Can you attach a canister filter to a sump

[ILikeFish!]

I was wondering if i can attach my fluval fx4 to a sump so i can have extra filtration?

 

[TinCanHero]

You can run external canisters at the same height as the water or slightly above, I've done it before for years on FW tanks, you just have to prime the lines to remove the air.

 

[DanyL]

Technically you can, the question is what are you trying to achieve with it?

 

[ILikeFish!]

Technically you can, the question is what are you trying to achieve with it?

Extra filtration for a heavy bioload

 

[Big Smelly fish]

You can,

 

[DanyL]

Extra filtration for a heavy bioload

So like I mentioned earlier, you can technically add a canister.
That being said, depending on your parameters, system volume and goal it may not worth the extra time required to maintain it when other, possibly more suitable solutions exists.

You don't have to go through with it , and a canister may turn out to be the most suitable solution after all, but it's worth a try.

 

[ClownSchool]

My experience with canister filters - I used a Fluval FX4 - is that it required full breakdown and cleaning every five to seven days, or it was like cycling your water through a dirty trash can.
Using filter socks rated for a smaller sized micron number will do what you’re looking for without the laborious maintenance.
I hope this helps.

 

[ILikeFish!]

My experience with canister filters - I used a Fluval FX4 - is that it required full breakdown and cleaning every five to seven days, or it was like cycling your water through a dirty trash can.
Using filter socks rated for a smaller sized micron number will do what you’re looking for without the laborious maintenance.
I hope this helps.

Do you know how big of a sump I would need for a heavy bioload? i was planning on getting a 20 gallon one for my 55 gallon.

 

[DanyL]

What do you call a heavy bioload?
Are you planning to keep coral?
Is there a working system already or is it all future plans?

 

[Tenecor Aquariums]

Do you know how big of a sump I would need for a heavy bioload? i was planning on getting a 20 gallon one for my 55 gallon.

What is your stocking plan? That is what kind of bioload?

 

[ClownSchool]

Do you know how big of a sump I would need for a heavy bioload? i was planning on getting a 20 gallon one for my 55 gallon.

A sump should be at least 20% to 25% of your display volume, so I’m sure that would be fine.
If you have the space to store something bigger, using a 40 gallon breeder will give you the space to add additional filter sock ports. The additional socks would allow you to use smaller micron socks and still cycle the water in greater volume.
The smaller the micron, the slower water passes through the sock.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I do agree that extra mechanical filtration will not compensate for heavy bioload. A skimmer or water changes would be much more beneficial than an extra canister filter.

But what does heavy bioload mean? You can't stock heavy like in a freshwater tank, you have to respect their need to personal territory or else you risk disease, aggression, and jumping.

 

[ILikeFish!]

What is your stocking plan? That is what kind of bioload?

2 Clownfish
mandarin goby
2 Cardinalfish
Coral beauty
Yellow watchmen Goby
Marine beta
Royal Grammy
Hawkfish
Fire goby
Maybe a seahorse

 

[Spare time]

Extra filtration for a heavy bioload

It won't do anything other than add a recirculating garbarge can to the tank. Just rinse the filter socks often.

 

[ILikeFish!]

What do you call a heavy bioload?
Are you planning to keep coral?
Is there a working system already or is it all future plans?

I’m planning on keeping corals and its all future plans but I already have some of the fish in my list

 

[Tamberav]

2 Clownfish
mandarin goby
2 Cardinalfish
Coral beauty
Yellow watchmen Goby
Marine beta
Royal Grammy
Hawkfish
Fire goby
Maybe a seahorse

You should not put a seahorse in a normal reef tank. They need specific tank mates, non-stinging corals, lower temps.. etc. Seahorses should be in tanks built around their needs.

 

[Sdot]

My experience with canister filters - I used a Fluval FX4 - is that it required full breakdown and cleaning every five to seven days, or it was like cycling your water through a dirty trash can.
Using filter socks rated for a smaller sized micron number will do what you’re looking for without the laborious maintenance.
I hope this helps.

This all day!!!

 

[Tamberav]

Also ya.. do not add a canister. If you need more filtration then get it some other way, larger skimmer, good sized fuge or algae scrubber, carbon dosing, reactors, there are many options.

 

[wil-yuhm]

In the future I may go to a bigger tank w/sump/refug and was also considering utilizing my FX-4 for Carbon etc.
Fluval's FX-4 has been rather easy to maintain for the last several months. Every 1 to 2 months I clean the filter which consists of rinsing the sponge/filters and fluval bio media on each tray.

 

[ILikeFish!]

Also ya.. do not add a canister. If you need more filtration then get it some other way, larger skimmer, good sized fuge or algae scrubber, carbon dosing, reactors, there are many options.

How big of a skimmer and sump do i need for that kind of bio load, im planning on getting a 30 gallon sump?