New!! Asking for some suggestions!

[r33f_n00b]

Hello Everyone, I'm new to this site and to reefing as well, so I would like to ask for some suggestions...I currently have a 40 gallon Aquarium that's been running for about 4 months now with no problems but for ONE that I just learned of... The aquarium has been running on a Canister Filter and I read that a canister filter for a reef aquarium is a NO-NO!! I have here an Amaricle Wet/Dry trickle filter that I want to turn into a Sump/Refugium but I'm not exactly sure how to go about it...So can anyone be kind enough as to explain to me what I can do with the Amiracle filter with out having to drill holes into the fish tank as it is already running with fish in it...Thanks alot!!
Here's a pic of the filter...
<a href="http://s592.photobucket.com/albums/tt3/nanoreefer_2009/?action=view&current=Amiraclefilter.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt3/nanoreefer_2009/Amiraclefilter.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[thegrun]

I would raise the level of the short divider by several inches to where it is only a ouple of inches from the top of the sump. That would raise the water level in the section that currently has bio balls in it. Trash the bio balls and the egg crate they sit on. Fill that section with live rock, add a light and some cheato and you will have a small refugium on top of the live rock.

 

[thegrun]

and.. Welcome to Reef Central!

 

[r33f_n00b]

Hey thegrun, the small divider you are talking about sits there with two slits that hold it up, if I were to raise it would it need to be sealed to where no water goes through the slits or can I just slide a taller piece on it on as it does right now?

 

[thegrun]

I would seal it or you will not be able to raise the water level high enough due to the water leakage. Acrylic is easy to work with if you have a table saw or have access to one.

 

[r33f_n00b]

That sounds pretty good, I'm gonna work on that tomorrow...Thanks Alot!

 

[jroc232627]

I have the same wet dry filter. I'm new to this forum
What size pump do you use on the this filter?

 

[mitchb]

I have the same wet dry filter. I'm new to this forum
What size pump do you use on the this filter?

It depends on your system set up. Your overflow in the tank just needs to be able to handle the water volume you are pumping into it. So the pump size is determined by the tank size, whether you are using that pump as current for your reef, and the size of your overflow. If you are in the planning stages you need to think about these factors. The sump can handle lots of GPH as long as the overflow and drain can handle the GPH. A smaller pump would be better if you are concerned about noise