Does anyone know how to make a wet/dry filter

[Ryan2003]

Hey does anyone know how to build your own wet dry filter could you tell me how to thanks

[ssgibby]

How Big? Gallons = (Length x Width x Height) / 231

Depending on the size you want, you could use a glass aquarium, then get some glass sheets and make some baffles.

What exactly do you want to accomplish

[glenatuf]

any word on a inline pump for a sump for <100 for a 125 gallon tank?

[Micky]

I have been running a Little Giant 4-MDQX-SC on my 125 gal. reef

[Doviilock]

Whatever happened to this thread? I'm intrested in building my own wet/dry I like saving money. More money for fishies
:lol: :lol: :lol:

[mkobu]

:idea:
Either get a new or used sump tank ( I got lucky and found one at a fish store that was one of theirs and already had a hole drilled in the back that I could run the return through!) Mine is 20 gals. Now if you want to you can get holes drilled in the back to run your return or you can just run it up through the top depending on how fancy you want to do it. ( If you have acrylic it's real easy to drill out then use bulk heads for connecting the plumbing.)
I made the container for the bio-spheres ( or bails what ever media you use.) out of the white light defusers (Egg-crate is the slang term I believe) you just get a sheet of it from the hardware store ( i think for like $5 a sheet) then make a box that will sit inside the sump (Leave at least 1/4 of tank open for pumps,heaters etc.)with the bottom raised about 3" or 4" I used acrylic cement for gluing it together ( cant remember the name of it but it is what is used to cement acrylic tanks together ...I think Weld it 40...) and it has held for years including sitting in dry desert storage for over a year!
Now for dispersing the water I just went to a glass store that had acrylic sheets and ask for the scrap barrels then find a peice big enough to make a tray on top of your media box and some peices to make about 2" tall wall around the tray. cut the bottom of the tray to fit on top of the box then drill lots and lots of holes in it and then cement the strips around the edge on the top part...
Put the media box in the sump tank and then the tray on the box and then the input just goes to the tray.....( I wish I could attach some picts but I dont have any on the web...(I'll try to make a site...or I could email then to you.)
How are you planning on getting the water to the wet/dry? are you doing a skimmer box or do you have a acrylic tank that you can build a skimmer into it?
If you are handy and you have a glass tank you can still build a skimmer easily using acrylic scraps ( cheaper if you can get scraps vs. sheet although you can get the glass shop to cut the pieces for you for a small fee)

Anyways I hope this wasnt to confusing it's really really easy to build a cheap wet/dry if you look around for some used stuff...Heck I even made a wet dry before using a rubbermade bin and a tupperware media box!!! (Now that's ghetto!!) for a temporay for a freinds whose broke...

Good luck and let me know if you need some pics.. (I'll try to get back soon as possible but it could take awhile.... :mrgreen: )

Mike

[mkobu]

hmmmm okay I hacked up the picture so it would be small enough to fit...(easiest way I know to fix it....darn limited attachment size!! :lol:

[mkobu]

Let me see if I can make a smaller one....hehehehe

I doubt this works..... :?

[Zack]

how ofton u replace the bio balls?

[mkobu]

Sorry for such huge pictures .... But now you should understand what i was describing....
I also have a hang on protien skimmer on the left side with the return running back through the bio-spheres to reduce bubbles in tank and a UV sterilizer (visible in 2nd picture) and a 150W heater in sump...You can and should also put a grounding probe in the tank or sump.........

Ohhh sorry the sump is so dirty I guess I shoulda wiped it up for picts. 8)


later
Mike

[mkobu]

how ofton u replace the bio balls?


I've never replaced them....Why would you need to? if they are getting that dirty you might want to add some kind of floss prefilter...

Mike

[bmcelhinn]

Ever think of using the deep sand bed method of filtration? Alot of people have alot better luck with them than wet drys. They are almost free too.