Question for my first Wet/Dry Setup

[FlorabamaTrigger]

I know this must've been answered in one of the threads somewhere, but I'll be damned if I could find it.

I'm swapping over to a larger tank with a Wet/Dry setup underneath. I bought it as a kit, and everything is hooked up and working properly. Although the hooking up instructions were detailed, the operations of it are still lacking a little for me.

First, the blue micro filter pad under where the water first comes into the sump tank, how often should it be changed? Or can/should it be rinsed out every so often? Also, I've heard of some filter pads that are 'washable' and 're-useable'? Are they worth anything or should I just stick to buying new pads when they need to be changed?

Second, after going through the blue filter pad, it dripps down through the tray to flow over the Bio Balls. All, or most, of the pictures I've seen of Bio Balls show them blue in color. Mine are black. (Hold all the jokes on this one.) Do the Blue Balls work any better than the Black ones? I've also heard about using 'scrubbies' works better than the bio balls? And finally, should the bio balls ever be rinsed out as well? I'm assuming that since that is where the bacteria is, they should be left alone for the life of the tank, or at minimum, rinsed in 25% portions in order to not lose all the bacteria.

Third, after going through the Bio Balls in my system, the water flows into a 3rd chamber before flowing through a sponge filter into the area where the return pump sits. My system didn't come with any charcoal filters. I've heard that a cycled tank doesn't require charcoal filters except to remove medicines or maybe once every couple months. But if I were to throw some bags down in the bottom after the water goes through the bio wouldn't that remove some of the good bacteria before returning to the tank?

4th, my pump is a CE-4000 1300gph submersible pump attached to the floor by suction cups. It's quiet enough, except for the 'humming' the stand makes from it's vibration. It's not too loud, but it is quite noticeable. Any ideas on whether placing the entire sump on a mat before setting it on the floor of the inside of the stand help?

 

[Piscine]

I know this must've been answered in one of the threads somewhere, but I'll be damned if I could find it.

I'm swapping over to a larger tank with a Wet/Dry setup underneath. I bought it as a kit, and everything is hooked up and working properly. Although the hooking up instructions were detailed, the operations of it are still lacking a little for me.

First, the blue micro filter pad under where the water first comes into the sump tank, how often should it be changed? Or can/should it be rinsed out every so often? Also, I've heard of some filter pads that are 'washable' and 're-useable'? Are they worth anything or should I just stick to buying new pads when they need to be changed?

Second, after going through the blue filter pad, it dripps down through the tray to flow over the Bio Balls. All, or most, of the pictures I've seen of Bio Balls show them blue in color. Mine are black. (Hold all the jokes on this one.) Do the Blue Balls work any better than the Black ones? I've also heard about using 'scrubbies' works better than the bio balls? And finally, should the bio balls ever be rinsed out as well? I'm assuming that since that is where the bacteria is, they should be left alone for the life of the tank, or at minimum, rinsed in 25% portions in order to not lose all the bacteria.

Third, after going through the Bio Balls in my system, the water flows into a 3rd chamber before flowing through a sponge filter into the area where the return pump sits. My system didn't come with any charcoal filters. I've heard that a cycled tank doesn't require charcoal filters except to remove medicines or maybe once every couple months. But if I were to throw some bags down in the bottom after the water goes through the bio wouldn't that remove some of the good bacteria before returning to the tank?

4th, my pump is a CE-4000 1300gph submersible pump attached to the floor by suction cups. It's quiet enough, except for the 'humming' the stand makes from it's vibration. It's not too loud, but it is quite noticeable. Any ideas on whether placing the entire sump on a mat before setting it on the floor of the inside of the stand help?

Whether or not the pad can be rinsed is entirely up to you. You can replace it every time, but it works just as well to rinse it in old tank water after a water change.
EDIT: Of course you'll have to replace the pad after it has deteriorated to non-working condition.

The black and blue bio balls are just different colors as far as I know. I believe Lee's bio balls are blue, and coral-life balls are black. I bought the blue ones because it is easier to judge the cleanliness at a glance. I normally clean mine once a year, but I don't get much detritus. Your situation could require it more often, or less often. You be the judge.

Carbon isn't required unless you want it.. I use it to remove medication, as you said. I also keep a small amount in all of my tanks and replace it on a regular basis to remove any chemicals I may introduce by putting my hands into the tank.
EDIT: Carbon has no effect on your BB.

As far as the vibration issue....I wrapped mine in airhose.... I know it sounds ghetto, but its all I had at the time and it worked for me.

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

1) Clean them whenever they gets too dirty. I'll say every 2-4 weeks, depending on your bio-load.

2) Colour of the balls doesn't affect performance but the amount of surface area does. So if the blue balls are of different design from the black and provide much more surface area, then it works better.

Scrubbies also have alot of areas and they are way cheaper compared to bio-balls. It really depends on your bioload. If you do not overstock, you could get away with scrubbies

Every month, rise 1/4 of your bio balls in tap way. This would allow BB to recolonize.

3) Your bulk amount of BB should reside in your bioballs, so even if the carbon traps some of them, it is negligible. Carbon should only be use to remove colour, medicine or odour. Beside once they are saturated with junks, they serve as more surface area for BB to colonize.

