Setting up a Wet-Dry?

What i have is an older wet dry i never set up and have some questions.
Is going to be fish only with crushed rock/coral as it was set up before.
1) I have a roll of stuff that goes under the Drip Cover. How much room should be between the to? As in air space It touches now so needs cut down.
2} I have Bio Balls that go under that, but someone said do not use them.......that it will have to much nitrates
3}I have a Ball Valve to control the Over flow box flow if it is to fast. CPR CS90 with Aqua lift and pool hose. As well as control on pump speed for return pump.
So Ideally how much water should be in the wet dry?
4} Are the air check vales with springs better or just get the rubber inside ones?
5} Any hints on things I could do/use other wise. It was set up with just under gravel for over 15 years.
I am on a budget. And an down to buying salt mix, and some air hose.
I refinished the hood, stand, bought new lights {Hamilton Retro with blue night LED's} ran new electric, new hood fan, CPR over flow Box and heater and about tapped out.
But if some thing is way better to use I will put off setting it up till that can be swapped, bought

Notes} The on pictures of the wet dry. Is an older one that I never used. Will be running a wood air stone in the protein skimmer that is built in the conner. So it has a catch for the trash it skims so easy to clean. Plus a chamber for Charcoal Chemi-Pure next to it {I have a Bag or 2 on hand} in case anyone was wondering what all the stuff is in that box.

 

It was not letting me post pics of what i have so trying again. Yes i have more Bio balls just tossed in a few for pics. Plus it is cleaned now, was dirty in pics.
The top box is for the Protein skimmer trash, and the bottom one under that is for the Chemi-Pure. Also wonder if i should leave the sponge in or get more flow. Was Made for the sponge

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/fast340six/Overflow Box/wetdry-2_zpsbdb5fac8.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/fast340six/Overflow Box/wetdry-1_zpsdc4481c5.jpg

 

See BLUE text below:

 

Hi and thanks.'
I do not know what half of what you are saying is. when you say:
This stuff will do the same as "old" bio-balls...will build up NO3. If you use anything like this, I'd change it out weekly (assuming you're going to run LR in the DT).
Whats LR and DT stand for? I do not know what the abbreviations stand for
If i do not use that roll or the Bio balls what do i use?
And the check valve was just for the air pump that will run the wood stone in the protein skimmer so it will not back siphon water into the air pump after a power loss
Thanks for the help

 

DT = Display Tank
LR = Live Rock
NO3 = nitrates

By "old" bioballs, I mean "established" and in need of a cleaning or replacement. Most biomedia stops the nitrification process at NO3, since this is done by aerobic bacteria. The processing of NO3 to N2 and water is done by anaerobic species.

I suppose to keep things straight, and that you get the right advice, we need to know if you plan on using live rock (LR) in the display tank (DT), or whether you're planning on using the "wet-dry" (bio-balls/bio-bale) as your only form of biofiltration.

In your case, just the regular cheapie air check valves are fine. Just clean it every so often to keep the buildup out of it.

Hope that clears some stuff up.

 

Tank/ Aquarium {DT} will be as seen filled with just salt mix and water. Cycled for 3-4 weeks with 3-4 small hardty fish Damsels i guess. and will run the 2 power heads. No live rock. When it gets cycled I will do a water change. And add a better fish one at a time. The wet dry will be it. I can leave the roll out as i have lots of Bio balls and may do that instead as the rolls need replaced often.
{note} As it sits the tank was run with just the undergravel and water changes every 1-2 months for many years 1989- mid 2005. So the wet dry should improve on that. and lesson the water changes or at least that was the plan
Thanks

 

Since you're going to be running the bioballs, I'd consider running the drain from the DT into a filter sock that you can clean weekly or bi-weekly. This will help keep any larger chunks of food, etc. out of the bioballs, and will keep them cleaner.

 

Hi and thanks.
What else can be run other than the BIO Balls?
Was also thinking about just running bio balls and no media roll. But tough I had more of them. Getting rid of the roll and moving the balls up I need more media.
So now looking at getting more media of some type.
Here is a better clear picture of the wet dry cleaned up.
The whole chamber is 10"x10"x16"
Drip tray is 2" Was wanting to leave 1.5-2" between the drip tray and media! I have 5.5"-6" of boi balls in it.
The lower part is 10x10x3.5" and has nothing it. So have 2.5"-3" from drip tray bottom to Red bio balls
So I can leave that as is short 2.5-3" from drip tray and just get media for the lower portion? Or take the shelf out and get new for the whole thing