Diy wet dry trickle filter

[Loach23]

I wanted to make a trickle filter for a 55 gal tank.. What size tank should I use will a 10 gallon be good enough? Or too small? What size pump should I use? Thanks for the help

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[DA fisherman]

Well if it's for a freshwater setup I say anything from 20g-30g.

If it's a saltwater I say 30g-and up. That's what worked for me

 

[Loach23]

Right now I'm running 2 marineland emperor 400gph on my 55gal. Should it be better to go canister or the trick
E I hear trickle is more for saltwater

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[BigJim]

Sumps are very underrated for a FW tank. Think of the sump as a huge HOB filter that doesn't hang on the back of the tank. Look at the flexibility of design and the huge amount of media you can use in a sump. You can also add a refugium to grow food or fry. Look at a 20L. It has an excellent shape for use as a sump.

 

[Loach23]

Ok is a sump the same thing as a wet dry trickle. I don't know what the difference is. Basically I was going to do a drip plate to a bio tower to media sponge to a sump pump back to the tank. And is this necessary since I'm already doing

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[Loach23]

Since I'm already doing 800 gph with he 2 marineland emperor HOB. Each one is retied for 400 gph

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[BigJim]

A sump can be a wet-dry filter, but it can be more too. It all depends on your design. Google "Melev's Reef" and look at his sump page. There's tons of information there.

I thought you were looking to replace your HOB filters. Your tank should be perfectly ok with those filters.

 

[Loach23]

Thank I will deff check that out. I was only considering a wet/ dry for the fact that it's a much bigger filter and less maintenance. These hob can get expensive

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[BigJim]

The best thing I ever did with my Penguin filter was make my own cartridge. I cut some canister filter foam to fit into a Marineland media basket. It kept the water clearer and I only had to clean it once a month instead of every week.

 

[Loach23]

Thanks big Jim I have some leftover blue media pads. Will definitely try that.

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[Loach23]

Hey big Jim would you know what kind of ballast is used for aquarium lights. Can I just use any ballast for say T12 type or T8 bulbs. I want to make my own light and hood

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