fits.

Putting a W/D T/F together is not a tough task.
Check the diagram above.
If there is anything you don't grasp, just ask.

You want a pump, that will turn over your tank volume.
A MINIMUM of 3 times per hour.

I prefer Iwaki, Pan-World, or Blue-Line pumps.

[richmond5]

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj85/placer_mines/wdtfcopy.jpg

You are going to have to find a STURDY plastic container.
That will fit in your available space.
With room to spare, next to it, for the pump.

There are a 1000 differing types & size plastic storage containers.
It should not be tough to find one that fits.

Putting a W/D T/F together is not a tough task.
Check the diagram above.
If there is anything you don't grasp, just ask.

You want a pump, that will turn over your tank volume.
A MINIMUM of 3 times per hour.

I prefer Iwaki, Pan-World, or Blue-Line pumps.

What about the bio-media, how much for 180gal.? Is that a formula for it as well, thanks!

Alex:)

[RockHound]

There is a +/- 15% formula.
To figure out the amount of bio-media.

But, it is calculated by the feed weight, per day rate.
Plus, the protein content of the feed.
Plus, the total surface area of the type bio-media, you use.
Plus, a few other factors.

Because, many of those are unknowns.

It is best to just fill the bio-media area.
(whatever size that ends up being)
With the MAX amount it will hold.

As for what bio-media you end up using.
Think max surface area + void space.
To insure, you get a good unobstructed flow rate.
More void space means, more air can get to it.
More surface area means:
A large area that beneficial bacteria can colonize.

I like to use a combo of bio-balls & nylon pot scrubbers.
Pot scrubbers have about 2 to 4X the surface area of bio-balls.
Bio-balls have about a 90% void space.

So, you have the best of both worlds.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj85/placer_mines/Nylonpotscrubberbio-ball-1.jpg

[thang45]

Do you know of any good sites that has great tutorial on how to make w/d filter? If we have step by step on how to make the unit above that would be great!

[salth20]

http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/wetdry.htm
and
http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html
Good luck with your project. For a long time, I ran a DIY trickle made from a 10 gallon tank on top of a 20 long. Trickle filters do not have to be expensive to work. Be creative, and have some fun. You may also consider a DIY Fluidized bed filter. Those are really easy.

[RockHound]

If it doesn't have to fit in the stand?

Pictured are the parts to make one in about an hour.
Toilet flush simple.:D

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj85/placer_mines/easywdtf.jpg

Small plastic drum
(all over eBay, if you cannot find one locally)

5 gallon plastic bucket & lid
(common about everywhere)

Open type small plastic crate.
(any dollar store, or big mart)

Drill 1/2 inch holes in bucket sides & bottom.
Drill 1/8, 3/16 & 1/4 inch holes in bucket lid.
(used as a diffuser trickle plate on top bucket)

Remove bucket bale & replace with plastic cord/rope.
(so you can extract bucket from drum with ease)

Install bulkhead near drum base.
Install bulkhead centered in drum lid.
(gray threaded eletrical conduit fittings will work)

Install 2 PVC fitting air vents in lid
(to allow ambiant air circulation inside drum)

Fill bucket with biomedia.
(pot scrubbers, bioballs, or whatever)
Snap on bucket lidlid.

Center crate inside drum.
Center bucket of biomedia on crate, inside the drum.
Attach drum lid.

Plumb tank overflow to drum top bulkhead.
Plumb bottom bulkhead to a plastic tote type sump.
Plumb from sump to pump.
Plumb from pump to tank.

If you end up with a drum bigger that what is shown here.
Simply use 2 stacked plactic buckets.

[RockHound]

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj85/placer_mines/flexpipe.jpg
Forgot to mention.

Most big home improvment centers will have:
3/4 inch blue flexible plastic electrical conduit.
(Name brand of what I use is "Flex-Plus-Blue")

10 ft lengths cost about $3.69
Cuts like thin walled PVC.
3/4 inch PVC fittings will glue right in it.

It makes plumbing very easy, being flexible.

[RockHound]

Below is another version.
In this case, flexible perforated drain feild pipe was used.
(10 ft lengths cost about $4 @ home improvement centers)
Instead of a 5 gallon plastic bucket.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj85/placer_mines/4drumpipecut.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj85/placer_mines/5drumfullpipe.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj85/placer_mines/6drumfull.jpg
Stuffed with monofiliment pot scrubbers
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj85/placer_mines/7drumdefuse.jpg
5 gallon bucket lid used as a diffuser trickle plate.

[thang45]

Thank you both that is awesome example.

[richmond5]

Question, How to deal with a overflow with two outlet where as only a single (most of them) trickle water inlet? Most of the single outlet overflow have low flow rate of 600g/l and lower. Thanks in advance!