Wet/Dry filters

[Raydee]

I want to get a wet/dry filter for my 90 gallon tank but I have some questions. I have been looking at two different brands that are made for up to 125 gallon tanks, the Amiracle and the aquaclear aquatics. Is there really a big difference in the two? They both come with a return pump, prefilter, all the hoses and filter media for right around $150.

I have read somewhere that these filters can overflow if the power is ever lost in the house, Is that true? Thanks for the help.

[OrionGirl]

Can't comment on the differences between the two systems other than to say you'll want to go with the one that's easiest to get into for cleaning, and has the best return pump.

Overflows can cause floods if you don't take steps to prevent them (and sometimes even if you do). If you use an overflow box to get the water from the tank, it will provide a maximum level for draining--once the water drops below the lip, it will quit removing water. So, the return pipe is the tricky one. When the pump goes off, it can form a siphon, and pull water out of your tank. The way you get around this is to drill holes in the pipe right around the normal surface height of the water (a little above and below is okay--too much above and you have a fountain, to far below and it will drain too much water). This way, air gets sucked in and breaks the siphon, stopping the water from draining out.

Test the system before trusting it--several times.