Need Help setting wet/dry sump. first timer!

[odalisay]

I just bought a custom 50 gallon wet/dry sump and I need help setting it up. I was custom made by TruVu. That is what I was told by the gentleman that I bought it from. It was used for a 400g saltwater tank that the gentleman's sister owned. Apparently it wasn't big enought for her so she got a bigger one!(I guess for women size does matter! ) Anyways, I got for $100 but I need help setting it up. This my first time with setting up a wet/dry sump. I just need to know what type of media, pump, etc.. Any help would be appreciated. To get an idea of what I am working with here are some pics of the beast. Thanks guys!

 

[odalisay]

I just bought a custom 50 gallon wet/dry sump and I need help setting it up. I was custom made by TruVu. That is what I was told by the gentleman that I bought it from. It was used for a 400g saltwater tank that the gentleman's sister owned. Apparently it wasn't big enought for her so she got a bigger one!(I guess for women size does matter! ) Anyways, I got for $100 but I need help setting it up. This my first time with setting up a wet/dry sump. I just need to know what type of media, pump, etc.. Any help would be appreciated. To get an idea of what I am working with here are some pics of the beast. Thanks guys!

I forget(fob) mention that this wet/dry sump is going to be used for a 300g with 2 corner overflows that I got for free! Thanks.

 

[runwithit]

ok... first you get the sump for 100 bucks and then you have to rub in that you got a 300 gallon tank for free... omg. where can i sign up to get your luck!

 

[JustinC]

This is tough w/out physically showing you, but easy enough...

Run PVC pipe out of the larger holes cut inside your overflows you will need these to connect to one pipe and enter your sump on the side where the existing PVC pipe is.

Inside the overflow these pipes should be about halfway up the overflow with a sponge on the end. This will suck the water down by gravity and into your sump.

Next all you need is a submesible pump that will sit in the filtered area of the sump and return the water through a hose (I use clear bendable rubber hose..similar to hose attached to gravel vac). This hose attaches to another pvc pipe that goes up through the smaller predrilled hole in your overflow...at the top of your overflow there should be a groove cut out for a powerhead. Angle this to agitate the top of the water and voila..DONE!

The rule for pump selection is that you want a pump that turn the total volume of your tank water 6-10 times per hour depending on your bio-load.

I hope this helps.
They are easier than you think. In the walls and socks between the filtered water and intake in the sump is where your bio-media goes.



GOOD LUCK!

Oh yeah and

 

[odalisay]

This is tough w/out physically showing you, but easy enough...

Run PVC pipe out of the larger holes cut inside your overflows you will need these to connect to one pipe and enter your sump on the side where the existing PVC pipe is.

Inside the overflow these pipes should be about halfway up the overflow with a sponge on the end. This will suck the water down by gravity and into your sump.

Next all you need is a submesible pump that will sit in the filtered area of the sump and return the water through a hose (I use clear bendable rubber hose..similar to hose attached to gravel vac). This hose attaches to another pvc pipe that goes up through the smaller predrilled hole in your overflow...at the top of your overflow there should be a groove cut out for a powerhead. Angle this to agitate the top of the water and voila..DONE!

The rule for pump selection is that you want a pump that turn the total volume of your tank water 6-10 times per hour depending on your bio-load.

I hope this helps.
They are easier than you think. In the walls and socks between the filtered water and intake in the sump is where your bio-media goes.



GOOD LUCK!

Oh yeah and

I forgot to mention that in the upper middle of the back wall of the tank is a hole for the return. So that both corner overflows will be use for exit. The guy that I got it from said he had an oscillating head on the return. He use used the tank for saltwater. Let me know if have any more ideas. Thanks.

 

[odalisay]

ok... first you get the sump for 100 bucks and then you have to rub in that you got a 300 gallon tank for free... omg. where can i sign up to get your luck!

I will let you in on 2 little secrets that I use. The first one is called Craigslist.org and the second one is that I live in the Sunshine state where all the best deals are at.

 

[Lil_Stinker]

I forgot to mention that in the upper middle of the back wall of the tank is a hole for the return. So that both corner overflows will be use for exit. The guy that I got it from said he had an oscillating head on the return. He use used the tank for saltwater. Let me know if have any more ideas. Thanks.

Are you sure the lower is not the return? like like the top may be an overflow from the sump to avoid spillage

Can you post pics from all sides & top?

I have many ideas but need more visualization

 

[Dr Joe]

I will let you in on 2 little secrets that I use. The first one is called Craigslist.org and the second one is that I live in the Sunshine state where all the best deals are at.

Where in FL ? I'm not seeing these deals!!

Dr Joe

.

 

[Dr Joe]

Are you sure the lower is not the return? like like the top may be an overflow from the sump to avoid spillage

Can you post pics from all sides & top?

I have many ideas but need more visualization

Dr Joe

.

 

[odalisay]

Are you sure the lower is not the return? like like the top may be an overflow from the sump to avoid spillage

Can you post pics from all sides & top?

I have many ideas but need more visualization

I will try to take pics tonight to give you guys a better idea of what I am working with. Thanks for all the help.