Which one is easier to maintain? What are the maintenance requirements of each? I'm considering a wet/dry trickle filter for a 125 gallon. Or the Fluval F5. But I've not had experience with either and was curious as to the pros and cons of maintaining each. Thanks!
Maintenance requirements of a wet/dry trickle vs canister
- Thread starter jwjiv
- Start date
The set-up is easier on a canister. Honestly the big thing that would determine which way I went would be whether the tank is drilled. You can get an overflow for an undrilled tank and a wet-dry, but IMHO that adds complication.
If you use filter socks with the wet/dry you will have more frequent maintenance, but better mechanical filtration. Canister maintenance should not be too frequent, but can be pretty involved.
You may also consider a HOB to help with mechanical filtration with either choice.
If you use filter socks with the wet/dry you will have more frequent maintenance, but better mechanical filtration. Canister maintenance should not be too frequent, but can be pretty involved.
You may also consider a HOB to help with mechanical filtration with either choice.
I agree, if I'm going to decide on a wet/dry trickle filter I will be getting a pre drilled tank. For me it comes down to which is easier/less involved to maintain. I'm thinking that once the wet/dry filter is installed, the only maintenance would be changing the filter socks or padding material directly above the drip plate; whereas with a canister I imagine cleaning the canister would require disconnecting and moving outside, taking apart, cleaning and putting all back together. From that perspective, the wet/dry seems the least hassle. But I don't know if that perspective is accurate. I like the idea of adding a HOB filter to supplment! Thanks for any advice!
That seems to be my experience too. That there is more upfront complexity work with the wet/dry and a little more frequent maintenance. However it isn't the chore that a canister cleaning can be. I think the FX5 or wet/dry are both good options.
Are you going new or used for your tank?
Are you going new or used for your tank?
I can see evaporation being something to frequently monitor, thanks for the tip.
I'm going with a new tank. Anything wrong with Perfecto tanks? That's the brand my local fish store has on sale at the moment. I'm thinking of an African cichlid setup with a lot of rock work, fyi.
I'm going with a new tank. Anything wrong with Perfecto tanks? That's the brand my local fish store has on sale at the moment. I'm thinking of an African cichlid setup with a lot of rock work, fyi.
I haven't considered wet and dry for my 125 gal because I am afraid that if I go away for vacation for 3 to 4 weeks, excessive evaporation will render my filtration non-functioning. I am also concerned for overflow in the sump or losing siphon in the overflow box in power outage.
I haven't considered canister either because I am afraid of leak from bad connections that lead to flooding in my absence.
I trust HOBs more than other filters because of their simple design that is nearly accident proof. I owned many HOBs over the years and they have never leaked once. But they are very noisy and not something you want to be in the living room.
A predrilled tank has external plumbing too. Is there no concern the plumbing will leak one day just like any plumbing.
