Wet/Dry Filter Problems

[AaronChisling]

It seems that the "dry" section of my wet dry seems to be FAR too wet.
Any recommendations on keeping the dry section "more dry"? I am not sure if this is due to my pump down there not being strong enough or what.

This is one of the hang on wet/dry filters on the back of the tank. It sucks the water up from one corner of the tank, goes into a protein skimmer, down into the "wet" section that is full of water, pours over into the "dry" bioball section that is suppose to get pumped into the runoff area.

The water is all the way to the top of the dry section and I am afraid it is going to overflow all over my electrical stuff to keep the tank running. Today I left the filtration system offline as all I have in the tank right now is rock.

Any recommendations or any idea WHY my wet dry filtration system isn't working? I bought it on craigslist from someone who is getting out of the hobby if that means anything.

 

[AaronChisling]

bump... i'd like an answer this morning if anyone would be so kind...

 

[carey]

I wish I could help you but I'm not familiar with that type of filter. :-(

 

[AaronChisling]

I wish I could help you but I'm not familiar with that type of filter. :-(

I did a REAL crude drawing.

the middle section water is too high!

 

[AaronChisling]

bump... any suggestions?

 

[carey]

Did you make this filter yourself? I;m guessing the wall between the middle chamber and right chamber is too tall...thats my best guess, I am FAR from an expert lol

 

[Gti_Leo]

iu would agree ther is to much water in there which means a baffle is to high or you have to remove some water by hand

 

[AaronChisling]

I didn't make it myself.

I got it from another guy who was getting out of the hobby.

It looks like my problem is that the left side of the wet/dry filter is taking in far too much water and my section with the bioballs (the "dry" section) can't keep up with pumping the water into the part that pushes the water up and out of the tank.

Any recommendation on keeping the water levels from the left side with the protein skimmer slow down to keep the 2nd compartment from overflowing?

 

[carey]

I would think a bigger return pump would clear out more water from the sump quicker....just a thought....

 

[AaronChisling]

I would think a bigger return pump would clear out more water from the sump quicker....just a thought....

That would make sense, but it was running perfectly until just now..... The pump IS running, just very slowly. Odd.

 

[carey]

is it clogged with anything, I cleaned out mine not too long ago and the water flow increased quite a bit.

 

[AaronChisling]

is it clogged with anything, I cleaned out mine not too long ago and the water flow increased quite a bit.

clean the pumps? It's possible I suppose. How would I do that?

 

[carey]

Mine actually comes apart in two pieces to reveal the inner stuff. I have an internal Rio HF pump and it has little grates for the water to be sucked in, that's where mine comes apart. I just cleaned the cheato that was stuck in it from the inside and popped the cover back together. Wish i had a picture for ya LOL

 

[AaronChisling]

I'll have to check it out. All I know is that it was a REAL pain in the butt to get that pump to go back into the filter and seated properly, haha.