Wet Dry Filter

[Nick]

So I have always heard that a wet dry filter setup is the way to go when you get to 90g and up. What is your guys experience?

[GVsailor]

I have one on my 75 gallon Cichlid tank and I love it.  It keeps the water clear and clean.  It's also nice because the water level in your tank stays the same at all times. 

[JeffroM]

It all depends on what your keeping and how you want to set up the tank which determines what is the best solution.  Personally I think Hydro sponges are the best filter made, but I don't use them in every tank because they are ugly.

I am a big supporter of wet / dry filters for display tanks.  I think the are versatile and allows you to hide heaters and other stuff in the filter rather than the tank.

BTW the water level does stay the same in your tank but not in your filter.  If you let evaporation go to long your water pump will be sucking air and burn out.  Just something to be aware of...

[Nick]

So what about the intake? If I go this method and the tank isnt drilled, that means I will have to make a pvc intake/overflow correct? From there the water basically gravity feeds into the filter where it will be cleaned and pushed back into the tank via pump.

[JeffroM]

Basically if the tank is drilled then you need an overflow box on the interior of the tank, a box on the outside of the tank that will lead to the sump and a U pipe to connect the two boxes.  Start a siphon through the u pipe and that is how it drains.

Do yourself a favor and don't try and DIY this part.  It will be cheaper just to buy a new one.  I saw Warren aka Whiteram?? has some from sale as he posted them on MichiganReefers.

[Nick]

Cool. I found a 135g from a guy in Luther. I'm driving to go check it out tomorrow. Only $200 and it comes with a wood cabinet stand and lights.  I have enough filtration on my 90 to work with the 135 but I would really like to dry the wet dry idea with this tank if it pans out.

[54zamboni]

i definitely agree with not going DIY on the overflow --  some people claim they are great, but i never had any luck with  them keeping the siphon no matter how much i messed with them, and the overflow boxes are pretty cheap and  foolproof.       

[Nick]

i definitely agree with not going DIY on the overflow --  some people claim they are great, but i never had any luck with  them keeping the siphon no matter how much i messed with them, and the overflow boxes are pretty cheap and  foolproof.       

I actually just did a bit of looking around and if I decide to go with the wet/dry i think ill pick up a overflow box instead of the DIY. Heck for the cost, why not. Thanks for the help.
Any other helpful advice? Pump brands? Web Site tutorials?

[mightieskeeper]

Hey Nick if the back of your tank is not tempered glass.  I would drill 2 2" holes and use bulkheads.  Drilling glass is very easy to do.  Overflows can lose suction and not start back up. Ryan

[Nick]

I dont think im brave enough to drill the tank...lol

[54zamboni]

drilling them isn't bad at all, although i'll admit i  was pretty nervous doing the first one.  i bought the bit from i think its called glass-hole cages, or something similar,  and drilled 3 tanks with no problem.  i actually drilled my 40l sumps, and added a .5 gph continuous drip line into each tank.  water goes from the tank thru overflow into sump and then "overflows" (at the same .5gph rate its dripping in) out the hole i drilled and  into the basement floor drain via pvc.   water changes a thing of the past, at least in the big tanks.   

[mightieskeeper]

Try drilling a broken tank first! Slow and easy wins the race! Lol