Wet Dry filter good for my situation?

[boldtogether]

I cannot argue with your conclusion but your reasoning is a bit off track...

THere are about 10,000 ways he could filter this tank for less money than the $900 Eheim solution you described. Mentioning only the absolutely most expensive way coudl easily be considered manipulation.

The hobby is not about trial and error for everyone. Actually for most people it's about watching their fish.

I don't think you can say a sump is cheaper than using the filters he currently owns, as they are already paid for.

Using a sump is certainly an option and sumps certainly have their benefits, no argument there. But it is not true that it is the best choice for everyone nor will it make everyone happy...

The $900 Eheim "solution" was tongue-in-cheek, born of experience. I HAVE this $900 "solution" and other Eheim filters EXCACTLY like the OP has and for simplicity I put them all on the shelf in my garage for a sump system.
The question wasn't about what was cheaper and I wasn't saying a sump is cheaper...did you actually read my response? You should, you "quoted" me.
BTW, I COULD mention the absolute most expensive way of filtration....but that would be subjective.

I put my sump together for a total of $250 including a new heater, 5gal of bio-balls and all the mechnical filter media. I am returning 1500gph vs. 900gph.(probably less) Granted, I am using an old acrylic tank I had in the garage, but I'm not shy about doing it on the cheap and would RECOMMEND buying used stuff first.

I think if it's a question of removing one means of filtration and replacing it with another, speculation should be of motivation.

I didn't say that a sump is the best choice for filtration, and I certainly didnt say it was the best choice for everyone.

The OP asked,"would it be [wet/dry sump]efficient for my set-up?" Efficient, simple and yes, cheaper( in many respects).

Fish keeping is a hobby for me and MANY people. I love the trial and error, the experimentaion and the discovery. If all you do is "watch your fish" than I think you are missing out on a very rewarding experience, something to show for your efforts, a job well done! I enjoy watching my fish, especially after I struggled with a particular problem, solved it and learned something. The reward after getting the down tubes out of my tank along with the heaters, power heads and increasing bio-capacity, was sitting back and enjoying my fish. Viewing my fish unencumbered was one of the top reasons for going with a sump.

 

[iloveoscars702]

ok so im doing a diy wet dry this june when school is out, but im buying an overflow and pump. cost will save me about $120. it will be modeled after this http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3587+18367&pcatid=18367

so ill be using a 20 gal tank for 20 gal rubbermaid container.
and this overflow ( ps 1200 ) http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3587+18358&pcatid=18358 with max of 900 gph
with this pump http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4587+20170&pcatid=20170 the 4000 model which is rated 1017 gph
but with a head height of about 3.5-4 feet which will give me about 780 GPH at the return.

or this pump http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4587+20170&pcatid=20170 (17hf model) which will give me 840 GPH at 4ft which sounds just right.

sound good?

 

[boldtogether]

I have been told by people who have them that those RioHyperflows are good but can noisy...vibration. The QuietOne 4000 is very quiet and very reliable. I have the 6000 and couldn't be happier with its performance.

 

[Toby_H]

Simply put, a wet/dry is a bio filter....

If your current set up doesn't have a problem with bio filtration a wet/dry is a waste of time, effort and money...

You can build one for fun if you like, but don't be fooled into thinking your fish will be any better off because of it...

 

[iloveoscars702]

well the plan is that the wet dry will replace my two ac110. so it will help out a bit.

 

[tigrey]

ok so im doing a diy wet dry this june when school is out, but im buying an overflow and pump. cost will save me about $120. it will be modeled after this http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3587+18367&pcatid=18367

so ill be using a 20 gal tank for 20 gal rubbermaid container.
and this overflow ( ps 1200 ) http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3587+18358&pcatid=18358 with max of 900 gph
with this pump http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4587+20170&pcatid=20170 the 4000 model which is rated 1017 gph
but with a head height of about 3.5-4 feet which will give me about 780 GPH at the return.

or this pump http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4587+20170&pcatid=20170 (17hf model) which will give me 840 GPH at 4ft which sounds just right.

sound good?

keep looking you should get a better pump like mag drive for that price. also imo you dont need to spend money on a already made sump when you can make your own for half that price and it works just as well.

 

[iloveoscars702]

keep looking you should get a better pump like mag drive for that price. also imo you dont need to spend money on a already made sump when you can make your own for half that price and it works just as well.

that what i said. lol the only part im buying is the overflow and pump. the filter itself will be made of drawers and a plastic bin

 

[boldtogether]

Simply put, a wet/dry is a bio filter....

If your current set up doesn't have a problem with bio filtration a wet/dry is a waste of time, effort and money...

You can build one for fun if you like, but don't be fooled into thinking your fish will be any better off because of it...

Yeah, dont get fooled into better turnover, greater bio-capacity, clean and uncluttered tank interior, simple design, expansion potential......

Don't waste your money and time exploring the idea that a different set-up may just be the set-up you are looking for....

Simply put, a wet/dry is a TRICKLE FILTER, and you dont HAVE to have any bio-media in it at all....just filter pads for polishing and the the added bonus of aerating the water. If all you want to do is skimm the surface of the tank and you want to run a fluidized sand bed for bio....a sump is the trick, and you don't have to have anything in the sump if you have an external return pump and the sand filter is a stand alone. but thats not what this OP's thread is about. The OP just wants to get the AC110's out of the tank and maybe suppliment the canisters that are currently running.

Simply put, nc_nutcase is trying to de-rail this thread.
We get it, you don't like trickle filters, move on then.

 

[iloveoscars702]

thanks everyone. ill hopefully get this project started by june.

 

[Bderick67]

Uncluttered tank interior? What about the overflow, those HOB overflows have to be about the ugliest thing you can put in a tank. So you'll replace the heater(easily hidden and a pair of intake tubes for a big square box

Colton did you ever test your tap water? Are you still having ammonia issues?