Quote:
Originally Posted by
natifishguy http:///t/395713/starting-up-55-gal-need-advice-before-setup#post_3523839
Btl what's the difference between the wet/dry filter and overflow with a sump setup??? Only reason I'm using the wet/dry is I've had it sitting in my parents basement and never got to use it.. Prolly wont use the uv sterilizer for now..prolly going to go with led lights for the tank and still undecided on power heads but kinda leaning toward the korallia..trying to build this tank slowly but surely adding new stuff ever week or so..thanks for all the advice
In a wet/dry system water flows from the display into the w/d filter, over some type of media (bioballs, ceramic rings, etc.), and back to the tank. Note that in this system the media is not submerged, but there is a continuous flow of water over it. This provides a high oxygen availability environment known as aerobic. In such an environment ammonium is converted tonitrites, and then to nitrates, but the process ends there. W/d filters are thus known as "nitrate factories", which in a sense, is a good thing because for fish only systems moderate nitrate levels are no problem. However, in reef systems many of the organisms are very sensitive to nitrate too, so this type of filtration will not work. In a sump system, the overflow leads into another body of water int he sump where there may be equipment such as heaters, etc, and a skimmer, which removes nitrogen-containing wastes, lowering the production of nitrates somewhat. The best way to get rid of nitrates, however, is in an anaerobic environment (little oxygen). Here the nitrates are converted by anaerobic bacteria to nitrogen gas, which just leaves peacefully. While there are pieces of equipment that will house such bacteria, in many systems it not necessary to use anything other than good quality live rock. Such rock has small pores in it in which anaerobic bacteria thrive by ridding the water of nitrates, and everyone is happy (at least until some other disaster overtakes the tank). If you are seriously comtemplating going reef down the line I would recommend starting your system now with a sump. There are just too many good points favoring this type of set-up.
