Should I go for a Canister or a Wet/Dry Filter
Question:
I recently bought a 50 gallon tank, and wondering to either set-up a wet/dry filter or install an external canister filter. I'm aware that wet/dry is mainly used for marine aquariums, but also that they often provide better filtration. I want to keep some fancy tosakin goldfish in my aquarium.
Perhaps a canister is still the best option, but if wet/dry filter do a better job and by the looks of it are easily to make yourself it's tempting to go for a a good DIY option.
Do you guys think I should shell $200+ for a canister or build a wet/dry myself. And is the DIY an option anyway?
Thanks a million..
Answer:
I think you can go for the sump set up. It’s a much cheaper solution and the filtration is okay. A really low cost solution is to make the sump from a Tupperware container or an old unused aquarium.
You need to get a good pump and overflow box, that’s the more expensive part. But they are very simple to set up and can be done at a fraction of the cost of a canister
Tags: tupperware container, gallon tank, Hospitality Recreation, marine aquarium, Personal lifeCan I Use the Same Canister for both Fresh and Salt Water Tanks
Sometimes the question “can I use my freshwater canister filter for a marine aquarium” pops up and the answer to that question is yes as long as you clean the filter first.
Mechanically most external filters don’t mind working in an salt or fresh water environment. The mechanics just don’t change. Your filters pump is powering the water flow through your filter no matter if it’s salt or fresh water.
The differences start at the filter media you’re using. As an example in a fresh we use Zeolite filters to absorb ammonium from the water, but this trick doesn’t work with salt water. The same hold true for some "scavenger resins" used in some canisters.
Thus you can use the same external filter but will sometimes need different filter media. The mechanical and sponge filtration remains the same. Most biological filtration remains the same and most media are developed for use in both environments anyway. Follow the instructions of the manufacturer.
There is one thing to keep in mind though; a marine aquarium is often more susceptible to small disturbances in balance then a fresh water tank. This makes maintenance of the filter and it’s media to a top priority.
In a marine aquarium you will often use a protein skimmer; this won’t work in a fresh water aquarium.
So canister filters can are usually suitable for fresh as well as salt water but there are some differences in the filter media used. A protein skimmer is great for marine, but it won’t work in your fresh water tank. More often than not you will want a higher flow-rate of water in a marine aquarium.
> Tags: external filters, canister filters, water tank, marine aquarium, Human behavior, protein skimmer, Water filter, fresh water aquarium
What Protein skimmer would you recommend for a 75 gallon fish only saltwater aquarium tank ?
I have rena filstar xp3 filter, 3 damsels, 2 clowns and 2 hermit crabs. Looking for something quiet, under 0, hang on the back kind , and I have 3.5 inches from tank to back of the wall.
Thanks in advance!!!