Reef Central Online Community

Go Back   Reef Central Online Community > General Interest Forums > Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment
Blogs FAQ Calendar Mark Forums Read

Notices

User Tag List

Reply
Thread Tools
Unread 09/13/2019, 02:22 PM   #1
dfleary
Premium Member
 
dfleary's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NC
Posts: 205
Question Wet/dry Filters

Why are wet/dry bio filters only recommended for freshwater tanks? Wouldn't they do just as good a job fostering denitrifying bacteria in a marine tank? (Is there something about the denitrifying bacteria strains in freshwater that requires more air contact?)


__________________
D. Leary,
Smithfield, NC

Current Tank Info: 120 Gal. Marine
dfleary is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 09/17/2019, 12:05 PM   #2
Percula9
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Orange County CA
Posts: 3,819
Wet dry filters don’t perform denitrification.They only produce nitrates.You can use them in fish only marine systems.I don’t recommend them for reef systems.A sump would be a better way to go.Live rock and deep sand beds will perform denitrification.Water changes also to remove nitrates.


Percula9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 09/17/2019, 01:27 PM   #3
dfleary
Premium Member
 
dfleary's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NC
Posts: 205
Would a regular sump system (not wet/dry) be better, even for a fish-only marine system, or for that matter a freshwater fish-only system?


__________________
D. Leary,
Smithfield, NC

Current Tank Info: 120 Gal. Marine
dfleary is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 09/17/2019, 02:12 PM   #4
mcgyvr
Registered Member
 
mcgyvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 20,050
A wet/dry is just one way to increase surface area for bacteria.

A typical saltwater setup will utilize sand and extensive porous rock to provide TONS of surface area for beneficial aerobic bacteria.
As such a wet/dry just isn't needed and as stated requires frequent maintenance to remove trapped particulate from its mechanical filtration before it breaks down further/clogs,etc...

A freshwater fish only tank will typically feature gravel and plants and maybe a few branches here/there.. As such it doesn't have nearly the surface area a saltwater tank would have and needs something to increase surface area for bacterial colonization..


__________________
Who me?
mcgyvr is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 09/19/2019, 11:02 AM   #5
Michael Hoaster
Registered Seaweedist
 
Michael Hoaster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 5,807
Wet/dry filters are perfectly good at what they do - converting ammonia to nitrite, and nitrite to nitrate, known as nitrification. The end result is a build up of nitrate, which can be addressed with water changes. Back in the eighties and nineties, this was state-of-the-art.

They fell out of favor when it was discovered that both nitrification and denitrification could be achieved with live rock and deep sand beds, where nitrate is further processed into nitrogen gas, which bubbles harmlessly out of the aquarium.

So wet/dry filtration is still useful for many situations, but most reefers choose the more complete solution to limit nitrate build-up. Plus, if you already plan to use rock and sand, it simplifies one element of a hobby that can get pretty complicated!

If you state your intentions, many of us would be happy to offer advise on the best filtration for your needs.


__________________
As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance,
our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey

Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018
Michael Hoaster is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
trickle, wet/dry

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:51 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Use of this web site is subject to the terms and conditions described in the user agreement.
Reef CentralTM Reef Central, LLC. Copyright ©1999-2022
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.