sump vs canister filter

So I just started a 55g set up. I bought this tank with a custom built stand and topper. The stand for this has two long skinny doors on each side and the inside is just 2x4 city for support.. I have more room hight wise then i do width. About 14 inchs w and 2.6ft T. Im running a Canister filter as of rite now with a ramora protein skimmer hooked on the back side of my tank. I would rather have a sump and put it all under the tank but is it even possible to build a sump that will fit?? Can a sump be stacked taller instead of longer? Or will the set up I have do a good enough job to support fish and soft corals?

 

A pic would help.

 

Yes it would. Ill see if I cant get one up tomorrow.

 

You can use most any inert container for a sump- IOW, whatever will fit. You could also use the canister, although it will require frequent maintenance to prevent high Nitrate spikes.

 

Guess im just a lil lost (mainly lack of knowledge on sumps.. ) but most sumps i have seen run in a smaller fish tank and are long (width).. my issue is if i want any kind of sump thats gonna fit and be a good size for a 55g tank its gonna have to be built up instead of built wide.. not sure what i can use.. Do you know of a good link for info about sumps? I could better my knowledge on them? and then maybe i can grasp the idea better on what could work and what wont..


The canister im running currently is the Rena Filstar xp2

 

would something like this be better then running the Rena Filstar?
Marineland C3 Sump - Up to 60 gallons - 16 in. x 14 in. x 24 in. | Wet/Dry Aquarium Filters | Filters | Aquarium - ThatPetPlace.com

 

Canister filters I would never recommend for marine use, though there are people that do. As Mr Bill already stated, they require a lot of maintance, almost no water to air mixing, they are pricey, high repair cost, tend to leak, and ECO system always gets messed with after filter cleaning.

With a sump there is just one major thing, either a drilled tank or a HOB overflow box, so that it drains into the sump. The sump is very easy & can be very simple or made out of a 10gal tank or bigger. You just need a return pump to pump the water from the sump to the display tank.

Another nice thing about a sump is that you can put the heater & skimmer in the sump & get rid of the ugly added equipment on your display tank..

 

I would like a sump but in my case its easier said then done.. I have a very small space to work with maybe only a foot and a few inches wide and about 2 and half feet tall. not sure if any what kind of pump i can get in that small area..

 

I have a 54Gal corner tank system I just bought from a friend of mine.. I have pics of that sump is in there that is not that wide. Return pump, heater, & pump for the skimmer is in there too. The skimmer hangs onto the sump.. I'll get you a mfg name & model.

 

That would be great.. Ill try to get the exact specs but from the looks of it just putting my aqua ramora hang on the back skimmer in that area would pretty much take up all the space i have..