Path: utzoo!hoptoad!ihnp4!ihlpg!dalka
From: dalka@ihlpg.ATT.COM (Ken Dalka)
Newsgroups: alt.aquaria
Subject: Re: Re: question about biological filtration
Message-ID: <4526@ihlpg.ATT.COM>
Date: 22 Dec 87 16:26:45 GMT
References: <1264@homxb.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories - Naperville, Illinois
Lines: 38

> 
> This is the principle behind the wet/dry and trickle filters
> that have been discussed here recently.  Bio-Balls happen to
> be the media produced by Dupla to accomplish the "gravel"
> part of the system.  The system provides oxygen saturation
> and improved filter volume/ tank volume to allow for higher
> tank populations than with other filter concepts.

I have a standard gravel filter with power head and a standard
outside filter (aquaclear 1200) on my marine tank. I'm planning
on replacing the outside filter with something better but haven't
made up my mind just yet as to what. Ive been thinking about these
wet/dry filters but the cheapest one I can find is about $200.

I guess the first question is: Are there any for closer to $100
that are any good? This would be more in line with what I want to
spend.

Failing that, I was thinking maybe I could pick up a canister filter
(I'm pretty happy with the Hagen Fluval I have on my freshwater tank)
and try using some of the same media recommended for dry/wet systems.
If I set up a good colony of bacteria in the canister filter, what
would I not have that the dry/wet system gives me? The dry/wet systems
I've seen have a protein skimmer but I think I could do without that
so long as I kept up my regular water changes? right? wrong? By the
way, Ive gotten by with my current system for 5 months on a 38 gallon
tank with a somewhat light load (4 small fish, crab, shrinp, starfish).

As a side note, I asked my local store about bioballs and they said they
were Ok but recommended using hagen fluval or eheim prefilter media
instead (The ceramic cylinders). They said they were just as good
because the ceramics are somewhat porous and hold as much bacteria as
the bioballs. Anybody got a recommendation for better material?
-- 

					Ken Dalka (Bell Labs)
					ihnp4!ihlpg!dalka
					IE 2F-518  (312) 416-7437