robgn

I was visiting a large pet centre in Montreal (Quebec , Canada) and
noticed that their tanks had an unusual filtration system: they did not
have individual pipes to pick up the water from each tank; instead the
tanks had skimmers and the water dropped behind the tanks into some
reservoir below the tanks. The return was a continuous flow pipe from
tank to tank to tank.

I was always under the impression that Trickle (Wet/Dry) Filters were
used for Marine Aquariums; Can they also be used in Freshwater tanks
too?

Is there a good website that has DIY plans for a Wet/Dry for a
freshwater tank?

Thanks,

RobGN.

billy

Actually, actual wet\dry filters have fallen a bit out of vogue in
saltwater systems due to their tendancy to aggravate nitrate issues.
They're still used heavily in saltwater, but without the major
mechanical filtration medias. However, they're fabulous for
freshwater tanks (IMO) for many reasons, such as an increase in
overall water volume in the sump, (the reservoir you speak of) always
a good thing, place to "hide" all the equipment, such as heaters and
stuff.

http://www.thekrib.com/Filters/trickle-blackford.html
This is one guy's plan for a trickle filter, using a standpipe rather
than an overflow.

http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html
This is an excellent description of a sump and how it works. It's
intended for a saltwater keeper, but you'll get the idea. Disregard
the bits about protien skimmers and such. <g>

Do a Google for "DIY sump" or "DIY trickle filter", you'll get more
than you can read The basic premise is you use a drain of some kind
(overflow(weir) or standpipe, generally) to drain the water to the
sump. The filtration happens in the sump, whatever kind you choose to
use. A water pump returns the water to the tank. Several things must
be done correctly to insure that you don't end up with all the water
on the floor read the second link for explanations.

I'll digress at this point, I could go on for hours, really. Read up,
and be sure to post any questions or clarification you may need!!!!

billy

spiral_72

Be sure you check out:
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/
There's some very good info about the subject

http://www.geocities.com/spiral_72/Spirals_page.html

billy

AH! Good one! I even have that bookmarked, thanks for adding
that!!!!!

b