Re: Wet/Dry Filter

[Dgrim62 at cs_com]

(snip)
Has anyone ever used or do you know anyone who has used the 
MarinelandTidepool 2 filter.  I am looking for a pre/made wet/dry for my 90 
gallon andalthough I have never used a filter with a BioWheel I am finding 
this one tobe the cheapest.  Can someone please tell me what you think of 
this filterand your opinions of others if this one is not good.Thnks Matt W.
(snip)

Hi Matt,
The main reason anyone would buy the Tidepool wet/dry would be for the large 
biowheel that comes with it. It also has a couple pull out drawers for 
Marineland filter pads and charcoal pads. 

If you think about it, you don't want to use a biowheel in a planted tank, as 
the thing is a great biological filter and the bacteria would outcompete the 
plants for all the beneficial ammonia. Great for fresh or salt fish only 
tanks. I cannot speak for all planted tank keepers, but most use very little 
biomedia in their tanks for the above reason.

So if you shouldn't use the biowheel, then you are going to be paying a lot 
of money for basically an injection molded plastic tub, which could be bought 
in the form of a Rubbermaid storage container for around $10 at your local 
Wal-Mart. A 10-20 gallon aquarium would also work well. They are also much 
cheaper than the Tidepool.

You can achieve particulate filtration for incoming water into the sump by 
tying a micron bag around the end of the hose that empties water into the 
sump and rinsing it periodically.

The only reason I can see to buy one of these is if you think you may use the 
wet dry with the biowheel in a fish only application in the future.

Hope this helps.
Dave 


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