StPatrick89
Well-Known Member
Are canister filters okay for Fowlr tanks? I’m hearing a lot about Sumps being the thing for reef tanks. Any pros or cons? I definitely want one with one of those UV lights.
Canister Filters
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Azedenkae
Valuable Member
Yes you can use a canister filter for fowlr tanks. You can also use them with reef tanks if you want/know what you are doing.
I would never use a canister filter though, but that is not to say you can't do it if you want to.
As for pros/cons? I went on a rant here if you want to see my opinions: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/filtration.825262/post-8878748
XD
[EDIT]
Wait, you're the same person who asked the other day, didn't you already get responses to this question there?
Regarding your AquaClear question though, even just one can work depending on how much flow there'd be in the tank, and what sort of biomedia there is.
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StPatrick89
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Yea I am, I’ve been doing more research about sumps but I’m seeing that they’re more so for reef tanks. My Fowlr really wouldn’t need all that extraness, BUT I was also thinking about upgrading to at least a 125g so I heard you need a sump for that
You don't always need a sump, but they are nice to have. It allows you to get equipment, like heaters, out of the display. You can also run a good skimmer in the sump, which is what I would do for a fowlr. Your display water level will also remain constant when running a sump, since the evap shows up in the sump. Sumps also give you more water volume.
In general, most people don't have 'filters' at all in saltwater tanks. Rock, sand, flow are the most important. Like I said, I would run a skimmer.
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StPatrick89
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What you suggest for a skimmer? I need info on skimmers because they seem to do the same as a HOB, just with bubbles and the waste is visible
You'll get lots of opinions on what skimmers are best. It's kind of like lighting. I run an ASM G2 on my 125 gallon. Another good brand that isn't outrageously expensive is Reef Octopus.
Skimmers are very different than a hang-on-back filter. Skimmers remove waste from the water column before it breaks down, instead of a filter that traps waste and is only actually removed when you clean the thing. They also remove things that mechanical filters don't. They also aerate well beyond what a HOB would.
You can look around here: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/prot...rotein-skimmers.html?product_list_order=price
or here: https://www.marinedepot.com/protein-skimmers/internal-skimmers
Look for something based on reviews and tank size. And you will want an internal one, not a hang on tank one.
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StPatrick89
Well-Known Member
All this valuable info! Thanks! Going to check out the internal ones
Azedenkae
Valuable Member
Yeah as per @nereefpat, theoretically, you don't need a sump for any size tank. There are ways to have all the filtration you'd need in a tank.
monkeyCmonkeyDo
7500 Club Member
Yes ive seen big tanks with all hob stuff and multiple canisters. The tanks were actually very quiet vs the running water from some ppls sump style set ups. Lol.
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Lowkey reefing
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Maybe somebody already mentioned it, or maybe not ..... the biggest benefit to a sump isn't the actual sump, is the surface skimming you get from the overflow. I think people generally fail to appreciate how beneficial that is.
blasterman
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Skimmer over cannister anyday. The skimmer is going to pull things the cannister can't, and the cannister produces nitrates vs remove them like the skimmer.
A cannister with functional UV is an interesting concept. Even if the cannister was empty and did nothing but provide UV it might be worth it. Basically it would be acting like a closed loop sump.
A cannister with functional UV is an interesting concept. Even if the cannister was empty and did nothing but provide UV it might be worth it. Basically it would be acting like a closed loop sump.
Lowkey reefing
Community Member
Canisters aren't nitrate factories... if you load em right with the right media. In addition, in sumps your doing the same thing if you dont have a strict routine with your filter socks.
My Canisters run 9watts per 24hrs a day. Very beneficial i believe.
Skimmers, its just dependent on what you have if it honestly filtering or just adding O2. That will depend on socks and sock maintenance, skimmer size abd cleaning. The Hw3000 from sunsun provides attachments for surface skimmer as well. They've came a long ways. Now if you can have a massive sump, you got room.... ehhh why not lol. But in my experience canisters can get ya there.
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One of the most significant issues that canister filters come with is that they can be tough to clean out, which is valid with most aquariums equipment. Canister filters will collect waste and residues in time, meaning that it will need to be periodically cleaned. For reef tanks, the importance of protein skimmers can’t be emphasized enough in conjunction with canister to reduce required frequent maintenance. Canister filters are better suited to small saltwater aquariums because of their limited filter media capacity. Regular cleaning to prevent the buildup of detritus, leading to high nitrates and phosphates will allow you to have a thriving reef tank.
The more stages the unit has, the more effective it will meet biological, mechanical and chemical filtration requirements. Utilize filtration that's rated for at least 4x your tank size, using a large single or multiple canister filters. Lots of biomedia and include carbon. It's all about routine maintenance once the system gets a few months under its belt.
Despite the best efforts of companies like Fluval, the canister filter is quickly becoming a thing of the past, at least in the reef aquarium realm. With protein skimmers dominating the market, canister filters are no longer vital to have on a reef aquarium, though there are still some benefits to their use. The filter’s operation is simple. Bottom line is : You can learn how to clean a canister filter to use it for your aquarium, but it involves breaking down the components, cleaning individual parts before putting them back together again. To prevent algae growth and nitrate problems in saltwater, you’ll need to clean it often.
The more stages the unit has, the more effective it will meet biological, mechanical and chemical filtration requirements. Utilize filtration that's rated for at least 4x your tank size, using a large single or multiple canister filters. Lots of biomedia and include carbon. It's all about routine maintenance once the system gets a few months under its belt.
Despite the best efforts of companies like Fluval, the canister filter is quickly becoming a thing of the past, at least in the reef aquarium realm. With protein skimmers dominating the market, canister filters are no longer vital to have on a reef aquarium, though there are still some benefits to their use. The filter’s operation is simple. Bottom line is : You can learn how to clean a canister filter to use it for your aquarium, but it involves breaking down the components, cleaning individual parts before putting them back together again. To prevent algae growth and nitrate problems in saltwater, you’ll need to clean it often.
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StPatrick89
Well-Known Member
People swear by the sun sun canister filters. They have UV’s in them
I believe a sump gives you more options now and in the future for a tank as large as the one you are considering. If you consider a DIY build, I think you can get out for a very reasonable cost. Also, If you go the FOWLR route and decide you don't want a big supply of live rock, different media options are available to process ammonia in the sump. Because your water parameters will not be as demanding as for a reef tank, you may find you can get by without a skimmer by using more media in the sump. Media is a lot cheaper than a skimmer. I use a sump for a 90 gallon fresh water tank as well as for my 125 reef tank.
I recommend you do a bit of research concerning the UV sterilize built into canisters. The ones I have seen are underpowered for larger tanks. I have external UV sterlizers plumbed into my return lines for both sumps and I've been pleased with how it has improved the clarity of the water. You should be able to find some wattage guidelines for different size tanks to help your analysis.
I recommend you do a bit of research concerning the UV sterilize built into canisters. The ones I have seen are underpowered for larger tanks. I have external UV sterlizers plumbed into my return lines for both sumps and I've been pleased with how it has improved the clarity of the water. You should be able to find some wattage guidelines for different size tanks to help your analysis.
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StPatrick89
Well-Known Member
I’ve seen people use two of those canister filters with the UV’s because they’re so cheap...
how does a sump look for a Fowlr tank?
A lot of standard media, heater, Uv sterilizer? That’s it?
