Wet/dry filter questions

texfromkansas · 04-09-2007, 11:45 AM

What size of wet/dry filter with skimmer should you have for a 125gal tank? Is bigger better? Can you have too much flow?

afbengochea · 04-09-2007, 02:04 PM

is this for a reef tank? wet/drys are not the best thing for them. Just get a plain tank and get the nest skimmer u can. that and the live rock are all u need for filtration

depitch · 04-09-2007, 02:47 PM

hi tex,

before purchasing a wet/dry filter vs sump you need to have an idea of what type of tank you want to keep?

fish only or reef with fish and corals?

does this tank have built in overflow or do you need to have an overflow box on back of tank?

wet dry filters are good for fish onlytanks but the bioballs will accumulate debris and increase nitrates. if you have limited space like me then you can remove the bioballs from a wet/dry and use live rock or minimal filter media with a good skimmer that will handle your tank size easily.

as far as flow is concerned most people use there are good posts on this website that address that problem.

it would be helpful if you give more specs on your 125gal tank.

good luck!

doug

texfromkansas · 04-09-2007, 04:31 PM

It is a 125 drilled for fish and corals.

afbengochea · 04-09-2007, 04:43 PM

if u are going to keep coral, then avoid wet/drys. If its just going to be fish u can get one but honestly I dont see the point if the same can be done without it as long as u have live rock in the tank.

dmpchopper · 04-15-2007, 12:08 PM

Sorry, But I am going to hijack this tread. All with good intention!! I purchased a fluval 404 canister filter [ unfortunatley] , and after reading some other threads, I have realized that it was probably not my best decision. Which brings me to my question, If I take the media out, and just keep the fiber filter in, can I run this way until I can purchase the proper sump setup???? Thanks in advance !!!

Also my intention is to have a reef with fish setup.
dmpchopper

skeety · 04-17-2007, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmpchopper

If I take the media out, and just keep the fiber filter in, can I run this way until I can purchase the proper sump setup???? Thanks in advance !!!

Yep!

you've heard right. Until then, you can continue to use the cannister for water movement. And when you do water changes, you can quickly stick in the filter, let it run while you're stirring the tank up. Give it about an hour, and take the filter out. GREAT way to catch a lot of the gunk you stir up into the water column!!

The problem with any type of filter/floss/pad/etc is that it only trap's the excess food/wastes/detrius. It never really removes it from the water column. This allows the stuff to break down, and release nitrates/phosphates/other baddies back into the water column. This process only takes a few hours. So unless you change these filters frequently, they really don't help much.

This is where skimmers come in. They PHYSICALLY remove the organics from the water column. MUCH more effective method of filtration.

Geoff · 04-17-2007, 10:56 PM

if you keep the floss in the cannister than do what skeety says only run it for an hour or two after a water change to pull out the detritus than pull it and leave it off.

if you want to run it for extended periods of time than remove all internals and fill it with carbon only.

as for wet/dry's it is better to buy the biggest tank you can fit under the tank and make this into a sump. much cheaper and a lot more versatile.

G~

medicdiver · 04-18-2007, 12:25 PM

texfromkansas,
I have a 120 gal and use a wet dry. I have changed over from fish only to reef (but have had to cycle in almost 60 lbs of live rock). If your tank is relatively new, I say keep the bioballs just for added safety. Then gradually remove them, assuring your systemm does not crash. In the end, I agree that bio balls ae not good for a reef system. But they are helpful in the startup of one. Just dont take all of the balls out at once, your system may depend on them more than you think....