What are "Sump" & "Wet Dry" Filters

[twong727]

Can anyone please tell me what "sump" & "wet dry filters" are? I currently have a 60 gallon square tank overstocked with all male Mbunas and using a Eheim 2215 canister filter (good for 90 gallon). I am hoping I can soon upgrade to a 125 gallon tank but I am not sure if I should just get one more Eheim 2217 canister filter or I should explore other filter options such as those mentioned above. For now I have a bunch of texas holey rocks and ph neutral quartz gravel (I also use buffer and cichlid salt to raise the ph to 7.8-8.0) but if I upgrade my tank I will get more texas holey rocks and change the gravel to African Cichlid sand. Thanks for feedback in advance!

[DragonKeeper]

A sump is a general term to describe a container holding water under, next to, or generally anywhere near your main tank. They are usually connected to the main tank to increase water volume.

A "wet/dry" is a style of filtration where your filter media is only partially submerged in water. Wet/drys are generally found inside a sump. The idea is that there is more O2 in the air than in the water to feed your bacterial colonies.

My sump on my 125g Tang community has a 55g sump where I have my wet/dry filter and I also have a small refugeium. My sump also houses my heater and a water pump to drive the system.

I actually recommend a sump over multiple other filters. Not only does it make the tank look better (less equipment in the main tank), but it also allow you to add to the water volume of the tank.

[twong727]

Thanks for your explanation, Shawn! I learn so much everyday from this ACA community!!!! Tony

[DragonKeeper]

No problem. That's why we are here!

[Taiko]

Can you post a picture showing how it works please?

Thanks,

Kevin

[DragonKeeper]

Here is a pretty good detail of how they work.

http://newaquariuminformation.com/aquarium-information/aquarium-filters/wet-dry-filter.htm