Wet/dry Filter System?

Someone is offering a nice deal on a tank with a stand, I was thinking of getting it. I asked what filter goes with it and they said it has a wet/dry system built into it. Being relatively new to fish keeping, I have no idea what this is. I did some research and watched a video on it but I'm still very confused. Would it be a good idea to have a wet/dry filter in comparison to HOB filters or canister filters?

 

What size tank is it, usually I'd recommend a canister system.
I've never had a wet/dry system but It actually looks like a lot more work.

 

I've been looking to get a bigger tank. This one is 75 gallons.

 

I'd recommend that you get a canister filter for a 75.

 

Wet/dry systems aren't that bad and it hasn't been any more work than a canister in my experience. It's sorta like taking the vertical aspects of a regular filter and sorta turning it sideways and making it horizontal in a separate "unit" (like another tank or something). I really like them, but imo they're a lot more useful for the bigger tanks where buying a canister filter isn't with it. For your size tank, a canister filter is fine

 

Wet/Dry filters or "Sumps", are the best filtration type there is available IMO. I opt for sumps, and have a 20G one filtering my 75G planted tank. Even though they were designed for saltwater tanks initially, they are excellent for freshwater setups.

They hold HUGE amounts of media, and you can put in as much and whatever types of media you want (this is very handy for when you want to instant cycle new tanks). Sumps also hide equipment like heaters as you can put them in the sump or overflow, making the tank appear far more natural. Maintenance is actually very easy depending on your choice of media. I have polishing pads, foam, various bio balls and sintered glass in mine. I have to rinse the pads once or twice a month, and that's it.

The offer far more effective filtration that HOB's and Canisters. I would highly recommend trying one out.

Edit: I didn't even state one of the best parts of a sump,,my bad. Sumps also add a lot more water into to your system then a canister/HOB. My tank is 75G but I have 90-95G of water in my system because of the sump, this is obviously is much better as a larger volume of water is more stable and it takes longer for issues to occur in bigger volumes.

 

Do you think $200 dollars for a 75G tank + stand + wet/dry system, lights, heater, etc. is a good deal for it? and once I get it, how do I clean the system before stocking? It seems very complicated but I'm sure once I get it, it'll be more quick, haha.

 

Do you think $200 dollars for a 75G tank + stand + wet/dry system, lights, heater, etc. is a good deal for it? and once I get it, how do I clean the system before stocking? It seems very complicated but I'm sure once I get it, it'll be more quick, haha.

That depends on the condition, and your geographical location. It does sound very cheap though.

Just clean it like you would any tank, a good scrub with water, I would also clean everything you buy (heaters, pumps, thermometers etc). The sump (wet/dry filter) is just another little tank underneath the main one. I would pull it all apart, clean it, then put it all back together. It will help you understand how a sump filter works. I would also get all new media and cycle it again.

It's very, very simple to understand once your looking at a setup in front of you. I can get you a picture of my sump if you think it would help? Looking online at a few will help you understand how they work aswell. I think if you go down the sump road you won't ever want another filter type again. For setups 55G+ I think they are always worth it.

 

Yes, please send me a photo. The seller says the media it uses is sponges, pads, charcoal, and bio balls. I was thinking of putting my already cycled filter from my old tank and putting it in the new one for the 75G to speed up the cycling process but it said it came with wet/dry system in it. I was wondering if I can put the filter pad in there to use instead with the other stuff?

 

Okay it's mid morning where I am so my tank lights are off still. Hopefully you can get an idea of how it works from the photos. My setup is almost brand new(6 months old) so the sump setup is really simple compared to a lot of older types. They still all work pretty much the same way though.








I put the last photo in to show the overflow and outtake. It usually has slightly more water in the sump system but it's evaporated. It's water change day today so it's not the prettiest at the moment either. Hopefully you get some ideas of how it works. Drops into the sump on one side, goes through all the media and gets pumped back out in the other side. Super simple yet super effective.