New 140gal tank... Sump vs. Canister?

[Darrell Ward]

Sounds like the Bio Bedia is "Sandwiched" Between the Matts/spung's?

You got it. Like a sandwich. The water flows from the tank, down the pipe, into the pre filter bag, out over the media, into the sump, and is pumped back into the tank.

[Arkangel77]

This is what I am thinking of trying. Lower the drip pate (maybe pull out some BALL's.) and support it a few inches lower. Use the bags and let them sit on the drip plate. Then the drip plate trickles water over the balls. ALL the Balls are "DRY" and I have a block of filter spunge that is wet. Water moves over plate - threw balls - threw spunge - into SUMP.

This may work? Will only take minor Modification and I get the benefit of the bags!

Ark

PS - DO you think ADDING THE Matala mat might be a worthwhile investment? I think I have plenty of Biological filtration and I dont think its a necesity.

[Darrell Ward]

Yeah, it should work. As long as you can make enough room for the bag, you're set. You'll love the bags. Makes maintenance super easy. No, you won't really need the Matala, I use it mainly to hold my media in place, and to spread out the water coming out of a 1 1/2" pipe.

[Arkangel77]

YEP - I am GONA DO IT! I will try to post some pics once its done - SHould be EASY - O dang, I gota order the Bags - LOL

Thanks for the tips/help, Arkangel77

PS - Just Ordered the BAGS

[Darrell Ward]

No problem. Look forward to seeing the pictures.

[David Rose]

Thanks Darrell, Kevin, Jhnnn, and Ark for your respones!

Well I am definitely going to add a sump, but DYI plumbing ???

I did add some water in the overflow area and open tank to test for leaks especially in the overflow area. I only added a few inches and ended up with some dripping from one of the drains from the inside of the bulkhead. I'm guessing that the adjustable drain pipe isn't water tight at the bottom, but is that normal?

As a result, I did add some safety shut-offs for ease of maintenance and so I don't end up with a flooded living room. Pics below. What do you think?

Also, given I have two overflows drains/returns, how do you typically plumb the return from the wet/dry splitting it for the two returns?

Regards,
David

[Darrell Ward]

A leaky bulkhead is not what you want. You may want to replace the gasket. In a pinch, you can remove bulkhead gasket, toss it, and run a heavy bead of silicone at the base of the bulkhead fitting. Install the bulkhead. Some silicone will squish out from the base as you tighten the nut, but it's no problem. Let it cure overnight. I have a 125 gal. that has been running 3 years with no gaskets. The bulkheads are siliconed. When I set up the tank, it was used, and the old gaskets were brittle, so I tossed them. The valves aren't really necessary on the drains, the overflows will only drain as much water as is pumped back into the tank. This is the reason for the overflow boxes. The valves on the returns can be useful for adjusting flow however. If you only use one return pump, you will need to split the return line from the pump into two returns with a tee fitting.

[David Rose]

Thanks Darrell!

Yep, maybe overkill with the shut offs, but I wasn't taking any chances since I haven't been able to find sufficient detail on how the wet/dry sump and overflows all function and how they are supposed to work past what you get in the set up instructions. Especially what not to do. LOL

Take care,
David

A leaky bulkhead is not what you want. You may want to replace the gasket. In a pinch, you can remove bulkhead gasket, toss it, and run a heavy bead of silicone at the base of the bulkhead fitting. Install the bulkhead. Some silicone will squish out from the base as you tighten the nut, but it's no problem. Let it cure overnight. I have a 125 gal. that has been running 3 years with no gaskets. The bulkheads are siliconed. When I set up the tank, it was used, and the old gaskets were brittle, so I tossed them. The valves aren't really necessary on the drains, the overflows will only drain as much water as is pumped back into the tank. This is the reason for the overflow boxes. The valves on the returns can be useful for adjusting flow however. If you only use one return pump, you will need to split the return line from the pump into two returns with a tee fitting.

[Darrell Ward]

It's all really simple. The average person will pick up on it the first time they set a sump up. In fact, the principle is so simple, it makes you wonder how companies justify the high prices they charge for wet dry filtration, when you can make your own for a fraction of the cost. Shout out if you have any questions.

[Arkangel77]

Well I looked at my set up and I don't have the room I thought I had? I am thinking of a DIY Sump. Where can I find some plans? Any Ideas??? Thanks, Arkangel77

PS - dlr1961, I hope you don’t mind me Jumping all up in your thread?



PPS - I just had an epiphany! Instead of Moding my Current wet dry or Building a new Sump. I am going to ADD a Chamber for the Micron filter and then let that chamber flow into the Wet dry just as it is now! Seems like a decent idea to me. Just make a chamber that holds the Filters then let that overflow into the Wet Dry! I LIKE IT!!!!!!!

[David Rose]

No problem... from what I get out of it, you want to add a micron bag prefilter, but currently have a pad filter tray. Couldn't you just cut a micron bag or equivalent material in a square to fit your tray? Just pull and rinse periodically.

I think I'm getting a Eshopps sump with similar set up as you and was considering doing this once I have a chance to look at the actual sump layout. If that doesn't look like it will work, I will most likely put a foam prefilter on the 1.25 intake tube inside my MegaFlow Overflow kit.

Tonight, I drained the MegaFlow chamber of all the water and removed the two drain bulkheads that are leaking. The gaskets are new, but I may do as Darrell suggests and apply silicone without the gasket. I'm hoping this will resolve my slow leak issue. We'll see!

Well I looked at my set up and I don't have the room I thought I had? I am thinking of a DIY Sump. Where can I find some plans? Any Ideas??? Thanks, Arkangel77

PS - dlr1961, I hope you don’t mind me Jumping all up in your thread?



PPS - I just had an epiphany! Instead of Moding my Current wet dry or Building a new Sump. I am going to ADD a Chamber for the Micron filter and then let that chamber flow into the Wet dry just as it is now! Seems like a decent idea to me. Just make a chamber that holds the Filters then let that overflow into the Wet Dry! I LIKE IT!!!!!!!

[Arkangel77]

I thought of that - It was my First Thought. However, I think It would be better to have the BAG in tact, less chance of stuff getting out. I am liking my pre filter "Bag / Box" Idea. I think it will be easy. I am gona try it - I will start a thread when I do. I already ordered the Bags. Thanks, Arkangel77

[Darrell Ward]

Hey David, if your bulkhead gaskets are new, it may be that a grain of dirt or other foreign matter got between the glass and the gasket, causing the leak. You could try cleaning it all good, and reinstalling. But yeah, you can silicone that sucker as well. When it cures, it ain't gonna leak!

[David Rose]

I wondered about that too given they are new. Who knows... I did wipe out the area well and thought I wet the gaskets, or maybe I tightened the bulkheads too tight, but I'm going to retry them and throw in some plumbers tape. If that doesn't work this morning after testing, I will head off to Home Deopot and see if I can get some new ones.

I'll post the results later today.

Thanks for all your help!
David

[David Rose]

Good news, the second time was the trick and I have no leaking. The substrate is in and now I'm filling the tank.