Help building wet/dry......

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ddyerfamily

ddyerfamily

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
May 11, 2007
1,229
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Kentucky
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I am building a wet/dry out of a old 55gal.
I have found many useful plans on this site that helped.
BUT ...can't find one on how to gravity feed the filter ?
I understand if the tank is drilled but mine is not drilled.
Can't drill. Don't have money to take to pro for drilling,it is 150 gal. so taking to be drilled is out.(don't have money anyway)

Soooooo......how to feed filter is problem.

I saw a DIY thread somewhere that showed a loop of pvc to pull water from not drilled tanks,can't find now :nilly:

How do you guys do this ?

Also how to attach hoses/pvc to tank ? (hold in place)

How Do you guys balance flow between gravity feed and return pump ?
I am guessing a ball valve on gravity feed before filter ?
Or size of feed hose/pvc ? or both.

I wanted to use one pump (245 gph I think is what I have,would have to look to be sure,medium sized I guess, 1/2" hose outlet on it)
Could I use one pump or would I need 2 pumps or 1 bigger pump ?

Sorry my first build.
I have searched,looked at many filter designs.Still have questions :confused:
 
ddyerfamily;1124294; said:
I am building a wet/dry out of a old 55gal.
I have found many useful plans on this site that helped.
BUT ...can't find one on how to gravity feed the filter ?
I understand if the tank is drilled but mine is not drilled.
Can't drill. Don't have money to take to pro for drilling,it is 150 gal. so taking to be drilled is out.(don't have money anyway)

Soooooo......how to feed filter is problem.

I saw a DIY thread somewhere that showed a loop of pvc to pull water from not drilled tanks,can't find now :nilly:

How do you guys do this ?
........
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15733

This looks complicated at first but it isn't.

........
Also how to attach hoses/pvc to tank ? (hold in place)

Suction cups mostly. Some plastic tie wraps , duct tape, silicone.

........
How Do you guys balance flow between gravity feed and return pump ?
I am guessing a ball valve on gravity feed before filter ?
Or size of feed hose/pvc ? or both.

With a W/D it is not a syphon, as the return pump put filtered water back in the tank, the water level rises and overflows and drains back to the filter. No balancing is necessary.

......
I wanted to use one pump (245 gph I think is what I have,would have to look to be sure,medium sized I guess, 1/2" hose outlet on it)
Could I use one pump or would I need 2 pumps or 1 bigger pump ?

Is 245gph @ 0ft of head, usually is. You want to calculate at average 4ft of head (distance to the top of the tank from bottom of sump). You only use one pump and that is for the return, so if you need a higher turnover rate (tank size in gallons per hour) you need a larger pump.


 Sorry my first build.

But the next one will be your second :D

.........
I have searched,looked at many filter designs.Still have questions :confused:
Click to expand...

Hope this helps.

Any other questions... Just ask.

Dr Joe

.
 
Heres a question:

Me and hubby were talking about building filter from trashcan.
Anyone done that here ? Links ? Pics ?

We were thinking about a 5 gal bucket inside the trashcan with bio material.
Flow through 5 gal bucket out to trashcan,heater in trashcan.
Oh.. top of 5 gal a floss filter to catch big stuff.
Adjusting water level to leave 5 gal bucket part out of water.
Then pump back to tank.
More to it but you get Idea.

I have seen 5 gal. buckets used for bio. over the tank.
I'm adding more volume of water and filtration.(hides heater too)

could swap with bigger container....any kind.
 
ddyerfamily;1124408; said:
First Thanks !! You rock Dr. Joe:headbang2
The link was exactly what I needed.

The pump has 6.8 ft head. should be more than enough.
Will look to buy bigger ;)

Thanks again
Click to expand...

Yes but what is the flow @ 6.8ft :D there in lies the rub.

.

ddyerfamily;1124436; said:
Heres a question:

Me and hubby were talking about building filter from trashcan.
Anyone done that here ? Links ? Pics ?

We were thinking about a 5 gal bucket inside the trashcan with bio material.
Flow through 5 gal bucket out to trashcan,heater in trashcan.
Oh.. top of 5 gal a floss filter to catch big stuff.
Adjusting water level to leave 5 gal bucket part out of water.
Then pump back to tank.
More to it but you get Idea.

I have seen 5 gal. buckets used for bio. over the tank.
I'm adding more volume of water and filtration.(hides heater too)

could swap with bigger container....any kind.
Click to expand...

Several people on here have made them...search the DIY & Filter sections for DIY filter, homemade filter my filter ...you get the idea:screwy:.

What are you wanting to stock in this 150g? That will help with the filter calculations.

Dr Joe

.
 
ddyerfamily;1124489; said:
I have package for pump in my hand.
Lets see.......
I was wrong.....
It is a fountain pump MD200
max height 7.8ft.,240 gph @ 1ft. lift ?

I hoping a breeding pair or Red Devils or cross of them.(midas/flowerhorn type)
So not crowded at all.
Click to expand...

I take it that's the one Lowes carries...does it have a chart on the package showing the different flow rates for different heights (head). Could possibly only be 100-120 @ 4ft. (head reduces flow exponentially).

.

ddyerfamily;1124496; said:
Want a laugh....I have several RDs and introduced 2 ,I thought were boy and girl BUT wasn't, didn't get along so I separated back to their tanks.
Well within a hour the smaller RD laid hundreds of eggs alone :nilly:
Waste

I am now looking for a seriously cool male something,LOL
Click to expand...



Well now you know :D, mark the tanks!

.

ddyerfamily;1124885; said:
Hello.............................? :)
Click to expand...



Hi.

Dr Joe

.
 
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