Eshopps Wet-Dry Conversion

I am thinking about converting my Eshopps wet-dry to a refugium/sump and removing the bioballs. Have any clever ways to add some plexiglass to this to make it work?

I have the following which fits like a glove under my tank which is why i would like to use it:
WD-75CS 18" x 10" x 16" H Single 300 gph 10-75 gallons

I have a AquaC Urchin and sump pump in there now with a Phosban Reactor hanging on the side.

 

BTW, the Urchin only has a footprint of 6" x 3".

 

I have 2 ideas.

1. Open up the holes in the tray that currently supports the bioballs so that water will basically flow right through it. Then fill the BioBall area with live rock. Then you can place your heater(s) in the area directly underneath the live rock.

2. Open up the overflows at the top of the BioBall container, then block off the bottom grate with a piece of lexan and lay down a DSB.

 

Interesting ideas. Anyway to include chaeto into the mix? How would you setup an overflow to go into the sump area?

 

I don't have any experience with Cheato, so I'm not sure of it's exact light requirements, but since it is a macro algea, remember that it will need some light.

Also, you can move it around until you find a suitable location for it since it will not attach itself to any part of your tank or live rock. Some people place it in their overflows, but most people place it in their refugiums. If you go with either a DSB or a Live Rock container the cheato should do fine when coupled with some sort of full spectrum lighting to support it's growth.

I personally a fan of multiple skimming drilled overflows.

 

As in multiple mechanical filter pads as well?

Hmm, this gives me a few things to think about. Thank you.

+karma

 

i have a Chaeto fuge and it is very simple and effective stuff, just make sure you have some room for it to grow, great thing is it doesnt need any substrate.. just kinda floats around, which would be perfect in your case, and as for lighting go to home depot get a clamp on lighting fixture($10) and a 6500k daylight bulb($4). mine is growing like wildfire under it, not to mention zero Nitrates

goodluck.

 

Not dual mechanical filtration, but multiple small skimming boxes as opposed to a singe large one.

Example