Permanent Wet/Dry Filter?

Raskolnikov

Raskolnikov

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Jan 2, 2005
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I'll soon be getting my new tank, and I want to have a wet/dry filter for it with hang-on-back overflow boxes and return (no drilling of the tank). I've never used wet/dry filters before, so I don't really know what kind of maintenence is involved.

This is the filter in question: http://www.proclearaquaticsystems.com/wetdry.html

My conundrum is as follows. It will fit inside my tank stand, but I'd have to take the top off of the stand and drop the filter in. Once I replace the top of the stand and put the tank on it, I'd never be able to remove the filter. I could access it, but never remove it. This sounds like it might be a bit of a bad idea, so I'm asking for input from you all. Thanks.
 
You should be fine as long as you can access (and remove) the pump, bio-media, and any other items in it. And if you don't glue the top down to the stand, the sump would only be as permanent to that stand as the tank setup above it. For example, if you decided to try a different setup (like a planted tank from a fish-only tank). You could move any fish to another tank or rubbermaid tub, then drain the tank and remove gravel and other decor. Once the tank is removed from the top, you could unscrew the top and remove the sump. You would then be free to add canister filters or other types instead, add plant-suitable substrate, and start planting!

It's not the easiest change, but you would have to do almost all these things anyways in a major setup change like going planted (there are exceptions, of coarse). A wet-dry is a very low maintenance filter which would work great in most other situations. Many even use them in planted tanks as long as the lid fits tightly (so it doesn't lose CO2 injection).

I hope things work out well for you.
-Mark
 
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