What is a wet/dry filter?

Wet/dry filter, also known as a strimple filter, provides mechanical, biological and optional chemical filtration for the aquarium. The wet/dry filter is a preferred filter for many aquarists due to the handy sump it contains. There are many patterns, but basically water is pumped from the aquarium where it enters a large rectangular vessel. The water first passes through the cleaning agent as a foam pad to pull the particles. It can then go through chemical resins or activated carbon to adsorb organic pollutants. It also enters the drip tray where it falls through the air to obtain maximum aeration before falling on the filter medium below, which is designed to place the bacterial colonies that form the biological filter. Once the water passes through the biological material, it enters the sump where it is collected in the bathtub. At the bottom of the sump, the pump is located and the wire returns to the tank at such a speed to match the flow to the wet/dry filter. This regulates the level of the sump.

There are several commercially made wet/dry filters, but many aquarists create these filters themselves to create a larger area of ​​the sump. The sump areas in commercial wet/dry filters, which are usually made of acrylic, are relatively small. A large sump can hold equipment like heating (those) and protein skimmers to give the tank a cleaner look. In the sump it is also useful for testing water or adding chemicals, rather than going to a tank that is usually covered with a canopy and luminaire.

The large sump is also advantageous because it extends the surface area available for a tank that improves oxygenation. This is particularly critical for tanks that are strongly supplied.

DO-IT-YOURSELF (DIY) Wet/dry filters can be made from the sterility of Neborubbermaid food plastic bath and PVC. This route is relatively cheap and one can create an extremely large wet/dry filters thatThey practically never need maintenance, except for occasional rinsing of the mechanical filter medium. One of the popular methods is the use of a bathtub of 20 gallon (78 liters) for a filter container, which feeds on a bathtub of 50 gallon (189 liters) used for the sump. Many salt water enthusiasts like to place Live Rock in the pit. Other equipment such as pH meters can also be maintained here.

In short, the sump makes the water accessible to the aquarium for testing, treatment and monitoring, and the general rule is, the greater the sump, the better. Like commercial wet/dry filters, wet/dry filters can also be made of acrylic; Some aquarists prefer this because plastic bathtubs can eventually be fragile and, unlike acrylic, could eventually replace.

Many Plans for DIY Wet/Dry Filters are available online. If you use plastic bathtubs, make sure they are at the level of food or have been used for the foreground using an aquarium filter without problems. Some plastics can in waterto infuse harmful chemicals.

Wet/dry filters remain a choice for acvanists everywhere. Whether it is made or DIY, a wet/dry filter will provide excellent filtration for the coming years. And once you have the comfort of the sink, it will be difficult to return to anything else!