wet dry filtration system for a freshwater tank

[pescado]

I purchased a 100 gal. glass tank with stand and canopy. I am seeking advice on filtration method. I don't know much about wet dry systems. Should I use it??? If yes, please provide specifics with regard to sump size, pump brand and model etc... Any other setup recommendations are welcomed. Thanks!

 

[jsoong]

What are you putting in the tank?

Although people usu. think of a wet/dry filter as a seperate unit, with sump, pump, etc. This is not necessarily true. A penguin biowheel system is a wet/dry filter as well & is less hassle to use. PS - I've heard good things about the Penguins but this is prob. too small for 100 gal - canister filter is a better choice. Marineland also makes biowheel to fit canister.

I would go the wet/dry/sump route only if you are dealing with lots/messy fish ... eg goldfish. I would suggest reading the saltwater posts as this is more commonly used in SW & the info is just as good for FW.

For myself, I have an 80 gal with goldfish. After much research decided on a DIY wet/dry/sump. I used a 30 gal tub as my sump & made my filter basket, distribution pipes, etc. I have 1 gal of bioballs as my media, although I have capacity to go up to 5 gal as stocking increases.

Size of sump - bigger the better, you are basically increasing the total capacity of your tank with this setup, may as well make it worthwhile <no point having a 5 gal sump - you may jsut as well go with a biowheel >.

Pump - no personal experience with brands - as I am using a Magnum350 as my return pump. Recommended pump capacity is 5 water changes per hour - ie. 500 gal/hr in your case. <OK I am below the recommendations in my set up at 350 gal/hr, but I got the canister cheap used & it is working out fine for me... >

I find this series of articles useful:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/gt/index.htm
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-04/gt/index.htm
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/gt/index.htm

Also try sites like this:
http://www.cyberreefguru.com/diy/index.html
http://reefcentral.com/

 

[pescado]

Thanks for the info Jsoong. I plan on showing african cichlids. My local fish store has a african cichlid display tank with a wet dry sump and the water is super clear. This is the reason I want to include a wet dry in my tank... I'm just not familiar with it. I had a fluval 401 with my previous tank (60 gal with african cichlids) that did a good job, but its maintenance was frequent. I hear that there is much less maintenance with a sump and the water quality is much better. I hope a 20 gal sump is sufficient. I will buy my wet dry system this weekend so any buying advice is appreciated.

 

[jsoong]

I am finding that my wet/dry setup is quite low maintanance too. Apart from water changes (10% every 2-3 weeks, which is prob more than needed as my NO3 never get past 5), I didn't have to do anything to the filter for well over 3 months now, no cleaning, nothing. Everything still looks great & the water is crystal clear.

Just make sure the overflow & sump water levels are set correctly, so you won't have to worry about flooding if the siphons/pump quit, or things get clogged, etc. <Actually, even though I worry about all the plumbling clogging, I have not noticed any build up any where, even at the distribution plate/pipes with all the tiny holes, things seems to break down quickly in my system & clogging is so far a non-issue.>

As far as buying advice, I don't have much, since I made mine (the ready made wet/drys are waaay too expensive in town - like $300 & up). I did do some research on pumps & the ehiem & mag-drives seems to be good. Also check the product review at this site here:
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=5&sort=7&cat=21&page=1

Unless you are drilling your tank, I would suggest getting an oversized overflow for your intended flow rate:
1. less risk of flooding - should anything get caught in the overflow.
2. less noise - the overflow can be very noisy ... best way to quieten noise is with a durso standpipe (cuts my overflow noise by 99%), but that requires BIG pipes to work well (like 1.25" & up), so you want to have enough space.
3. you can upgrade with a better pump down the road.

I also have 2 siphons in case one quits .... well maybe I am just paranoid?! 8O

 

[poppab02]

Keep me updated on your process, I have a 55 gallon african setup right now and plan to move to a 100--125 gallon in maybe 2 years. I'd really like to know how much everything is and how everything turns out and the differences between a wt/dry and cannister.

 

[pescado]

I purchased a ready made wet dry system for a 200 gallon tank. It came with everything including a rio 2500 pump. I have my tank ready to go... 80 lbs of crushed coral, about 35 lbs of lace rock, a decorator ship wreck, anchor, and faux plants. I'm stalling the water because I want to set up the return to both ends of the tank. Does anyone know the name of a device that is able to alternate flow to two outlets? Essentially, the pump attaches to the device through the input and the device is able to alternate the direction of water flow from one outlet to the other. I also need to purchase my heater and lighting system. Suggestions are appreciated.

 

[urville]

you want a Switching Current Water Director or SCWD. heres alink just do a search i suggesttrying bizrate.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004

 

[pescado]

That's it urville. Thanks.