What can I do about this?

[JCchichlid]

I'm new on here for one so please forgive me if I am in the wrong section of the site. Ok here it goes. I bought my self a 160 gallon fish tank. The lady I got it from said her hubby had custom built the cabinet and filter system. It has a bio-ball filter system in it and the darn water pump has burnt up. I am trying to figure out what is the best rout to go. Being that I will have most of my fish inside of it.... 2 small JD's, 2 small GT's, 3 med sized convicts, med size firemouth and suckers. I want it to have good filteration. Should I try to put out the money for another water pump? Or get a HOB filter for it? I hate the thought of having to clean up a big mess of water if the power goes out and it over flows. Then again I don't really like having to deal with a lost suction either if the pump goes out or power fails. I do however like the idea of some sort of HOB or canister filter being it would be less mess. But I was told that the bio-ball filter (wet/Dry) system I have on this would work better then any HOB filter. I guess it's all trial and error. I am still learning about these things so if Any one has an idea or comments as to what to do. also if you have an idea of where to get either for a cheap price let me know. Thanks again and God Bless.

 

[Rbishop]

I would repair it and operate it.

Can you shoot us some photos to see how it is plumbed? If built correctly, there shouldn't be an issue of flooding on a loss of power.

 

[Rallysman]

I'd get another pump. A wet/dry is the best filtration you can ask for unless you plan on having a heavily planted tank.

 

[Ghost_knife]

I have several W/D filters...compared to a new filter and worring about pllugging holes etc....get a new pump..It's worth it

 

[SirWired]

Wet/dry sumps indeed have the finest biofiltration of any method. However, their mechanical filtration is usually quite poor (not much more than a coarse sponge, since they are gravity fed) and most sumps have no option to add Carbon when necessary for medication removal.

I'd suggest you keep the sump to act as your "primary" filter because nothing beats it for the most important type of filtration, which is biofiltration. Also maybe a couple of AquaClear 110 HOB and stuff them with filter floss (a.k.a. thick polyester quilt batting you can buy from any fabric store for cheap.) to help keep your water clear. The AquaClears have the advantage of not requiring you to use filter bags or cartridges. You just pile in whatever you want.

SirWired