Wet/Dry Question?

[nyrescue]

I know that you need a skimmer and sump to start a saltwater tank.
I read on the Pro Clear Aquatics version with both built in....can this be to good to be true??

http://www.proclearaquatics.com/images/wetdrypro/pro75wd.jpg

 

[murfman]

How big of a tank are you setting up? You DON'T need a sump or skimmer to set up a tank but they do help with natural filtration. I don't know how well that set up works but I see that it has bio balls, if you decide to go that route, the bio balls will keep your nitrate levels high as they trap detritus and such in the nubs and don't have the anerobic bacteria to break nitrate down.

 

[PatMayo]

It's not true. That is just a wet dry filter. Not the same as a skimmer. The sump is there, sump meaning just a place to hold water. The skimmer in a salt water tank sense is much more sophisticated then what you see there. That set up will typically create high nitrates which is not ideal in a SW tank.

Regards,

Pat

 

[TekCat]

Agreed regarding wet/dry. It is an old gadget vendors still try to push. All you really need (but not absolutely needed) is a sump and a good protein skimmer. And 1 - 2 lbs of LR per gallon of your system.

sump - increases water volume which is a good thing. also it is a place to put your skimmer, heater, etc... out of site. Sump could be made out of rubbermaid container, or smaller tank, etc....

protein skimmer - removes organics and other junk out of water before they decompose to ammonia. also it is a good aerating device.


Read articles in sticky thread, especially Waterkeeper's threads. And of course feel free to ask

Cheers

 

[drummereef]

I would avoid the bio-ball, all in one units all together. The the sump function as more water volume and a place to hide your mechanicals such as a quality skimmer, heaters, and perhaps carbon. You could even baffle a small area and make a fuge.