Can I run a cannister AND a sump?

[laezur]

Hey! Sumps been shut down for a few months due to moving back to my mums temporarily, and they were worried my sump was leaking due to me not connecting a pipe properly and it dripping very slowly.... Anyway, I bought a Fluval FX2 cannister and have been running that sice, but im going to put my sump back online.

The FX2 is a great filter, and it cost me a lot of moeny, so would I be able to run both of them at the same time or would that cause any weird complications?

Thank you

 

[Harpo]

None that I'm aware of.

 

[Slocke]

Yes I've used the cannister as a return!
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/turn-a-macro-tank-into-a-refugium-sump.948341/

 

[laezur]

Yes I've used the cannister as a return!
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/turn-a-macro-tank-into-a-refugium-sump.948341/

Wait so I could run the sump as a very large refugium? It’s about 15 gallons, they would be an awesome refugium and space to put all my heaters and things. I could even run the canister from the sump rather than the display. And just have it take water out of there and pump it back in to the sump, and then then back to the display, since the tank itself has its own return and overflow?

Interesting…

 

[Slocke]

Wait so I could run the sump as a very large refugium? It’s about 15 gallons, they would be an awesome refugium and space to put all my heaters and things. I could even run the canister from the sump rather than the display. And just have it take water out of there and pump it back in to the sump, and then then back to the display, since the tank itself has its own return and overflow?

Interesting…

Exactly!
Just take note of some of the things said in the later posts. Like making sure the return is at the top of the tank so that you don't siphon all your water out when the pump turns off.

 

[vpierce3]

There’s no problem using both. My first tank back in the 90s used two canister filters and a sump for my skimmer.

 

[laezur]

There’s no problem using both. My first tank back in the 90s used two canister filters and a sump for my skimmer.

Awesome! I can only imagine it being helpful really. More tank volume, more space, more filtration and availability for fuge/skimmer is a big plus so.

 

[vpierce3]

Awesome! I can only imagine it being helpful really. More tank volume, more space, more filtration and availability for fuge/skimmer is a big plus so.

The only down side to them is the maintenance. Keeping them clean without harming the good stuff inside is a chore. That’s why most prefer a sump. But it will work and won’t hurt anything.

 

[WarChief]

Yes I've used the cannister as a return!
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/turn-a-macro-tank-into-a-refugium-sump.948341/

Any way I can get a pic of how you laid that setup out?

 

[Slocke]

it’s pretty simple.

 

[Asm481]

Just remember that fx4 shuts down every 24 hrs for a minute or so to release air. Make sure any siphon doesn't mess up your sump intake or overflow anywhere.

 

[fodsod]

I used a sump with a canister as my return for about a year on a previous tank with no issues. The overflow from the DT emptied into the sump and the last chamber of the sump (return pump section) was where I placed the inbound hose attachment for the canister. Then routed the out bound hose from the canister back into the DT.

As stated already, the maintenance on the canister was the only "negative". Fluval makes an awesome canister filter though so maintaining it shouldn't be that big of a deal.

 

[WarChief]

it’s pretty simple.

How does the output from the main tank get drawn into the sump? And how does it go at the same rate of return from the FX6

 

[Slocke]

How does the output from the main tank get drawn into the sump? And how does it go at the same rate of return from the FX6

By using a HOB overflow. So long as the overflow can handle the flow rate of the canister filter your good. I used one rated for 1000GPH.
Of course a regular overflow with a drilled tank works better.

 

[WarChief]

By using a HOB overflow. So long as the overflow can handle the flow rate of the canister filter your good. I used one rated for 1000GPH.
Of course a regular overflow with a drilled tank works better.

I am thinking of getting this one and using my FX6 for the return. FX6 has a 925 GPH pump rate.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/pf-1000-hob-overflow-eshopps.html

 

[WarChief]

By using a HOB overflow. So long as the overflow can handle the flow rate of the canister filter your good. I used one rated for 1000GPH.
Of course a regular overflow with a drilled tank works better.

How big a sump would you suggest?

 

[Slocke]

I am thinking of getting this one and using my FX6 for the return. FX6 has a 925 GPH pump rate.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/pf-1000-hob-overflow-eshopps.html

That’s what I used.

 

[Slocke]

How big a sump would you suggest?

Mines 45 but that’s because I had an old 45. I think it’s about what you want and how big you can fit. I love a big Refugium so mine is really just a big Refugium