wet dry sump gph and tank size ques...please help

[Burko]

"ok, so not submerged...i was on the fence about that one....... I was wondering how the bb stays alive-I guess that the scrubbies are just moist enough that it works..."

I think most people do 2/3 wet/dry 1/3 submerged. So you are covered either which way if you have an extended power out.

 

[higgins]

hey think it looks good. Maybe a shelf to break up the media above the water or below water level wouldn't mater. should work well

 

[arowfan]

gotcha burko! thanks higgins-was planning on doing that; forgot to draw it in lol

so what size bulkhead in the sump to drain do you guys think I should use a 1in?

 

[Burko]

Here you go knock yourself out...

Courtesy of a Chompers sticky from up there /\


Maximum Gravitational Vertical Flow - This is what we look for when sizing drains or DIY overflows. The flow under the power of gravity reaches a maximum in the same way an object reaches Terminal Velocity as it falls through the air. The gravitational force is countered by the waters viscosity (resistance to flow) and the frictional resistance of the pipe. The viscosity creates a minimum vertical length to acheive the maximum flow. If the vertical pipe length is less than the minimum, the flow rate will be somewhat less than the pipes maximum potential.
size _GPM __GPH
1/2 = 2.50 = 150
3/4 = 5.63 = 337.5
1.0 = 10.0 = 600
1.25=15.6 = 937.5
1.5 = 22.5 = 1350
2.0 = 40.0 = 2400

Min. Vertical Length
1/2 = 2"
3/4 = 5"
1.0 = 9"
1.25= 14"
1.5 = 20"
2.0 = 36"

 

[nes999]

what i do is i use ceramic noodle for the submerged and scrubbies wet-dry

 

[arowfan]

so according to the chart, I should minimally use a 1.5in bulkhead...

 

[arowfan]

a lfs guy just said that a 1.5 is waay large for a mag 12...and suggested a 1in...is this ok?

 

[scrup]

I don't see any problem with using a larger bulkhead, you can always get a reducer, but its a little trickier making it bigger.

Sump plan looks good. Make sure you use a prefilter or even a multistage filter box around the pump, or you will get a lot of crud built up in your media.

I personally use shattered terra cotta pots (cheap ceramic media, and its fun shattering the pots) for my sump media, works great.

The wet/dry portion of the sump is just to keep it oxygenated. If you want it full consider adding an air pump and some bubble wands or disks. I use them in the corners of my sump to help keep water flowing around. While its not needed, and doesn't aerate as much as a true wet/dry trickle filter, having some more O2 and waterflow in your sump does not hurt at all.