Wet/Dry debate

[salttanker]

Hello all -

I am currently in the market for either a sump (package), or a wet/dry (package) for my 90G FOWLR tank. I was looking at a couple of models and wondered if anyone has experience with them. Currently, I am using 2 Fluval 404 filters, and quite frankly, they have done a pretty good job, but I am tired of looking at the equipment on the back wall.

I would like to get something that has a built in skimmer, pumps, place for a heater, etc. I want a more clean look to my tank. Should I go with a wet/dry, or a sump? Sumps to me are confusing, so that is why I would like to get a package that includes everything I need so I won't come up short anywhere. Sorry to keep rambling on. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Models looked at:
Amiracle SL-15 hang on Wet/Dry filter (Comes with everything including the skimmer for around $240.00.
Aquaclear pro 150 - Wet/Dry (Includes skimmer, but no pump) for around $300.00. If anyone has any feedback on these, that would be great. TIA

Mike

[salttanker]

Don't be shy guys. I can take it.

[tussinhead]

I would definitely avoid the hang-on type if your goal is to have a more clean look. You can conceal the sump type filters, like the Aquaclear you mention, in your cabinet, or at least somewhere other than hanging off the back of your tank.

The whole wet/dry bioball filtration system seems to be falling out of vogue lately, though, and most people are just using LR with a protein skimmer and a sump/refugium for their filtration. You could still use the Aquaclear for this purpose just by removing the filter pad and bioballs, although if you're going to do that, you might as well just make your own sump. It's really easy, so don't let yourself be confused. All you need is a small tank for a sump, an overflow box to get the water into the sump, and a return pump to pump the water back into your main tank.

I, personally, still use my wet/dry. It's similar to the Aquaclear, but without the included protein skimmer, and I removed the filter pad because it was causing my nitrates levels to increase. I like the extra oxygen exchange and bacteria haven that the bioballs provide (I don't have a live sand bed, so I think I need this), and my nitrates are fine now that I removed the pad. Then again, I got mine for free, so it was a no-brainer for me. If I had to do it again, I would probably make my own sump/fuge.

[Sergio Henrique]

if you have live rock, don't use wet/dry, because you gonna have some nitrates problems, live just the live rocks as bio filtration, will be much better a sump and a skimmer, you need wet/dry just if you don't have live rocks.

[salttanker]

Thanks guys. I am not very mechanical and I have heard nightmares about water overflowing from the tanks if there is a power outage, and I have hardwood floors so I am a little nervous about that. Does anyone have a good step by step instruction guide that I can use to build my own sump perhaps? Or, if someone can tell me where I can buy a sump with the pumps and protein skimmer for a 90G for a reasonable price. I don't mind buying one if it works the way it should. TIA


Mike

[tussinhead]

Do a search in the DIY sections of any of the online forums, and you should find all that you need. Search here, reefcentral.com, aquariumadvice.com, etc.

[Gizmo232]

Thanks guys. I am not very mechanical and I have heard nightmares about water overflowing from the tanks if there is a power outage, and I have hardwood floors so I am a little nervous about that. Does anyone have a good step by step instruction guide that I can use to build my own sump perhaps? Or, if someone can tell me where I can buy a sump with the pumps and protein skimmer for a 90G for a reasonable price. I don't mind buying one if it works the way it should. TIA

Mike

Hi Mike, If you dril an 1/8 inch hole in the pipe returning to the tank 1 inch below the water surface you will never have a problem with floods from a sump / wet/dry system I too heard all the nightmares and decided this was the way to go. You can also add a all plastic check-valve to the line as an added safety. I just have the 1/8 inch hole 1 inch below the water surface so that if power is lost once the water level reaches the hole it WILL BREAK THE VACUUM. Mine has been just fine for 6 months and I have a boat load of power outages GOOD LUCK,Mark Have fun

[gqsmoothster]

I have a slightly used SL-15 if you do decide to go that route. We can work out the price. Personally, I'm considering the way of the sump, but I'd also like to go with a complete package. It seems like all the "little" things you need to make the package complete add up fast when you try to do it yourself. I figure I'll save myself the hassle and buy it all at once.

[scubadude]

The whole wet/dry bioball filtration system seems to be falling out of vogue lately, though, and most people are just using LR with a protein skimmer and a sump/refugium for their filtration. You could still use the Aquaclear for this purpose just by removing the filter pad and bioballs, although if you're going to do that, you might as well just make your own sump. It's really easy, so don't let yourself be confused. All you need is a small tank for a sump, an overflow box to get the water into the sump, and a return pump to pump the water back into your main tank.

Very well said tussinhead Stay away from Wet/Dry systems IMO they are time consuming and cost prohibitive in the longterm.