Sump vs Canister Filter & Skimmer

[dhnguyen]

Well it all depends on what you're after as far as an overflow.

You CAN indeed have it all internal and drilled and plumbed from the bottom. But for me, those overflow designs take up way too much tank real estate. I prefer a small internal overflow and the rest just plumbed through the back. More room for aquascaping and corals :p

Here's another very small footprint overflow that I was looking at also.

https://www.customaquariums.com/information/h2overflow.html

 

[EstelleNJarrod]

We have a sump and a canister in our 125g mixed reef. Both have have their jobs and do them well. We have an FX4 in our 120g aggressive and it’s a power house. We used to have just a sump in the 120 when it was reef tank as well, but it really was a pain without a canister.

I guess it really depends on what you are intending on doing, I love the versatility of a canister and all the things you can add to it when needed, it is slightly annoying to clean though.

Our sump acts as a refugium and a safe haven for copepods and amphipods, helps water movement and reduces nitrates.

We also have a skimmer in the reef, but I don’t actually run it all the time. Our corals are happier with it running a couple days a week.

 

[Ducrider]

Well it all depends on what you're after as far as an overflow.

You CAN indeed have it all internal and drilled and plumbed from the bottom. But for me, those overflow designs take up way too much tank real estate. I prefer a small internal overflow and the rest just plumbed through the back. More room for aquascaping and corals :p

Here's another very small footprint overflow that I was looking at also.

https://www.customaquariums.com/information/h2overflow.html

I’m starting to think I’m better off doing external overflow and cutting the wall out to allow it to sink into the back of it and flush it up. Decisions!!!

 

[Righteous]

My second tank was a converted freshwater rimless. I started with a canister filter as well. Cleaning it not being a pain is probably a matter of opinion. :p

I eventually drilled it (with livestock in it... that was fun) and got a sump, and didn’t regret the upgrade at all. One of my biggest issues just using a canister is the lack of overflow. Surface skimming is more of an issue in saltwater, so with a canister you get more scum on the surface.

I also initially had glass filter pipes so they would disappear with the rimless. In freshwater they are awesome; but in a reef tank they are much harder to clean with algae and coralline buildup. I swapped them out with black plastic and black tubing, but hated the look.

 

[Righteous]

Thanks! I'll check it out. Really would like to keep it all internal and route the plumbing straight down into the stand, but we'll see what I can come up with.

if you go with a bean animal overflow setup you won’t regret it. Silent and flood proof.

 

[Ducrider]

if you go with a bean animal overflow setup you won’t regret it. Silent and flood proof.

No matter what I’m going Bean Animal - just debating on internal vs external.

Is it better to take a tank and convert it to reef ready (I can choose all the components) or should I just get a reef ready tank that is plumbed and has the sump pre-installed?

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Ducrider, I just upgraded from a canister filter to a sump with my new system. It is a pain to clean the canister. I have been impressed with my Reef Octopus skimmer. It really gets the stuff out of water. I have to agree with Greybeard's comments.

 

[Righteous]

No matter what I’m going Bean Animal - just debating on internal vs external.

Is it better to take a tank and convert it to reef ready (I can choose all the components) or should I just get a reef ready tank that is plumbed and has the sump pre-installed?

Its definitely less of a pain with a reef ready. Plus most non reef tanks are clear backed. With an overflow that means you can generally see the pipes in the back and it contrasts with the overflow box.

I can’t speak highly enough if Crystal Dynamics Aquariums.

https://cdaquarium.com/