wet/dry vs. canister and power filters

[Blackwater Aquaria]

I have a 125 gal tank and a tricle filter came compleate only piece I need is a pump the filter is drilled for 1 inch bulkhead fitting the tank is also drilled the question I have is what advantage is there between the wet dry and canister and power filters.Also what size pump I figure I should turn over the tank at least 3 to 4 times an hour I am not going to plant a lot and thinking of using a combo substrate CO2 with most of the bottom BB. I would really like some feed back as to what way to go. Thanks Mike

[pcsb23]

Mike, I think you guys i the states have a bigger range of pumps, but something along the libnes of an eheim hobby pump, say a 1250 should do the job nicely.

As far as I'm concerned the sump (or wet/dry) wins hands down. You can hide all the gizmos in there, heater etc, also it increases the water volume considerably (normally) over cannisters. Drawback is CO2 can be offgassed but its so cheap as not to be a big issue imo. The biological filtering capacity is usually very high too.

[t_j]

I agree with Paul

[Cosmo]

I tecnically agree with Paul too.

Two reasons I haven't tried a trickle filter (although I own one)

1 - I haven't figured out how to do a large WC without having to turn if off

2 - if they're not set up right, floods are a possibility

#1's the main reason - is there a way?????

BTW - go with the Hobby pump, you'll be glad you did

Jim

[Cosmo]

Then again.. the Eheim wet/dry cannisters are a good middle ground

[Graham]

I tecnically agree with Paul too.

Two reasons I haven't tried a trickle filter (although I own one)

1 - I haven't figured out how to do a large WC without having to turn if off

2 - if they're not set up right, floods are a possibility

#1's the main reason - is there a way?????

BTW - go with the Hobby pump, you'll be glad you did

Jim

Jim I don't want to hijack this thread but a TT is not capable of overflowing...all it takes is a outlet hole big eniugh to allow the water that being pumped into it out. Most TT's are not much more than a tube with a mesh bottom.

Turning if off is not a problem at all. They can sit there for days without haveing any affect at all on the nitrifiers as lond as the media stays damp. I turn my TT's off for 4 to 5 hours every few days while the pond is filling back up from dumping the vortexes and doing a water change. These are both non-issues

TT's are the best biological convertors that you can have

G

[Cosmo]

Cool..

Thanks Graham

Jim

[alxjss]

Jim I don't want to hijack this thread but a TT is not capable of overflowing...all it takes is a outlet hole big eniugh to allow the water that being pumped into it out. Most TT's are not much more than a tube with a mesh bottom.

Turning if off is not a problem at all. They can sit there for days without haveing any affect at all on the nitrifiers as lond as the media stays damp. I turn my TT's off for 4 to 5 hours every few days while the pond is filling back up from dumping the vortexes and doing a water change. These are both non-issues

TT's are the best biological convertors that you can have

G

Graham, I am getting a 150gal tank and my son is insisting on a sump. I have never used one, have a little idea as to how this works, but would a sump be good for this, a TT seems real good too. I like the idea of a sump to leave everything in there and not in the tank. Could u tell me how big a sump needed for this size tank? My son no's a h of alot more than me

[salth20]

I tecnically agree with Paul too.

Two reasons I haven't tried a trickle filter (although I own one)

1 - I haven't figured out how to do a large WC without having to turn if off

2 - if they're not set up right, floods are a possibility

#1's the main reason - is there a way?????

BTW - go with the Hobby pump, you'll be glad you did

Jim

Jim,
Drill an extra bulkhead into the trickle filter sump at your preferred water level and plumb it to waste. Your water change is easy... add water to the tank. The water level in the sump rises, and is piped to waste. Floods are not possible if you install a check valve in the return line if returning below water level, or return the water above the water line in the tank. The check valve will stop the tank drain if the pump stops, or the if you are above the water line, the siphon action will break almost immediately. 20 years of trickle systems for me.. not one flood.

[RockHound]

I have a 125 gal tank and a tricle filter came compleate only piece I need is a pump the filter is drilled for 1 inch bulkhead fitting the tank is also drilled the question I have is what advantage is there between the wet dry and canister and power filters.Also what size pump I figure I should turn over the tank at least 3 to 4 times an hour I am not going to plant a lot and thinking of using a combo substrate CO2 with most of the bottom BB. I would really like some feed back as to what way to go. Thanks Mike

Wet/Dry trickle filters are near faultless.
With the right bio-media in it.
You have a HUGE bio-surface are.
A vast air/water interface.
They are non-clogging (with a sponge pre-filter first).
Easy to clean, work on & maintain.
You can place a heater/aerator/etc, in the sump.

Almost 30 years use, with never a complaint, or flood.

Suggest you look @ IWAKI & PAN WORLD pumps.
I would go with a pump in the range of 1200 to 1300 GPH.

Minimize any possible pump vibration by having at least 6 inches of very flexible hose.
On the inlet/outlet, before hooking to any rigid pipe-work.

You will be a happy camper........