Maxing out the Cleaning Power Of A W/D

[ozz465]

I got a 135 g with a w/d filter and overflow . what do u guys suggest to add or do to get it maxed out on its filtration capabilities?? water is usually crystal clear cept i see debris on the sand at times.Is there a way to get the water from the lower levels of the tank into the w/d as well???

will post more detailed pics of the w/d when i find my cam




Btw these pics are for reference only . the filter is on a bigger tank . the second compartment is unused.(dont have a second overflow) and the pump is rated at 750 gph .

 

[CHOMPERS]

I think you already know the obvious in adding a second overflow and using the second chamber. You should also pack the W/D chamber(s) to the top with scrubbies.

Add floating plants to the refugium chamber with a grow light overhead. You may need to add another baffle to keep it out of the pump. A strainer or eggcrate to support some window screen will work well too.

To keep the sand clean, you can add a Hydor Koralia power head to the tank. Mount it toward the top on the same side as the overflow and then point it just under the surface. The current will flow down the opposite side and back across the sand. This will bring the debris to the end of the tank and (hopefully) into the water collumn to get skimmed off by the overflow. If you get one of the adjustable units, you can find the optimal flow rate that will bring the debris into suspension without disturbing the sand.

http://www.marineandreef.com/Hydor_...ps_s/380.htm?gclid=CNbul4zKmpkCFQazsgodajlpDA

 

[ozz465]

I think you already know the obvious in adding a second overflow and using the second chamber. You should also pack the W/D chamber(s) to the top with scrubbies.

Add floating plants to the refugium chamber with a grow light overhead. You may need to add another baffle to keep it out of the pump. A strainer or eggcrate to support some window screen will work well too.

To keep the sand clean, you can add a Hydor Koralia power head to the tank. Mount it toward the top on the same side as the overflow and then point it just under the surface. The current will flow down the opposite side and back across the sand. This will bring the debris to the end of the tank and (hopefully) into the water collumn to get skimmed off by the overflow. If you get one of the adjustable units, you can find the optimal flow rate that will bring the debris into suspension without disturbing the sand.

http://www.marineandreef.com/Hydor_...ps_s/380.htm?gclid=CNbul4zKmpkCFQazsgodajlpDA

thx for the reply . and yea looking for a second overflow as we speak . planning to add more scrubies but my local area is out atm.as for the powerhead good idea .
i actually was thinking about a diy pvc overlofw . but i am unsure how to set it up for this aplication.

 

[DaveB]

Well you're in the right place to learn about overflows. There's enough information here to make your head spin (I've actually confused myself several times just from the volume of information from Chompers and others).

Another simple solution would be just to split the current one with a T and go to both chambers.

One of those powerheads across the surface is enough to get flow across the bottom of a 6 foot tank? Maybe I need some new powerheads.

 

[ozz465]

Well you're in the right place to learn about overflows. There's enough information here to make your head spin (I've actually confused myself several times just from the volume of information from Chompers and others).

Another simple solution would be just to split the current one with a T and go to both chambers.

One of those powerheads across the surface is enough to get flow across the bottom of a 6 foot tank? Maybe I need some new powerheads.

i was thinking about splitting the hose from the overflow with the second compartment but the flow would still be the same . the overflow doesn't seem to be able to handle more water.

 

[chesterthehero]

any and all area with water could/should be packed with scrubbies/media of choice.. making a "cage" around the pump with egg crate allows you to stuff some filterfloss/polishing pad in as well..

 

[ozz465]

any and all area with water could/should be packed with scrubbies/media of choice.. making a "cage" around the pump with egg crate allows you to stuff some filterfloss/polishing pad in as well..

sounds very interesting . will do that when i get more scrubs.

 

[ozz465]

any way to connect a pvc overflow to the sump?? got any ideas guys?

 

[CHOMPERS]

You can run pvc all the way to the sump or you can get a hose fitting from Lowes (HD doesn't carry them). Get the hose from Lowes too. I don't know if it is regional or national, but the hose at HD is squashed flat from rolling it too tight on the spool. They have had a problem with that for the past 15 years but you would think they would have figured it out by now.

 

[ozz465]

good looking out man , would have been pissed to not find what i need at hd.