RabbitsAreSlow

Despite my post about a week ago entitled to sump or not to sump, I broke down and purchased an Eshopp's wet/dry sump system with a mag drive submersible pump. I couldn't pass up the awesome price. Now here's my concern. I have a Marineland Emperor 280 hang on back filter (HOB) and need to set up my new wet/dry system. How do I ensure I maintain the bio-load and keep everything healthy with the change-over? Do I setup the new system to run side by side the old system and allow them to run for a few weeks? Or do I put the filter caertridge and biowheel into the sump and let them float around so they maintain contact in the water? I am lost please help! As always, thank you guys so much for your advice!

JoeSmo

Well, I would say to run the HOB filter and the sump at the same time for mabye a month, then you could take off the HOB filter. Just a thought.

RabbitsAreSlow

That's what I was thinking, thanks Joe...any other opinions denying or confirming this so I can be confident in my decision?

Tony G.

I second joe's idea.
You could also use extra sponges. Here's how it works:

You have an established tank. You add clean, never before used sponges to the tank. Let them soak and run for about 4 weeks. Then, when you transfer your filter, stuff it with the sponges, while still running your HOB.

I cycled my 32g with my 10g. IT sounds crazy, yet i did it in 3 days. I added sponges to my 10g, and the plant deco and everything. I let it soak for about a week. Then when i got my 32g, i transfered EVERYTHING but the filter. Gravel, deco, sponges, etc.
I used the gravel in my 10g for the 32, and it helped alot. I had nitrates 3 days later and no ammonia. I tested it also, by adding some flakes, and leaving them for about a day. Then, i tested for ammonia and had 0. The colonized bacteria will help TONS to get the new filter going.
Congrats on the new filter!

RabbitsAreSlow

I think I might just let the two run simultaneously but I worry that the original HOB filter will continue to do its job and the new Wet/Dry sump won't do anything...I am still uneasy as to what to do and the sponge idea although it sounds alright I can't wait 4 weeks/1 month that's just too long for me...yeah yeah I know patience but there must be another tried and true way...don't get me wrong the idea sounds great...please anyone else chime in I want to hear some alternatives or more people siding one way or another before I go through with this. I have 23 fish altogether right now and don't want to kill em...

Shawnie

not familiar with a sump wet/dry per say..but if it has an area to keep sponges and such, just take out the media from the hob and put it somewhere in your sump....the media is all you need to keep not the filter it self

aquarist48

Hello Rabbit. If your fish can handle the current from both filters running at the same time, I would use them both then. One way or another the new filter is going to have to be seeded so I don't see a need to put it off. You can always remove the HOB after a month and add the filter media from it to the sump.

Shawnie make a good point as well. Personally I like "extra" filtration but that depends on your fish.
Best of luck!
Ken

RabbitsAreSlow

So I should run them both and allow my new wet/dry to accumulate it's own bacteria...or should I put a sponge or two in my media cartridge in my hob and let it accumulate bacteria then hook up my wet/dry 1 month from now and place the sponges in my first chamber (that is under the bio balls which are under the polyfiber filter) and then run both simultaneously...I am confused as to what the difference would be between just hooking up the new filter, removing the old one, and placing both the bio-wheel and the polyfiber w/activated carbon filter in with the first chamber on the wet/dry and just run it solo...sooo confused...

JoeSmo

I would think that it would still grow bacteria in your wet/dry with the HOB still running, but if you are really worried I would take the HOB media out and put it in your wet/dry to get a jump start.

RabbitsAreSlow

I know the filter cartridge from the hob might fit where the water comes in from the overflow box into the sump tank...I could sandwich it between the top plate and the sump tanks polyfiber filter but the bio wheel i'd have to float beneath everything...or should i just place both underneath the bioballs directly into the water? Also I though the bio-wheel, which has the beneficial bacteria in it, needed air to help the bacteria flourish and exchange the gases....bahhh still confused...I also don't understand how if I put the media into the sump below all the filtration media and the bio-balls in the first chamber how it wouldn't defeat the purpose of the entire system....to filter....

JoeSmo

Alright just saying, running the HOB filter and the wet/dry system at the same time will only help your tank. Bio-Bacteria gorws on everything, not just the bio-wheel. If you run both, the wet/dry IS going to grow the benificial bacteria. That would be the best option.

RabbitsAreSlow

...ahh...**breathes a sigh of relief**...I didn't know the beneficial bacteria grows on everything...it only makes sense as many filters don't use bio media. Thank you very much Joe!

JoeSmo

Haha no prob, glad I could help! Good luck with the tank.