I have a canister for my 45 gallon, and a sump for my 90. I find that I do not have to clean the canister as often. To do it propery ( fluval 350) it takes about 15 minutes every 3 months or so. My 45 gallon sump Requires cleaning more often, and because of the plant light for my algea it gets unwanted algea groth
you can buy pads to help with almost anything for them. Come in sheets and you cut them to size.I ran an FX4 and FX6 on a cichlid tank for years. They work great as long as you clean them very regularly. Otherwise they are nitrate factories. I dont remember the exact amount i paid for them but I bet I had $650 in them.