advise on wet/dry trickle filter

[mattlait]

hi
I have finally decided that the old 6ft x 18in x 2ft tank i have laying in the garden is gonna be transformed into a Hillstream Loache fast river tank.
Im thinking of using the Martin Thoene River-Tank manifold as i have all the pipework in the shed.
I have 3 900lr/hr power heads available to use, but was concerned the sponges on the ends are not going to provide enuf bacterial filtration for the tank to run at its optimum and therefore am looking to make a wet/dry trickle filter which will sit in a cupboard above the tank!... BUT....

Will a wet dry trickle filter take too much co2 out of the water for a few plants (crypts anubius and vallis) to grow sucessfully?

thanks for your replies


Matt

[UVvis]

A standard wet dry would probably drop to much CO2 if you are injecting it.

Why not go with a canister filter running in the same flow pattern?

[mattlait]

cheers for the reply UVvis i did consider an external filter but ive no useable room below or beside the tank only above it, as it being built into a L shaped cupboard with my other 4 footer at right angles to it ( the only way the Dear Mrs would allow another tank in the house!)


matt

[ClownLoachSharky]

how bout a top filter.

[mattlait]

how bout a top filter.

cheers ClownLoachSharky i didnt know there was such a thing so im off to the research things that way.... i know they are not sold in ireland so its gonna be a DIY job!

[ClownLoachSharky]

have you searched online. Im sure there are many websites via england posting to Ireland.

[UVvis]

Considering your situation, a wet/dry might be your best option. Some of the plants you mentioned should do OK without heavy CO2, provided you keep the light low and balance things in favor of slow growth.