Canister VS. Sump/fuge

[4G1v3N]

I am strogly debating a sump on my set-up. I am just curious if the sump is that much superior to a can filter. basiclly is it worth my time and money to install a sump and take out my can. I have heard from people that say I dont need a sump because I already have my 100 LBS LR and 60 LBS LS. I dont know what to think anymore! Can any tell me the advantages of a sump on my tank.

TIA
Jordan

[jtReef]

I guess it depends on your system.
My thoughts are if you have been running a canister for some time now and your system is doing great it is not worth changing. Especially if your no planing on adding more fish, coral, and inverts. I'm running a canister filled of live rock on a 46 gal with no issues at all. Now if you want to run a sump for a good place to hide your heater and want to be able to observe a cool add-on echosystem than go for it.

Plus the added water volume is always a good thing as well.

[Tangster]

I say Sump an accept no substitutes will make for a better system and less work . I have seen way to many rethink the sump a few months down the road .. Get it right the first and set back relax and grow you a tank.

[Matt Rogers]

jtReef does have a good point with 'if it ain't broke...' but it will payoff down the road with more room to upgrade and less hassle. I am with Tangster.

[jtReef]

Don't get me wrong when I say canister.
I'm not saying it is better than a sump. I'm just trying to point out that a canister is not the end of the world. I was actually surprised to see how many pods I had in mine. I actually am only running the canister because I will be getting rid of that tank.
Here are my pluses to a canister
-easy to install and no plumbing
What I don't like are
-Less water, no added C02, can't hide equipment, having to clean it all the time, and of course everyone elses commets.

I totally agree with Tangster on a sump is less work. More upfront work setting up but totally worth it.

I'm just feeling for everyone who is reading all the sump/fuge threads and fear that if they don't put in a sump/fuge that everything will dye.

[djnzlab1]

HI,
If I read this right a canister may create nitrite similar to bio-balls its great for clearin the water but may have a negative effect on the nitrogen load,that bacteria working on the food and waste may be accelerated due to water flow. on my brand new system, I have 2 marinelands canister and a sump DSB the best of both worlds for little or no change in my cost cause I had the pumps and the 20 gal tank already , I did op for better media in the canister to prevent all that maint. I put carbon/phois media in my back back filter thats easily accesable for weekly quick changes ..
Doug
I ve read the below item makes excellent media for biological filters.




quote from that saltwater fish info forum...
((The biological filter in a saltwater aquarium is nothing more than a place for bacteria to grow. Any surface in an aquarium which comes in contact with tank water and the nitrobacter & nitrosomona bacteria species that you created when you cycled the tank is part of your bilogical filter. The velocity of the water passing over the bacteria also affects the efficiency of the biological. The faster the water moves over the bacteria, the more efficient it is, up to the point where the bacteria is being stripped from the filter surface.))

So its sounds like it may increase that nitrite so you will need something to remove that either a DSB or some type denitrifyer.. Hey I am new to this saltwater so I may be overreactin

[Tangster]

I did not mean to imply a cannister won't work they will I was just saying that Its better to get it right up front then to second think it.. In a few months when you want to get a in sump skimmer and all that good stuff not to mention the benefits of more water to air ratio and better more efficient skimming. But yes a Sump is not a have to have thing and a filer Will work just fine I think if I went with that route I'd look at a bio wheel type system with disposable carbon filter pads cannister are a pain to clean.

[coral reefer]

The idea of better manageability and ease of cleaning makes a sump better in my opinion!!! Plus the ability to hide alot of your equipment makes it another benefit IMO. You have options with a sump also as far as adding a refugium and being creative as well,adding a carbon reactor and/or chiller to your system.

[bouraganes]

I have used an canister for years with great success and not alot of maintanence but if i can work it out I will switch to an sump- I like the idea of the extra water flow- one thing that still hangs me up is the possibilty of the sump overflowing- I had a freshwater tank with some rowdy chiclids that knocked loose an hose and ruined $2000.00 worth of hardwood floors- but come to think of it that hose was on an canister- HMMM-

[milesm4]

I prefer the sump. You can run one pump for filtering and circulation, hide heater if you use one, place to put a protein skimmer and the added water volume is a plus. Just my opinion take that advice for what you paid for it.