Wet/dry filter help needed!!!

[Fish Tank Travis]

I would ditch the lid you have over the drip tray of your wet/dry sump. Then, mount your PVC pipe so that it is rigidly mounted over top the drip tray, but is not too close so that you can get some sort of poly fil pad to sit in the drip tray. Then, your drains won't be too close and you will have an easily removable filter pad that you can change out often. The poly fil pads are really cheap and you can buy them in large rolls that you can cut new pieces out of. I think this is the best option to get your current sump in better working order.

 

[Imsobored152]

You installed the bulkheads the wrong direction. Threads should be up, the flatside with the filter

 

[JK47]

You installed the bulkheads the wrong direction. Threads should be up, the flatside with the filter

This is the correct answer. All day long and twice on Sunday. I was going to say the same as well. For nitrates up your water changes. If 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite then the filter IS working as designed. Once you flip the bulkheads, add some floss forfor mechanical and the problem is solved.