Filtration help

[geeimatree]

So From what I have read and heard, wet/dry is the way to go when it comes to larger tanks.

So I am in the process of making my own wet/dry. However, I have heard that it sucks at mechanical filtration, but others say they figured out a way to make it not suck.

What I'm wondering is why wet/dry sucks at mechanical filtration
and
How would I make it not suck at mechanical filtration

The design I have in mind are 3 storage bins stacked on top of eachother that are sitting inside a large rubbermaid tub.
The water from the overflow goes down into storage bins...
Water pumped back in through the holes on the back of the fish tank

First storage bin will have those filter pads you buy at the lfs and carbon
Second and third bin will be filled with pot scrubbers

I am planning on installing a UV sterilizer when I find the money as well
Is that enough to make it not suck? Or would I have to get another filter?

Any help would be appreciated
Thanks

 

[noiesmo]

So From what I have read and heard, wet/dry is the way to go when it comes to larger tanks.

So I am in the process of making my own wet/dry. However, I have heard that it sucks at mechanical filtration, but others say they figured out a way to make it not suck.

What I'm wondering is why wet/dry sucks at mechanical filtration
and
How would I make it not suck at mechanical filtration

The design I have in mind are 3 storage bins stacked on top of eachother that are sitting inside a large rubbermaid tub.
The water from the overflow goes down into storage bins...
Water pumped back in through the holes on the back of the fish tank

First storage bin will have those filter pads you buy at the lfs and carbon
Second and third bin will be filled with pot scrubbers

I am planning on installing a UV sterilizer when I find the money as well
Is that enough to make it not suck? Or would I have to get another filter?

Any help would be appreciated
Thanks

Here's what I have done for my monster tank.

and yes they do suck a bit at mechanical, at the moment I have a internal filter and it helps with mechanical greatly, however this is not a permanent solution as my fish are still juveniles and I will be interested to see the outcome of this thread.

 

[Dr Joe]

You've been 'hearing' from the wrong places.

The first part of any good W/D is the mechanical filtration, not enough of it and yes, it won't work. But that's not the filters fault. Poor designs and lack of maintenance are the cause of inferior filtration.

Multiple filters ie. course / medium / and fine, with each being cleaned on their appropriate schedule. These can be layered material or filter socks depending on the W/D design.

If the filter material isn't cleaned the detritus deteriorates (erodes) and passes thru the material and back to the tank if you don't have finer grades of filters to catch it. This material is not what you want for the biological process of the W/D anyway.

You didn't state what it's going to be filtering (tank size) or the bio-load.

You don't need carbon unless you have a specific water chemistry problem.

There are some great W/D's in here.

More questions? just ask.

Dr Joe

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