DIY Wet/Dry Sump

Empty Bottles · 05/16/2012, 11:54 PM

Can someone help me out designing a wet/dry sump?
I've been looking at plans online and I'm going to go with a 5 gallon bucket that has body scrubbers in it. I plan on upgrading to bioballs after I get over the initial cost of getting a system started, I'm planning on getting a better sump once I get the tank established. Cost is the main priority, but I don't want to cause myself or the aquarium any trouble by shortchanging the filtration. I plan on using a 30ish gallon rubbermaid container for the sump. This is going to be for a fish only 100 gal setup.

How do I rig the bucket to be the media canister?

I've read I need 4-5 X the aquarium capacity of flow from the pump. Is this true and where can I get one that will get the job done?

bongarone · 05/17/2012, 01:24 AM

Forget the bioballs. That's 90s technology. Nobody uses them anymore.

Empty Bottles · 05/17/2012, 03:41 PM

I'm just trying to get something together that will get me by until after initial startup. After I get it going I'm going to upgrade to a refugium. I need the cheapest option possible, I'm a little overwhelmed with having to get lights, sand, rock, heaters, powerheads etc.. basically what everybody has to have to get started.

05/16/2012, 11:54 PM	#1
Empty Bottles Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 175	DIY Wet/Dry Sump Can someone help me out designing a wet/dry sump? I've been looking at plans online and I'm going to go with a 5 gallon bucket that has body scrubbers in it. I plan on upgrading to bioballs after I get over the initial cost of getting a system started, I'm planning on getting a better sump once I get the tank established. Cost is the main priority, but I don't want to cause myself or the aquarium any trouble by shortchanging the filtration. I plan on using a 30ish gallon rubbermaid container for the sump. This is going to be for a fish only 100 gal setup. How do I rig the bucket to be the media canister? I've read I need 4-5 X the aquarium capacity of flow from the pump. Is this true and where can I get one that will get the job done?

05/17/2012, 01:24 AM	#2
bongarone Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: California Posts: 423	Forget the bioballs. That's 90s technology. Nobody uses them anymore.

05/17/2012, 03:41 PM	#3
Empty Bottles Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 175	I'm just trying to get something together that will get me by until after initial startup. After I get it going I'm going to upgrade to a refugium. I need the cheapest option possible, I'm a little overwhelmed with having to get lights, sand, rock, heaters, powerheads etc.. basically what everybody has to have to get started.