Filtration for 125

[mikehawk]

I tried seraching and didn't really find what I need to know.

Right now I'm shopping around for a 125gal tank that I'd like to have up and running by early next year. Now, I've noticed that a lot of these tanks are pre-drilled with some overflow thing in there. I'm assuming the overflow is for a wet/dry filter. And, from what I've read wet/dry filters are superior to hang-on-the-back style filters like the E400 and AC500.

Problem is, I have absoutely zero experience with wet/dry filters. I don't know how to set them up or how they work. I don't know what brands are better than others, or if brands even mean anything with wet/dry filters. Can I get away with a generic filter, or will I just end up with problems? Basically, I need filter recommendations for a 125 that will soon house a silver arowana.

I can get 2 E400's, new in the box, off of ebay for about $80-$90, where as, the wet/dry filters I've seen on there are going for $150 and up. Are wet/dry filters cheaper to maintain in the long run, or are they just THAT much better?

 

[boredcpl]

if you buy new look on www.petsolutions.com they have stuff cheap... tell them i sent you and i want free stuff..( i wish that worked )

 

[FlammingWoodChuck]

well im not sure about wet/dry filters either but then again i have only been in the fish bracket for 8 months. I have found that Aquaclear is the best bet for your money but the are just normal filters. I hope some1 nows about wet/dry filters and can help u out

 

[repair]

do you want to build one or buy one? I love wet/drys and you will to if you do it right.

 

[mikehawk]

I'd probably buy one sooner than build one just because I really don't have any experience with them.

Do you have any articles or diagrams that you can link me to so I can get a good idea of how they work and how they're set up?

 

[repair]

I'll try to make a post in the next few days with info

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

Why go thru that hassle?! Get an Eheim Professionel 3

http://www.petblvd.com/cgi-bin/pb/EHP2080380.html



HarleyK

 

[Loubard]

A eheim is great for mechanical filtration, but offers too little biological grow (the bio media isn't that effective in a canister in comparisation to a wet/dry, because bio media is mutch more effecient in the air with water slowly flowing/dripping over it) to support the bio load that most of the people @ monsterfishkeepers throw at there water.

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

Use Sera Siporax. 270 m2 per liter, providing aerobic as well as anaerobic areas. There is nothing out there with more surface and better conditions for bacteria. The Eheim 2080 holds 13 liters of filter media. Make it 1/3 Ehfimech and 2/3 Siporax. You'll be happy, and so will your fish.

HarleyK

 

[repair]

Howdy,

Use Sera Siporax. 270 m2 per liter, providing aerobic as well as anaerobic areas. There is nothing out there with more surface and better conditions for bacteria. The Eheim 2080 holds 13 liters of filter media. Make it 1/3 Ehfimech and 2/3 Siporax. You'll be happy, and so will your fish.

HarleyK

I have to disagree with you on this one...... wet/dry is the way..... you get water oxigenation from the water touching the air.... great filtration and will handle a Heavy Bio load....