To wet/dry or not to wet/dry that is the question?

[WoodRight]

I'm new to this whole SW fish/reef tank hobby so I have a question about wet/dry filters. My LFS owner told me that a WD is the best filter setup for a reef tank. Now that I have gone and built one and have posted pictures of what I have done so far on here and other sites people are tilling me that WD's are a bad idea. I have posted question on my tank log thread but have gotten very little response on this subject. PLEASE post your opinion on this subject and why in detail if you please. I would like to fix this issue before I fill the tank and have to deal with it later. I would like to think that my LFS owner that has taken good care of my girl friend with her SW tank and has been doing this for 20+ years knows what is best but I can't think that so many others that are doing this can be wrong. Once again please POST. Thanks and I'm looking forward to the replies

[Fishieness]

wet drys are definatly not the best idea for a reeftank. Putting them on something like a fishonly/aggressive tank is pretty good. But on a reef tank, not so much. The problem is, they have to be cleaned of detritus cery often to prevent it form accumulating. The amonia is broken down extremely quickly, but not so much the nitrates. In my opinion, a large sump and refugium with a huge skimmer is the best for a reef tank. Barebottom techniques are also a good idea for low nutrient systems such as sps tanks.

[WoodRight]

OK that is one for not. Thanks Fish

[clown-lover]

I was going to post something similar to what fishie put up, but it really boils down to historically when they first came out wet/dry systems really did allow us to start keeping corals. But since then research has revealed that ultimately a sump type system is better for system longevity and health.

There are tons of pages on wet web media about these types of systems and I have seen them recommened them for FO systems.

Since you have stated previously that you want corals is why (and I think others) have suggested that you go with a sump vs a wet/dry.

[WoodRight]

that's 2 for not. Thanks Clown
Well I think I will be reworking the wet/dry tomorow. Should I put a bubble tower in the inlet chamber?

[Grins]

I agree with FSN and Clown on this. They were once the way to go but have fallen out of favor for reef tanks. I'd be curious what your LFS's reasoning was for saying they are the best thing currently.

[Subliminal]

You said you've previously posted pics....can you do so again?

For a reef, without knowing your main goals, here's what I personally would suggest. This is a loose game plan, and I'd probably research everything 2 or 3 times before implementing anything.

First, get a ro/di unit and get it running. You don't want to put anything but filtered water in your tank ever. Ask me how I know. filtersdirect on ebay sells a great unit for $100.

Next get yourself some sand. I went with live sand, but I have a much smaller tank. Maybe get a bag of the 20lb of live sand and then get another 80 lbs of 'reef sand' which isn't alive. That whole endevour will probably run your under $100.

You need to figure out what kind of flow you want. For a reef, you want some good flow. If you go with powerheads, maybe 2 of the Koralia 4s would be a good deal to start with.

By now you should have some water made up on the RO unit. You'll need to buy some salt now. I use reef crystals. Seems to work well, but you can choose whatever you want. Pick up a hydrometer or refractometer at this same time.

Dump the sand in the tank, move it where you want it, put a bowl or something in the bottom of the tank and pour the water down into the bowl, slowly if you don't want the tank to cloud up really bad. Or, heck, since no pets are going in the tank yet, just friggin fill it with your 1.025 mixed.

After a few days the sand will settle down to the bottom.

Now you need to add some rock. You can go to a place like marcorock and get 'dead' rock, which is really inexpensive (in comparrison). You can go to your LFS or an internet retailer or ebay and get live rock, too. You'll probably want about 100 lbs to start out with, since you have a larger tank. I had ~100 lbs in my 55g and thought it was the right about. But anyway, that's just a good starting #.

So, now you've got rock/sand/water/flow going on in your tank. It needs to cycle. You can do it the slow way and just wait, or your can add a shrimp or something from the seafood section of the grocery store, in some pantyhose and then wait.

Next you'll need a test kit....

Anyway, just some food for thought. You don't have to do it this way, take my advice, or anything, but those are some good steps.

Plus, I'm bored and putting on the inevitable work I'm going to have to do shortly. ;)

[WoodRight]

The first picture is of the whole set up. The picture of the Wet/dry is how it was before I reworked it the first time.

