Give me your recommendations please
- Thread starter MirandaP
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Quietman
2500 Club Member
Oh I don't use a canister...don't think I ever would on a saltwater tank.
But that's because I'm inherently lazy and a proud "Procrastinist"! I would do an 'in tank' equipment tank, though. But I do have respect for there being more than one right solution in this hobby (and not the "there's many solutions but mine is the best" kind of respect either). And I've seen too many examples of both canister tanks and 'in tank' equipment only tanks to say "you have to have a sump" with any conviction.
Quietman
2500 Club Member
But I'm also the guy that wants to set up a Jaubert Plenum in a 40 breeder with softies this spring. No sump, no skimmer planned (no canister eitherOh I don't use a canister...don't think I ever would on a saltwater tank.
But I do have respect for there being more than one right solution in this hobby (and not the "there's many solutions but mine is the best" kind of respect either). And I've seen too many examples of both canister tanks and 'in tank' equipment only tanks to say "you have to have a sump" with any conviction.
)
Quietman
2500 Club Member
Because as @sfin52 said, you have to be almost religious about cleaning the canister filter as nutrients can quickly get out of control if you don't have a skimmer. I was thinking canister only at times, but well, I know me. I'm not going to do anything religiously, except find reasons not to do stuff I don't want to.
The skimmer works by removing the nutrients from the water column permanently (long as you empty the cup before it overflows). That can buy you a week or two leeway (my cups fills up in 2 weeks if I have it set right).
If you go with skimmer and keep canister, you should have the ability to go longer and have that leeway.
The other reason is that sumps really are easier to maintain just because you can access everything so easily.
All that said, many people really do use canisters for filtration even if they have sumps. They are a great design and do a great job of mechanical filtration. Heck, I'd like one just to use for weekly cleaning but I keep putting off buying it.
sfin52
So many pedestrians so little time
Well explained.Because as @sfin52 said, you have to be almost religious about cleaning the canister filter as nutrients can quickly get out of control if you don't have a skimmer. I was thinking canister only at times, but well, I know me. I'm not going to do anything religiously, except find reasons not to do stuff I don't want to.
The skimmer works by removing the nutrients from the water column permanently (long as you empty the cup before it overflows). That can buy you a week or two leeway (my cups fills up in 2 weeks if I have it set right).
If you go with skimmer and keep canister, you should have the ability to go longer and have that leeway.
The other reason is that sumps really are easier to maintain just because you can access everything so easily.
All that said, many people really do use canisters for filtration even if they have sumps. They are a great design and do a great job of mechanical filtration. Heck, I'd like one just to use for weekly cleaning but I keep putting off buying it.
jtl
Well-Known Member
There people who have successful reef tanks and never used a sump or a protein skimmer. I have had many tanks and configurations over the years but I have always appreciated the benefits of a sump. It is not only a place to put skimmers, pumps, heaters, media, ect but it also adds more water volume. I also would want a drilled tank and that becomes more of an issue once the tank is filled. Do you have anything in the tank?
Marco S
Always Learning
Good choice on going with a sump. Hopefully it is at least 40 gallons and has room for a decent sized skimmer and whatever else you decide to add in the future.
On a side note: what UV Sterilizer did you end up getting? You may want to read up on them as there are basically two purposes for them. One is for algae control and one is for protozoa control.Each will require a different flow rate through the sterilizer and contact time with the UV bulb. If you are going for protozoa control then you will need a decent sized one for that size tank and you will need to verify the flow rate and make sure you have room for it. Just to give you an idea, here is a pic of the UV sterilizer I have on my 160 gallon tank...
It is too big to fit in my stand so I had to get a bit creative and mount it on the side of the stand. Good thing I left enough room between the tank and the wall. ;Happy
