Wet/Dry to Reef sump DIY conversion

che25 · 07/30/2008, 08:26 AM

Hello reefers:

I've recently removed all the bio-balls and other nasty foam media from by wet/dry sump that was initially installed in my system. However, the original design of the sump does not allow the placement of a filter sock which I can see is necessary to keep out all of the nasty detritus that is building up in the bottom of the sump.

Here is my idea to add a filter sock:

At the apex of the water flow, there is a tray with many holes in it that was designed to hold a foam pad to distribute water over the bio-balls.

I'm thinking of gluing a piece of 1/8" plexi-glass over the holes to cover them. I then would like to drill a large diameter hole through both the plexi-glass and the tray and insert a pvc pipe, about 2-3" long, and glue it to the hole. I will attach the filter sock to the pipe.

My question is: How large should the drilled hole be so as not to inhibit overall sump flow?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Cheers.

OceanAV · 07/30/2008, 10:46 AM

I did similar mod to my Mega Flow Sump #3. Only I glued my own tray from acrylic. I made it narrower and a little higher than the original tray so I can change sock without removing the tray. The hole should be at least the diameter what your drain pipe is. On my 75AGA RR itâ€™s 1 inch.

07/30/2008, 08:26 AM	#1
che25 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 173	Wet/Dry to Reef sump DIY conversion Hello reefers: I've recently removed all the bio-balls and other nasty foam media from by wet/dry sump that was initially installed in my system. However, the original design of the sump does not allow the placement of a filter sock which I can see is necessary to keep out all of the nasty detritus that is building up in the bottom of the sump. Here is my idea to add a filter sock: At the apex of the water flow, there is a tray with many holes in it that was designed to hold a foam pad to distribute water over the bio-balls. I'm thinking of gluing a piece of 1/8" plexi-glass over the holes to cover them. I then would like to drill a large diameter hole through both the plexi-glass and the tray and insert a pvc pipe, about 2-3" long, and glue it to the hole. I will attach the filter sock to the pipe. My question is: How large should the drilled hole be so as not to inhibit overall sump flow? Thanks in advance for any input. Cheers. __________________ Ave caesar! Morituri te salutamus Current Tank Info: 75 gal. glass, mixed reef/fish(SPS, LPS and softies), 2X150 MH w/130 watt actinic, Euro Reef RS80 Skimmer. DIY ATO w/Kalkwasser and 10 gal. DIY Fudge. DIY RODI system.

07/30/2008, 10:46 AM	#2
OceanAV Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 149	I did similar mod to my Mega Flow Sump #3. Only I glued my own tray from acrylic. I made it narrower and a little higher than the original tray so I can change sock without removing the tray. The hole should be at least the diameter what your drain pipe is. On my 75AGA RR itâ€™s 1 inch.