Need help desinging a Wet/Dry with what I have...

[BushFishRox]

Ok well I have decided to go with a wet/dry filter along side my FX5 for my 220...

Now I have a few rubbermaid bins that I picked up to hold my fish while I setup the new tank and one with all my sand in it...

I have 2 151L bins:

Approx. 36x18x18, so I was thinking of using one of these for the sump since it will fit in the stand.

Right now the sand is in a 68L bin:

Approx. 24x16x16.5 I was think of using this or a 37L Bin for the bio tower:

Approx. 24x16x8.75

So I am thinking of using the 151 for the sump and then getting some milk crate (i think it is) and cut out to fit the 37L to hold it by the lip. Then I should have about 8"s+ of water in the in the sump with out submerging any of the bio media.

And since the lid has the 1" drop in it I was thinking of using that as the drip tray, I would just have to drill it.

I am just not sure about mechanical filtration for the w/d, I will have the FX5 on the tank as well. It will have 2 intakes I am just not sure if I should do 2 outputs as well or would one be good.

My plan is to ditch my AC110's and seed the Wet/Dry with the bio max from them. I am going to modify my FX5 to have 2 intakes with the single output. I guess 2 intakes for the wet/dry and 1 output.

So now I need help putting it all together, so I call for the powers of the mighty CHOMPERS and everyone else that can help...

Thanks guys.

 

[FireMedic]

Okay, I can help.
You will have to read this then see the pics.
Take your bin and drill adequate holes along the sides and bottom. Cut the top to match whatever you use as your drip plate. I used some plant starting trays. One solid, with holes to act as the diffuser, one lattice-like, to hold the filter floss. Inside the bin I placed two "pond-plant" baskets. These were filled with sintered glass, pebble-sized lava rock, bio-balls and foam(fluval).
I plumbed my 350 gallon tank to the bin located within my150 gallon sump tank. You can see that I upgraded to a 55gallon upright bin and tweaked my system a little, but you get the idea.
The bin I originally used (the one you are concidering) was able to keep my parameters at perfect! A healthy water change (50%) every two weeks was enough to keep the Motoros and myself very happy. I maintained a flow rate of 980 gallons an hour through the original set-up and still do.
I really hope this helped.....still trying to figure out the whole posting pics and dialoge thing.
Respectfully,
FireMedic.

 

[FireMedic]

A few pics didn't make it through, but youget the point. Look closely and you can see how I staggered the holes in the bin along the bottom and 1/3 the way up the sides.
If you want a few more pics, PM me. -FM.

 

[dr_sudz]

Good job FM, w/d sumps are not hard as long as you remember that there has to be a place for water to trickle over "media" and a holding area.

 

[FireMedic]

A few pics that didn't make it before (and thanks Sudz). Maybe these will spark some ideas.
I added some interior shots of the 55gallon garbage can that replaced the smaller horizontal bin.
I was able to fully utilize all bio media in my possesion within the 55 gal.
Respectfully,
FireMedic. *again, PM me if you want to talk specifics or more pictures*

 

[BushFishRox]

Ok thanks FM that is a lot of help, I will probly start it this week because I am suppost to hear from BA's about the delivery of the 220 this week (tank was on back order).

 

[Dr Joe]

Fill the tubs with water before measuring to cut the drop-in materials. these things bulge like crazy.

Dr Joe

.

 

[BushFishRox]

ok thanks Joe.

 

[BushFishRox]

Well I pickup 120 pot scubbies is that enough? and a sheet of milk crate so start building it and worry about the plumbing later