wanting to make a diy wetdry filter for a 100 gallon tank

[Craig Muse]

I have a 100 gallon acrylic tank that i would like to make a wetdry for. But i have a few questions seeing as how i have never used one.

When using a wetdry filter will that eliminate all other filters in the tank?
how large should the PVC pipe be?
what kind of paint is aquarium safe for the parts that will be submerged in the tank?
how do i know how many gph my out take pump should be?
are they better than most canister filters?
is it cost effective? (college kid making next to no money here)


any help is wanted
i dont know if you can reply with pictures on here but i would love to see some detailed pictures or videos on how to make one

i also need to know how to make a pvc over flow for the tank because i do not want to be drilling into my tank?

thank you

[mistahoo]

Re: wanting to make a diy wetdry filter for a 100 gallon tank

When using a wetdry filter will that eliminate all other filters in the tank?

It could if you have enough bio media. Wet/dry filters are the best biological filtration and canister filters are the best mechanical filtration and a combo of both would be best IMO.

how large should the PVC pipe be?

Depends on how much flow you want. Since you're making it for a 100, I'd recommend 2".


what kind of paint is aquarium safe for the parts that will be submerged in the tank?

If you're talking about painting the PVC, Krylon Fusion is the only one you should use. Cheap, bonds to plastic, and harmless after you let it cure.

how do i know how many gph my out take pump should be?

You base it on how much your overflow/intake can handle.

are they better than most canister filters?

If made right, they can be better than most canister filters.

is it cost effective? (college kid making next to no money here)

Very cost effective! The drawers cost about $10 depending on which you get. The rubbermaid tub costs about $20 unless you want to get an actual tank for your sump, the price may vary. Petco has their $1/gallon sale going on, so it'd be best to hit that up if you want a tank for a sump.

any help is wanted
i dont know if you can reply with pictures on here but i would love to see some detailed pictures or videos on how to make one

There is a video on YouTube. I'll post a link shortly. You can also make a DIY canister filter if you want a canister but not really wanting to pay the prices for one.

i also need to know how to make a pvc over flow for the tank because i do not want to be drilling into my tank?

PVC overflow is easy. You don't need to drill your tank for an overflow

Sent from my spaceship using Tapatalk 2.

[mistahoo]

Here are some links I found to be useful. The guy goes through pretty much each step on how to make one and he even explains how they work. Some of the videos are poorly made, but you pretty much get the idea which is what the guy was probably aiming for.

How PVC Overflows work

How Wet/Dry filters work

How to make a PVC Overflow

How to make a Wet/Dry filter (volume on this one is low for some reason)

How to make a Canister filter

[mistahoo]

This is the paint. You can find them at Walmart, ACE, Home Depot, Lowe's, and other hardware stores. It's about $3 a can?

[Ballinxalex]

first u need to decide are u gonna do 2 overflows or single ?

[mistahoo]

first u need to decide are u gonna do 2 overflows or single ?

Doesn't really matter. Dual or single either one is fine. If you do dual overflows, here is another link that can be helpful. It's the same concept, but you just make two of them and bring them over to the wet/dry portion. Shouldn't be hard for anyone to make.

Hilarious lookin chubby Asian guy's video on a DIY dual overflow

[Ballinxalex]

well i am still a noob at wet n drys lol

[Ballinxalex]

but 2 in pvc is huge tho

[cu0ngsayz]

Hahahahahah LOL the guy in the video looks like you Alex ROFLMAO!!!!!

1"PVC will do 600gph If I remember correctly.

[mistahoo]

but 2 in pvc is huge tho

Not really. Kiko had 1" on his 55g and I think that vid with the chubby was using 1". 2" pvc for a 100g sounds about right.

[mistahoo]

You could always make it with 1.5" or 1" if you'd like. In the How overflows work video, he gives the approximate GPH for .5"-2"

[Ballinxalex]

I use 2 1 1/4 in PVC for mine and it is almost up will run it tmr after I paint it and stuff