Wet/Dry Filtration or High End Canister Filter

I have an LFS that is trying to talk me into a wet/dry filtration system.

The tank in question will be 150 gallons and be a slightly overstocked African Cichlid tank. I have read the advantages of having WD filtration. However, it seems over my head and that the canister filter I was going to go with would be much easier for me to setup and maintain and far less expensive.

So the question is, would a WD be overkill for me or is my LFS right and a canister filter could be devastating to what I am setting up. I feel like it was a scare tactic to spend $1000+ as opposed to the $380 I was going to spend on the canister filter.

Please someone help me not get duped if that is what is happening here.

Thank you all in advance.

 

I have an LFS that is trying to talk me into a wet/dry filtration system.

The tank in question will be 150 gallons and be a slightly overstocked African Cichlid tank. I have read the advantages of having WD filtration. However, it seems over my head and that the canister filter I was going to go with would be much easier for me to setup and maintain and far less expensive.

So the question is, would a WD be overkill for me or is my LFS right and a canister filter could be devastating to what I am setting up. I feel like it was a scare tactic to spend $1000+ as opposed to the $380 I was going to spend on the canister filter.

Please someone help me not get duped if that is what is happening here.

Thank you all in advance.

For that size tank a Diy sump will be way better you can make any way you like and suit your tank. But your tank has to have an overflow to drain water to the sump and you will need a strong pump to bring the water back up. You can get a 40 gallon breeder put some glass baffles but some sponge bio media and your good.

 

I think it really comes down to what you are comfortable with and what you are keeping in there. I had W/D on my reef tank for years and it was great, I run 2 Sun Sun 304's on my 75 gal freshwater and those are super easy and a TON less expensive (even if you do DIY). Depends on what type of fish and how many, if you were to do a community tank I think 2 HW-304B should do OK, If you are doing Oscars or goldfish you may have to go W/D to process enough GPH or 3-4 304's, in which case the savings probably aren't there!

 

I think I may just go with a 120 gallon tank instead and go with a Fluval Fx6 canister filter. This whole, W/D sump thing scares me. I do weekly maintenance and from everything I've read, as long as I do that, the canister filter should serve my fish just fine.

 

An fx6 would do an excellent job filtering a 150 gallon tank.

 

I'm looking for a 150 -200g tank at the moment and will just use a sump for the filter. Dont let them scare you into getting a tank or anything else uou don't want or can't afford.

 

I'm looking for a 150 -200g tank at the moment and will just use a sump for the filter. Dont let them scare you into getting a tank or anything else uou don't want or can't afford.

Wasn't trying to "scare" anyone. Sumps can be hard to trust if you have never had one. I remember when I set up my reef (before internet and forums like this were around) and the thought of water flowing from my tank to an open top tank under it was scary. So if op is not comfortable then there is no reason he can't use a canister.

 

I've run all the numbers and the W/D setup would run about the same as 2 Fluval Fx6(s) and I haven't even calculated in the plumbing yet. Besides this buying 10 different pieces and all that frustrates me. Lol. I may actually do some sort of redundant filtration with an Fx6 and then a bio wheel hob or something. Can I put an in line UV sterilizer with the canister filter? And dumb question number 2, if I can would it go on the inlet or outlet hose?

And btw, thank you all for helping me already.

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I'm not sure but I would think you could add it and adding it to the outlet hose would work better.

 

Hello,

IMO, Wet Dry and Sump filtration is the best there is. Yes, getting started and purchasing the first Wet/Dry can be a bit daunting, getting all of the plumbing set up, but in the long run, well worth it! I've been using Wet/Dry filtration for the past 17 or so years.

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/265g-filter-upgraded-2-6-13.137148/

If budget is an issue, then try one of the canister filters suggested by other members above.

Ken

 

Wow your setup there is amazing Aquarist! So those Eshopps ones come with everything minus the return pump?

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Go with what your comfortable with. I run a fx6 and two penguin 350s for extra water movement on my 125. They keep my tank crystal clear.

 

Go with what your comfortable with. I run a fx6 and two penguin 350s for extra water movement on my 125. They keep my tank crystal clear.

That is a beautiful tank! Love Clown Loaches! I am going to go with the Fx6 with a UV Sterilizer and at least 1 HOB. Thank you for making me feel better about that decision. Question... the back of your tank, is that black paint? I want to do the same thing with my African Cichlid tank.

 

Thanks. Yes it's semI gloss exterior latex Paint from glidden. Also I run purigen in my fx6, it does wonders for water clarity.

 

Wow your setup there is amazing Aquarist! So those Eshopps ones come with everything minus the return pump?

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Thank you for the kind words!

Yes, the Eshopps comes with everything you need but the return pump must be purchased separately. Budget permitting and if you choose this route, go ahead an purchase extra accordion hoses. It pays to be prepared and have extra everything when it comes to this hobby!

Ken

 

Went with an eshopps wd filter. Thank you guys for the advice.

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