Agrresive filteration

griffin

griffin

Member
I was gonna get a wet/dry filter for my 125 gal aggresive tank, but now my dad went to a fish store by his work and he said that i should get a under the gravel filters. Is this a good idea?
 
goldpuffer

goldpuffer

Member
No not for an aggressive tank. Under graval filters suck. And use sand not rocks. Waste gets trapped in the rocks and causes spikes in your tank if you don't vacum the bottom. I think with the wet dry and protien skimmer you will be fine. On my 130g I have 2 fluval 404 canister filters, a 18 watt uv sterilizer and a seaclone 100 protien skimmer. Hope this helps.
 
griffin

griffin

Member
for the overflow unit in the wet/dry should i get the one with the hole in the tank or the siphon because the siphons cheaper except if the power goes out will it like take out all the water?
 
thesamm

thesamm

Member
since on the topic i got some ?'s like Griffin on the wet/dry's expecally the one about the power (up above) and is there any way the siphon will stop while the pumps are still running?
 
goldpuffer

goldpuffer

Member
Wet drys are great but when the power goes its a real headache. I came home one day and the power had went out and half the water from my tank was on the floor. Thats when I switched to the canister filters. They are great and you don't have to worry about the wet dry overflowing. Just IMO though.
 
griffin

griffin

Member
well ima use the tank with the drilled overflow unit so if the power goes out it wont overflow instead of using the siphon
 
zonut

zonut

Member
sumps with scum socks and the largest skimmer you can afford, id use float valves if you have issues with power in your area and dont want to pony up for a ups .
 
gasguzzler

gasguzzler

Active Member
The trick to a wet/dry is setting up knowing the power will go out. First, when the power goes out the tank will continue to drain to the sump by the natural siphon. If the overflow is adjusted correctly, the sump will fill but not overflow. The second problem is that the pump return hoses will backflow. You can stop this by drilling a small hole (1/8") in the diffuser just below the waters surface, so air will get sucked in and stop the siphon created. The last problem is when the power comes back on and there in no siphon in the overflow. On most overflows, there is a

[hr]
on the top. Attatch a small piece of flexible airhose to the intake of a powerhead and to the

[hr]
. This will create the suction needed to restart the siphon. Try it a few times and prove that it works on your system. You will sleep a lot better.
 
kart racer

kart racer

Member
Ever use a check valve in the pump discharge? I tested mine several times outside before I set the tank up inside or even added salt. So far no problems with overflowing the main tank or sump. Using an u-tube overflow to a 40 gallon sump.
 
kart racer

kart racer

Member
OK gas. The guy I bought my set-up from sells these clear, take apart check valves. A few PVC fittings and some glue and it went right in the discharge from the pump. And the outlet from my return line is drilled also. I dont guess it hurts to be extra careful.
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member

Originally posted by Kart Racer
OK gas. The guy I bought my set-up from sells these clear, take apart check valves. A few PVC fittings and some glue and it went right in the discharge from the pump. And the outlet from my return line is drilled also. I dont guess it hurts to be extra careful.
Those are better than most and they may work good for a while...and a lot of people use them in FW and FO systems, but they will eventually get "stuck" due to caco3 build up...
Just about the time the power goes out in your tank...:eek:
A better bet is the "antisiphon" hole drilled in your return line, which will "break" the siphon effect when power goes out and not flood your house..
edit: I see you use both...:yes:
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
Aproperly set up "U" tube overflow should NOT loose it's siphon if the power goes out...
The CPRs have a problem with that and need an "extra" pump to restart and "maintain" the siphon...
With those you only have to worry if the extra pump will restart AND if it can restart your siphon to the sump BEFORE the tank overflows...:nope:
 
gasguzzler

gasguzzler

Active Member
Im not sure what you mean that it wont loose its siphon if the power goes out. The water level will always go low and suck air into the tube, causing it to break siphon.
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
Not in a properly set up U tube overflow...:notsure:
Both inner and outer "chambers" should hold a quantity of water sufficient to keep the U tube ends submerged and the "siphon" ready to restart when the power goes back on...
Which chamber goes "low" for you allowing the "air" to enter the U tube...??
If it's the "outer" one..what level do you have your stand pipe set at...??
 
gasguzzler

gasguzzler

Active Member
Youre right. I should think before I speak. I havent had a U-tube setup in a while! I run a dual CPR on the 125 hooked to a powerhead. Ignore me- Im an idiot.
 
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