How full should my wet/dry sump be? (bonus pics inside...)

[terd ferguson]

The tank is 190 US Gallons and measures 60" long x 24" wide x 30" tall. The wet/dry sump is 50 gallons. This is my fist really large tank and my first wet/dry sump setup. I did enough research (and got lucky enough, lol) to get it plumbed properly and everything works as it should.

I have two drain lines and one return line. Each line has a ball valve so they can be shut off. With the valves open and the pump shut off, the water that drains from the tank only adds a couple of inches of water to the sump, so there's some room to play with. So, how full should my sump be? See the picture below to see how it is right now. Should there be more water or less?

 

[terd ferguson]

In case you can't make it out from the picture, the line of condensation on the bioball side is the water level currently. You can see the water level pretty well on the pump side (a couple of inches lower).

And as a super secret sneak preview bonus, here's a tank shot. It's a little bare now, more wood and rock is still in the 55g with the fishes...

This tank has been setup to house the most vicious stone cold killers from Central and South America. I have dubbed it "Pelican Bay". Inmates will be transferred later tonight and will include:
1 Parachromis loiselli female, about 7" (Loiselli)
2 Parachromis managuense sex unknown, about 2.5" (Jaguar)
2 Aequidens rivulatus males, about 4" (False Green Terror or Gold Saum)
1 Amphilophus festae female, about 5" (True Red Terror)
1 Astronatus ocellatus sex unknown, about 4" (Common Oscar)
1 Cichlasoma octofasciatus female, about 6.5" (Jack Dempsey)
1 Synodontis eupterus sex unknown, about 4.5" (Featherfin Catfish)

Look for a full write up on the trials and tribulations that have been getting this tank going as soon as I'm done moving fish (inmates, lol). There will be tons of pictures from start to finish including the fishes.

Also, I couldn't have possibly gotten to where I am in this hobby without the help and advice from those here at MFK. For that, I am extremely appreciative. Thanks for all the help.

 

[Miguel]

Not bad at all ( and I like the tank )but, imo, a water level up to the middle of the bioballs would do no harm.

Beyond that, there is a lot of other bio media with a significantly bigger bacterial colonization capacity--I have bio balls ( all sumps need them in bulk ) but i also have a lotr of ceramics in there )

 

[terd ferguson]

Not bad at all ( and I like the tank )but, imo, a water level up to the middle of the bioballs would do no harm.

Beyond that, there is a lot of other bio media with a significantly bigger bacterial colonization capacity--I have bio balls ( all sumps need them in bulk ) but i also have a lotr of ceramics in there )

So, if I were to add some ceramic media, where would I put them?

And thanks for the help.

 

[unknownuza13]

The water level you have it at is fine. You could actually drop it a few inches if you didn't want any of the bioballs subermerged. If your media is totally submerged it isn't really a wet/dry anymore.

I have mine set up so that about half my bio media is submerged. It is just a personal preference. If you were to get ceramic rings or something else comparable get a media bag to put them in and you can just toss in where the bio balls currently are. If there is no more room you will need to remove some of the bio balls.

Very nice job for your first DIY filter. It is a lot nicer than my first attempt.

 

[scadarette]

PELICAN BAY-NICE....

 

[Bsixxx]

PELICAN BAY-NICE....

pelican bay
lol more like county jail


very nice though

 

[Wolf3101]

the water level is just fine...you want some extra room in case of a power failure.

 

[canucksfan1]

that water level looks good (by the way thats a nice tank and F.U. too)

 

[ercnan]

Water level looks fine to me as well, hence the name Wet/Dry filter.
You must MUST maintain room to allow for tank drainage in the event of power out, or pump fail.
Better safe than flooded.