Wet/dry filter for a 55g Malawi tank
- Thread starter MoFish78
- Start date
Is this a good deal for 55 bucks? This actually came with a 40gal tank and a Rio 3100 pump, both for an additional $40. But for some reason the pump isn't working...will bring it back to the seller tomorrow to have it checked.
The original owner had it set up so that the sump is sitting on top of the 40Gal and the water from the sump goes into the 40gal (by gravity) then the Rio 3100 pump is sittin in the 40gal pumping the water back up into the main tank. (is that a good set up?)
The original owner had it set up so that the sump is sitting on top of the 40Gal and the water from the sump goes into the 40gal (by gravity) then the Rio 3100 pump is sittin in the 40gal pumping the water back up into the main tank. (is that a good set up?)
So I got this up and running...prior to this set up i had a fluval 404 and magnum 350 running at the same time.
Right now it's just this wet/dry system and the magnum 350 running. When can I take the magnum 350 out? Can I take the filter out of the magnum and use it in the sump to use the old bacteria?
![cichlids%20002[1].JPG](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/286/286622-a2b9ef1d1f6c5e94b8f654e3a37447ba.jpg?hash=ornvHR9sXp "cichlids%20002[1].JPG")
Right now it's just this wet/dry system and the magnum 350 running. When can I take the magnum 350 out? Can I take the filter out of the magnum and use it in the sump to use the old bacteria?
Im using a submersible pump and according to the website, it pumps out 650 GPH.
I noticed this morning though that the water is below the line in the sump. What could that mean? It was right on the line yesterday.
Will it ruin the pump if it's only halfway in the water?
I noticed this morning though that the water is below the line in the sump. What could that mean? It was right on the line yesterday.
Will it ruin the pump if it's only halfway in the water?
You want to keep the pump totally submerged...as well as approx 1/4 to 1/3 of those bio-balls...MoFish78;2840936; said:
Got pix of the tank end of the system?
^^^ I agree. Don't worry about what the manufacture says fill it up more. Atleast cover the bottom of your balls by a few inches. 
oh no, i dont think the bio balls are in the water at all...here's some pix...i had one fish die today 
notice the side of the sump where the pump is, the water is way below the water line.
there's also a picture of the lid opened to show what's on top of the bio-balls...i think i need more filter media in there, but when i put more, the water doesn't spread.
please point out all the wrong things in the pics. thanks!
notice the side of the sump where the pump is, the water is way below the water line.
there's also a picture of the lid opened to show what's on top of the bio-balls...i think i need more filter media in there, but when i put more, the water doesn't spread.
please point out all the wrong things in the pics. thanks!Your pump is outruning your flow from the tank..either bigger line/fittings from tank, or put a way to control your pumps output. I have used ball valves, didn`t like them(to hard to get just the right setting I wanted)gate valve is the choice, little more $ but worth it to me for the control I got. "T" out of your return line, main back to your tank, the leg of the "T" with the valve would go back into the sump..that way you control the water level in the sump. I would also look into a float switch to protect your pump, should something stop the flow of water to the sump..A few $ for a switch could save the most expensive part of your system.
I never used Bio Balls, pot scrubbies, and none of them were submerged. The water flow thru them was the whole idea..wet-dry..wet=water flowing thru them..dry=air from not being submerged.
Bacterial growth is enhanced by the amount of air available by not being submerged.
HTH
I never used Bio Balls, pot scrubbies, and none of them were submerged. The water flow thru them was the whole idea..wet-dry..wet=water flowing thru them..dry=air from not being submerged.
Bacterial growth is enhanced by the amount of air available by not being submerged.
HTH
