Wet/dry vs. canister vs. HOB? Help!

[greenmaji]

I would argue that wet/dry is the best bacterial based filter.. the nitrate problem is from lack of maintainace (if you clean out the sludge that collects under the filter area every once in a while the NO3 doesnt build up any qicker as long as everything else stays the same) It just has a better design to get more O2 to more square inches of bio-media then any other bacterial based filter type..

 

[dax29]

But look at the cost of a wet/dry. Just getting the tank drilled with overflows installed is $100+ dollars. Then I would have to pay to get someone to plumb the thing b/c I'm not confident I could do it correctly. The internal overflows take up tank space too (although not a whole lot). I would still have to spend some more money to build the sump and wet/dry system, which I'm not very confident about doing myself at this point either. I could get 2, 350 gph canisters for $230.00 and add the HOBs I already have and BOOM, I'm in business with no drilling or overflows or any of that stuff. The wet/dry is better, I think, but the canisters are easier up front, but probably more maintenance and money down the road. Who knows.

 

[greenmaji]

I wouldnt drill a tank personally.. overflow boxes run from 30-60 bucks and they are external and take up tops 4" of space in the back.... and If you've done some house plumbing its not as big of a deal.. but.. If you dont want to DIY it, for whatever reason, wet/dry is just plain expensive, your right.. it is a experience.. to do all of the above including cutting glass for the sump and plumbing.. if you have never plumbed anything and you have never cut glass then I could see were the project would be intimidating.. I wish you the best of luck by the way!