Filtration questions from newbie! thanks in advance

55g reef


1. How does a cannister filter compare to a sump w/o a refugium?

2. Would it suffice to manage a 55g reef with just a cannister filter, a hang on the back (ugly) protien skimmer, and provide excellent circulation?

3. I have read about the not-so-practical and potentially harmful of the old overflow filters, but changed regularly, can they still be used?

Thanks, I know these questions must get old, but I sure do appreciate the support and enthusiasm I am discovering on this site.

 

I started a 55g about 3-4 months ago. I started out with a canister (marineland C-360) and it worked well. But, I recently switched to and overflw and sump combo and am already seeing a world of difference.

 

I use a canister on a 30 gal. It works well. Has it pros and cons. I've used a sump on a 55 gal freshwater for 8 years. Has it pros and cons to. Overall I like the canister better, but I would not try to use one on anything larger than a 55 (and that's pushing it).

 

I am having success in my 55g with no sump, no refugium, no filter.

What I do have is a hang on back skimmer and lots of live rock. I also run carbon.

0 nitrates and 0 phosphates


Having said that, my next tank will have a sump and a refugium

 

That, alone, will not provide very good circulation at all.

Powerheads and a sump return would make up the main bit of circulation.

 

I would say the canister would have a similar return rate as the sump return. You definitely need some powerheads though.

 

yeah, i forgot to mention the powerheads,... circulation will not be an issue, i am more worried about combating nitrates and nitrites... you guys know where I'm going with this whole ammonia thing...............thanks a lot! u all are much appreciated.

 

Sump or canister, ammonia and nitrite should not be too much of a problem on a fully cycled tank. Only when something dies is when you may see something temporary spike. Neither system is immune to that.

Nitrates on the other hand requires more husbandry on your part with a canister to control. Where people get in trouble with that is that they let long periods of time pass between cleaning the canister's media. I do this monthly, takes about 30 minutes and my nitrates remain undetectable. The inside can collect detrius (which is what the mechanical portion is supposed to do) and is problem sumps don't really have. Detrius still settles inside a sump and has to be cleaned to, but it's a little easier to get than a canister.

With canisters you have the option to easily add the appropriate media to combat chemistry problems with a canister like carbon, phosphate removers and nitrate sponges. I use all 3 and it seems to work well. But keep in mind even with this option you still have keep up with maintenance which is something people would rather not be bothered with. With sumps you can find somewhere to add carbon, but if you desire to use the other media you will most likely have to purchase the corresponding reactor.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention another pro on a sump. You can hide equipment like heaters and protein skimmers. You can't do that with a canister, most likely those items will have to hang off and be inside your tank.

 

Where do you put the carbon?

 

Biggest hassle with canisters is they must be kept clean and that means often. The tubing gets gunk built up in them and they must be cleaned often. Over all, the sump is more convenient and much, much easier to maintain.