Filter Help

[DeadlyAlliance]

Hey guys i was at the fish store today looking at some fishes. I saw this big filter that i had seen in other stores before i think its called wet-dry and its i would say about 2 feet tall. I was wondering if any of you have one i would like for you to tell me how they work and if they work better than all the other filters? I would like to get one if they are better than the regular filters. Thax.

 

[rvm]

is this the one you mean?

If it is, then it is an eheim 2229 Wet/Dry filter.
The basic principle is that you only use biological media inside it and the filter is designed to constantly fill up and then empty so alternating the media contact from water and air (hendce the wet/dry!!) The thoery is that this creates much better biological activity and so breaks down ammonia and nitrite much quicker than a standard filter.
The problems I have heard about are that because it is so good at breaking down ammo and nitrite, the nitrAte can rise v. quickly to dangerous levels, and because the biological activity is so good the bacteria starve the water of oxygen.
I've not experienced either of these problems, partly because I have the output of the filter set so that on the empty cycle it agitates the surface so much that I get good oxygen exchange.
I have another filter running to cover mechanical and when needed chemical filtration as well.
The biggest problem I have noticed with this filter is the noise. because it is constantly filling and emptying, you will get a lot of running water noise, so I wouldn't recommend it for bedroom use. Other than that is is a very good filter.
Depends on what size tank you have and what stocking level you have in there as to whether it would benefit you, but really a standard Eheim Pro II or Classic will do the job just as well and be easier to use then the wet/dry.

 

[DeadlyAlliance]

Thax for replying. Yeah it looks something like that. Well i have a 46 gallon tank and about 17 balck mollies in it. Well i sort of like the sound of running water and how would i know if the water doesn't get enough oxygen (sorry if it sounded dumb im still a newbie at this). What do you think of summersible filters are they good. Well thax again and i will check into the filters that you recommed.

 

[rvm]

for a 46g at that stocking level, you'll be fine with a standard external like the Eheim classic 2213 filter, that is rated for tanks up to 66g. If you want to go with an internal, you can, but externals give a much greater option for media choices. You are not limited to the specific media for that filter, and there is much more of it!!
As for telling if the water is low in oxygen, the way to tell is if your fish are gasping. This can signify other things, but if I ever see my fish doing it, the first thing I do is try to create more surface agitation and that has always cured it.