[WoodRight]

These are what it looks like now.

[Subliminal]

You're actually stylin' there! You've got room for a fuge and a sump, it looks like. I don't know all that much about that type of thing as I haven't run one, but I think you'd want a skimmer in the one box with all the baffles and the other box you should make a fuge. Which is basically just an area of lower flow with some rock rubble, some sand and some macroalgae (seaweed that eats all your extra nutrients).

You're in really good shape, or at least that's how it looks to this kid!

[clown-lover]

Well you should know what I think by now woodright. But you know you can take your time and do some research on your own. If you end up going with a wet/dry its not like I'm gonna come over and say.. "you <insert whatever here>"..

But in the long run I do believe that you would be better off with a sump that has a fuge with a DSB and some macro algae. But you know even when I get an opinion I still go out and research it and make sure I'm getting good info. As I've posted before I've crashed a tank and I just don't blatantly trust everything I read/hear anymore.

[Ace25]

I think I already stated my opinion on this topic as well in your thread. I did like you, built a w/d filter to attach to my sump, and it just ended up making more of a mess and being more of a PITA than it helped, so I got rid of it.

Like others have mentioned, w/d was the way to go in the early days of reefkeeping, but in the last 10 years or so better understanding has led to most reef keepers doing away with w/d and going with other things like sump/DSB refugium/reactors/better protein skimmers, etc.

Just a guess, but it sounds like your LFS, who is probably a really nice guy, is one of the old timers that did it that way 20 years ago and never kept up on recent changes. I have seen that type of person in almost every profession. I work with one in the computer field, and if it didn't come out Pre-1990 he doesn't have a clue how it works. His excuse is "I am to old to learn all this new crap". Unfortunately it happens all the time.

[WoodRight]

Well something bad happened to it tonight when I got home from work tonight.

[WoodRight]

If you would like to see what it looks like now check out my tank log (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139540).

I just want to thank everyone who posted. I'm so glad we have a place like this to talk to good people that know so much more then we do. I think it has helped me in so many way. All I have to say is that I will not be changing my SUMP any more. If I do it is going to be a long time from now and it will be a whole new setup. Wish me luck! Thanks again.

[Grins]

I think you made a good decision!

[WoodRight]

Yeah me too.

[Ace25]

I would keep that white crating stuff though. That stuff is valuable for using to make frags of corals. They sell little clip on discs that hook onto those to attach frags. You wont use it anytime soon, but down the road you probably will.

So, did you also buy a light for the fuge? Coralife makes a nice little 2x9w PC light for around $30 that is perfect for a fuge if you dont have a light already.

Also, do you have tops for both your fuge and sump? I know you can't get a nice piece of glass for it with the pipes, but some plexi that is cut out would help. Otherwise you get A LOT of evaporation having it all completely open.

[WoodRight]

Yeah I have the plexy but am waiting to see what I will also be putting in there before making the covers.

[Ace25]

Cool, again, you have thought of it all. :) I am almost as excited as you are to see this up and running... even just the FW test. You have done such a great job!

Edit: This was my attempt at a W/D filter. Home made of course.. was just experimenting at the time.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2404/2241514038_d97eee6c96.jpg

[WoodRight]

What kind of skimmer is that and do you like it. This is the Skimmer (http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/AquaC_Remora_Pro_Protein_Skimmer_with_Mag_3_Pump_p/rac13121.htm) we are looking at. We don't have that much room under there and I liked this one cause it nice and small but I'm not sure how good it is.

[Ace25]

The skimmer in the picture is crap. I replaced it with the non pro version of the Remora about a month ago.

If you are sure you have the room and clearance go with the Remora Pro, or save a few bucks and get the smaller non pro one. They are both absolutely fantastic skimmers and you can't go wrong with either. I have to empty my cup 2x a day with the remora.

The skimmer in that pic I emptied about 1x a week and even then it was about as full as you see in the pic. The uptube usually gets gunked up and makes the skimmer stop working before the cup ever filled up.

FYI, the Pro skimmer would not fit on my 20G sump. It was to tall to hang on the back. Something to think about.