Choice - Which Filter System Should I chose?

[Chiselchst]

I have a 100 gallon aquarium (acrylic) that was given to me. I have cleaned it up and santatized it with a bleach mixture.

I have the choice between (2) HOB Emporer 400's (with a claimed pumping rate of 400 GPH ea x 2 = 800 GPH), or a wet/dry system with 6 gallons of bio-balls and a Little Giant 3-MDQ-SC pump at 600 GPH.

I do NOT want to run both - between the two set-ups, which would be better?

Do the bio-wheels aerate as well as the wet/dry filter?

Thanks in advance...

All input greatly appreciated.

Mitch

 

[flanque]

Wet/dry for sure. Although I have heard a lot of mutter lately that these bio-ball'd systems are not required for the bacteria production side of things.

 

[dralarms]

Use the 400's, but ditch the "bio wheels" after your cycle is done. In sw they become a nitrate magnet. Also for filteration (if your not doing lr and ls) the 400 will do a good job. I know nothing about wet/dry systems but "bio balls" also attract nitrates.

 

[flanque]

Yeah the only reason I recommend the wet/dry is because that's what I have seen working (and my canister system). My system is a completely wet system and I have no bacteria problems.

 

[Chiselchst]

Thanks for the replies - I'll go with the 400's. Easier to maintain, too.

Thanks again,
Mitch

 

[srgetz]

what is the price $ difference? actually, the wet/dry maintenance is simpler and much cheaper (no need to buy new filter packs, you simply clean th once a month). also, you could eventually use it as a sump / refugium which is very valuable compared to a hob

also if you are using lr, i would think 1 large hob like a 400 would be sufficient for mech. filtration