Getting back into Aquarium

Ghengis36

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I have a question about wet/dry and sump. I have both and was planning to use them.. in the sump there will be a refugium and a protein skimmer. Is this overkill? It’s been awhile since I have done this, so be kind. 😂

It is a 125 gallon aquarium with 5 gallon wet/dry and 29 gallon sump.
 
I have a question about wet/dry and sump. I have both and was planning to use them.. in the sump there will be a refugium and a protein skimmer. Is this overkill? It’s been awhile since I have done this, so be kind. 😂

It is a 125 gallon aquarium with 5 gallon wet/dry and 29 gallon sump.
There are no rules IMO about how to set up your filtration.

I had to look up the wet/dry sump since I am not familiar with one. It seems reasonable enough, but one thing I did read is they can be a bit of a nitrate factory. Not sure how true that is, but if it is true I would personally steer clear.
 
Wet/dry and sumps have similar functions but they go about doing it a little different. My only experience with a wet/dry was on freshwater and it worked for removing particulates. If you're wanting to run both and a skimmer in the sump, it may be underworked. The refugium should help remove some of the nitrates that are likely to be created in the wet/dry due to detritus breaking down in the media. I'd consider making a cryptic zone in the "wet" part of the wet/dry and then a refugium in the sump and skip the skimmer.
 
If you have not had a chance to watch BRS 52 Weeks I recommend it.
A lot has changed since wet dry filters. I would use the space allotment for the wet dry for a refugium or roller mat, or skimmer.

Welcome back. 🙂
 
Wet dry filters work but they also take a lot of maintenance to keep clean or turn into nitrate factories! A sump with skimmer is all that’s really needed but a fuge doesn’t hurt unless it strips the tank to clean
 
I agree with others on the wet/dry. I would use that more as a refugium or cryptic zone and place the skimmer, etc in the sump. If anything, it will add “extra” water volume.
 
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