Converting to a sump....how to?

[doowain9999]

I am currently running a wet/dry under my 72 gallon. What modifications would I need to make in order to turn this into a full blown operating sump. I'd like to add chaeto and a strip light. I'm currently running the bioballs and I believe this is where my algae outbreaks continue to spring from.

Thanks in advance.

I'm currently running this Wet/Dry filter

 

[alan214]

Other than slowly removing the bio-balls, you're pretty much there already. It looks like you may have room to run a small skimmer in there as well as being able to put you heater in as well.

What other functionality were you looking for in a sump?

 

[doowain9999]

Just to get a more stable environment.

I'm beginning to add corals, so I'd like to eliminate as many algae producing nutrients as possible.

I already have a Nautilus skimmer in there. The picture makes it look smaller than it actually is.

I just remove the trickle plates and bioballs (periodically) and replace with LR and LS? Which chamber does the chaeto go in?

 

[alan214]

I would remove the bioballs very slowly over a couple of months. Space the removals a couple of weeks apart to give the rest of the tank a chance to take on the additional load.

I would not try to add too much in the way of LR and definitely no LS as you'll have no way to limit water flow. I'd put both the LR and Chaeto in the far right chamber.

 

[subcrx]

looks like it would be hard to use that one as a fuge. how would you hook the light up. Looks hard me, good luck

 

[fishinbuc]

It can be done. You may want to add a baffle or two. Though that would take away some of your space. As far as lighting, all I did was lay a NO single across the top. And yes, there is room for a skimmer. I'm running skimmerless now.

Ugly, but it works.