CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

I was wondering which type of diy filter you all like best??? I want to build a filter as a project to add to one of my tanks. I am aware of some of the benefits and drawbacks to each. If i am correct:

Wet/Dry
good
-extremely efficient bio filtration
-easily built

bad
-dry spots in filer media (water will always take path of least resistance, leaving dry spots)
-more expensive to build
-takes a lot of room (in stand, but i use that for storage)


Fluidized bed filter
-good

-extremely inexpensive
-massive surface area on media
-self cleaning (due to the tumbling sand)
-no dry spots
-easily assembled

bad

-uses massive amounts of oxygen from the water
-can only run on low gph (high speed will kill nitrifying bacteria)


Drawbacks to both

-power outage will lead to massive bacteria die-off and re-cycling of tank

If anybody has a strong oppinion on this matter, or just some input or suggestions, i would love to hear your thoughts. I am trying to decide which type to build, so a preference (one vs. the other) would be great!!! Thanks a bunch guys!

hmm i have a wet dry for my salt tank, it was previously a fresh water tank and seems to do a wonderfull job on both. I have been wanting to add afluidized to one of my fresh tanks to see how well they do.