Getting back into Aquarium

Ghengis36

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 9, 2026
Messages
1
Reaction score
2
Location
Birmingham
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
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.
 

BryanM

7500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 27, 2024
Messages
8,186
Reaction score
10,113
Location
Morgan Hill
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
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.
 

tbrown

Cronies #3?? Heathens' Coffee Snob???
View Badges
Joined
Nov 22, 2019
Messages
82,061
Reaction score
222,814
Location
Peoria, AZ
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
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.
 

Tahoe61

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 2, 2012
Messages
18,056
Reaction score
21,763
Location
AZ
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
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. 🙂
 

Troylee

all about the diy!!!!!
View Badges
Joined
Jan 15, 2010
Messages
22,278
Reaction score
23,547
Location
Vegas baby!!!!
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
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
 

Rocks reef

Rockin' the Reef
View Badges
Joined
Aug 14, 2017
Messages
11,778
Reaction score
68,354
Location
Michigan
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
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.
 
Back
Top
Home
Post thread…
Market
What's new