Canister filters vs sumps/refugiums

I am considering getting back to salt aquaruims after min15yr abscence...and am educating myself to updated technology...I am going to the reef system.... wanting to know the biggest diff in canister vs sump/refugiums, the smartest way to go and why?...Models/brands,etc...I am going to NO smaller than 75g and no larger than 110g...

Thanks in advance for your help

Sam

Next ...protien skimmers..then lighting

 

Hi,

The sump's main advantages are:

1) it adds water volume to your system. The solution to pollution is dilution.

2) it gives a second surface area for gas exchange (O2 in, CO2 out).

3) it provides a place for a wider variety of filters, skimmers, etc. You're no longer strapped to HOBs or stand-alone units. IMO, the best models are in-sump; leaky plumbing won't result in a drained tank and wet floor.

4) it provides a place for a fuge. The fuge can be an integral part of the sump, or can be a hang-in model. Either way, the fuge is usually used for, but not restricted to, pod farms, macro algae filtration, or to place rogue critters for a "time out".

You can be creative and convert most anything into a sump; the only requirements are that it's made from inert material and holds water.

Hope this helps.

 

for a reef definitely a sump or fuge, but if your going fowlr you could do either. but remember a sump is just a box in our stand that gives us more volume to work with. it really doesnt give much filtration. if you have fish that put out alot of waste a canister would be the way to go such as a large predatory tank with triggers and puffers and such.

 

Alot of it will depend on your space and budget. Sumps are generally preferred but there is nothing wrong with a canister as well. You'll hear people jump and down saying canisters are nitrate factories. The truth of the matter is this is only semi correct. Canisters just take more regular maintenance to keep them from building up waste, food etc. Its the build up combined with lack of maint that gives them the bad rep.

 

+1

You'll hear the nitrate factory myth about a lot of fine equipment where lack of proper maintenance was the culprit.

 

You do not HAVE to have a sump to do a reef tank. The end.

 

Here you go.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aq...out-sumps-filters-fuges-79852.html#post780970

 

yeah some very advanced canisters that test water for you and such can be even better than a sump. such as the enheim with the computer built in to test params.