Looking for Advice

[STEVE0]

Hello Guys,
I’m a total noob to salt water or reefing. I have been doing a ton of homework and would like to dive in. The route I’m thinking of taking is rather a controversial one. In my opinion sumps, I understand are a staple and are tried and true, are not attractive nor motivating to me. I have read a lot, as well as watching tons of videos on the subject. I would like to go the canister route. I’m looking for some advice and guidance on this. It seems there are a lot of options now to create a sump like system using a canister (i.e. inline protein skimmers, heaters etc). So any information will be gladly appreciated. Thank you in advance for those who take the time to help.

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

#WelcometoR2R

Have you considered an All-In-One aquarium?

 

[Peace River]

+1

All-in-one (AIO) systems are a great alternative if you don't want to go with a sump. Either way whether you add a glass box where you can stick all of the equipment that you don't want in your display tank (aka - a sump) or you add the equipment to a back chamber within the tank (aka - an AIO) you have a comparable system. Canister filters come with complexity that work for some, but IMO also come with risks that are not necessary for most reefers.

 

[slogan315]

Take a look at @Danny's Aquariums . Big untraditional system. Love his stuff on YouTube even long before his saltwater paludarium came along.

When talking about veering away from the mainstream, the difference is potential for success. Can one have success from an unconventional approach? Yes. Will most have success, probably not.

The sump is your system’s equipment space to filter and fix. If a canister filter does all the filtering and fixing you need, great! If not, you may need a sump to have more room to fit equipment from different vendors, to solve the diverse needs of reef keeping.

 

[Sam7]

Hello Guys,
I’m a total noob to salt water or reefing. I have been doing a ton of homework and would like to dive in. The route I’m thinking of taking is rather a controversial one. In my opinion sumps, I understand are a staple and are tried and true, are not attractive nor motivating to me. I have read a lot, as well as watching tons of videos on the subject. I would like to go the canister route. I’m looking for some advice and guidance on this. It seems there are a lot of options now to create a sump like system using a canister (i.e. inline protein skimmers, heaters etc). So any information will be gladly appreciated. Thank you in advance for those who take the time to help.

There many ways to have a sucessful reef tank and were around long before sumps and other fancy equipment. Many here are doing what you call controversial already. Look at my tank thread im running no sump with a hang on the back filter. Some are using canister they work too.

my tank thread:https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/my-40-gallon-breeder-mixed-reef.1138537/

 

[Sam7]

Oh and Welcome to R2R

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

A canister is a filter, a sump is not a filter, its just an extra tank to hide the filtration equipment. They are different things. You can have a sump and a canister filter if you wanted to. This is a good article that explains the basics of filtration, good luck.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[STEVE0]

Hello Guys,
I’m a total noob to salt water or reefing. I have been doing a ton of homework and would like to dive in. The route I’m thinking of taking is rather a controversial one. In my opinion sumps, I understand are a staple and are tried and true, are not attractive nor motivating to me. I have read a lot, as well as watching tons of videos on the subject. I would like to go the canister route. I’m looking for some advice and guidance on this. It seems there are a lot of options now to create a sump like system using a canister (i.e. inline protein skimmers, heaters etc). So any information will be gladly appreciated. Thank you in advance for those who take the time to help.

There many ways to have a sucessful reef tank and were around long before sumps and other fancy equipment. Many here are doing what you call controversial already. Look at my tank thread im running no sump with a hang on the back filter. Some are using canister they work too.

my tank thread:https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/my-40-gallon-breeder-mixed-reef.1138537/

Dude that’s awesome! I like you tank. Looks like you corals are doing awesome!

 

[STEVE0]

Oh and Welcome to R2R

Thanks Sam7!

 

[STEVE0]

+1

All-in-one (AIO) systems are a great alternative if you don't want to go with a sump. Either way whether you add a glass box where you can stick all of the equipment that you don't want in your display tank (aka - a sump) or you add the equipment to a back chamber within the tank (aka - an AIO) you have a comparable system. Canister filters come with complexity that work for some, but IMO also come with risks that are not necessary for most reefers.

