Wet/dry filter vs canister filter

[monkeyruler90]

hi, i have a dilemma on my hands

i'm gonna upgrade my filter and i have different choices. i have a 29 gallon(2.5 feet) tank that i'm gonna start planting and i can't decide which filter is better. i can make a diy wet/dry filter pretty cheaply with a good flow rate and tons of filtering and bio media
or
i can go with a canister filter thats alot more expensive but its self contained and easier.

so what should i do? should i go for the cheap wet/dry trickle filter or the canister filter?

how do each type affect CO2 levels?
whats their advantages and disadvantages?
which one is going to increase bio load? and which one is better for a planted aquarium?

[celticfish]

Most planted tank guys will tell you to not use a wet/dry filter.
They cite the escape of CO2 from the enriched water as the main reason.

Though I'm using cannisters I do prefer the wet/dry's (WD).
WD's are better at O2 "enrichment", as the water trickles down.
This means the filter should be able to take a higher bioload and support more good bacteria.
You can minimize the tendency for the WD's to lose CO2 by placing the diffusor at the outlet of the filter inside the tank.
The loss should be minimal unless you're going for high-tech (read a lot of fert, high light and CO2).
Now for the "downside"... WD's O2 enrichment comes at a cost of more volume.
Space contraint was the main motivator for me to go cannister.
Real estate is not cheap in tiny Singapore...
Otherwise we would see more "Moster Planted Tanks" in the forum!

Neither type will "increase" bioload.
I believe what you meant is which can take a higher bioload.
I would reckon the wet/dry for the above mentioned reasons.

If you can consider a cannister you can afford one, though DIY is cheaper...
If you can consider a DIY your DIY skills are okay and time is avialable...
So, IMHO I reckon you just need to consider the astetics of your finished DIY versus a nicely made cannister.
For instance, if you can keep the DIY neatly or out-of-sight, why not?...