4) I have no idea on this one, but it's worth a try

 

[FlorabamaTrigger]

Whether or not the pad can be rinsed is entirely up to you. You can replace it every time, but it works just as well to rinse it in old tank water after a water change.
EDIT: Of course you'll have to replace the pad after it has deteriorated to non-working condition.

The black and blue bio balls are just different colors as far as I know. I believe Lee's bio balls are blue, and coral-life balls are black. I bought the blue ones because it is easier to judge the cleanliness at a glance. I normally clean mine once a year, but I don't get much detritus. Your situation could require it more often, or less often. You be the judge.

Carbon isn't required unless you want it.. I use it to remove medication, as you said. I also keep a small amount in all of my tanks and replace it on a regular basis to remove any chemicals I may introduce by putting my hands into the tank.
EDIT: Carbon has no effect on your BB.

As far as the vibration issue....I wrapped mine in airhose.... I know it sounds ghetto, but its all I had at the time and it worked for me.

I'm assuming that rinsing the pad would be what, once a month? Or at every water change?

As far as rinsing the bio balls, what type of trash should I be looking for on the bio balls? Algae or just trash in general? I'm assuming the pad will catch all the big stuff. I just would like to be sure before I end up rinsing off the good bacteria.

Good idea on the carbon catching anything off your hands. I never thought about that one. But shouldn't the carbon be BEFORE the bio balls, or does that even matter?

Wrapping it in airhose? Do you mean finding one large enough to cut and place inside, or wrapping length wise around and around it? Any way you can post a pic of it? I'm not too concerned about it looking ghetto since the sump will be hidden anyways.

 

[jsodwi]

Go onto ebay and look for bulk filter padding. Its fairly cheap so every month or whenever needed, just cut a new piece.
Color doesnt matter on the bioballs. Some have different shapes and sizes. I have no experience with the scrubbies but they are a lot cheaper and seem to have a ton of surface area.

You dont need carbon in the tank you have to remove meds or tank smells for some reason other than it needs a good cleaning
I put my pumps on a piece of foam rubber. Like the pipe insulation you can buy at home depot.
There is my $0.02

 

[Piscine]

I'm assuming that rinsing the pad would be what, once a month? Or at every water change?

As far as rinsing the bio balls, what type of trash should I be looking for on the bio balls? Algae or just trash in general? I'm assuming the pad will catch all the big stuff. I just would like to be sure before I end up rinsing off the good bacteria.

Good idea on the carbon catching anything off your hands. I never thought about that one. But shouldn't the carbon be BEFORE the bio balls, or does that even matter?

Wrapping it in airhose? Do you mean finding one large enough to cut and place inside, or wrapping length wise around and around it? Any way you can post a pic of it? I'm not too concerned about it looking ghetto since the sump will be hidden anyways.

I'd start with monthly cleanings and go more frequent if necessary. As long as it isn't horribly nasty and the water flows through the pad, and not around, it'd be fine by me.

As for the (black) Bio-balls, I'd start with cleaning every 6 months, and adjust if needed. It's kinda the same as the pad...If the water is flowing around them, they are too dirty and are not doing their job. Also, when I clean mine, I try to be gentle and leave a little of the gunk on there.

It doesn't matter where you put the carbon, as long as it has water flowing through it. I personally place the carbon directly on top of my filter pad in a bag, but your setup may be different than mine.

I don't have a pic of the pump, but I wrapped it like you would wrap tape around a wound on an extremity. I can try to get a pic when I get home tonight, but I'm not sure that it will be visible to a camera without taking everything apart.

I will post a short video of how mine is setup in a sec.

 

[Piscine]

This video was taken before I got the bag for the carbon, but it worked well both ways. The bag just made it easier to change out.

I made the rotating spray bar from pvc and electrical conduit you can get at any home improvement place.. I am also proud to say that I have been Dr. Pepper free for almost 6 months now.

The pump sounds pretty loud in the video, but with the doors closed, all you can hear is water breaking from the other tanks.
EDIT: Ooops. Try this link.

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i18/codyws10/?action=view&current=ab076fb7.mp4

 

[FlorabamaTrigger]

This video was taken before I got the bag for the carbon, but it worked well both ways. The bag just made it easier to change out.

I made the rotating spray bar from pvc and electrical conduit you can get at any home improvement place.. I am also proud to say that I have been Dr. Pepper free for almost 6 months now.

Cool setup! I like the rotating bar! mine is setup with dual fixed, but I like your idea about placing the carbon on top. I guess I can put one under each bar. Here's a shot of mine.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/album.php?albumid=5356&pictureid=59884

 

[Piscine]

I likey! Looks like a pretty nice sump.

 

[FlorabamaTrigger]

I likey! Looks like a pretty nice sump.

Thanks! I got it as a kit with the bio balls, filter pad, hoses, dual overflow box, return spout w/siphon hole, and 1300gph pump for $275 new including shipping! I thought about building my own, but figured I'd spend at least that much trying to get everything right the first time. Only thing I plan on changing is replacing the hoses with PVC eventually.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/album.php?albumid=5356&pictureid=59883