Ya I have encountered this in my reading. This biggest issue for me is the tank. I want that cleanliness of the tank. Again I’m new and have not had a salt water yet. But wether is the the overflow or the black background in the tank it looks like it gets filthy looking and puts a negative image on the tank in my opinion

 

[STEVE0]

A canister is a filter, a sump is not a filter, its just an extra tank to hide the filtration equipment. They are different things. You can have a sump and a canister filter if you wanted to. This is a good article that explains the basics of filtration, good luck.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

I don’t disagree with you. But the main purpose of a sump is to pull water into a skimmer that pulls out the organics in the tank thus filtering the tank. Either method is treating and filtering the water correct?

 

[Freenow54]

Hello Guys,
I’m a total noob to salt water or reefing. I have been doing a ton of homework and would like to dive in. The route I’m thinking of taking is rather a controversial one. In my opinion sumps, I understand are a staple and are tried and true, are not attractive nor motivating to me. I have read a lot, as well as watching tons of videos on the subject. I would like to go the canister route. I’m looking for some advice and guidance on this. It seems there are a lot of options now to create a sump like system using a canister (i.e. inline protein skimmers, heaters etc). So any information will be gladly appreciated. Thank you in advance for those who take the time to help.

I have never heard of an inline Skimmer. I use a Fluval canister on all of my three Tanks. One has sump. They make bagged media for all sorts of applications. Also bulk to save $ that you bag yourself

 

[Fish Fan]

Ya I have encountered this in my reading. This biggest issue for me is the tank. I want that cleanliness of the tank. Again I’m new and have not had a salt water yet. But wether is the the overflow or the black background in the tank it looks like it gets filthy looking and puts a negative image on the tank in my opinion

I'm going to disagree with this just little

I think you'll find that an All-In-One tank is one of the very cleanest setups you can do. The back filter section holds and hides your other equipment. AIO tanks are a great way to go for beginners, they are easier to setup and run than using a sump or even a canister filter.

 

[Freenow54]

Not Cheap just looked

 

[TonyB]

After years and years of fw aquariums with canisters and trying to hide in-tank equipment, I was absolutely thrilled to have a sump when moving to salt.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I don’t disagree with you. But the main purpose of a sump is to pull water into a skimmer that pulls out the organics in the tank thus filtering the tank. Either method is treating and filtering the water correct?

A sump is not needed for a skimmer, there are hob skimmers. Its also feasible to have a sump and no skimmer, some people choose algae scrubbers instead of skimmers.... the point of the sump is to hide the skimmer or algae scrubber or refugium as opposed to using all hang on back equipment. A sump doesn't filter water by itself.

 

[Freenow54]

Ya I have encountered this in my reading. This biggest issue for me is the tank. I want that cleanliness of the tank. Again I’m new and have not had a salt water yet. But wether is the the overflow or the black background in the tank it looks like it gets filthy looking and puts a negative image on the tank in my opinion

Don't put down Black. I have black either background on outside of tank . Or I use black shoe trays inside. Reason? Algae grows slower and with the trays cleaning is easily done by pulling them out. I go further by making tops as well and block the light from hitting the back. Result ? NO ALGAE

 

[Freenow54]

After years and years of fw aquariums with canisters and trying to hide in-tank equipment, I was absolutely thrilled to have a sump when moving to salt.

I like both ways I like an in Sump Skimmer . But a Canister is easy to maintain , and no salt creep to clean up. Also handy for any media and gets the entire flow of the canister

 

[Freenow54]

So I am Suggesting that I like having the Combo. Here are some photos Plus side no mess the sump has not been cleaned in a week and a half. The canister is due in 2 weeks. I do it once a month. The sump is really nice for unobtrusive water changes which I usually do weekly. You see the Skimmer they are filthy and I wear a mask when I clean it just to kill the smell. To the left of it you see my filter media which is just batten

I buy at the local fabric store . I get enough for 2 months and costs me $20. The media for the canister is expensive , but I suppose it all is. Imagine having to put media in the sump chambers . I am as suggested going to DIY an algae scrubber. Did not know it is meant to replace the skimmer but I will run both. Anyway hopes this helps in your decision.