Wet/Dry Filter

Definition

Wet/dry filter (trickle filter) drips water over plastic bio-media exposed to air. Maximizes oxygen + bacterial colonization. Used in commercial fish stores + large display tanks.

Practical use

Pros: highest biological filtration efficiency. Cons: bulky, requires sump or external chamber, evaporates faster than enclosed filters. Modern reef tanks moved away from wet/dry to skimmer-based filtration.

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